Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
360–25K
125–50K
150–75K
075–100K
0100–150K
0150K+
38 reports with mileage · 67 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 100 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
105 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2004
Power Train
RECALL# 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE.. CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER IN JANUARY 2004. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO STATED THE MANUFACTURER WILL SEND THE PARTS AT THE END OF MARCH 2004, AND CONSUMER MUST GO ON A WAITING LIST. CONSUMER CONTACTED SEVERAL OTHER DEALERS WHO ALSO DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS. *…
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RECALL# 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE.. CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER IN JANUARY 2004. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO STATED THE MANUFACTURER WILL SEND THE PARTS AT THE END OF MARCH 2004, AND CONSUMER MUST GO ON A WAITING LIST. CONSUMER CONTACTED SEVERAL OTHER DEALERS WHO ALSO DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10057513
5,000 miles · Jan 30, 2004
Power Train
CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED OF RECALL 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. HOWEVER, PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10057241
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2004
Power Train
BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURE OF YAMAHA ARE NOT SURE WHEN THE PARTS ARE GOING TO BE AVAILABLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION RECALL. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN A MONTH AND THEY ARE SAYING IT MIGHT BE ANOTHER MONTH AND ADVISED THE CONSUMER NOT TO DRIVE THE MOTORCYCLE. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V309000 TRANSMISSION; REAR WHEEL LOCK-UP. …
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BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURE OF YAMAHA ARE NOT SURE WHEN THE PARTS ARE GOING TO BE AVAILABLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION RECALL. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN A MONTH AND THEY ARE SAYING IT MIGHT BE ANOTHER MONTH AND ADVISED THE CONSUMER NOT TO DRIVE THE MOTORCYCLE. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V309000 TRANSMISSION; REAR WHEEL LOCK-UP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10055851
1,000 miles · Oct 20, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH MOTORCYCLE'S FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS FELL OFF. AS A RESULT, DRIVER LOSTS ALL BRAKING ABILITY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10044260
3,000 miles · Apr 24, 2003
Power Train
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE PARTS THAT WERE NEEDED TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE, AND IT COULD BE SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. *AK THE RECALL WAS DATED FOR 01/09/2004 AND THE REC…
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THE CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE PARTS THAT WERE NEEDED TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE, AND IT COULD BE SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. *AK THE RECALL WAS DATED FOR 01/09/2004 AND THE RECALL PARTS WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. *SC *JB
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE03038 · Unintended Rear Wheel Lockup
Opened Aug 11, 2003 · Closed Nov 6, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:manual Transmission
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
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:manual Transmission
SUMMARY: ON AUGUST 22, 2003 YAMAHA NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WAS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR2001 XV1600 ?ROAD STAR? MODEL MOTORCYCLES TO ADDRESS TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THOSE VEHICLES.ACCORDING TO THE COMPANY, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD FAIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE BUSHING WEAR ON THE 4TH PINION GEAR.BASED ON ITS ANALYSIS OF FAILED TRANSMISSIONS FROM THE FIELD, THE COMPANY FOUND ?UNEVEN CONTACT BETWEEN THE ENGAGEMENT DOGS ON THE 2ND/3RD PINION GEAR.WHEN IN 4TH GEAR, THESE UNEVEN SURFACES CAUSED UNEVEN BUSHING WEAR IN THE 4TH GEAR BUSHING.THIS WEAR WOULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE 4TH GEAR RETAINING CIRCLIP TO FAIL, LEADING TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE.?THIS COULD RESULT IN BOTH TRANSMISSION AND REAR WHEEL LOCKUP AND YAMAHA CONCLUDED A SAFETY RECALL SHOULD BE CONDUCTED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.YAMAHA IS LIMITING THE RECALL?S SCOPE TO THOSE MOTORCYCLES BUILT BETWEEN NOVEMBER 30, 2000 AND JANUARY 24, 2001 BASED UPON THE FOLLOWING:1. YAMAHA U.S. REPORTED FIELD FAILURES (INVOLVING BIKES BUILT IN DECEMBER, 2000) TO YAMAHA JAPAN.2.YAMAHA JAPAN INVESTIGATED AND VALIDATED THE CAUSE DESCRIBED ABOVE.3.YAMAHA JAPAN IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE ENGAGEMENT DOG ON THE 2ND/3RD PINION GEAR.4. YAMAHA JAPAN RECORDS INDICATED THAT THE JIG USED TO PRODUCE THE 2ND/3RD PINION GEAR WAS RE-CALIBRATED ON JANUARY 13, 2001.5.PARTS PRODUCED BEFORE NOVEMBER 30,2000 AND AFTER JANUARY 13, 2001 WERE SAMPLED AND FOUND TO BE WITHIN SPECIFICATION (THE RECALL WAS EXTENDED BEYOND JANUARY 13 BUILD AS A PRECAUTION).WITH YAMAHA?S RECALL, WE ARE CLOSING THIS INVESTIGATION BUT WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE FIELD PERFORMANCE OF ALL ROAD STAR MODEL MOTORCYCLES TO ASSESS THE PERFORMANCE OF THOSE BIKES NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL.SHOULD THE FACTS WARRANT ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION, WE WILL PROCEED ACCORDINGLY.
Power Train:manual Transmission
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
2003 Yamaha Road Star Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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