Owners have filed 105 complaints
about the 2003 Yamaha Road Star with NHTSA between 2003 and 2009.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 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 — 100
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 2003 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
6259.6%
Automatic Transmission
3634.6%
Shock Absorber
11.0%
Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
11.0%
Carburetor System
11.0%
Caliper
11.0%
Rear
11.0%
Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
11.0%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
410.5%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
2771.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
513.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
12.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
12.6%
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.
Oct 2003peak 36Dec 2009
NHTSA investigations into the 2003 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 2003 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 29,500 milesLawrenceville, IL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10296134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,000 milesManhatten, KS
SUSPENSION:REAR
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
NHTSA complaint #10209317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesAustin, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10186611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Price, UT
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10183407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, DC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2003 YAMAHA ROADSTER WAS RECALLED FOR POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER FOR SIX WEEKS FOR RECALL REPAIR, BUT DEALER WEREN'T ABLE TO DO SO BECAUSE RECALL KIT HASN'T BEEN PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. (NAR) *LA
NHTSA complaint #10059746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Rose, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
REQUESTED HELP TO GET YAHAMA TO EXPEDITE THE RECALL PROCESS ON THE YAMAHA ROADSTAR. (NAR) *PH
NHTSA complaint #10057999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, DC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER WOULD HAVE THE PARTS FOR 2003 YAMAHA ROADSTAR RECALL N 7 TO 10 DAYS BUT WAS LATER INFORMED IT WOULD BE ANOTHER MONTH BEFORE THEY RECEIVED PARTS TO CORRECT THE LOCKING TRANSMISSION. (NAR) *PH
NHTSA complaint #10057992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, DC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FOR 2003 YAMAHA ROADSTAR WHICH INDICATED REPAIRS WOULD TAKE 2 DAYS. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP, HE WAS INFORMED THE PARTS WOULDN'T BE AVAILABLE TO THEM UNTIL THE END OF FEB. OR EARLY MARCH. (NAR) *PH
NHTSA complaint #10057997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ellsworth, KS
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
COMPLAINT ON THE LENGTH OF TIME IT TOOK YAMAHA TO REPAIR THE CONSUMER'S 2003 YAMAHA ROADSTAR DUE TO TRANSMISSION RECALL. (NAR) *PH
NHTSA complaint #10058000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, MA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
REQUESTED HELP TO GET YAMAHA ROADSTAR TRANSMISSION RECALL PERFORMED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. (NAR) *PH
NHTSA complaint #10058001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesCrestview, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CONSUMER HAD THE RECALL NOTICE SINCE JANUARY, AND DEALER HAD NOT RECEIVED THE PARTS AS OF YET.
NHTSA complaint #10083898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hudson, NC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10083947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,000 milesDover, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10080095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sublimity, OR
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10074026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 800 milesPontotoc, MS
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10073671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valatie, NY
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
RECALL REPAIRS COULD NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *MR
NHTSA complaint #10073383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kings Park, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
COMPLAINT RELATIVE TO THE UNREASONABLE LENGTH OF TIME CONSUMER HAS TO WAIT TO HAVE RECALL PERFORMED.
NHTSA complaint #10071536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Quartz Hill, CA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
PARTS TO PERFORM RECALL 03V309000 REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR 4 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10072169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
GIG Harbor, WA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE BACKLOG OF MOTORCYCLES THAT NEED REPAIRS, IT WOULD BE A WHILE BEFORE HIS MOTORCYCLE RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #10071539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NV
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER RECEIVED YAMAHA RECALL ON TRANSMISSION COMPONETS. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10068574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
YAMAHA FAILURE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION PART(S) THAT WAS RECALLED OVER THREE MONTHS AGO. *PH CONSUMER SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR AND OBTAIN THE NEEDED REPLACEMENT PART FOR MOTORCYCLE.
NHTSA complaint #10067451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Benson, NC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER SARAH.
NHTSA complaint #10068657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coarsegold, CA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
YAMAHA UNABLE TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE IN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. *PH *SC RECALL #03V309000.
NHTSA complaint #10067442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamson, WV
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE CONSUMER DISSATIFIED WITH THE LACK OF AVAILABILITY OF PARTS TO PERFORM RECALL. *PH THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF A BROKEN CIRCLIP. *SC *JB RECALL 03V309000.
NHTSA complaint #10066877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sublimity, OR
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
YAMAHA DEALERS DIDN'T KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD RECEIVE THE PARTS TO PERFORM RECALL. *PH *LA
NHTSA complaint #10066863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.