VehicleVerdict

2002 Yamaha Road Star problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 88 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.5 times the median Road Star year — the 2002 model ranks #2 of 11 Road Star years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 93% of all reports (82 of 88), far ahead of other at 2.

88

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Road Star years?

Road Star NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 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, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Road Star years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Yamaha Road Star problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission8293%
Other22%
Brakes11%
Electrical System11%
Fuel System11%
Body & Structure11%

Does the 2002 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.

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.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 YAMAHA ROAD STAR. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE NOTICED THAT PINS THAT CONNECT THE FOURTH AND THE FIFTH GEAR HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 10, 2009

“REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT ON MOTORCYCLE LOAN PAYMENT FOR WHICH HE COULDN'T RIDE DUE TO THE RECALL NOT BEING PERFORMED. *PH THE PROBLEM HAD TAKEN 4 MONTHS TO ISSUE THE RECALL. *SC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other

“DT: FUEL TANK VENT ROLLOVER VALVE IS PLUNGING UP, CAUSING VACUUM TO COLLAPSE FUEL TANK. IT IS ALSO SUCKING WATER INSIDE. REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT, MARKS ARE INCORRECT. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR THREE YEARS. MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FUEL CAP. ALSO, SUCKING WATER INSIDE UP THE TUBE IN RAINING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 14, 2002

“FREEWAY DRIVING AT 50 MPH, I HEARD A POP AND MY SPEEDOMETER QUIT. HEARD GRINDING IN THE DRIVE TRAIN. I PULLED OVER TO A STOP. UPON ROLLING MY BIKE ONTO A TRAILER THE REAR END LOCKED UP. THE MIDDLE GEAR SHAFT SNAPPED OFF AT REAR END WITH THE RETAINING NUT FLOATING LOOSE WITH THE FRONT U-JOINT IN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 28, 2009

“THE CONSUMER STATED THAT YAMAHA ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE FRAME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 18, 2004

2002 Yamaha Road Star — common questions

Is the 2002 Yamaha Road Star reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 88 complaints put the 2002 model at #2 of 11 Road Star years. It is one of the Road Star years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Road Star problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (82 complaints), other (2 complaints), brakes (1 complaints).

Does the 2002 Yamaha Road Star have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 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 2002 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.