The 2003 Yamaha Road Star Silverado has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 29,139 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 53 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
35
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
9
POWER TRAIN
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
EQUIPMENT
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1
STRUCTURE
1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1
Total complaints53
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Passing on a freeway and lost 5th gear. Could have had serious accident. This is a well known issue and problem that yamaha is aware of and they left customers out to dry. Or should I say die!! This will cost us around 4,000 to fix. Shame on yamaha for not fixing this problem. Even though they had…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 yamaha road star silverado motorcycle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, he heard a clunking sound as the vehicle began to decelerate independently. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The…”
“I owned a yamaha road star silverado 1600 year 2003. I have now 52000 klm only. Last week wile a was riding at 110klm per hour on the fifth gear as usual transmission came on neutral state, when I released the transmission was broken in fifth gear. So I ended my ride in fourth gear as the result…”
“I own a 2003 yamaha road star and the recall was done on trans. But 3 weeks a go it locked up while I was riding it. The shop tells me it was second gear that broke, he said that he didn't have any idea why. It only has 18000 miles and its in mint shape. Never been treated rough, don't think I…”
“I was riding my 2003 yamaha roadstar silverado with 8,000 miles on it,when I heard a clink,clink and then 5th gear was gone.just like it was in neutral. After much research I found that many 2003 roadstars have had the exact issue except I did not crash like some others have done. I contacted a…”
“Re: complaint # 10290507 took my 2003 roadstar to yamaha dealership for transmission problem (5th gear gone). Was told that it has been an issue and yamaha will repair on a case-by-case situation. On friday nov.6th I was told by the dealer that if the recall has been done that yamaha will pay to…”
“Riding a 2003 yamaha roadstar, rider and a passenger, on 57n (so. California), cruising at 70 mph in fifth gear, began losing speed and bike started to rev as if in neutral. Downshifted to 4th, normal, up-shift to 5th, no power, bike acting as if in neutral. Pulled off freeway. Examined for…”
“Fuel tank on a five year old motorcycle has rusted through and multiple pin holes have formed. Gas leaked on hot motor creating safety issue. Manufacturer will not fix or replace tank. Per manufacturer there is no coating on the inside of the fuel tank to protect the bare metal from rusting.…”
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 Road Star Silverado as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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