The 2002 Yamaha Midnight Star has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 29,139 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN03V3090002003-08-2629,139 affected
Defect
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…
Complaints by component
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
5
POWER TRAIN
1
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
1
Total complaints7
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“While riding my motorcycle in dec 2015 on state highway 67. I hear a noise that was a new noise I never hear before and then the motor rpm raced higher, at that time I promptly pulled over, I could not physically see anything or hear any issues, so I returned to the road, and as I was shifting…”
“2002 yamaha royal star venture rear shock absorber (air adjustable) failed. This appears to be a chronic problem with this model 1999 to present.*ak”
“Consumer has been on a waiting list for over 3 months to have the rear wheel lock up recall 03v309000 repairs performed. The parts have not been available. Dealership indicated it may be another 8 weeks before the recall is performed. *ak”
“Consumer received recall 03v309000 concerning transmission failure. Dealer informed the consumer that parts were not available, and had no information when the parts will come in. *ak”
“2002 yamaha road star transmission recall. My bike has been in the shop since 1/27/04 waiting for a transmission kit. I am being told that there are no kits available and they might get parts the middle to late april, 04. This is unacceptable! I have only 4,000 miles on this bike purchased in june…”
“In january 2004, I received a recall from yamaha, stating there is a problem with the transmission and that they will fix it free of charge, and that I should not ride the motorcycle until the work is done. As of march, they still did not have parts at the dealer and I wrote yamaha with my…”
“Nhtsa recall o3v309000 concerning transmission failure. Dealer did not have the parts to do recall repairs. Dealer informed the consumer that the parts were on back order.*ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Yamaha Midnight Star as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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