Owners have filed 88 complaints
about the 2002 Yamaha Road Star with NHTSA between 2003 and 2009.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 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 — 85
Against the median year of the Yamaha Road Star. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
97% 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
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
5160.7%
Automatic Transmission
3035.7%
Instrument Cluster/Panel
11.2%
Filling/Charging
11.2%
Frame AND Members
11.2%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
2670.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
1027.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
12.7%
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.
Aug 2003peak 32Nov 2009
NHTSA investigations into the 2002 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 2002 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.
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.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 67,000 milesArlington, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 YAMAHA ROAD STAR. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE NOTICED THAT PINS THAT CONNECT THE FOURTH AND THE FIFTH GEAR HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67,000.
NHTSA complaint #10292952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,342 milesRidgefield, WA
POWER TRAIN
FREEWAY DRIVING AT 50 MPH, I HEARD A POP AND MY SPEEDOMETER QUIT. HEARD GRINDING IN THE DRIVE TRAIN. I PULLED OVER TO A STOP. UPON ROLLING MY BIKE ONTO A TRAILER THE REAR END LOCKED UP. THE MIDDLE GEAR SHAFT SNAPPED OFF AT REAR END WITH THE RETAINING NUT FLOATING LOOSE WITH THE FRONT U-JOINT IN THE HOUSING. AT LEAST 20 REPORTS OF THE SAME DEFECT CAN BE FOUND HTTP://FORUMS.DELPHIFORUMS.COM/YAMAHA1100/MESSAGES?MSG=42934.1 YAMAHA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOME GETS KILLED.
NHTSA complaint #10279421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,342 milesRidgefield, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
FREEWAY DRIVING AT 50 MPH, I HEARD A POP AND MY SPEEDOMETER QUIT. HEARD GRINDING IN THE DRIVE TRAIN. I PULLED OVER TO A STOP. UPON ROLLING MY BIKE ONTO A TRAILER THE REAR END LOCKED UP. THE MIDDLE GEAR SHAFT SNAPPED OFF AT REAR END WITH THE RETAINING NUT FLOATING LOOSE WITH THE FRONT U-JOINT IN THE HOUSING. AT LEAST 20 REPORTS OF THE SAME DEFECT CAN BE FOUND HTTP://FORUMS.DELPHIFORUMS.COM/YAMAHA1100/MESSAGES?MSG=42934.1 YAMAHA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOME GETS KILLED.
NHTSA complaint #10279421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: FUEL TANK VENT ROLLOVER VALVE IS PLUNGING UP, CAUSING VACUUM TO COLLAPSE FUEL TANK. IT IS ALSO SUCKING WATER INSIDE. REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT, MARKS ARE INCORRECT. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR THREE YEARS. MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FUEL CAP. ALSO, SUCKING WATER INSIDE UP THE TUBE IN RAINING WEATHER. THE MODEL IS ROADSTAR.
NHTSA complaint #10125689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesCocoa, FL
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL LETTER THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND THE CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT. THE DEALER STATED THEY WOULD CALL THE CONSUMER BACK, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED A CALL BACK. THEY CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED MAYBE ANOTHER THIRTY DAYS. TRANSMISSION RECALL 03V309000.
NHTSA complaint #10096728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mammoth Lakes, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING THE REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER MONICA.
NHTSA complaint #10091863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phenix City, AL
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
2002 YAMAHA ROAD STAR 1/09/2004 SAFETY RECALL NOTICE.*MR THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING SINCE JANUARY TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED ON HIS MOTORCYCLE. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT TEH MANUFACTURER HAS NOT PROVIDED THE WITH THE PART TO DO THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10079323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Point, KY
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE(VP02E00) FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION!!!!!!!!NO PARTS AVAILABLE PER SERVICE MANAGER VICTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10075668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesBreaux Bridge, LA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CONSUMER HAD THE RECALL NOTICE SINCE JANUARY, 2004 AND THE WORK HAD NOT BEEN DONE . DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT IT MAY TAKE ANOTHER SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD BE FIXED.*AK
NHTSA complaint #10075540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER VICTOR .
NHTSA complaint #10075514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,000 milesBaltimore, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FRONT/REAR BRAKES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE EVERY 4,000 MILE. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM ONCE, BUT THE CONSUMER IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *AK .. ..
NHTSA complaint #10075466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lafayette, LA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
DIFFICULTY GETTING RECALL WORK PERFORMED ON 2002 YAMAHA ROADSTAR. *PH RECALL #03V309000
NHTSA complaint #10072110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Modesto, CA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
2002 YAMAHA ROADSTAR TRANY RECALL. RECALL LETTER WAS RECIEVED IN EARLY JANUARY OF 2004. THIS IS THE ONLY RESPONSE RECIEVED FROM YAMAHA. DEALERS HAVE NOT BEEN FORTHCOMING WITH PROGRESS ON THE REPLACEMENT PARTS AND YAMAHA CORP, YOU CAN'T GET THROUGH ON THE PHONES TO CUSTOMER SERVICE. ACCORDING TO THE DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE ON THIS SITE, YAMAHA STATED THE PARTS WOULD BE IN THE HANDS OF THE AUTHORIZED DEALER BY APRIL 30, AND STILL I WAIT! TODAY IS MAY 4TH. VERY DISSATISFIED WITH YAMAHAS HANDLING OF THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10068302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,110 milesHemet, CA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V309000 REGARDING TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN JANUARY 2004. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PARTS NEEDED WERE VERY SLOW COMING IN, AND IT COULD BE SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE.
NHTSA complaint #10071790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ballwin, MO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT ON MOTORCYCLE LOAN PAYMENT FOR WHICH HE COULDN'T RIDE DUE TO THE RECALL NOT BEING PERFORMED. *PH THE PROBLEM HAD TAKEN 4 MONTHS TO ISSUE THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10071437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Leandro, CA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TO DATE, YAMAHA DEALERSHIPS HAD NOT RECEIVED THE RECALLED PARTS. *PH CERTAIN TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS MAY NOT MEET YAMAHA QUALITY CONTROL STANDARDS WHICH COULD ALLOW ABNORMAL WEAR THAT EVENTUALLY RESULTED IN A BROKEN RETAINING . THE CONSUMER SUGGESTED THAT YAMAHA SHOULD GIVE HIM A REBUILT OR NEW ENGINE BECAUSE IF THEY TAKE THE ENGINE APART, IT WOULD RUIN ALL OF THE SEALS. (MODEL XV16) *SC RECALL 03V309000.
NHTSA complaint #10067441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wink, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER VICTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10067505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,600 milesPhoenix, AZ
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN JANUARY 2004. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT IT COULD BE SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. *AK AS OF MAY 2004 YAMAHA JUST SCHEDULED THE REPAIR. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10067233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reno, NV
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE PARTS TO PERFORM TRANSMISSION RECALL 03V309000 REPAIRS WERE NOT BEEN AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR 3 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10067161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,000 milesGlendora, CA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECAL 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN JANUARY 2004. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED HIM THAT PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE, AND WON'T BE AVAILABLE UNTIL LATE APRIL.
NHTSA complaint #10067051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apopka, FL
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE PARTS TO PERFORM THE REAR WHEEL LOCK UP RECALL 03V309000 HAS NOT BEEN AVAILABLE FOR 2 MONTHS. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS UNDRIVERABLE. *JB *SC
NHTSA complaint #10065506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,800 milesPickens, SC
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
MY YAMAHA ROADSTAR WAS RECALLED JAN 9 2004 AND IT IS APR 2 NOW AND STILL NOT FIXED I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS AND INS. AND REG. WITH NO SATISFACTION.
NHTSA complaint #10064379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,000 milesJoplin, MO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PARTS FOR RECALL #03V309000 REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE AT THIS TIME, AND DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHEN PARTS WILL BE IN. THE RECALL LETTER STATED NOT TO RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE UNTIL IT WAS REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10065424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER VICTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10065439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winter Springs, FL
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WITHOUT USE OF THE MOTORCYCLE DUE TO THE LENGTH OF TIME IT WOULD TAKE THE DEALERSHIPS TO GET THE REPAIR KITS TO PERFORM THE TRANSMISSION COMPONET RECALL. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10065092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.