2020 Yamaha WaveRunner EX Deluxe — Should You Buy One?
Typical asking price: $7,000–$10,000. This is one of the more reliable vehicles in its class — here's what to watch for anyway.
Deciding between model years? Compare the 3 Yamaha WaveRunner EX Deluxe years we've written up →
Kestrel Take
Yamaha's entry-level runabout with the naturally aspirated 1049cc TR-1 engine — light, efficient, and one of the cheapest ways into a reliable three-seat PWC. No supercharger, simple, and durable. Check the wear ring, impeller, and salt-water history.
What we checked
Not checked against public records
Personal watercraft fall to the Consumer Product Safety Commission rather than NHTSA. Its recall feed rarely names a specific model year, so we have not wired it in — matching on the brand alone would attach other people’s machines to this page. What follows is our own write-up, and it has not been reconciled against an official record. Treat it as a starting point, not a verdict.
Known Issues for the 2020 Yamaha WaveRunner EX Deluxe
Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents. How we decide that.
The small engine is adequate but not powerful. A limitation, not a defect.
Repair cost: Not yet priced
Source: not yet checked against public records.
Walk-Away Red Flags
- ✗Worn wear ring or impeller
- ✗Salt corrosion, no flushing
- ✗High hours with no records
- ✗Hull damage
Good Signs
- ✓Good wear ring
- ✓Freshwater use or flushing, low hours
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Found a specific Yamaha WaveRunner EX Deluxe?
This page covers what goes wrong on the 2020 Yamaha WaveRunner EX Deluxe in general. A free read looks at the one you're considering— it checks that seller's asking price against the market and names the issues that matter most for this exact year.
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Known issues on this page 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.
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