2003 Yamaha ROAD STAR: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
105 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
4,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 38 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Manual Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 62 of 105 complaints (59.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 73 | 69.5% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 62 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 36 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 1 |
| Suspension:Front:Shock Absorber | 1 |
Power Train:Manual Transmission: 62; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 36; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm): 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl): 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 1; Suspension:Front:Shock Absorber: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 36 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 36; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (36). 67 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 99 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
2003: 2; 2004: 99; 2007: 3; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Manual Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 73 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10044260 · 2003-10-20 (October 20, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH MOTORCYCLE'S FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS FELL OFF. AS A RESULT, DRIVER LOSTS ALL BRAKING ABILITY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044260 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10055851 · 2004-01-26 (January 26, 2004)
BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURE OF YAMAHA ARE NOT SURE WHEN THE PARTS ARE GOING TO BE AVAILABLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION RECALL. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN A MONTH AND THEY ARE SAYING IT MIGHT BE ANOTHER MONTH AND ADVISED THE CONSUMER NOT TO DRIVE THE MOTORCYCLE. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V309000 TRANSMISSION; REAR WHEEL LOCK-UP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10055851 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057241 · 2004-01-30 (January 30, 2004)
CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED OF RECALL 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. HOWEVER, PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057241 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057299 · 2004-02-26 (February 26, 2004)
THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PARTS TO PERFORM THE RECALL WERE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. NO DATE WAS PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS TO WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. RECALL# 03V309000 SUBJECT: REAR WHEEL LOCK UP. *NM *SC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057299 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057513 · 2004-02-04 (February 4, 2004)
RECALL# 03V309000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE.. CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER IN JANUARY 2004. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO STATED THE MANUFACTURER WILL SEND THE PARTS AT THE END OF MARCH 2004, AND CONSUMER MUST GO ON A WAITING LIST. CONSUMER CONTACTED SEVERAL OTHER DEALERS WHO ALSO DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057513 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057605 · 2004-02-05 (February 5, 2004)
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (03V309000 SUBJECT: REAR WHEEL LOCK UP) AND CONTACTED TWO DEALERS. NEITHER DEALER HAD THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE RECALL AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR ANOTHER ONE TO TWO MONTHS. BOTH DEALERS ALSO HAVE A LONG WAITING LIST. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057605 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057618 · 2004-02-05 (February 5, 2004)
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (NHTSA VP02E0020008) FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE SECOND GEAR TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE (TURBIN-SERVICE MANAGER). YAMAHA MANUFACTURER, 6555 KETELLA AVE CYPRESS CA 90630-5101 [phone removed]. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057618 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057688 · 2004-02-06 (February 6, 2004)
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V309000 CONCERNING MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CONSUMER TOOK MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALER. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS DEALER CALLED CONSUMER AND ADVISED HIM TO PICK UP MOTORCYCLE BECAUSE THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057688 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V309000 · Power Train:Manual Transmission
Reported: 2003-08-26 (August 26, 2003)
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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗