VehicleVerdict

2004 Yamaha Road Star problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 23 complaints on file for the 2004 Yamaha Road Star — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 1 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

23

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Road Star years?

Road Star NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 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, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Road Star years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Yamaha Road Star problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1565%
Transmission417%
Fuel System14%
Speed Control14%
Body & Structure14%
Tires & Wheels14%

Does the 2004 Yamaha Road Star have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“FOR OVER A YEAR 2004 YAMAHA ROADSTAR MOTORCYCLE HAD THE VALVES STICKING WHILE RIDING IT , CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER. IT HAD 8000 MILES ON IT . THIS HAPPENED AT 4500 MILES. I DID WHAT YAMAHA ADVISED TO DO TO AVOID THE SITUATION, IT DIDN'T HELP. THEY KEPT GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND. THEY KNEW IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 11, 2007 · fire

“XV-175S ROAD STAR YAMAHA MOTORCYCLE - 2004. BIKE RAN INTO A CEMENT HIGHWAY BARRIER WHEN RIDER WAS ON WAY HOME FROM DRIVING BIKE OFF SHOWROOM FLOOR. WITNESSES SAID IT SEEMED AS IF HE COULDN'T TURN THE HANDLE BARS OR APPLY THE BRAKES.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 20, 2003 · crash

“MOTORCYCLE WAS LEAKING GAS FROM THE CARBURETOR. MOTORCYCLE WAS INSPECTED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AT THREE DEALERSHIP. A YAMAHA REPRESENTATIVE CAME FROM CALIFORNIA TO INSPECT THE MOTORCYCLE ABOUT MONTH AGO, AND HE NEVER NOTIFIED THE CONSUMER WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE MOTORCYCLE.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 27, 2004

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 YAMAHA ROADSTAR MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE ENGAGED THE THROTTLE, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHEN IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · March 4, 2010

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIG BEAR VENOM CHOPPER MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V129000 (STRUCTURE) ON FEBRUARY 1, 2010. THE CONTACT STATED THE DEALER WOULD NOT RELEASE THE VEHICLE UNTIL HE WAS REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS BY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 1, 2010

2004 Yamaha Road Star — common questions

Is the 2004 Yamaha Road Star reliable?

The record is thin — 23 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2004 Road Star problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (15 complaints), transmission (4 complaints), tires & wheels (1 complaints).

Does the 2004 Yamaha Road Star have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2004 Yamaha Road Star. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.