Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 YAMAHA Road Star

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 105 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V309000

Power train: manual transmission

Component
Power train: manual transmission
Manufacturer
YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA
Vehicles affected
29,139
Reported to NHTSA
2003-08-26
Owners notified
2003-09-02

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

YAMAHA WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION GEARS AND SHAFTS WITH NEW ONES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT YAMAHA AT 1-800-88-YAMAHA OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.YAMAHA-MOTOR.COM.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: manual transmission624,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission364,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system118,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)14,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper11,000 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber129,500 mi
Suspension: rear159,000 mi

The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has 5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.