2003 Yamaha Road Star

Routine

Owners filed 105 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › manual transmission. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
4,000 milesMedian miles at failure

38 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Manual Transmission62
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission36
000
Suspension › Rear1
000
Suspension › Front › Shock Absorber1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper1
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)1
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)1
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Carburetor System1
000
Air Bags › Frontal1
000

2 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 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Suspension › Front › Shock Absorber
Filed Dec 16, 200929,500 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 YAMAHA ROADSTAR. HE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RAISE THE VEHICLE USING THE JACK. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE NOTICED THAT THE SHOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY MOUNT HAD FRACTURED. HE CALLED SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS NEVER REPORTED. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 29,500.

Suspension › Rear
Filed Nov 19, 200759,000 milesKS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 YAMAHA ROAD STAR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE REAR TIRE STRUCK THE TOP OF THE REAR FENDER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT CAUSED THE FAILURE; AS OF NOVEMBER 19, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59,000. UPDATED 12/04/07

Fuel System, Gasoline › Carburetor System
Filed Mar 31, 200718,000 milesTX

CARBURETOR ON 2003 YAMAHA ROADSTAR (XV1600) WILL SPIT GAS OUT ON HOT CYLINDER HEADS AND CRANKCASE UNPREDICTABLY. HAPPENS WHEN RESTARTING ENGINE AFTER ENGINE HAS BEEN STOPPED FOR A SHORT PERIOD AFTER COMING IN FROM A RIDE. RIDE CAN BE SHORT OR LONG; UNPREDICTABLE. WAS CHECKED BY DEALER DURING FIRST FEW MONTHS WHEN NEW AND CARB NEEDLE WAS REPLACED. PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED AND OCCURS EVERY FEW MONTHS THEREAFTER AND IS ONLY RESOLVED BY TURNING OFF FUEL VALVE BEFORE STOPPING SO CARB EMPTIES. NUMEROUS OTHER RIDERS HAVE SEEN SAME PROBLEM. LAST EVENT FOR ME SHOWN BELOW IN INCIDENT DATE. *JB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Feb 24, 2007UT

WHILE RIDING M Y 2003 YAMAHA ROADSTAR I HAD PROBLEMS GETTING IT TO SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR. I CHECKED THE INTERNET FOR ANY RECALLS ON THE BIKE. WHEN I FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL I TOOK THE BIKE TO MY LOCAL DEALER, THE RAN THE VIN# AND SAID THAT IT HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE. THE RECALL STATES THAT AFTER THE MODIFICATIONS ARE COMPLETE STAMP A "*" ABOVE THE A ON THE VIN#. MY BIKE DOES NOT HAVE THE STAMP, THE DEALER SAID THAT DON'T MATTER BECAUSE HE KNOWS IT WAS DONE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE RIDING THE BIKE SINCE THE RECALL STATES DO NOT RIDE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH WILL RESULT. IF THE BIKE SHIFTED PROPERLY I WOULD FEEL MORE CONFIDENT THAT THE WORK WAS COMPLETED. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 30, 20042,000 milesFL

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CONSUMER HAD THE RECALL NOTICE SINCE JANUARY, AND DEALER HAD NOT RECEIVED THE PARTS AS OF YET.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 30, 2004NC

NHTSA RECALL 03V309000 REGARDING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. AFTER HAVING RECALL REPAIRS DONE, A WEEK LATER, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE, AND TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 29, 20041,000 milesFL

CONSUMER WAS WAITING FOR RECALL 03V309000 REPAIR PARTS FOR 8 MONTHS. THE RECALL LETTER STATED MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TO BE DRIVEN UNTIL REPAIRED. DEALERSHIP HAD NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. *AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed May 20, 2004OR

4TH PINION GEAR EXCHANGE KIT.*MR THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 03V-309000. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RIDE THE VEHICLE FOR 90 DAYS BECAUSE THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *NM

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed May 14, 2004800 milesMS

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN JANUARY 2004. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. PARTS WERE COMING IN ,BUT AT A VERY SLOW PACE. *AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed May 11, 2004NC

THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ON 1/21/2004 IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA RECALL# 03V309000 SUBJECT:REAR WHEEL LOCK UP. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS PUT ON A WAITING LIST AND HAS NOT RECEIVED THE FREE REMEDY YET. *NM *LA

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed May 7, 2004NY

RECALL REPAIRS COULD NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *MR *LA

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed May 5, 2004CA

PARTS TO PERFORM RECALL 03V309000 REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR 4 MONTHS.*AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Apr 29, 2004KY

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. YAMAHA, US 6555, KATELLA AVENUE, CYPRESS, CA 90630. 714-761-7300. SERVICE MANAGER VICTOR.*AK *JB SERVICE MANAGER (VICTOR)

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 21, 2004NC

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER SARAH. *AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Apr 20, 20041,550 milesCT

NHTSA RECALL 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON FEBRUARY 12, 2004. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER,AND WAS TOLD THAT PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE. ALSO, NO DATE WAS PROJECTED AS TO WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. *AK *SC *JB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Apr 20, 2004FL

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V309000 CONCERNING THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN JANUARY 28,2004. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PARTS WOULD ARRIVE IN ABOUT FOUR TO SIX WEEKS. THE CONSUMER RECENTLY CONTACTED THE SAME DEALER, WHO STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS, AND HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM YAMAHA AS TO WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE SHIPPED. THE CONSUMER THEN CONTACTED YAMAHA, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE AT THAT TIME BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK *SC *JB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Apr 20, 2004GA

THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PERFORM RECALL 03V309000 REPAIRS UNTIL THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE MOTORCYCLES OF THE CONSUMERS THAT BOUGHT THEIR MOTORCYCLES FROM THIS DEALER. THE CONSUMER HAD BEEN WAITING FOR OVER 2 MONTHS. *AK *SC *JB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Apr 20, 2004KY

RECALL 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR OVER 2 MONTHS.*AK *JB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Apr 20, 20044,000 milesCO

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN JANUARY 2004. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO SAID PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE, AND IT WILL BE SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS. *AK *NM

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Apr 20, 2004NV

CONSUMER RECEIVED YAMAHA RECALL ON TRANSMISSION COMPONETS. *PH *JB

20 of 105 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20091000Routine
20081000Routine
20077000Routine
20063000Routine
20052000Routine
200421111Fatalities reported
2003 — this page105200Routine
200287200Routine
200157300Routine
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.