Yamaha WaveRunner EX — the 3 years we've written up
2018–2021, side by side: what goes wrong on each, what the fix costs, and what they typically ask. 1 of the 3 carry a high-severity issue.
What this page is
These are the 3 Yamaha WaveRunner EX model years Kestrel has done the homework on — not every year Yamaha built one. A year that isn't listed here isn't a year we're warning you off; it's one we haven't written up yet. Ranking a whole model run would mean telling you about years we've never looked at.
Yamaha WaveRunner EX by year
2018–2021
How many owner complaints NHTSA holds. A big number usually means a lot were sold; the shape matters more than the total.
Year by year
Looking for a particular engine or trim?
Salt-use corrosion from poor flushing — $300-$2,000
Modest power for towing/rough water — Not yet priced
Impeller and wear ring damage — $150-$500
2 of these 3 have no high-severity issue in our write-up. That means we didn't find an expensive recurring fault — not that one cannot exist on the specific vehicle you're looking at.
Looking at one in particular?
This page covers the Yamaha WaveRunner EX in general. The Kestrel report covers the one you're looking at — the asking price against the market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.
Get My Verdict — $7.99Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for that year.
Known issues are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.
No bullshit, no upsells, no affiliate links. One report, one price — we'll never charge you rent for your own thinking.
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