AI Damage2002 Yamaha Midnight Star: common problems
Owners of the 2002 Yamaha Midnight Star filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and suspension. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 86% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 14% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 6 complaints (86% of all).
- Suspension: 1 complaints (14% of all).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 6 | 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…
2002 yamaha royal star venture rear shock absorber (air adjustable) failed. This appears to be a chronic problem with this model 1999 to present.
Nhtsa recall o3v309000 concerning transmission failure. Dealer did not have the parts to do recall repairs. Dealer informed the consumer that the parts were on back order.
Consumer received recall 03v309000 concerning transmission failure. Dealer informed the consumer that parts were not available, and had no information when the parts will come in.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 12,538 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 34% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Midnight Star has 10 complaints (3 years in the data). This year has 7, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Yamaha Midnight Star?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, suspension. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: transmission slipping (29%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 Yamaha Midnight Star?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2002 Yamaha Midnight Star from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2002 models
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.