Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 16 of 57 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
57 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2004
Power Train
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, …
Read full complaint
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. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10064474
6,030 miles · Apr 1, 2004
Power Train
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. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10065455
8,000 miles · Mar 30, 2004
Power Train
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.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10065243
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2004
Power Train
PARTS TO PERFORM TRANSMISSION FAILURE RECALL 03V309000 REPAIRS HAS NOT BEEN AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10065008
500 miles · Mar 23, 2004
Power Train
RECALL 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. REPLACEMENT PARTS HAD NOT BEEN AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ALMOST 3 MONTHS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10064669
1,700 miles · Mar 11, 2004
Power Train
DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE REAR WHEEL LOCK UP RECALL 03V309000 FOR OVER 2 MONTHS BECAUSE THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10063012
Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
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 TRAN…
Read full complaint
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. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10065187
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2004
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH TRANSMISSION LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER STATES THE SECOND GEAR BROKE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10061249
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2004
Power Train
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. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10057616
9,200 miles · Feb 23, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
MOTORCYCLE LEAKS FUEL ONTO THE ENGINE. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT MOTORCYCLE WILL CATCH FIRE. *AK
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE CERTAIN TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS WITH NEW ONES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT YAMAHA AT 1-800-88-YAMAHA OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.YAMAHA-MOTOR.COM.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE03038 · Unintended Rear Wheel Lockup
Opened Aug 11, 2003 · Closed Nov 6, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:manual Transmission
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
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:manual Transmission
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
Power Train:manual Transmission
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 TO FAIL, LEADING TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE.?THIS COULD RESULT IN BOTH TRANSMISSION AND REAR WHEEL LOCKUP AND YAMAHA CONCLUDED A SAFETY RECALL SHOULD BE CONDUCTED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.YAMAHA IS LIMITING THE RECALL?S SCOPE TO THOSE MOTORCYCLES BUILT BETWEEN NOVEMBER 30, 2000 AND JANUARY 24, 2001 BASED UPON THE FOLLOWING:1. YAMAHA U.S. REPORTED FIELD FAILURES (INVOLVING BIKES BUILT IN DECEMBER, 2000) TO YAMAHA JAPAN.2.YAMAHA JAPAN INVESTIGATED AND VALIDATED THE CAUSE DESCRIBED ABOVE.3.YAMAHA JAPAN IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE ENGAGEMENT DOG ON THE 2ND/3RD PINION GEAR.4. YAMAHA JAPAN RECORDS INDICATED THAT THE JIG USED TO PRODUCE THE 2ND/3RD PINION GEAR WAS RE-CALIBRATED ON JANUARY 13, 2001.5.PARTS PRODUCED BEFORE NOVEMBER 30,2000 AND AFTER JANUARY 13, 2001 WERE SAMPLED AND FOUND TO BE WITHIN SPECIFICATION (THE RECALL WAS EXTENDED BEYOND JANUARY 13 BUILD AS A PRECAUTION).WITH YAMAHA?S RECALL, WE ARE CLOSING THIS INVESTIGATION BUT WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE FIELD PERFORMANCE OF ALL ROAD STAR MODEL MOTORCYCLES TO ASSESS THE PERFORMANCE OF THOSE BIKES NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL.SHOULD THE FACTS WARRANT ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION, WE WILL PROCEED ACCORDINGLY.
2001 Yamaha Road Star Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration