Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
350–25K
025–50K
150–75K
075–100K
0100–150K
0150K+
36 reports with mileage · 51 unknown
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 82 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Equipment. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
87 reports
67,000 miles · Nov 19, 2009
Power Train
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 …
Read full complaint
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 ODI #10292952
19,342 miles · Aug 5, 2009
Electrical SystemPower 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 REPO…
Read full complaint
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. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279421
1,100 miles · Jun 17, 2005
Fuel System, Other
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.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10125689
6,000 miles · Oct 13, 2004
Power Train
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. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10096728
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2004
Power Train
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING THE REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER MONICA. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10091863
3,000 miles · Jul 19, 2004
Power Train
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 *NM
NHTSA ODI #10075540
Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2004
Power Train
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. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10079323
Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2004
Power Train
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE(VP02E00) FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION!!!!!!!!NO PARTS AVAILABLE PER SERVICE MANAGER VICTOR. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10075668
Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2004
Power Train
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER VICTOR . *AK
NHTSA ODI #10075514
4,000 miles · Jun 1, 2004
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 .. ..*AK
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
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
2002 Yamaha Road Star Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration