2003 Yamaha Road Star Silverado Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report waiting weeks to months for transmission recall repairs, because replacement parts were not available at dealers. Other complaints describe losing fifth gear or the motorcycle acting as if it were in neutral while riding, and a few describe disputes over whether repairs are covered. The recall complaints date from early 2004, while the gear-loss complaints were filed years later, usually at low mileage.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Recall repair delayed by missing transmission parts

   • 38 complaints (76%)
   • median 5,400 mi at 1.5 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2003–2009

   Owners describe transmission recall repairs that could not be done because replacement parts were not available, sometimes for weeks to months. According to complaints, dealers gave uncertain or distant dates, had limited repair kits or a single qualified technician, and in a case suggested that riding was probably fine despite the recall notice. Some owners say they could not ride while waiting and kept making payments. Where mileage is listed, these reports are all under 9,000 miles, and many are within the first few thousand.

   Recall 03V309000

   What to check: Check the VIN for open recalls and ask whether recall 03V309000 was completed, since the complaints describe repairs delayed for months. Ask for the repair paperwork and confirm the work was recorded against this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I recieved a safty recall notice from the manufacturer about possible transmission failure that leads to rear wheel lock up and crash. The recall advises to not drive the vehicle. I had vehicle towed to original dealer where I was told there are no parts available and would not be for a month and a half. The bike sits at the dealer and cannot be ridden.”

   NHTSA complaint #10056866, filed 2004-02, 8,500 miles

   “In january I received notification that my roadstar silverado had a transmission recall. Since then, I've attempted to make an appointment at 4 different authorized dealers and I've been told that they have not received enough parts from Yamaha. They are now on back order. I doubt that I'll even be able to ride this year; meanwhile they are receiving payment.”

   NHTSA complaint #10062707, filed 2004-03, 4,500 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Fifth gear loss or lock-up while riding

   • 13 complaints (26%)
   • median 8,600 mi at 4.1 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2004–2018

   Owners describe fifth gear being lost, or the motorcycle acting as if it were in neutral, while riding, sometimes at highway speed and sometimes after a clink or clunk. Some describe the rear wheel locking up, and in a case where the recall work had been done, the shop said the second gear had broken. According to complaints, repairs have cost thousands of dollars. Where mileage is listed, these reports range from about 8,700 to 18,000 miles.

   Recall 03V309000

   What to check: Ask whether the 03V309000 transmission recall work was done on this VIN, and whether any gear or transmission repair is documented since. Have a mechanic check for slipping, neutral-like behavior, and any clunk when shifting into fifth gear.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a 2003 Yamaha road star and the recall was done on trans. But 3 weeks a go it locked up while I was riding it. The shop tells me it was second gear that broke, he said that he didn't have any idea why. It only has 18000 miles and its in mint shape. Never been treated rough, don't think I could ever ride it again and feel safe.”

   NHTSA complaint #10331100, filed 2010-05, 18,000 miles

   “I was riding my 2003 Yamaha roadstar silverado with 8,000 miles on it,when I heard a clink,clink and then 5th gear was gone.just like it was in neutral. After much research I found that many 2003 roadstars have had the exact issue except I did not crash like some others have done. I contacted a local dealership who checked the VIN and said the recall had been done in dec.2004. There should be a punch mark at the VIN number.there is none on my bike. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10290507, filed 2009-11, 8,780 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Repair coverage refused or disputed

   • 13 complaints (26%)
   • median 8,780 mi at 6.8 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2004–2018

   Owners describe the manufacturer declining to repair a recalled part or a rusted fuel tank, and a district representative refusing authorization because the motorcycle was out of warranty. Some say the manufacturer's position was that no recall covered a fifth-gear problem, and a dealer said a recall was logged as done although the owner disputes it. Another complaint says the manufacturer stated that completing the recall ends its responsibility. Where mileage is listed, these reports range from about 8,700 to 16,000 miles.

   Recall 03V309000

   What to check: Ask the seller for written proof that any recall or warranty repair was completed, and confirm the recall status for this VIN. Before buying, check whether the warranty period has ended and what coverage remains, in writing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Part has been recalled, manufacturer refused to repair. I have been waiting for over 3 months for Yamaha to ship replacement parts. I have explained that this motorcycle is my only source of transportation. The recall notice stated that operation of this vehicle could cause injury or death I have called cs dept and spoke w/ candy several times and aside from being uncooperative and rude, she is either unwilling or unable to help me. I wonder if they will be more cooperative when the part wears out and someone is killed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10065765, filed 2004-04

   “Fuel tank on a five year old motorcycle has rusted through and multiple pin holes have formed. Gas leaked on hot motor creating safety issue. Manufacturer will not fix or replace tank. Per manufacturer there is no coating on the inside of the fuel tank to protect the bare metal from rusting. Motorcycle has been garage kept since purchased new in 2003.”

   NHTSA complaint #10236371, filed 2008-07, 16,000 miles

Buying note. Buyers considering this model year should confirm that the transmission recall was completed on the specific VIN, and have a mechanic inspect the transmission and check the fuel tank for rust before buying. Complaints about repair delays and coverage disputes suggest asking for dealer records and recall paperwork in writing.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 45 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.