AI DamageYamaha Midnight Star: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Yamaha Midnight Star across 3 model years: 29 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 90% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 3% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 3% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 3% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 26 complaints (90% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (3% of all).
- Structure: 1 complaints (3% of all).
- Suspension: 1 complaints (3% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 29 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 26 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While riding my motorcycle in dec 2015 on state highway 67. I hear a noise that was a new noise I never hear before and then the motor rpm raced higher, at that time I promptly pulled over, I could not physically see anything or hear any issues, so I returned to the road, and as I was shifting gears, when I got to…
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.
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.
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.
Eight months ago consumer received nhtsa recall 03v309000 regarding the second/third pinion gear maybe incorrectly machined, which could cause abnormal wear that eventually results in a broken retainer. Dealership still does not have the parts available to conduct recall repairs.
2002 yamaha royal star venture rear shock absorber (air adjustable) failed. This appears to be a chronic problem with this model 1999 to present.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.