Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
18,054 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 to 2006 model years. Data updated: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 6 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Fuel system concerns
4
66.7%
Steering behavior
1
16.7%
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
4
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
4
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
2005
2
2007
1
2008
1
2013
1
2014
1
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
2005
2
2007
1
2008
1
2013
1
2014
1
2005: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
DT: CONTACT STATED A FUEL SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. HE TOOK OFF THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE WELD IN THE TANK. IT WAS A SLOW LEAK, BUT YOU COULD SMELL THE FUMES. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY URGED HIM TO BRING VEHICLE FOR SERVICE. *AK
2000 RC51 HONDA MOTORCYCLE. I STARTED IT UP 1/2007 AND IT SMOKED REAL BAD SO I SHUT IT OFF. GAS TANK LEAK AT THE REAR MOUNT WHERE IT (THE MOUNT) IS WELDED TO THE TANK WHICH COULD EASLY CAUSE A FIRE. AFTER HEARING THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF 2000 RC51S AND HONDA HAS REPLACED THESE TANKS I TOOK MINE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THEY DETERMIND IT WAS A DEFECT YET HONDA WILL NOT REPLACE IT BECAUSE OF AGE. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS ONLY 7000 MILES. IT HAS NOT YET BEEN REPLACED. TANK IS AT DEALER
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS CHILD OWNED A 2003 HONDA RC 51 1000R THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND EXPLODED WHILE BEING RIDDEN. THE OWNER WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 55 TO 65. THE DRIVER WAS KILLED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE OWNER WAS TWENTY YEARS OF AGE. THERE ARE WITNESSES THAT HAVE STATED THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING DOWN ASPHALT, STRAIGHT ROAD WHEN HE LOOKED LIKE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. THERE WAS A PUFF OF SMOKE AND THEN THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE BIKE AND HIT A CULVERT AND WAS FOUND UNCONSCIOUS. THE FATHER OF THE DRIVER STATES THAT THE DRI…
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
6 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
83.3%Usable mileage5 / 6 records
100.0%Valid incident date6 / 6 records
100.0%Valid filing date6 / 6 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates6 / 6 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
2000
2001
2003
2006
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
2100.0%ODI 10143568
DT: CONTACT STATED A FUEL SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. HE TOOK OFF THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE WELD IN THE TANK. IT WAS A SLOW LEAK, BUT YOU COULD SMELL THE FUMES. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY URGED HIM TO BRING VEHICLE FOR SERVICE. *AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA RVT1000R. THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS DIFFERENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 19,500.
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS CHILD OWNED A 2003 HONDA RC 51 1000R THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND EXPLODED WHILE BEING RIDDEN. THE OWNER WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 55 TO 65. THE DRIVER WAS KILLED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE OWNER WAS TWENTY YEARS OF AGE. THERE ARE WITNESSES THAT HAVE STATED THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING DOWN ASPHALT, STRAIGHT ROAD WHEN HE LOOKED LIKE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. THERE WAS A PUFF OF SMOKE AND THEN THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE BIKE AND HIT A CULVERT AND WAS FOUND UNCONSCIOUS. THE FATHER OF THE DRIVER STATES THAT THE DRI…
2001 RVT1000 OR RC51 FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL TANK AT REAR PIVOT. CAUGHT FIRE AFTER FUEL LEAKED ONTO HOT EXHAUST PIPE WRAPPED WITH THERMAL TAPE. FUEL VAPORS CAUGHT FIRE AFTER BIKE WAS AT A STANDING/IDLE POSITION. FUEL LEAK HAD STARTED RECENTLY AND HAD RAPIDLY INCREASED. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS BIKE. GLAD I CAUGHT IT OUTSIDE OF MY GARAGE AND NOT IN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA RVT1000 (RC51) MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FRONT WHEEL EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BECOME INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIBS, COLLAR BONE AND LUNG. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 25,000 UPDATED 3/28/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENTIRE WHEEL WAS MADE OUT OF…
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
Component failure mileage distribution
Component
Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)
Median
Usable records
Examples
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Too few reports for a range
13,250 mi
2 (sparse)
ODI 10182039 · 7,000 mi
2000 RC51 HONDA MOTORCYCLE. I STARTED IT UP 1/2007 AND IT SMOKED REAL BAD SO I SHUT IT OFF. GAS TANK LEAK AT THE REAR MOUNT WHERE IT (THE MOUNT) IS WELDED TO THE TANK WHICH COULD EASLY CAUSE A FIRE. AFTER HEARING THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF 2000 RC51S AND HONDA HAS REPLACED THESE TANKS I TOOK MINE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THEY DETERMIND IT WAS A DEFECT YET HONDA WILL NOT REPLACE IT BECAUSE OF AGE. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS ONLY 7000 MILES. IT HAS NOT YET BEEN REPLACED. TANK IS AT DEALER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA RVT1000R. THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS DIFFERENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 19,500.
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS CHILD OWNED A 2003 HONDA RC 51 1000R THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND EXPLODED WHILE BEING RIDDEN. THE OWNER WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 55 TO 65. THE DRIVER WAS KILLED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE OWNER WAS TWENTY YEARS OF AGE. THERE ARE WITNESSES THAT HAVE STATED THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING DOWN ASPHALT, STRAIGHT ROAD WHEN HE LOOKED LIKE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. THERE WAS A PUFF OF SMOKE AND THEN THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE BIKE AND HIT A CULVERT AND WAS FOUND UNCONSCIOUS. THE FATHER OF THE DRIVER STATES THAT THE DRI…
2001 RVT1000 OR RC51 FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL TANK AT REAR PIVOT. CAUGHT FIRE AFTER FUEL LEAKED ONTO HOT EXHAUST PIPE WRAPPED WITH THERMAL TAPE. FUEL VAPORS CAUGHT FIRE AFTER BIKE WAS AT A STANDING/IDLE POSITION. FUEL LEAK HAD STARTED RECENTLY AND HAD RAPIDLY INCREASED. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS BIKE. GLAD I CAUGHT IT OUTSIDE OF MY GARAGE AND NOT IN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA RVT1000 (RC51) MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FRONT WHEEL EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BECOME INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIBS, COLLAR BONE AND LUNG. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 25,000 UPDATED 3/28/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENTIRE WHEEL WAS MADE OUT OF…
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2003: 1 complaints · 2006: 0 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2003
0
0
1
2006
0
0
0
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2003
1
0
0
2006
0
0
0
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
Component co-occurrence matrix
Component
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Fuel System, Gasoline
Fuel/Propulsion System
Wheels
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
—
0
0
0
Fuel System, Gasoline
0
—
0
0
Fuel/Propulsion System
0
0
—
0
Wheels
0
0
0
—
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
1 patterns with matching reports.
Fuel smell or leak mentions
2 mentions · 33.3% of complaints
Median mileage: 18,777 mi (2 usable records).
ODI 10217371 · 19,500 mi
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA RVT1000R. THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS DIFFERENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 19,500.
2001 RVT1000 OR RC51 FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL TANK AT REAR PIVOT. CAUGHT FIRE AFTER FUEL LEAKED ONTO HOT EXHAUST PIPE WRAPPED WITH THERMAL TAPE. FUEL VAPORS CAUGHT FIRE AFTER BIKE WAS AT A STANDING/IDLE POSITION. FUEL LEAK HAD STARTED RECENTLY AND HAD RAPIDLY INCREASED. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS BIKE. GLAD I CAUGHT IT OUTSIDE OF MY GARAGE AND NOT IN. *TR