VehicleVerdict

1999 Yamaha Road Star problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 16 complaints on file for the 1999 Yamaha Road Star — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

16

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Road Star years?

Road Star NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted105 complaints1999: 16 complaints2000: 19 complaints2001: 60 complaints2002: 88 complaints2003: 105 complaints2004: 23 complaints2005: 2 complaints2006: 3 complaints2007: 8 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 1 complaints
Road Star NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Road Star years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Yamaha Road Star problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure531%
Suspension425%
Transmission425%
Lighting16%
Steering16%
Tires & Wheels16%

Does the 1999 Yamaha Road Star have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10E041000OtherAugust 23, 2010 · 300 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

06V397000TransmissionOctober 17, 2006 · 20,000 units

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 18, 2004 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 3, 2006

“CONSUMER ADVISED A DESIGN PROBLEM EXISTS WITH BIKE'S REAR SINGLE SHOCK. THE WELDED POINT WHERE THE SHOCK CONNECTS WITH BIKE'S FRAME IS PULLING THE SHOCK MOUNTS OFF. AS A RESULT THE MOUNTS ARE BEGINNING TO CRACK. TS”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 1, 2002

“1999 YAMAHA ROAD STAR REAR WHEEL HUB FAILURE. YAMAHA EXPECTS THE DEALERS TO DISASSEMBLE AND REASSEMBLE THE WHEEL WITHOUT ANY SPECIFICATIONS. IE. RIM TO HUB OFFSET MEASUREMENT, ETC. IN MY CASE THE RIM IS POSITIONED NOTICEABLY OFF TTO THE LEFT AFTER THE REPAIR WAS FINISHED. YAMAHA WILL NOT PROVIDE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · November 25, 2002

1999 Yamaha Road Star — common questions

Is the 1999 Yamaha Road Star reliable?

The record is thin — 16 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1999 Road Star problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (5 complaints), transmission (4 complaints), suspension (4 complaints).

Does the 1999 Yamaha Road Star have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Yamaha Road Star. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Yamaha Road Star under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Yamaha Road Star years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Road Star years to avoid are 2003, 2002, 2001. The cleanest record among Road Star years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.