Model year record

1999 Yamaha Road Star recalls & problems

The 1999 Yamaha Road Star has 2 safety recalls and 15 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (5 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints15filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

EquipmentAug 23, 2010

Equipment

Recall 10E041000300 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Power trainOct 17, 2006

Manual transmission

Recall 06V39700020,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
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 WITH INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
StructureFrame and members; Motorcycle › Kickstand/center stand	5	1	1	—
SuspensionRear; Front › Shock absorber	4	0	0	—
Power trainManual transmission	4	0	0	—
Wheels	1	0	0	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights › Concealment devices	1	0	0	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Suspension › Rear
ON MY YAMAHA ROAD STAR MOTORCYCLE THERE IS WHAT I THOUGHT A SOLID RUBBER BUMPER ON THE SHOCK ABSORBER. THIS IS THERE AS A CUSHION IN CASE THE SUSPENSION SHOULD BOTTOM OUT. THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS MOUNTED INSIDE THE SPRING AND IS A SINGLE UNIT MOUNTED UNDER THE MOTORCYCLE. NOT LIKE THE DUAL SHOCK/SPRINGS SEEN ON SOME MOTORCYCLES. ON MY MOTORCYCLE WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A SOLID RUBBER BUMPER TURNED OUT TO BE A SPONGY LOOKING MATERIAL WITH A BLACK COVERING TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE SOLID RUBBER. THE BLACK COVERING HAS NOW DETERIORATED AWAY AND THE SPONGY LOOKING MATERIAL IS NOW EXPOSED AND FLAKING AWAY PIECE BY PIECE. AUTOMOBILE SUSPENSION BUMPERS ARE IN FACT MADE OF SOLID RUBBER AND LAST FOR THE LIFE OF…
Nov 8, 2009 · 60,000 miles
Power train › Manual transmission
1999 YAMAHA 1600 ROADSTAR RECALL FOR TRANSMISSION. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE BIKE WAS RETURNED TO HIM AFTER HAVING THE RECALL WORK DONE ON THE TRANSMISSION, IT WAS LOCKING UP IN 2ND GEAR. WHEN THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, HE WAS TOLD TO COME BACK AT A LATER TIME. THE CONSUMER DID NOT RETURN TO THE DEALER UNTIL THE SPRING AND WAS TOLD TOO MUCH TIME HAD ELAPSED FROM THE ORIGINAL WORK DATE AND THERE WERE TOO MANY MILES ON THE MOTORCYCLE. RECALL 06V397000. *JB
Jan 1, 1901
Power train › Manual transmission
I LEARNED OF THE YAMAHA 1999 ROADSTAR RECALL AND TOOK MY BIKE IN TO A YAMAHA DEALER TO BE FIXED. MY BIKE HAD BEEN RUNNING GREAT WITH NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. THE DEALER HAS HAD THE BIKE NOW FOR 8 WEEKS. THEY GOT THE BIKE BACK TOGETHER A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND IT FIRED UP. I WENT TO RIDE IT HOME AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD COUGH AND BLOW BLACK SMOKE, BUT TO KEEP ON RIDING IT. IT DIED OUT ON ME AFTER ABOUT 20 MILES AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER HAS GIVEN US THE RUN AROUND THE ENTIRE TIME THEY HAVE HAD THE BIKE. NOW, IT WILL NOT RUN AT ALL AND THEY ARE SUGGESTING THAT I SPEND OVER 1000.00 JUST IN PARTS TO REPLACE PARTS THAT WERE NOT BAD IN THE FIRST…
May 30, 2008 · 21,000 miles
Structure › Frame and members
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 YAMAHA ROADSTAR WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF 75000 MILES. THE STEEL FRAME THAT THE MONO SHOCK BOLTS CRACKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN RIDING LESS THAN 5 MPH AND HITTING A BUMP THE SHOCKS WOULD NOT RESPOND. HE TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO A DEALER, EASTERN MOTOR SPORTS SOUTH, AND WAS TOLD THAT HE NEEDED A NEW FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER SOLD THE CONTACT A NEW FRAME AT HALF PRICE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE HOW THE STEEL FRAME FAILED. *AK
Feb 5, 2007 · 75,000 miles
Power train › Manual transmission
I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICED AND I CONTACTED ALL THE AUTHORIZED DEALERS IN TOWN AND AFTER 4 WEEKS I AM STILL WAITING FOR PARTS AND SERVICE. IS THERE ANYWAY YOU CAN SPEED UP THIS PROCESS AND GET MY MODIFICATION COMPLETED SO I CAN ENJOY 80 DEGREE WEATHER ON MY YAMAHA ROADSTAR?!! *JB
Oct 24, 2006
Power train › Manual transmission
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #06V397000, REGARDING THE POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE SERVICE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL WORK. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BIKE IS BEING FIXED. UPDATED 12/05/06. *JB
Nov 3, 2006 · 20,385 miles
Structure › Frame and members
DT: CONTACT STATED THE FRAME ON MOTORCYCLE SEVERELY CRACKED AT THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING AND HAS CAUSED THE UNSAFE TO RIDE.. DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE FRAME. THEY OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED HE OBSERVED RUST ONT HE FRAME WHICH CAUSED THE CRACKING. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 11/29/05*JB
Oct 16, 2005 · 65,000 miles
Structure › Motorcycle › Kickstand/center standCrash1 injury
CONSUMER STATES HE WAS JUST IN A ACCIDENT WITH HIS MOTORCYCLE, WHERE THE KICK STAND SCREW CAME OUT. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE MOTORCYCLE LIKE HIS. THE RECALL STATED THAT THE SIDE STAND SWITCH SCREW COULD LOOSEN DUE TO ENGINE HEAT AND NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND SUBSEQUENTLY WAS INJURED. *JB
May 18, 2004

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

UNINTENDED REAR WHEEL LOCKUPClosedLed to recall 03V309000
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 FAILED TRANSMISSIONS FROM THE FIELD, THE COMPANY FOUND ?UNEVEN CONTACT BETWEEN THE ENGAGEMENT DOGS ON THE 2ND/3RD PINION GEAR.WHEN IN 4TH GEAR, THESE UNEVEN SURFACES CAUSED UNEVEN BUSHING WEAR IN THE 4TH GEAR BUSHING.THIS WEAR WOULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE 4TH GEAR RETAINING CIRCLIP TO FAIL, LEADING TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE.?THIS COULD RESULT IN BOTH TRANSMISSION AND REAR WHEEL LOCKUP AND YAMAHA CONCLUDED A SAFETY RECALL SHOULD BE CONDUCTED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.YAMAHA IS LIMITING THE RECALL?S SCOPE TO THOSE MOTORCYCLES BUILT BETWEEN NOVEMBER 30, 2000 AND JANUARY 24, 2001…
PE03038 · opened Aug 11, 2003 · closed Nov 6, 2003