Owners have filed 22 complaints
about the 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner with NHTSA between 2012 and 2018.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
628.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1257.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
314.3%
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 2012peak 3May 2018
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 34,000 milesDothan, AL
ENGINE
ENGINE STALL WHEN I STOP IN TRAFFIC AFTER BIKE GETS WARM. DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME. TO SERVICE TECH. TWICE, STILL DOES IT. HAS STALLED LEAVING ME IN HARMS WAY. THANK GOODNESS OTHER DRIVER WAS PAYING ATTENTION. HAS HAPPENED OVER A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS OR LONGER.
NHTSA complaint #11093364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesColumbia, SC
POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON MY YAMAHA SHIFTING THROUGH THE GEARS AND 3RD GEAR STARTED MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. ONLY THIRD GEAR AND SPEEDING UP OR SLOWING DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10906207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesGermantown, TN
POWER TRAIN
3RD GEAR, LOUD WHINING SOUNDS COMING FROM TRANSMISSION AREA WHILE IN 3RD GEAR BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH. YAMAHA HAS CHANGED THEIR 3RD GEAR DESIGN AND CHANGED THEIR REPLACEMENT PART NUMBER, YET HAS NOT RECALLED AND REPAIRED OUR BIKES THAT HAVE THE OLD DESIGN. IS THIS A COVER UP BY THE MANUFACTURER OFF A WELL KNOWN CONDITION THAT CAN CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO LOCK UP AND THE RIDER LOOSING CONTROL CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY AND OR DEATH? PLEASE DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO ME AND MY FAMILY.
NHTSA complaint #10883503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesGermantown, TN
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
EXTREME JERKING AND STALLING OF THE ENGINE AT HWY SPEEDS IN A CONGESTED AREA CAUSING EXTREME WORRY ABOUT BEING HIT FROM BEHIND OR BEING TOSSED OFF AND TRASHED ON I-40 CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. DURING THE MECHANICAL INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL PUMP'S PLASTIC HOUSING HAS A FLAW, THERE IS A COLD MOLD LINE IN THE PRESSURE VESSEL. THERE IS A LONG AREA OF THE HOUSING THAT IS VISIBLY FLAWED; AN EXCESSIVELY THIN WALL SECTION THAT IS A RESULT OF A MOLDING PROCESSES INABILITY TO MAINTAIN PROPER MOLD FLOW AT THE PROPER TEMP TO ASSURE A COMPLETELY SOLID PRESSURE VESSEL. THIS FLAW HAS ALLOWED THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING TO RUPTURE CAUSING RAPID CHANGES IN FUEL PRESSURE BEING SUPPLIED TO THE FUEL INJECTORS. THIS UNPREDICTABLE JERKING AND STALLING OF THE ENGINE IS A DANGER TO ALL WHO MAY HAVE THIS UNPREDICTABLE FLAW IN THEIR SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10883507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,750 milesGreen BAY, WI
POWER TRAIN
WITH A LITTLE UNDER THIRTY NINE THOUSAND MILES ON THE ODOMETER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10862652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesNicholson, PA
POWER TRAIN
THE TRANSMISSION'S THIRD GEAR IS FAILING(GRINDING NOISE WHEN IN MOTION) USUALLY STARTS FROM 20 TO 50 K MILES .I CONTACTED YAMAHA AND THEY CLAIM NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANY PROBLEM. THAT STATEMENT IS A TOTAL LIE AS THEY HAVE EVEN CREATED A REPLACEMENT PART FOR THE PROBLEM GEAR , 3RD PINION, P/N 99999-03864-00 (REPLACES 1D7-17131-01-00) THE ORIGINAL GEAR WAS NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED = CAUSE FAILURE .THIS PROBLEM CAN CAUSE DRIVE TRAIN LOCKUP AND CRASHES LEADING TO FATALITIES. AS LONG AS YAMAHA CAN GET PEOPLE TO PAY FOR THIS DEFECT.( I.E. NO RECALL ) THEY WILL CONTINUE TO ENDANGER LIVES AND CAUSE CRIPPLING INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10825938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesGermantown, TN
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
EXTREME JERKING AND STALLING OF THE ENGINE AT HWY SPEEDS IN A CONGESTED AREA CAUSING EXTREME WORRY ABOUT BEING HIT FROM BEHIND OR BEING TOSSED OFF AND TRASHED ON I-40. DURING THE MECHANICAL INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL PUMP'S PLASTIC HOUSING HAS A FLAW, THERE IS A COLD MOLD LINE IN THE PRESSURE VESSEL. THERE IS A LONG AREA OF THE HOUSING THAT IS VISIBLY FLAWED; AN EXCESSIVELY THIN WALL SECTION THAT IS A RESULT OF A MOLDING PROCESSES INABILITY TO MAINTAIN PROPER MOLD FLOW AT THE PROPER TEMP TO ASSURE A COMPLETELY SOLID PRESSURE VESSEL. THIS FLAW HAS ALLOWED THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING TO RUPTURE CAUSING RAPID CHANGES IN FUEL PRESSURE BEING SUPPLIED TO THE FUEL INJECTORS. THIS UNPREDICTABLE JERKING AND STALLING OF THE ENGINE IS A DANGER TO ALL WHO MAY HAVE THIS UNPREDICTABLE FLAW IN THEIR SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10762219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 milesTulsa, OK
POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR TO LOUD CLUNKS FROM TRANSMISSION AND THEN A GRINDING NOISE. PAYING 3600$ TO FIX, 3RD AND 1ST GEAR SEVERELY DAMAGED AND DEBRIS ENTERED OIL PUMP DAMAGING IT AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10689837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,069 milesMontgomery, AL
POWER TRAIN
THIRD GEAR MAKING LOUD NOISE, TOLD IT MUST BE REPLACED AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #10649893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesGermantown, TN
POWER TRAIN
AFTER SHIFTING INTO THIRD GEAR (3RD) AN UNUSUALLY SOUNDING LOUD HOWLING NOISE CAN BE HEARD UNTIL I SHIFT INTO FOURTH GEAR (4TH). THE LOUD HOWLING NOISE IS ONLY IN THIRD GEAR (3RD).
NHTSA complaint #10649476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesGermantown, TN
ENGINE
AFTER SHIFTING INTO THIRD GEAR (3RD) AN UNUSUALLY SOUNDING LOUD HOWLING NOISE CAN BE HEARD UNTIL I SHIFT INTO FOURTH GEAR (4TH). THE LOUD HOWLING NOISE IS ONLY IN THIRD GEAR (3RD).
NHTSA complaint #10649476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,000 milesIndianapolis, IN
POWER TRAIN
3RD GEAR IN TRANSMISSION STARTED WITH A WHINNING NOISE AND NOW IT SOUNDS LIKE A BUNCH OF ROCKS INSIDE LIKE GEARS THAT HAVE BROKEN SLOSHING AROUND. I SEE THAT ON THE WEB THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR 3RD GEAR ON YAMAHA ROADLINERS. IS THIS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM?
NHTSA complaint #10615278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesOwings Mill, MD
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 YAMAHA STRATOLINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN IN THIRD GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #10610784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,125 milesNorth Miami, FL
POWER TRAIN
AS I WAS RIDING, SHIFTING GEARS I HEAR A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA ON 3RD GEAR, , NOW IS MORE EVIDENT THATS THE SOMETHING AFTER ABOUT 60 MILES AND LOUDER NOISE WILE ON 3RD GEAR THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG, NOW AFTER A LIGHT INTERNET RESEARCH, IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND MODEL OF A BIKE.
NHTSA complaint #10560881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,125 milesNorth Miami, FL
ENGINE
AS I WAS RIDING, SHIFTING GEARS I HEAR A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA ON 3RD GEAR, , NOW IS MORE EVIDENT THATS THE SOMETHING AFTER ABOUT 60 MILES AND LOUDER NOISE WILE ON 3RD GEAR THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG, NOW AFTER A LIGHT INTERNET RESEARCH, IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND MODEL OF A BIKE.
NHTSA complaint #10560881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,124 milesVero Beach, FL
POWER TRAIN
THIRD GEAR BEGAN MAKING A NOISE THAT CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. IT IS NOW SUCH A LOUD CLATTERING SLAPPING NOISE THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNUSABLE FOR FEAR OF DRIVE TRAIN LOCK-UP AND POSSIBLE FATALITY. YAMAHA IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS A REPLACEMENT PART: GEAR, 3RD PINION, P/N 99999-03864-00 (REPLACES 1D7-17131-01-00).
NHTSA complaint #10555291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesPeaoria, AZ
POWER TRAIN
NOTHING HAPPENED JUST EXCESSIVE NOISE WHEN SHIFTING TO AND FRO THIRD GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10546656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesMurrysville, PA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 YAMAHA STRATOLINER MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING IDLE AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #10509451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,613 milesRosemont, CA
POWER TRAIN
THE MOTORCYCLE IS MAKING KNOCKING NOISES WHILE DOWNSHIFTING THRU 3RD AND 2ND GEARS. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO SEEMS TO HOWL WHILE AT LOW SPEED IN 3RD GEAR. I AM AFRAID TO RIDE FOR THE FEAR OF TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10474391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,613 milesRosemont, CA
ENGINE
THE MOTORCYCLE IS MAKING KNOCKING NOISES WHILE DOWNSHIFTING THRU 3RD AND 2ND GEARS. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO SEEMS TO HOWL WHILE AT LOW SPEED IN 3RD GEAR. I AM AFRAID TO RIDE FOR THE FEAR OF TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10474391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bernhards BAY, NY
POWER TRAIN
I NOTICED A LOUD NOISE WHEN I AM IN THIRD GEAR. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT IT IS A BAD THIRD GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10457803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesHeath, OH
POWER TRAIN
THIRD GEAR STARTED TO BECOME VERY NOISY, SOMETHING THAT OTHER STRATOLINER OWNERS HAVE NOTICED. THE PROBLEM IS WITH A GEAR THAT WAS NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED. WHEN I TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALER BEFORE THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRED I WAS TOLD THE MECHANIC COULD NOT HEAR THE NOISE. THE NOISE IS QUITE OBVIOUS. THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED YAMAHA AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE MODIFICATIONS WERE DONE (AN AFTERMARKET BELT AND PULLEY AND REAR TIRE) THAT WAS THE CAUSE. MIND YOU, THIS IS A MOTORCYCLE THAT IS RODE ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH QUITE A FEW TRIPS FROM OHIO TO FLORIDA. WELL OVER 90% OF THE RIDING IS IN 5TH GEAR. I SEE NO REASON FOR THE BELT/PULLEY CHANGE OR REAR TIRE TO AFFECT 3RD GEAR AND NONE OF THE OTHERS. YAMAHA NOW LISTS A DIFFERENT PART NUMBER FOR A REPLACEMENT 3RD GEAR WHICH I WAS TOLD COMES FROM A DIFFERENT VENDOR. I FEAR THAT A GEAR FAILURE WILL RESULT IN THE REAR WHEEL LOCKING UP, SOMETHING THAT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10444411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.