2003 Yamaha Road Star Silverado
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Yamaha › Road Star Silverado › 2003
These records cover every 2003 Yamaha Road Star Silverado. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 2003 Yamaha Road Star Silverado. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
50 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Power train
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…
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 a recall on the transmission, this IS a direct result of the original issue. yamaha states if the recall IS done, then they're done.
- Power train
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 approximate failure mileage was 25,850. *tr
- Power train › Manual transmission
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 at least 3000.00 dollars in repairs, or more at yamaha shop. *kb
- Power train › Manual transmission
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 could ever ride it again and feel safe. *tr
- Power train › Manual transmission
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…
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 fix it.then today nov.10th,the dealer said the district rep said he will not authorize the repair because the bike IS out of warranty. This motorcycle only has 8,700 easy miles on it and this seems to be a yamaha part defect that they do not want to fix. I have been reading online forums for the roadstars and have found that a lot of owners have had the exact problem with 5TH gear. Some have been able to get yamaha to fix theirs and others have had to pay to fix it themselves. I have also found out that when 5TH gear goes out,that it damages other transmission and engine parts. Somebody IS going to get killed because of this problem and it IS a shame that yamaha won`t back up their product. *Tr
- Power train › Manual transmission
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…
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 local dealership who checked the vin and said the recall had been done in dec.2004. There should be a punch mark at the vin number.there IS none on my bike. Yamaha says there IS no recall for the 5TH gear issue even though there are a lot of owners with the same issue. This IS a very costly repair and yamaha should be recalling and fixing this problem as the motor has to be torn all the way down to fix it and this can not be done by the average person. Myself and other yamaha roadstar owners are not,and will not let this issue go as it IS a costly repair and a yamaha defect. We have too much money invested in these motorcycles to let this blow over. Something has to be done about this issue soon before anybody else IS injured or killed. This IS an issue of life and death!!! we are counting on nhtsa to do something about this. Please. *Tr
- Power train › Manual transmission
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…
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 anything obviously broken but found nothing wrong. Drove motorcycle to repair shop when it has been ever since. repair shop has dismantled transmission from engine. pinion gear that holds 5TH gear in place has sheared off causing significant damage to other engine/tranny parts. broken parts could have caused engine to lock-up causing a potentially life threatening accident. yamaha contacted on two occasions and was told that the motorcycle was out of warranty, recall had been performed and this was not their problem. Major gear that failed has been superseded and replaced with a new part number! cost to repair the damage will be in excess of $4000.00 another local 2003 roadstar owner/rider had the same exact experience one week later, also at 70 mph also on a local social freeway- nhtsa complaint filed as well. one internet forum indicate at least 7 additional instances where 5TH gear has failed. *Tr
- Fuel system, gasoline · Structure
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. Motorcycle has been garage kept since purchased new in 2003. *tr
- Electrical system › Horn
The forward horn bracket on my 2003 yamaha road star has regularly broken at 5000 mile intervals. I took one and beefed it up with welded-in rod and angled brackets but it still only lasted 15000 miles. My dealer says they have reported this problem to yamaha, but when I call the customer service…
The forward horn bracket on my 2003 yamaha road star has regularly broken at 5000 mile intervals. I took one and beefed it up with welded-in rod and angled brackets but it still only lasted 15000 miles. My dealer says they have reported this problem to yamaha, but when I call the customer service line, they claim to have no knowledge of this problem. I also installed an external oil cooler on the bike and had that bracket break (i feel due to the extreme vibrations inherent in the bike)! now, on the new roadliner, they have addressed these problems, but without confirming that they exist. *jb
- Power train › Manual transmission
Consumer dissatisfied with the timetable to have the recall work performed on his motorcycle. *ph the repair have been taking so long because the manufacturer has not provided the dealer with the parts to make the repairs. *nm
- Power train › Manual transmission
Recall work wasn't done on motorcycle due to the availability of parts. *ph
- Power train › Manual transmission
Consumer received recall notice on motorcycle's transmission and contacted the dealer to have repairs made. the dealer indicated that the repairs would have to be scheduled in 3 to 4 weeks because dealership only had one qualified mechanic to work on the transmissions. (nar) *la
- Unknown or other
Problems getting recall repairs performed on vehicle due to parts availability.*mr *cb
- Power train › Manual transmission
I received a safety recall for my 2003 yamaha roadstar silverado concerning the transmission. As of this date 4/29/2004 I am still waiting for the dealer to obtain the parts to repair the vehicle. I received the notice in january and have not used the motorcycle since then.
- Power train › Manual transmission
On january 5, 2004 consumer received a recall (990021) letter regarding the transmission. dealership still does not have the parts available to conduct recall repairs. the dealer didn't know when the parts will be available. *ak as of april 23, 2004 the parts were still not available. the consumer feels this time frame IS unacceptable and unreasonable. *nm
- Power train › Manual transmission
Complaint regarding the handling of the recall of the transmission on yamaha parts. *ph recall# 03v30900 *sc *jb
- Power train › Manual transmission
Consumer received nhtsa recall 0-3v309000 concerning transmission failure. Consumer contacted the dealer on january 21 2004. Dealer informed the consumer that the parts were not available. consumer contacted the dealer again on march 21, 2004, and dealer informed the consumer that they did not know when the parts would be available. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
On january 7, 2004 consumer received a recall letter regarding transmission. dealership still did not have the parts available to conduct recall repairs. dealer was contacted, and the indicated that the consumer should wait. *Ak
- Electrical system · Power train › Manual transmission
The motorcycle's rear wheel locked up when the flywheel disengaged causing the consumer to skid while turning the corner. *ph consumer received call from dealer to inform about a recall on transmission; however, parts are not available and on back order. *la
- Power train › Manual transmission
Consumer received nhtsa recall 03v309000 concerning transmission failure in january, 2004. Dealer informed consumer that the parts were not available, and that it would take another two months for the parts to be available. two months later, consumer called the dealer again, and was told that the parts were not available. Dealer did not know when the parts would be available. *ak
- Power train › Manual transmission
The parts to perform recall 03v309000 repairs had not been available to dealership for past three months. *ak
- Power train › Manual transmission
Part has been recalled, manufacturer refused to repair. I have been waiting for over 3 months for yamaha to ship replacement parts. I have explained that this motorcycle IS my only source of transportation. the recall notice stated that operation of this vehicle could cause "injury or death"…
Part has been recalled, manufacturer refused to repair. I have been waiting for over 3 months for yamaha to ship replacement parts. I have explained that this motorcycle IS my only source of transportation. the recall notice stated that operation of this vehicle could cause "injury or death" I have called cs dept and spoke w/ candy several times and aside from being uncooperative and rude, she IS either unwilling or unable to help me. I wonder if they will be more cooperative when the part wears out and someone IS killed.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
On january 2, 2004 consumer received a recall letter regarding transmission failure. dealership did not have the parts available to conduct recall repairs. consumer called every week and no parts were available.*ak
- Power train › Manual transmission
I have a 2003 yamaha roadstar..i was issued a safety recall on january 9,2004..yamaha has not fixed the bike as of yet..it has been over the 60 day period and they still tell me they don't know when it will get it fixed..i want them to buy it back or take it back on trade for a 2004 model so I can…
I have a 2003 yamaha roadstar..i was issued a safety recall on january 9,2004..yamaha has not fixed the bike as of yet..it has been over the 60 day period and they still tell me they don't know when it will get it fixed..i want them to buy it back or take it back on trade for a 2004 model so I can enjoy what I am making payments on..they have known about this ever since 2001 but yet let their customers risk their lives on these death traps.. *jb
- Power train › Automatic transmission
The yamaha dealer had the recall parts but only had one technician on duty. the dealership owner was contacted and he indicated that the consumer should wait an additional three months. the consumer called three other dealership in north carolina but they refused to honor the recall because consumer didn't purchase the motorcycle from them. *nm
Every Yamaha Road Star Silverado model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.