The 2003 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 17 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
15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
1
Total complaints17
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I am writing in regard to the transmission failure that I experienced on saturday, the 25th of august, 2007 on my 2003 midnight roadstar. Fifth gear was lost while I was leading a group of motorcycles on the interstate. At the time of the failure, I heard a loud metallic click, and thought of a…”
“When starting the motorcycle the engine coughed (backfired through the carburetor). Subsequent attempts to start the engine were unsuccessful because the starter would no longer engage. This left me stranded and was force to find alternate transportation home in order to pick up my truck & trailer…”
“Dt: 2003 , yamaha motorcycle's frame rusted. Upon further inspection there was a bracket welded to the frame that cracked. A closer examination revealed all 4 sides of the brackets were cracked. . Consumer caught this in time, and there were no accidents or failures. But consumer felt if this had…”
“This complaint relates to yamaha's failure to perform recall repairs to a 2003 yamaha midnight star (motorcycle) (subject to a recall identified by nhtsa campaign id no. 03v309000) within a reasonable time after delivery of the vehicle for those repairs. The recall was initiated on august 22, 2003…”
“The consumer contacted the dealer about recall 03v309000 subject: rear wheel lock up, but was told that the parts were not available. The dealer also informed the consumer that the showroom motor cycles would be fixed before any other motor cycles. The consumer contacted the manufacturer who…”
“Consumer received recall 03v309000 concerning manual transmission failure. Consumer received the recall notice on 1/30/2004. Consumer contacted the dealer who did not have the parts, and had no information on when the parts will be available. Dealer had a waiting list with about thirty consumers.…”
“This complaint involves the recall of the road star motorcycle for a defect in the transmission. According to the office of defects investigation, the recall date was aug 22, 2003. The letter received advising of the recall was dated jan 9, 2004, with the instruction that the mc was dangerous to…”
“Consumer received recall 03v309000 concerning transmission failure. Consumer contacted the dealer, who did not have the parts to complete the recall repairs. Dealer was fixing the showroom motorcycles and not fixing consumers' motorcycles, but telling consumers they didn't have the parts. *ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Yamaha Midnight Star as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.