AI DamageYamaha V Star 1100: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Yamaha V Star 1100 across 2 model years: 11 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 55% of all complaints
- 2 Seats 18% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 9% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 9% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 9% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 9% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 9% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 6 complaints (55% of all).
- Seats: 2 complaints (18% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (9% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (9% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (9% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 11 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 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel 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.
I was driving on I-70 near aurora, co, at approximately 55-60 mph in the far left lane when I started losing speed. I noticed that my drive shaft was still spinning and my speedometer was still showing my speed and would change with the amount of throttle that I gave it.
Tl contact owns a 2001 yamaha v-star 1100 motorcycle. The contact started the ignition and the one way starter clutch failed without prior warning. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 30,000.
Very loud whining on deceleration vibration at takeoff grinding noise freewheeling drive train.
Tl contact owns a 2006 (na) yamaha v-star. The contact noticed that the exterior lighting would sporadically fail, which reduced visibility and increased the risk of a serious crash. She took the vehicle to the dealer on four occasions and they replaced several fuses.
Vehicle is a yamaha motorcycle. At about 45 mph lost drive power. None of the gears would work to provide power to rear end. Repair was done at a yamaha repair shop. Part replaced was called the final gear clutch hub. Repair spokesperson indicated that the failure and the manner of failure was uncommon.
I had a failure of the nut holding on the middle drive of a yamaha v-star 1100 , it started with a grinding noise , the result was a $2500.00 repair bill to a bike that only has 28,000 miles on it , had to replace everything involved with the middle drive, I have asked for the old parts to be returned .
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.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
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.