VehicleVerdict

2001 Yamaha Road Star problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 60 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.8 times the median Road Star year — the 2001 model ranks #3 of 11 Road Star years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 82% of all reports (49 of 60), far ahead of engine at 5.

60

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Road Star years?

Road Star NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 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, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Road Star years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Yamaha Road Star problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission4982%
Engine58%
Fuel System47%
Suspension12%
Tires & Wheels12%

Does the 2001 Yamaha Road Star have recalls?

3 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.

03V309000TransmissionAugust 26, 2003 · 29,139 units

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 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.

“YAMAHA XV1600 MOTORCYCLE TRANSMISSION IS BREAKING AND LOCKING UP. THIS LOCKS THE REAR WHEEL AT SPEEDS OF 30 TO 50 MILES PER HOUR. WITH THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED THERE IS NO WAY TO CONTROL THE MOTORCYCLE AND IT GOES INTO AN UNCONTROLLABLE SKID. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE MILEAGE DEPENDANT AND PRELIMINARY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 24, 2003 · crash

“DUE TO THE TYPE OF DESIGN, TO CORRECT THE DEFECT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE FRAME AND TOTALLY DISMANTLED. *PH CONSUMER FELT THAT DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE REPAIR ON ENGINE, YAMAHA SHOULD PUT AN AFTER MARKET WARRANTY FOR AT LEAST 90 DAYS OR 3000 MILES. ALSO, CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

“WHEN RIDING MOTORCYCLE AND WHEN IT GETS HEATED OR HOT,FUEL WOULD FLOW OUT OF CARBURETOR ONTO PIPES AND DRIVER'S LEGS. CAN HAPPEN AFTER MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN PARKED. HAVE BEEN TO DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR PROBLEM. HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. HAD CONTACTED MANUFACTURER.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 23, 2002

“WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED WHEN DOWN SHIFTING. *AK A POLICE OFFICER WITNESSED THE CONSUMER SKID TO A STOP WHEN THE WHEEL LOCKED. *PH *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 16, 2003

“WHILE MAKING A SHARP RIGHT TURN REAR WHEEL PULLS ITSELF OUT OF LEAN, AND CAUSES MOTORCYCLE TO HIT A CURB. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · January 11, 2002

2001 Yamaha Road Star — common questions

Is the 2001 Yamaha Road Star reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 60 complaints put the 2001 model at #3 of 11 Road Star years. It is one of the Road Star years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Road Star problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (49 complaints), engine (5 complaints), fuel system (4 complaints).

Does the 2001 Yamaha Road Star have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 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 2001 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.