Owners have filed 60 complaints
about the 2001 Yamaha Road Star with NHTSA between 2001 and 2009.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 6 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 — 58
Against the median year of the Yamaha Road Star. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 34
6.7% 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 2001 compares with every other Yamaha Road Star
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
3972.2%
Automatic Transmission
611.1%
Carburetor System
35.6%
Engine
23.7%
Floor Shift
11.9%
Driveline
11.9%
Column Shift Assembly
11.9%
Clutch Assembly
11.9%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
16.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
850.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
743.8%
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.
Jun 2001peak 26Apr 2009
NHTSA investigations into the 2001 Yamaha Road Star
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 2001 Yamaha Road Star
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
10E041000
EQUIPMENT
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.
06V397000
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
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 16,266 milesClear Lake, CACrash
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON MY 2001 YAMAHA ROADSTAR,TRANSMISSION SEIZED UP,CAUSING ME TO CRASH,APPOXIMATELY 45MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10025690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Concord, NCCrash14 injured
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10025733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TXCrash
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10019867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 5,000 milesTallahassee, FL
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10265496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,000 milesLittleton, CO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10265245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,360 milesWest Haven, CT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
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. DATA BASE ON THE WEB. THE POSITION THAT FUEL QUALITY IS AT ISSUE IS BELIED BY THE FACT THAT IN THIS HOUSEHOLD ALONE 3 CARS,A SNOWBLOWER,2 LAWNMOWERS,A POWER EDGER,AND A CHAIN SAW WERE ALL OPERATED ON THE SAME FUEL WITHOUT INCIDENT. I FEEL THAT THE MOTORCYCLE PRODUCTS OF YAMAHA USA SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR POTENTIALLY LETHAL DESIGN FLAWS IN IT'S FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE COST OF CORRECTING A CONDITION THAT COULD COST SOMEONE THEIR LIFE.
NHTSA complaint #10127332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Schenectady, NY
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10094938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nesconset, NY
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10071954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merrimack, NH
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
DISSATISFIED WITH THE RECALL SERVICE OF ROAD STAR MOTORCYCLE. *PH THIS IS BECAUSE THAT THE PARTS TO REPAIR TRANSMISSION ON MOTORCYCLE WEREN'T AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10067450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Annandale, VA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
COMPLAINT AGAINST YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION FOR NOT REMEDYING THE PROBLEM IN A TIMELY MANNER. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10067440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cypress, TX
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10064474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,030 milesIndianapolis, IN
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10065455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odessa, NY
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10065187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odessa, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10065187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesKentwood, MI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10065243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elizabethtown, KY
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
PARTS TO PERFORM TRANSMISSION FAILURE RECALL 03V309000 REPAIRS HAS NOT BEEN AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10065008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,000 milesChester, SC
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10065025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 500 milesPortage, MI
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
RECALL 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. REPLACEMENT PARTS HAD NOT BEEN AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ALMOST 3 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10064669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stafford, VA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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
NHTSA complaint #10063146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,300 milesMesa, AZ
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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
NHTSA complaint #10063169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,700 milesEnid, OK
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE REAR WHEEL LOCK UP RECALL 03V309000 FOR OVER 2 MONTHS BECAUSE THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10063012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eugene, OR
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH TRANSMISSION LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER STATES THE SECOND GEAR BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #10061249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,200 milesDelaware, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MOTORCYCLE LEAKS FUEL ONTO THE ENGINE. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT MOTORCYCLE WILL CATCH FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10059555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Babylon, NY
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10057616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odessa, TX
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10057224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesCincinnati, OH
WHEELS
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
NHTSA complaint #10041911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,000 milesChicago, IL
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10040359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,000 milesBattle Creek, MI
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10039285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.