Owners have filed 86 complaints
about the 2002 Yamaha Road Star Warrior with NHTSA between 2003 and 2019.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 100
Against the median year of the Yamaha Road Star Warrior. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 6
1.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
100% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2002 compares with every other Yamaha Road Star Warrior
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Manual Transmission
5268.4%
Automatic Transmission
1722.4%
Engine
22.6%
Rotor
11.3%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings
11.3%
Mounting
11.3%
Driveshaft
11.3%
Rotor
11.3%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
618.8%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
1546.9%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
825.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
39.4%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 2003peak 28Jun 2019
NHTSA investigations into the 2002 Yamaha Road Star Warrior
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE03038Opened 11 Aug 2003Closed 6 Nov 2003POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
UNINTENDED REAR WHEEL LOCKUP
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...
Recalls on the 2002 Yamaha Road Star Warrior
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
03V309000
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 750 milesWake Forest, NCFire
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
I HAVE A 2002 YAMAHA ROAD STAR WARRIOR. I BOUGHT THE MOTORCYCLE NEW FROM THE DEALER AS A 2002 LEFTOVER IN MAY OF 2003. A FEW WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT THE MOTORCYCLE, I WAS RIDING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE BIKE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN ON ITS OWN. BEING A FEW MILES FROM A FRIEND'S HOUSE, I DECIDED IT WOULD BE SAFER TO STOP THERE, SO I CONTINUED ON TO HIS HOUSE. WHEN I PULLED IN THE DRIVEWAY, I NOTICED MY REAR BRAKE ROTOR WAS GLOWING RED AND THE WHOLE CALIPER WAS SMOKING AND HOT. THE BRAKE LINE MELTED AND LEAKED FLUID ON THE HOT CALIPER AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A WATER HOSE AND EVENTUALLY TRAILERED THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALER WHO EVENTUALLY FIXED IT AFTER I HAD TO SPEND MY OWN MONEY BUY AN AFTERMARKET STEEL BRAIDED BRAKE LINE BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT GET A STOCK PART FROM THE MANUFACTURER FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. THE REST OF THE WORK WAS DONE UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. I KNOW OF SEVERAL OTHER INSTANCES WITH THE ROAD STAR WARRIOR WHERE THE REAR BRAKE FAILED IN A SIMILAR MANNER.
NHTSA complaint #10029100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 28,000 milesNixa, MO
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE FUEL FILTER ASSEMBLY TO THE FRONT OF THE TANK WILL RELEASE THE INNER SLEEVE AT THE ELBOW SPILLING FUEL ALL OVER MOTOR. IF MOTOR IS HOT, CAN RESULT IN FIRE AND HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST. I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE JUST STARTED RIDING WHEN IT HAPPENED TO ME.
NHTSA complaint #11219092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesLuling, LA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 YAMAHA ROAD STAR WARRIOR MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE NEEDLE ON THE GAUGE BEGAN SWINGING BACK AND FORTH, THEN THE MOTORCYCLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE MOTORCYCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE STARTER WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO RESTART THE MOTORCYCLE BY USING A PORTABLE BATTERY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15000.
NHTSA complaint #10285560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,450 milesMerritt Island, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I HAVE A YAMAHA ROADSTAR WARRIOR MOTORCYCLE AND THE RECALL (ID# 45939 - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING) WAS PERFORMED. THIS WAS TO PREVENT THE TANK FROM CRACKING AT THE MOUNTING BRACKET. MY TANK IS NOW LEAKING GAS FROM THAT MOUNTING BRACKET. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY CALLED YAMAHA USA AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT EITHER THE RECALL DID NOT WORK OR THAT THE TANK STARTED TO CRACK BEFORE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED AND FINALLY GREW BIG ENOUGH TO START LEAKING GAS. YOUR HELP RESOLVING THIS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #10255342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A YAMAHA ROADSTAR WARRIOR MOTORCYCLE AND THE RECALL (ID# 45939 - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING) WAS PERFORMED. THIS WAS TO PREVENT THE TANK FROM CRACKING AT THE MOUNTING BRACKET. MY TANK IS NOW LEAKING GAS FROM THAT MOUNTING BRACKET. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY CALLED YAMAHA USA AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT EITHER THE RECALL DID NOT WORK OR THAT THE TANK STARTED TO CRACK BEFORE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED AND FINALLY GREW BIG ENOUGH TO START LEAKING GAS. YOUR HELP RESOLVING THIS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #10255342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,500 milesEpping, NH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1) CODE 12, CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. MOTORCYCLE LOSES ALL POWER AT ANY SPEED. MOTORCYCLE INOPERATIVE. NO PRIOR INDICATION OR WARNING. 2) THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. TWICE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS EXCEEDING 80 MPH. THIS WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FATALITY AND NEEDS TO BE DEEMED AS A "RECALL". 3) I REPLACED THE PART AT MY EXPENSE 3 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10159200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesKnoxville, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE DOWN THE HWY IT SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING WHILE IN THE CENTER LANE OF TRAFFIC I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO ENGINE RUNNING. THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND IT HAD TO GET TOWED. THE DEFECTIVE PART IS CALLED A PICK UP SENSOR THE PART# IS 5PX-81670-00-00 AND A GASKET 5PX15451-00-00.
NHTSA complaint #10159223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Powder Springs, GA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
LTR FWD FM STEVER YODER (GA) RE PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION OF HIS 2002 YAMAHA ROADSTAR WARRIOR MOTORCYCLE AS REQUIRED IN AUGUST 2003 RECALL.*MR
NHTSA complaint #10081442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DES Plaines, IL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FIVE MONTHS AGO THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING TRANSMISSION. DEALERSHIP STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10073875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hobart, IN
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE PARTS TO PERFORM RECALL 03V309000 REPAIRS HAS NOT BEEN AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR 4 MONTHS, AND THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10073705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1 milesPortage, MI
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I HAVE RECEIVED NO NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSON PROBLEM WITH THE YAMAHA ROAD STAR WARRIOR. THE RECALL COMMENDS NOT RIDING THE VEHICLE HE ACTION YAMAHA IS TAKING TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE IS VERY UNSATISFACTORY.
NHTSA complaint #10068502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thousand Oaks, CA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM TRANSMISSION RECALL. *PH THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE WAIT WAS TWO TO THREE MONTHS. *SC RECALL 03V309000.
NHTSA complaint #10071434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chapel Hill, NC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON JANUARY 10, 2004 REGARDING TRANSMISSION. DEALERSHIP STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS. SERVICE MANAGER HAD BEEN VERY COOPERATIVE, MANUFACTURER DOES NOT EVEN HAVE A TELEPHONE NUMBER TO CALL. THE 1-800 HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED FOR LONG TIME AGO.
NHTSA complaint #10071731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NV
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 03V309000 - DATE ENTERED BELOW IS THE DATE ON THE RECALL LETTER I RECEIVED - WHAT INFORMATION HAVE YOU, THE NHTSA, FOUND OUT FROM YAMAHA REGARDING THE UNEXCUSABLE LENGTH OF TIME YAMAHA IS TAKING IN GETTING THE REPLACEMENT PARTS TO DEALERS FOR THIS RECALL ? AND WHO, AT THE GOVERNMENT LEVEL, IS INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM FOR US (THE OWNERS OF THE BIKES AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL) ?
NHTSA complaint #10067955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CONSUMER CONCERNED WITH THE LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY YAMAHA EXHIBITED PERTAINING TO THE UNAVAILIBILITY OF PARTS TO PERFORM THE RECALL. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10071429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sarasota, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
YAMAHA DEALERSHIPS HAD YET TO RECEIVED THE PARTS TO PERFORM TRANSMISSION RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10067462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berwick, ME
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ON JANUARY 8, 2004 CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. DEALERSHIP STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10068588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belvidere, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
RECALL ISSUED JANUARY 30, 2004 AND MOTORCYCLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE MOTORCYCLE CANNOT BE USED UNTIL ALL RECALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10067455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,500 milesRedding, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THREE MONTHS AGO CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING TRANSMISSION. DEALERSHIP STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER DISCONNECTED THE 1-800 PHONE NUMBER, AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO CONTACT WITH THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10067492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vancouver, WA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
YAMAHA DEALERSHIP'S DIDN'T KNOW WHEN THE RECALL PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE RECALL REPAIRS ON 2002 YAMAHA ROADSTAR WARRIOR. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10066933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Battle Ground, WA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
YAMAHA DEALERSHIPS DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO PERFORM RECALL. *PH (RECALL #03V309000)
NHTSA complaint #10067095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vancouver, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
YAMAHA DEALERSHIP'S DIDN'T KNOW WHEN THE RECALL PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE RECALL REPAIRS ON 2002 YAMAHA ROADSTAR WARRIOR. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10066933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Benbrook, TX
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE PARTS TO PERFORM REAR RECALL 03V309000 REPAIRS HAS NOT BEEN AVAILBLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR 2 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10066739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Orleans, LA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I'VE TRIED TO TURN MY MOTORCYCLE IN FOR THE RECALL (FIX) SINCE 2/4/04, BUT I'M TOLD THAT NO RECALL KITS HAVE BEEN SHIPPED OUT TO FIX THE BIKES YET AND IT'S OK TO RIDE THE BIKES. I WOULD LIKE TO BE INFORM ON WHAT'S GOING ON. IS IT SAFE TO RIDE OR NOT ,IF NOT THEN SHOULDN'T YAMAHA PICK UP THE PACE IN DOING THE FIX ? I'M PAYING FOR A MOTORCYCLE THAT I CAN'T RIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10065583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Concord, NC
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE PARTS TO FIX THE RECALL WERE NOT SUPPLIED TO THE MECHANIC SO I HAVE NOT HAD THE USE OF MY MOTORCYCLE FOR 28+ DAYS. YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, U.S.A., HAS DETERMINED THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXISTS IN 2002 AND 2003 XV17PCP, PCPC, PCR, AND PCRC ( ROAD STAR WARRIOR ) MOTORCYCLES. IN AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES, CERTAIN TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS MAY NOT MEET YAMAHA QUALITY-CONTROL STANDARDS, WHICH COULD ALLOW ABNORMAL WEAR THAT EVENTUALLY RESULTS IN A BROKEN RETAINING CIRCLIP. 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 VEHICLE CRASH WITH INJURY OR DEATH.
NHTSA complaint #10064096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Depere, WI
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
FAILURE TO REMEDY SITUATION IN A TIMELY MANNER AND NOT WARRANTING WORK OF THIS MAGNITUDE (INTERNAL TRANSMISSION WORK ON RECALL #03V309000) FOR A SUFFICIENT PERIOD OF TIME FOLLOWING RECALL PROCEDURE. ALSO, I WANT TO RIDE MY MOTORCYCLE!
NHTSA complaint #10063798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.