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Vehicle recall 03V309000 · August 26, 2003

Yamaha Midnight Star, Road Star and 12 more models

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…

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary
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.
Notes
Also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Recall details

NHTSA campaign
03V309000
Reported to NHTSA
August 26, 2003
Filed by
YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA
Manufacturer campaign
M2004-001
Owner notification
September 2, 2003
Vehicles potentially affected
29,139
Initiated by
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
Components
Power train › Manual transmission
Recall 03V309000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Has your Yamaha been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Yamaha dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.