2001 Yamaha Road Star

Routine

Owners filed 57 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the transmission. It has been recalled 3 times.

Most common 2001 Yamaha Road Star problems

47 of the 57 complaints (82%) are about the transmission.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Manual Transmission · transmission38
300
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission6
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Carburetor System · fuel system3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine · engine2
000
Wheels1
000
Suspension › Rear1
000
Power Train › Driveline · transmission1
000
Power Train › Clutch Assembly · transmission1
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift · transmission1
000
Fuel System, Gasoline · fuel system1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment10E041000
Filed Aug 23, 2010300 vehiclesYamaha Motor Corporation, USA

Defect. YAMAHA IS RECALLING CERTAIN ACCESSORY YAMAHA DOUBLE "T" FAT HANDLEBARS , PART NUMBERS STR-5PX75-12-00 AND STR-4WM75-12-00, MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1, 2008 THROUGH JULY 31, 2009, TO BE USED ON MODEL YEAR 2002-2009 XV1700PC WARRIOR, 1999-2003 VX1600 AND 2004-2010 XV1700 ROAD STAR MOTORCYCLES. THESE HANDLEBARS MAY HAVE TUBING THINNER THAN DESIGNED WHERE THE BARS NARROW FOR THE SWITCH HOUSINGS AND GRIPS.

Risk. THE AFFECTED HANDLEBARS COULD BE WEAK ENOUGH IN THE AREA TO BREAK. SHOULD THIS BREAKAGE OCCUR WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS BEING OPERATED, THE OPERATOR COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. YAMAHA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED HANDLEBARS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT YAMAHA TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-962-7926.

Power Train › Manual Transmission06V397000
Filed Oct 17, 200620,000 vehiclesYamaha Motor Corporation, USA

Defect. ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, CERTAIN TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS MAY NOT MEET YAMAHA QUALITY-CONTROL STANDARDS, WHICH COULD ALLOW ABNORMAL WEAR THAT EVENTUALLY RESULTS IN A BROKEN RETAINING CIRCLIP.

Risk. IF THE CIRCLIP BREAKS, THE TRANSMISSION COULD LOCK UP, WHICH WOULD ALSO CAUSE THE REAR WHEEL TO LOCK UP. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITH INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE CERTAIN TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS WITH NEW ONES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT YAMAHA AT 1-800-88-YAMAHA OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.YAMAHA-MOTOR.COM.

Power Train › Manual Transmission03V309000
Filed Aug 26, 200329,139 vehiclesYamaha Motor Corporation, USA

Defect. IN THE TRANSMISSION ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE SECOND/THIRD PINION GEAR MAY BE INCORRECTLY MACHINED WHICH COULD CAUSE ABNORMAL WEAR THAT EVENTUALLY RESULTS IN A BROKEN RETAINER CIRCLIP.

Risk. IF THE CIRCLIP BREAKS, THE TRANSMISSION COULD LOCK UP, WHICH WOULD ALSO CAUSE THE REAR WHEEL TO LOCK UP. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy. YAMAHA WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION GEARS AND SHAFTS WITH NEW ONES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT YAMAHA AT 1-800-88-YAMAHA OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.YAMAHA-MOTOR.COM.

All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Apr 15, 20095,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 YAMAHA ROAD STAR MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V309000 (POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION). THE DEALER WILL NOT PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR AFTER MULTIPLE CALLS AND PROMISES. THE CONTACT MUST CALL THE DEALER SO THEY CAN ORDER THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR. HE HAS BEEN CALLING THEM FOR EIGHT MONTHS WITHOUT ANY RESOLUTION. HE CALLED YAMAHA CUSTOMER RELATIONS FOR A REMEDY AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD CALL THE DEALER SO THEY COULD PERFORM THE REPAIR; HOWEVER, HE HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 14, 200917,000 milesCO

FUEL (GASOLINE) IS SPRAYED FROM REAR PORT OF CARBURETOR. AS MUCH AS 2 OZ MAY BE EMITTED AND SPRAYED ON HOT EXHAUST PIPES AND ENGINE. THE FUEL IMMEDIATELY VAPORIZES. THIS ONLY SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE IS HOT, THEN SHUT OFF AND ALLOWED TO SIT FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES. IT DOES NOT SPRAY LIQUID GAS IF IMMEDIATELY STARTED OR IF ALLOWED TO COOL. HOWEVER, THERE IS STILL A FREQUENT SMELL OF GAS. FIRST REPORTED IN AUGUST 2008. PROBLEM IS FREQUENT. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Carburetor System
Filed Jul 2, 20052,360 milesCT

THERE WERE NO "EVENTS" LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE OF MY FUEL SYSTEM. WHILE RIDING IN TRAFFIC I NOTICED AN ODOR OF RAW FUEL. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO INVESTIGATE,I DISCOVERED GASOLINE POURING OUT FROM UNDER MY MOTORCYCLE! SHUTTING OFF THE FUEL PETCOCK AND RUNNING THE ENGINE @ AN ELEVATED RPM CAUSED THE SYMPTOM TO SUBSIDE AND LED TO THE CONCLUSION THAT A FAILURE IN 1 OR MORE CARBURETOR(S) HAD OCCURED. I CONTACTED MY DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT YAMAHA USA WOULD NOT WARRANTY A FAILURE OF THE CARBURETOR(S) CLAIMING THAT "POOR FUEL QUALITY" WAS THE FAULT,NOT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. UPON QUESTIONING,I WAS FURTHER ADVISED THAT CORROSION OF THE NEEDLE AND SEAT ASSEMBLIES WAS A KNOWN FAILURE IN THIS PRODUCT AND THAT WARRANTY COVERAGE WAS CONSISTENTLY DENIED BY THE MANUFACTURER DESPITE THE OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE OF POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. I ALSO ASKED IF YAMAHA HAD RELEASED ANY UPDATED COMPONENTS TO AVOID A REPEAT OF THE SAME FAILURE AND WAS ADVISED THAT CHROME PLATED COMPONENTS IMPERVIOUS TO THIS KIND OF FAILURE WERE AVAILABLE,BUT,NOT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. FOR OBVIOUS REASONS,I HAD THE DEALER REPAIR THE CONDITION WITH UPGRADED PARTS AND PAID FOR THE REPAIR SINCE THE DEALER WAS NOT AT FAULT. I THEN CONTACTED YAMAHA USA AND SPOKE TO MATTHEW WHO LISTENED ATTENTIVELY BUT,COULD ONLY TELL ME HE WAS SORRY THAT MY YAMAHA HAD NOT LIVED UP TO MY EXPECTATIONS! MATTHEW ALSO ADVISED ME HIS DATA BASE SHOWED NO OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE ARE SIMILAR REPORTS IN THE N.H.T.S.A

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Oct 4, 2004NY

MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND REAR WHEEL LOCKED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH. WHEN THIS OCCURRED CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE ,AND COASTED IT TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT THE MOTORCYCLE TIPPING OVER. THIS OCCURRED DUE TO THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN THE REAR WHEEL LOCK RECALL 03V309000. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jun 4, 200413,000 milesSC

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V 309 000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN JANUARY, 2004. LATER, CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO STATED PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE, AND WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MID APRIL, AT THE EARLIEST.*AK THE MOTORCYCLE WAS FINALLY REPAIRED THREE MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL WAS INITIATED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PICKED UP APRIL 3, 2004. *NM

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed May 11, 20043,300 milesAZ

ON JANUARY 14 2003 CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING TRANSMISSION. DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND DEALER INDICATED THAT THE CONSUMER SHOULD WAIT A LITTLE LONGER. *AK *NM

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Apr 30, 2004NY

NHTSA RECALL 03V309000. THE DRIVER CONTACTED THE DEALER ON JANUARY 09, 2004. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MECHANIC COULDN'T INFORM THE CONSUMER WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. *LA

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Apr 20, 2004VA

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON JANUARY 28,2004. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN FEBRUARY. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER IN FEBRUARY, AND THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE END OF APRIL. *AK *NM

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Apr 15, 2004NH

DISSATISFIED WITH THE RECALL SERVICE OF ROAD STAR MOTORCYCLE. *PH THIS IS BECAUSE THAT THE PARTS TO REPAIR TRANSMISSION ON MOTORCYCLE WEREN'T AVAILABLE. *LA

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Apr 15, 2004VA

COMPLAINT AGAINST YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION FOR NOT REMEDYING THE PROBLEM IN A TIMELY MANNER. *PH *LA

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Apr 3, 2004TX

YAMAHA ISSUED A RECALL OF MY MOTOR VEHICLE ( A 2001 ROAD STAR) FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE DATED JANUARY 9, 2004 INSTRUCTING ME NOT TO USE THE MOTOR VEHICLE. YAMAHA WILL NOT SUPPLY MY DEALER WITH THE PARTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE WRITTEN YAMAHA ON MARCH 7, 2004 AND MARCH 16, 2004. IT IS APRIL 3, 2004 AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A SATISFACTORY RESPONSE. MY DEALER INFORMS ME THAT HE THINKS HE MAY GET PARTS TO FIX MY VEHICLE IN TWO MONTHS. *NM

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Apr 1, 20046,030 milesIN

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN JANUARY 2004. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO SAID PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE END OF APRIL, IF NOT SOONER. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 30, 20048,000 milesMI

CONSUMER RECEIVED 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO GET THE MOTORCYCLE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.*AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Mar 26, 2004KY

PARTS TO PERFORM TRANSMISSION FAILURE RECALL 03V309000 REPAIRS HAS NOT BEEN AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS.*AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Mar 23, 2004500 milesMI

RECALL 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. REPLACEMENT PARTS HAD NOT BEEN AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ALMOST 3 MONTHS. *AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Mar 11, 20041,700 milesOK

DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE REAR WHEEL LOCK UP RECALL 03V309000 FOR OVER 2 MONTHS BECAUSE THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.*AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Mar 10, 2004NY

DUE TO THE TYPE OF DESIGN, TO CORRECT THE DEFECT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE FRAME AND TOTALLY DISMANTLED. *PH CONSUMER FELT THAT DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE REPAIR ON ENGINE, YAMAHA SHOULD PUT AN AFTER MARKET WARRANTY FOR AT LEAST 90 DAYS OR 3000 MILES. ALSO, CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FROM YAMAHA ON TRANSMISSION RETAINING CIRCLIP FAILURE. *LA

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 3, 2004OR

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH TRANSMISSION LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER STATES THE SECOND GEAR BROKE. *AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Feb 26, 2004NY

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICED (NHTSA 03-V-309-000) REGARDING THE REPLACEMENT OF MANUAL TRANSMISSION GEARS AND SHAFTS. THERE ARE NOT PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE. *NM THE CONSUMER WAS GIVEN AN APPOINTMENT FOR APRIL 12 (10 WEEKS AWAY) FOR A POTENTIALLY FATAL DEFECT. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 23, 20049,200 milesOH

MOTORCYCLE LEAKS FUEL ONTO THE ENGINE. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT MOTORCYCLE WILL CATCH FIRE. *AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jan 30, 2004TX

RECALL 03V309000 CONCERNING MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A WAITING LIST WITH 100 PEOPLE, AND HAD NO INFORMATION ON WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE.*AK

Wheels
Filed Nov 5, 200312,000 milesOH

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED WHEN DOWN SHIFTING. *AK A POLICE OFFICER WITNESSED THE CONSUMER SKID TO A STOP WHEN THE WHEEL LOCKED. *PH *JB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Sep 23, 200317,000 milesIL

NHTSA RECALL 03-V-309-000: IN THE TRANSMISSION ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE SECOND/THIRD PINION GEAR MAY BE INCORRECTLY MACHINED WHICH COULD CAUSE ABNORMAL WEAR THAT EVENTUALLY RESULTS IN A BROKEN RETAINER CLIP. DEALER WILL KEEP MOTORCYCLES FOR TWO WEEKS DIDN'T HAVE PARTS.*AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Sep 22, 200317,000 milesMI

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON MY 2001 YAMAHA ROAD STAR. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE THIS MAKE AND MODEL BUT MY VIN FALLS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL VIN RANGE. MY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND I AM SEEKING HELP IN GETTING IT RECALLED ALSO.*JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 1, 2003NY

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION MADE NOISE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVE ASSEMBLY AND OIL PUMP GEAR. THE NOISE NO LONGER EXIST. *AK *CB *NLM

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jul 23, 2003MO

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF TRANSMISSION LOCK UPS IN ROAD STARS. I OWN A 2001 MIDNIGHT, STAR AND TRANSMISSION IS VERY NOISY DURING SHIFTS.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 16, 2003CO

CONSUMER STATES THAT ENGINE IS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Jul 11, 2003NY

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED TRANSMISSION SLUGGISH GOING INTO GEAR. CONSUMER REPLACED CLUTCH, BUT VEHICLE STILL HAS THE PROBLEM. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift
Filed Jul 10, 2003TX

CONCERNED ABOUT TANSMISSION FAILURE ON YAMAHA ROADSTAR MOTORCYLES FROM 1999-2001. I HAVE HEARD THROUGH DIFFERENT FORUMS ON THE INTERNET OF SUDDEN FAILURES OF THE TRANY'S ON THIS BIKE, SOME RESULTING IN DEATH. THE FAILURE APPEARS TO HAVE HAPPENED BETWEEN 9,000 AND 10,000 MILES. MY BIKE HAS OVER 10,000 MILES AND I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AS WELL AS THE SAFETY OF ANY PASSENGER THAT MIGHT BE ABOARD AT THE TIME, IF SUCH FAILURE SHOULD HAPPEN. YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER IS APPECIATED. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 10, 2003TX

THE TRANSMISSION IS MAKING AN UNKNOWN KNOCKING SOUND ALL THE TIME INCLUDING COLD START. THE CAUSE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. *AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jul 10, 2003OK

I'M FILING THIS OVER CONCERN ABOUT MY 2001 YAMAHA ROADSTAR, WHICH HAS HAD SOME LOUD INTERMITTENT KNOCKING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I NOTICED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURES OCCURRING IN THESE ROADSTARS AS POSTED ON THE ROADSTAR RIDER'S FORUM AND OTHER SITES. AS MUCH AS I WORK TO MAINTAIN MY BIKE AND RIDE SAFELY, I'D HATE TO THINK THAT MY TRANSMISSION MAY SOMEDAY LOCK-UP, AS IT HAS ON OTHER'S BIKES. DEPENDING ON THE SPEED AND TIMING OF A LOCK-UP, MY PASSENGER AND I COULD BE KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP, RAM. *AK

Power Train › Manual TransmissionCrash
Filed Jul 9, 200316,266 milesCA

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON MY 2001 YAMAHA ROADSTAR,TRANSMISSION SEIZED UP,CAUSING ME TO CRASH,APPOXIMATELY 45MPH. *AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jul 9, 2003TX

CONCERN OVER NUMBER OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES ON YAMAHA ROAD STAR'S AND YAMAHA'S FAILURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE SUCH FAILURES.*AK

Power Train › Driveline
Filed Jul 9, 2003WV

I OWN A 2001 YAMAHA ROADSTAR MOTORCYCLE, THERE HAS BEEN MEMBERS OF THE ROADSTAR FORUM THAT HAVE TOLD STORIES OF TRANSMISSION LOCKUPS! I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED AND HESITANT TO GET ON THIS BIKE IN FEAR OF A BAD ACCIDENT!! THANKS ..TIM. *AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jul 9, 2003AR

I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT MY 2001 YAMAHA ROADSTAR AND THE POSSIBLE EVENT OF A CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE SOME KNOCKING COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA, AND MY BUILD DATE FOR THE BIKE FALLS WITHIN THE RANGE OF OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD A TRANSMISSION FAIL. NO FAILURE HAS OCCURED AS OF TODAY ON MY MOTORCYCLE.*AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jul 9, 2003TX

FEAR OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE FROM KNOWLEDGE OF MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN CRASHES DUE TO TRANSMISSION LOCKUP.*AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jul 9, 2003OK

PURCHASED 2001 YAMAHA ROAD STAR SILVERADO MODEL #XV16ATN-B VIN #[XXX] FROM MAXEY'S CYCLE INC. 4112 NW 39TH EXP. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73112 ON 5/10/2001. HAVE HAD LOUD CONSISTENT KNOCK IN ENGINE AFTER WARM UP THAT YAMAHA SAYS IS NORMAL. I AM EVEN MORE CONCERNED WITH THE REPORTED TRANSMISSION FAILURES ON THIS MOTORCYCLE.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jul 9, 2003MA

I'M CONCERNED THAT MY 2001 YAMAHA MIDNIGHT ROADSTAR MAY HAVE BEEN DEALT A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION THAT LEADS TO CATASROPHIC FAILURE AND LOCK UP UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. NO INCIDENT AS OF YET BUT THERE HAVE BEEN 12 CONFIRMED INSTANCES WITH ROADSTARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 3/2000 AND 8/2001 ON THE DELPHIFORUMS ROADSTAR RIDERS DISCUSSION GOURP ALONE. I WILL USE TODAYS DATE FOR THIS FORM BUT I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED FAILURE YET.*AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jul 9, 2003PA

CONCERNED MY TRANSMISSION MIGHT FAIL AS ONE THAT WAS MANUFACTURED ONE NUMBER FROM ME FAILED. ALSO CONCERN OVER NUMBER OF TRANNY FAILURES CURRENTLY SURFACING. *AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jul 9, 2003NY

CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF MY TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP AND CAUSING MYSELF AND/OR MY WIFE HARM. I'VE HEARD OF MANY INCIDENTS ON INTERNET FORUMS FOR TH ROADSTAR.I CURRENTLY OWN A 2001 SILVERADO AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE YEARS IN QUESTION.*AK

Power Train › Manual TransmissionCrash
Filed Jul 9, 2003NC

YAMAHA XV1600 MOTORCYCLE TRANSMISSION IS BREAKING AND LOCKING UP. THIS LOCKS THE REAR WHEEL AT SPEEDS OF 30 TO 50 MILES PER HOUR. WITH THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED THERE IS NO WAY TO CONTROL THE MOTORCYCLE AND IT GOES INTO AN UNCONTROLLABLE SKID. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE MILEAGE DEPENDANT AND PRELIMINARY RESEARCH MAY INDICATE A PARTICULAR MANUFACTURING DATE. BUT SINCE IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN AT 10,000 TO 15,000 MILES NO ONE IS SURE YET IF THE NEWER MODELS WILL BE AFFECTED ALSO.*AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jul 9, 20038,200 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND WHEN SHIFT GEAR MANUAL TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. *AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jul 9, 2003NY

I OWN A 2001 YAMAHA ROAD STAR MOTORCYCLE. THERE SEEMS TO BE A RATHER HIGH INCEDENCE OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES WHICH CAUSES THE REAR WHEEL TO LOCK UP. THIS CAN CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. EVEN THOUGH I HAVEN'T HAD THE LOCK UP, I'VE BECOME AFRAID TO RIDE THIS BIKE. THERE IS NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER WHEN THE LOCK OCCURS. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE HAVE BEEN UP TO 15 KNOWN FAILURES FROM INFORMATION GATHERED FROM THE ROAD STAR RIDERS INTERNET FORUM. SINCE I HAVEN'T HAD THE FAILURE, I HAVEN'T REPORTED TO YAMAHA MOTOR CO. OR THE SELLING DEALER. BUT I FEEL THAT SENDING THIS COMPLAINT TO YOU IS NECESSARY BECAUSE MY MOTORCYCLE IS IN THE DANGER ZONE. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 9, 2003TX

GRINDING NOISE IN TRANSMISSION WHEN DRIVING DOWN ROAD. *AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jul 9, 200310,500 milesAR

ON THE WAY BACK FROM STURGIS, SD MY TRANSMISSION ON MY 2001 YAMAHA ROAD STAR 1600 LOCKED UP WITH MY WIFE AND I ON THE BIKE. IT LOCKED UP THE REAR TIRE. THE BIKE WOULD NOT MOVE. MY WIFE AND I WERE 12 HOURS FROM HOME AND HAD TO RENT A UHAUL TO GET THE BIKE HOME. MY EXTENTED WARRANTY PAID FOR ALL OF THE REAPIRS BUT THE CLUTCH. I THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST A FREAK THING AND DIDN'T THINK MUCH ABOUT IT UNTIL 13 OTHERS THAT I KNOW OF LOCKED UP CAUSE ONE PERSON TO GET HURT REAL BAD. I KNOW MINE WAS REAPIRED RIGHT BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE RIDING A ROAD STAR IN THE WORLD. THANK JESUS THAT MY WIFE AND I WERE NOT HURT IN THE TRANNY LOCK UP. YAMAHA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. CAN YOU HELP WITH A RECALL OR SOMETHING? THANKS. *AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jul 8, 2003MA

FEAR OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE FROM KNOWLEDGE OF MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN CRASHES DUE TO TRANSMISSION LOCKUP.*AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jul 8, 2003AK

CONCERN ABOUT TRANSMISSION LOCK UP ON MY MOTORCYCLE. OTHERS THAT I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH VIA INTERNET FORUMS HAVE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION LOCK UPS ON THEIR MOTORCYCLES OF THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, MODEL AND MANFACTURER.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 3, 2003CO

CONSUMER'S WIFE CALLED TO REPORT ENGINE PROBLEM. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 15, 2003MA

THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. *NLM

Power Train › Manual TransmissionCrash
Filed May 14, 2003TX

WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *JB

Complaints 1-50 of 57, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20091000Routine
20081000Routine
20077000Routine
20063000Routine
20052000Routine
200421111Fatalities reported
2003105200Routine
200287200Routine
2001 — this page57300Routine
200018200Routine
199915200Routine

Compare every Road Star year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 23, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.