2003 Yamaha Midnight Star Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

2003 Yamaha Midnight Star recalls

Most common 2003 Yamaha Midnight Star problems

Problem areas named in the 17 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Power Train	15
Structure	1
Electrical System	1

What owners report

2007-09-05, Power Train
I AM WRITING IN REGARD TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE THAT I EXPERIENCED ON SATURDAY, THE 25TH OF AUGUST, 2007 ON MY 2003 MIDNIGHT ROADSTAR. FIFTH GEAR WAS LOST WHILE I WAS LEADING A GROUP OF MOTORCYCLES ON THE INTERSTATE. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE, I HEARD A LOUD METALLIC CLICK, AND THOUGHT OF A BREAKAGE OF THE CIRCLIP. THIS FAILURE HAD THE POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN THE IMMEDIATE LOCKUP OF THE TRANSMISSION, AND RESULTANT LOCKUP OF THE REAR WHEEL. THIS EVENT COULD HAVE LED TO A CATASTROPHIC CRASH BECAUSE IT OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH A GROUP OF MOTORCYCLES IMMEDIATELY BEHIND ME. IN FIFTH GEAR, NO POWER AT ALL IS PROVIDED TO THE DRIVE BELT. GEARS 1-4 AND NEUTRAL CONTINUED TO OPERATE NORMALLY

2006-04-11, Electrical System
WHEN STARTING THE MOTORCYCLE THE ENGINE COUGHED (BACKFIRED THROUGH THE CARBURETOR). SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTS TO START THE ENGINE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL BECAUSE THE STARTER WOULD NO LONGER ENGAGE. THIS LEFT ME STRANDED AND WAS FORCE TO FIND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION HOME IN ORDER TO PICK UP MY TRUCK & TRAILER TO GO BACK AND PICK UP THE MOTORCYCLE. SERVICE MANAGER AT THE YAMAHA DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY SEE THIS PROBLEM QUITE OFTEN. THE REPAIR CONSISTS OF APPLYING LOCKTITE TO A STARTER BOLT AND RE-TORQUEING THE BOLT. *NM

2005-07-28, Structure
DT: 2003 , YAMAHA MOTORCYCLE'S FRAME RUSTED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THERE WAS A BRACKET WELDED TO THE FRAME THAT CRACKED. A CLOSER EXAMINATION REVEALED ALL 4 SIDES OF THE BRACKETS WERE CRACKED. . CONSUMER CAUGHT THIS IN TIME, AND THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS OR FAILURES. BUT CONSUMER FELT IF THIS HAD BROKEN COMPLETELY THE WHOLE SUSPENSION WOULD HAVE DROPPED FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHO SAID THEY COULD WELD THIS FRAME OR BUY A NEW FRAME. CONSUMER OPTED TO BUY THE NEW FRAME BECAUSE HE FELT THIS WAS THE SAFEST OPTION. CONSUMER TOOK MOTORCYCLE FROM DEALER TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP, WHO WAS MORE TRUSTED BY CONSUMER, HAD DISCUSSED REINFORCING THE BRACKET IF THIS WOULD

2004-12-07, Power Train
RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF RECALL FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CONTACTED TWO DEALERS FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO REPAIR TRANSMISSION, BUT NEITHER DEALERSHIPS ACCEPTING ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE PARTS WEREN'T AVAILABLE. THE RECALL WAS FILED AUGUST 2003 BUT THE CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED UNTIL SIX MONTHS LATER (RECALL# 03V-309000). *LA *NM (NAR)

2004-04-21, Power Train
THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNAWARE AS TO HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE BEFORE THEY RECEIVED PARTS TO PERFORM TRANSMISSION RECALL. *PH THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THE RECALL TO BE PERFORMED IN A TIMELY MANNER OR YAMAHA SHOULD BUY THE VEHICLE BACK. *SC RECALL #03V309000. *JB

2003 Yamaha Midnight Star questions

Does the 2003 Yamaha Midnight Star have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2003 Yamaha Midnight Star: Power Train:Manual Transmission. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Yamaha Midnight Star?

Based on 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Power Train (15), Structure (1), Electrical System (1).

How do I check if a recall on my 2003 Yamaha Midnight Star has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.