2003 Yamaha Road Star problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:manual Transmission (62) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (36) · Suspension:rear (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Yamaha Road Star model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
38 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Equipment 2010-08-23 · campaign 10E041000 · 300 vehicles
Defect: YAMAHA IS RECALLING CERTAIN ACCESSORY YAMAHA DOUBLE "T" FAT HANDLEBARS , PART NUMBERS STR-5PX75-12-00 AND STR-4WM75-12-00, MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1, 2008 THROUGH JULY 31, 2009, TO BE USED ON MODEL YEAR 2002-2009 XV1700PC WARRIOR, 1999-2003 VX1600 AND 2004-2010 XV1700 ROAD STAR MOTORCYCLES. THESE HANDLEBARS MAY HAVE TUBING THINNER THAN DESIGNED WHERE THE BARS NARROW FOR THE SWITCH HOUSINGS AND GRIPS.
Risk: THE AFFECTED HANDLEBARS COULD BE WEAK ENOUGH IN THE AREA TO BREAK. SHOULD THIS BREAKAGE OCCUR WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS BEING OPERATED, THE OPERATOR COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: YAMAHA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED HANDLEBARS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT YAMAHA TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-962-7926.
What owners report
2009-12-16 · Suspension:front:shock Absorber · 29,500 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 yamaha roadstar. he experienced difficulty when attempting to raise the vehicle using the jack. upon further inspection he noticed that the shock spring assembly mount had fractured. he called several dealerships and was told that the failure was never reported. he called the manufacturer and was not provided with assis…”
2007-11-19 · Suspension:rear · 59,000 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2003 yamaha road star. while driving 55 mph, the rear tire struck the top of the rear fender. the dealer stated that the rear shock mount caused the failure; as of november 19, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. the current and failure mileages were 59,000. updated 12/04/07…”
2007-03-31 · Fuel System, Gasoline:carburetor System · 18,000 mi“carburetor on 2003 yamaha roadstar (xv1600) will spit gas out on hot cylinder heads and crankcase unpredictably. happens when restarting engine after engine has been stopped for a short period after coming in from a ride. ride can be short or long; unpredictable. was checked by dealer during first few months when new and carb needle was replaced…”
2007-02-24 · Power Train:manual Transmission“while riding m y 2003 yamaha roadstar i had problems getting it to shift into 4th gear. i checked the internet for any recalls on the bike. when i found that there is a recall i took the bike to my local dealer, the ran the vin# and said that it had already been done. the recall states that after the modifications are complete stamp a "*" above th…”
2004-07-30 · Power Train:automatic Transmission“nhtsa recall 03v309000 regarding transmission failure. after having recall repairs done, a week later, consumer heard a loud noise, and took it back to the dealer for inspection. *ak …”
2004-07-30 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 2,000 mi“consumer received recall 03v309000 concerning transmission failure. consumer had the recall notice since january, and dealer had not received the parts as of yet.*ak…”
2004-06-29 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 1,000 mi“consumer was waiting for recall 03v309000 repair parts for 8 months. the recall letter stated motorcycle was not to be driven until repaired. dealership had not resolved the problem. *ak…”
2004-05-20 · Power Train:manual Transmission“4th pinion gear exchange kit.*mr the consumer received recall notice 03v-309000. the consumer was unable to ride the vehicle for 90 days because the part was not available. *nm…”
2004-05-14 · Power Train:manual Transmission · 800 mi“consumer received nhtsa recall 03v309000 concerning transmission failure in january 2004. consumer contacted the dealer, and was told that parts needed to repair the motorcycle were not yet available. parts were coming in ,but at a very slow pace. *ak…”
2004-05-11 · Power Train:manual Transmission“the consumer contacted the dealer on 1/21/2004 in reference to nhtsa recall# 03v309000 subject:rear wheel lock up. the dealer informed the consumer that the parts were not available. the consumer was put on a waiting list and has not received the free remedy yet. *nm *la…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.