2003 Yamaha Midnight Star Problems
- Complaints
- 17filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 14,850miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Yamaha Midnight Star (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2003 Yamaha Midnight Star. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 15 complaints (88% of the total), followed by electrical system (1) and body and structure (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 14,850 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system1 5.9%
- Body and structure1 5.9%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10201991, filed 2007-09, 28,378 milesElectrical 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10155039, filed 2006-04, 4,665 milesBody and 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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10130485, filed 2005-07, 23,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
100% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 6,700 and 23,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 03V309000Aug 26, 2003Power train › Manual transmissionCovers: Yamaha Midnight Star 2001–2003, Road Star 2001–2003, XV16 2001–2003 +8 more
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.
Recall details for the 2003 Yamaha Midnight Star → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 2003 Yamaha Midnight Star.
Other model years of the Yamaha Midnight Star
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 17 | 14,850 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 7 | 15,750 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 5 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Yamaha Midnight Star model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Yamaha Midnight Star have?
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2003 Yamaha Midnight Star as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Yamaha Midnight Star is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 15 complaints (88% of the total), followed by electrical system with 1.
Has the 2003 Yamaha Midnight Star been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Yamaha Midnight Star reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 14,850 miles and the middle half falls between 6,700 and 23,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.