The 2001 Yamaha Road Star has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 49,139 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN06V3970002006-10-1720,000 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, CERTAIN TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS MAY NOT MEET YAMAHA QUALITY-CONTROL STANDARDS, WHICH COULD ALLOW ABNORMAL WEAR THAT EVENTUALLY RESULTS IN A BROKEN RETAINING 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 WITH INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE CERTAIN TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS WITH NEW ONES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT YAMAHA AT 1-800-88-YAMAHA OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.YAMAHA-MOTOR.COM.
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
39
3crashes14injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
1
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
1
Total complaints60
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 yamaha road star motorcycle. The contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign id number 03v309000 (power train:manual transmission). The dealer will not perform the recall repair after multiple calls and promises. The contact must call the dealer so they can order…”
“Fuel (gasoline) is sprayed from rear port of carburetor. As much as 2 oz may be emitted and sprayed on hot exhaust pipes and engine. The fuel immediately vaporizes. This only seems to occur when the motorcycle is hot, then shut off and allowed to sit for approximately 15 minutes. It does not spray…”
“Manual transmission and rear wheel locked while driving at 35 mph. When this occurred consumer was able to maintain control of the motorcycle ,and coasted it to a complete stop without the motorcycle tipping over. This occurred due to the defect described in the rear wheel lock recall 03v309000.…”
“There were no "events" leading up to the failure of my fuel system. While riding in traffic I noticed an odor of raw fuel. When I pulled over to investigate,I discovered gasoline pouring out from under my motorcycle! Shutting off the fuel petcock and running the engine @ an elevated rpm caused the…”
“Consumer received 03v309000 concerning transmission failure. Consumer attempted to get the motorcycle repaired by the dealer. The dealer claimed that the parts were not available.*ak”
“On january 14 2003 consumer received a recall letter regarding transmission. Dealership did not have the parts available to conduct recall repairs. Dealer was contacted, and dealer indicated that the consumer should wait a little longer. *ak *nm”
“While driving 30 mph transmission locked without warning. Dealer states the second gear broke. *ak”
“Motorcycle leaks fuel onto the engine. Consumer is concerned that motorcycle will catch fire. *ak”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE03038 Opened 2003-08-11 · closed 2003-11-06
UNINTENDED REAR WHEEL LOCKUP
SUMMARY: ON AUGUST 22, 2003 YAMAHA NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WAS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR2001 XV1600 ?ROAD STAR? MODEL MOTORCYCLES TO ADDRESS TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THOSE VEHICLES.ACCORDING TO THE COMPANY, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD FAIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE BUSHING WEAR ON THE 4TH PINION GEAR.BASED ON ITS ANALYSIS OF…
InvestigationPE03038 Opened 2003-08-11 · closed 2003-11-06
UNINTENDED REAR WHEEL LOCKUP
SUMMARY: ON AUGUST 22, 2003 YAMAHA NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WAS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR2001 XV1600 ?ROAD STAR? MODEL MOTORCYCLES TO ADDRESS TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THOSE VEHICLES.ACCORDING TO THE COMPANY, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD FAIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE BUSHING WEAR ON THE 4TH PINION GEAR.BASED ON ITS ANALYSIS OF…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2001 Yamaha Road Star as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.