2003 Honda VTX1300 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
35 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
3,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data updated: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 35 complaints (25.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 6 | 17.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.9% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.9% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 9 |
| Suspension | 7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 4 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Suspension:Front | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
Steering: 9; Suspension: 7; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 4; Tires: 3; Suspension:Front: 2; Wheels: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 17 |
| 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 | 1 |
Under 25,000: 17; 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: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 16 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 20 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2003: 4; 2004: 20; 2005: 4; 2006: 4; 2008: 2; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking 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.
Owner report 10074525 · 2004-05-31 (May 31, 2004)
2003 HONDA VTX1300 RETRO EXHIBITS AN ABNORMAL WOBBLE IN THE STEERING/HANDLE BARS ON DECELERATION BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MILES PER HOUR. THE PROBLEM IS PERSISTANT AND HAS BEEN COMPLAINED ABOUT BY MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. SEE WWW.XTXOA.COM FOR CONFIRMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10074525 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10074663 · 2004-11-04 (November 4, 2004)
I OWN A 2003 HONDA VTX 1300S MOTORCYCLE AND I HAVE A WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END WHEN I DECELERATE IN THE 45-40 MPH RANGE. THIS WOBBLE ALSO HAPPENS IN TURNS AND CAN GREATLY EFFECT THE STEERING THROUGH A TURN. THIS HAS BEEN A CONSTANT SITUATION SINCE I FIRST BOUGHT THE BIKE. I'VE HAD THE WHEELS CHECKED FOR TRUE AND BALANCE AND THE STEERING HEAD BEARING CHECKED A NUMBER OF TIMES FOR THE CORRECT TORQUE. ALL OF THIS HAS BEEN DONE BY LAWRENCEVILL HONDA, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. *AK *SC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10074663 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10074712 · 2004-06-03 (June 3, 2004)
1. WAS NOT INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT TIME OF PURCHASE, THAT THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER IS INACCURATE BY APPROX. 10%. 2. CONSTANT TRAVEL (ESP HIGHWAYS) AT SPEEDS UNSAFE FOR FLOW OF TRAFFIC HAS RESULTED IN CAR AND TRUCK DRIVERS TO TAILGATE, GET UPSET AND CUT ME OFF (SHIFTING LANES BACK AND FORTH), AND FLASHING LIGHTS AT ME FROM BEHIND (VERY UPSETTING AT NIGHT). EVERYONE KNOW THERE ARE ADDED RISKS WHEN DRIVING A MOTORCYCLE AND THE DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER UNNECESSARILY ADDS TO THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY. 3. I HAVE SPOKEN TO HONDA, BOTH DEALERSHIP…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10074712 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10230514 · 2008-06-10 (June 10, 2008)
I OWN A 2003 HONDA VTX1300S MOTORCYCLE. THIS BIKE IS SHAFT DRIVE. WHILE RIDING THROUGH TOWN THE SWING ARM SEPARATED FROM THE REAR WHEEL DO TO THE SPOT WELDS BRAKING ON THE DRIVE SHAFT SIDE OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS CAUSED THE BIKE TO TWIST WILDLY DO TO THE REAR WHEEL ONLY BEING SUPPORTED ON ONE SIDE OF THE SWING ARM. THIS BIKE ONLY HAS 7,200 MILES ON IT AND IS GARAGED & WELL KEPT. I WAS TRAVELING 25 MPG ON A CITY STREET AND GOT STOPPED WITHOUT ACCIDENT. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT SPEED ON A HIGHWAY OR COUNTY ROAD THERE NO DOUBT THAT I WOULD…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230514 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
35 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
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 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 925.7%ODI 10074525 · 100 mi2003 HONDA VTX1300 RETRO EXHIBITS AN ABNORMAL WOBBLE IN THE STEERING/HANDLE BARS ON DECELERATION BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MILES PER HOUR. THE PROBLEM IS PERSISTANT AND HAS BEEN COMPLAINED ABOUT BY MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. SEE WWW.XTXOA.COM FOR CONFIRMATION.*AK | 2430.8% | 2961.7%ODI 101422402005 1300 C HONDA MOTORCYCLE. HAS A FRONT END SHAKE THAT IS ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE WHEN SLOWING DOWN. THE BARS ALMOST SHAKE OUT OF MY HANDS. *JB | 2262.9%ODI 10167749 · 3,000 miFRONT END WOBBLE ON A NEW (3000 MILES) 2006 HONDA VTX 1300 MOTORCYCLE. *NM | 2569.4%ODI 10237037 · 7,000 miFRONT END WOBBLE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35MPH AND 45MPH. *TR | 150.0%ODI 10746767 · 8,400 miFRONT WHEEL WOBBLES WHEN COASTING AND I LET GO OF THE HANDLE BARS. WOBBLE IS VIOLENT BUT STOOPS WHEN I GRAB THE HANDLE BARS. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Suspension | 720.0%ODI 10074522EXCESSIVE FRONT END WOBBLE. AT SPEEDS AROUND 40 MPH, THE FRONT END WOBBLES EXCESSIVELY, MANY HONDA VTX RIDERS HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALERS. HOWEVER, ITS ALWAYS THE SAME ANSWERS, "NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS, OR HONDA RECOMMENDS THAT YOU NOT LET GO OF THE HANDLE BARS. I REPLACE MY TIRE AT 8500 MILES AND HAD THE RIMS CHECKED. STILL SAME PROBLEM... CHECK OUR WEB SITE HTTP://WWW.VTXOA.COM/FORUMS/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?T=16810&HIGHLIGHT=WOBBLE. *AK | 1316.7%ODI 10073267 · 50 mi2004 HONDA ST 1300 MOTORCYLE. AT HIGHER SPEEDS, BIKE HAS A UNCONTROLLABLE WABBLE. MULTIPLE REPORTS TO HONDA GO UNANSWERED. SIMILIAR RECALL UNDERWAY IN EUROPE FOR SAME PROBLEM. *MR | 48.5%ODI 10163274FRONT WHEEL WILL WOBBLE BETWEEN SPEED OF 40-50 MPH. HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY TELL ME THAT I DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH AIR IN THE TIRE. I AIRED UP THE TIRE TO THE PSI THAT I WAS INSTRUCTED, AND IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NM | 411.4%ODI 10167749 · 3,000 miFRONT END WOBBLE ON A NEW (3000 MILES) 2006 HONDA VTX 1300 MOTORCYCLE. *NM | 719.4%ODI 10237349THE 2007 HONDA VTX1300C HAS A WOBBLE. IT APPEARS THAT MOST IF NOT ALL OF THE HONDA VTX SERIES MOTORCYCLE HAVE HAD CHEAP BEARINGS PUT IN THE FORK. USUALLY THE BAD BEARINGS WEAR OUT WITHIN A YEAR. THE PROBLEM IS CORRECTED BY PUTTING IN TAPERED BEARINGS. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Suspension:Front | 25.7%ODI 10078414FRONT END WOBBLED ON MY 2003 HONDA VTX 1300 RETRO MOTORCYCLE. *AK | 1012.8%ODI 10031777THE FRONT END HAS NO SUSPENSION. WHILE DRIVING THE MOTORCYCLE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE PASSENGER WAS ALMOST THROWN OFF. THE DEALER STATED ON 7/28/2003 THERE WAS NO PROBLEM (HONDA VTX1300S 2004). *PH *PH *NLM | 12.1%ODI 10245819 · 75 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA VTX1300. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT TIRE WAS UNEVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND FORKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 411.1%ODI 10237037 · 7,000 miFRONT END WOBBLE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35MPH AND 45MPH. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 411.4%ODI 10074525 · 100 mi2003 HONDA VTX1300 RETRO EXHIBITS AN ABNORMAL WOBBLE IN THE STEERING/HANDLE BARS ON DECELERATION BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MILES PER HOUR. THE PROBLEM IS PERSISTANT AND HAS BEEN COMPLAINED ABOUT BY MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. SEE WWW.XTXOA.COM FOR CONFIRMATION.*AK | 911.5%ODI 10074565 · 250 miSTEERING PROBLEM - STEERING WHEEL/HANDLEBARS: FRONT HANDLEBARS WOBBLE TO THE POINT OF BEING UNCONTROLABLE AT BETWEEN SPEEDS OF 35 TO 45 MPH. THIS HAPPENED RECENTLY WHILE EXITING A HIGHWAY AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND END UP GOING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. IT IS USUALLY NOT AS NOTICABLE WHEN YOU HOLD ON TO THE HANDLEBAR TIGHTLY WITH BOTH HANDS, BUT WHEN YOU HOLD IT WITH ONE HAND, OR IF YOU SHOULD HAVE AN OCCASION TO LET GO ALL-TOGETHER SUCH AS IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, YOU MAY DEFINITELY HAVE AN ACCIDENT IF TRAVELING … | 24.3%ODI 10141455FRONT END WOBBLES AT SPEEDS AROUND 40 MPH. DEALER SAID IT ALL LOOKS FINE. STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH THE WOBBLE. *NM | 12.9%ODI 10644152 · 3,850 miHANDLEBARS SHAKE BETWEEN 35-45 MPH NOW EVEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS, WOBBLE. GO INTO A TURN IT SEEMS TO DROP JUST A LITTLE ENOUGH TO SCARE THE S--- OUT OF YOU. I SEE YOU HAVE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM. CAN YOU LET ME KNOW YOUR FINDINGS, PLEASE. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS I JUST ASSUMED YOU HAVE NOT HAD THE TIME TO INVESTIGATE. THIS IS TRULY A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. SOMEONE MAY HAVE ALREADY BEEN HURT OR WORSE. NO ONE HAS PROVED THE FRONT STEERING BEARINGS WERE BAD. SOMETHING I THOUGHT YOU WERE SUPPOSE TO INVESTIGATE, AFTER ANY COMPLAINT. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 514.3%ODI 10045501 · 1 miMY SPEEDOMETER IS OFF 10% AS PER THE HONDA REPAIR MAN USING A GPS TO EVALUATE THE DISCREPANCY. | 911.5%ODI 10068130 · 500 miMY NEW HONDA SHADOW SABRE MOTORCYCLE SPEEDOMETER READS 10% HIGHER THAN ACTUAL SPEED OF VEHICLE. *LA | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 25.6%ODI 10323616 · 1 miSPEEDOMETER READING IS OFF UP TO 10%. FORUMS ON THE INTERNET SAY THIS CAN BE FIXED BY PURCHACING A "SPEEDO HEALER" FOR AROUND $150.00 . THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY HONDA NOT THE CONSUMER. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Wheels | 25.7% | 33.8%ODI 10103755THE FRONT WHEEL STARTED TO WOBBLE AND VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. THIS CAUSED THE MOTORCYCLE TO LOCK UP, GO STRAIGHT, AND END UP IN AN ACCIDENT AT 55 MPH. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IN 48 HOURS THAT THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR CHECKUP, BUT THEIR RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK | 36.4%ODI 10258859 · 10,000 mi2005 HONDA VTX1300C DATE: 2/13/09 - WHILE REPLACING REAR TIRE FOUND PIECES OF FLANGE BEARING ON THE GROUND REPLACED WITH AFTERMARKET BEARING. *TR | 12.9%ODI 10233369 · 1,500 miNEW HONDA VTX1300C MOTORCYCLE HAS WOBBLE IN FRONT END. MOTORCYCLE ONLY HAS 1500 MILES ON IT AND IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER RE-BALANCED THE WHEELS, BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. DEALER CONTACTED HONDA AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD DO NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR | 12.8%ODI 10909408 · 7,200 miMY 2007 HONDA 1300 VTX DEVELOPS A VIOLENT WHEEL WOBBLE UPON ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION AT AROUND 40MPH. THIS ISSUE WEARS TIRES AND IS VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO REACT TO THE PROBLEM.I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER 1300 VTX OWNERS AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. HONDA DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM AND DOES NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. HONDA SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF PARTS AND REPLACEMENT OF FRONT TIRES WHICH SHOW UNREASONABLE WEAR IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND LOW MILEAGE ON HE TIRES… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 22.6%ODI 10265708 · 2,000 miLEAKING FUEL VALVE ON A 2004 HONDA VTX 1300. EXACT SAME DESCRIPTION AS THE 2007 MODEL YEAR. *TR | 24.3%ODI 10236463 · 2,200 miSEVERELY LEAKING FUEL CONTROL VALVE. ANYTIME MOTORCYCLE IS RUNNING. *TR | 25.7%ODI 10245366 · 7,496 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA VTX1300. THE CONTACT LEANED THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT SIDE ON ITS FOOT PEG AND SIMULTANEOUSLY NOTICED THAT GASOLINE WAS LEAKING ONTO THE LOWER MUFFLER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT DID NOT HAVE ANY FAILURES. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 7,496. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 10592638 · 750 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA VTX1300C MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL CONTROL VALVE. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V1410000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 750. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 33.8%ODI 10134147 · 6,670 miBOUGHT MOTORCYCLE IN SEPT. 2004. THE IGNITION/STARTER FUSE HAS BLOWN DUE TO AN INTERMITTANT ELECTRICAL SHORT 5 TIMES. DEALER HAS TRIED TO LOCATE PROBLEM 3 TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. AFTER SECOND TRY, THEY'RE SUGGESTION TO REMEDY IT WAS TO CARRY A LOT OF FUSES. BIKE JUST DIES WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS A HAZARD TO ME, MY PASSENGER, AND VEHICLES AROUND ME. | 12.1%ODI 10172679MY 2005 HONDA VTX1300C HAS EXPERIENCED MANY PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE. THERE HAS BEEN A HUGE ISSUE WITH A RATTLE, THE DEALER/SERVICE CENTER WAS ABLE TO FIND AND FIX THE RATTLE IN TWO SEPARATE LOCATIONS ON THE MOTORCYCLE. RIGHT AFTER PURCHASE THERE HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH OVERHEATING AND STALLING. THE DEALER/SERVICE CENTER HAS ONLY BEEN ABLE TO FIND AND CORRECT THE OVERHEATING ISSUE, THE INTERMITTENT STALLING CONTINUES. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE MOTORCYCLE WILL QUIT RUNNING ABRUPTLY, ON SOME INSTANCES THE DRIVE TIRE WILL LO… | 12.9%ODI 11209344 · 18,500 miMY STARTER MAGNET SHORTED OUT & BURNED CONNECTING PLUG & ELECTRICAL HARNESS. MY BIKE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE LIKE ALWAYS. I WENT OUT IN MORNING TO START BIKE & NOTHING HAPPENED, A FEW SECONDS LATER I NOTICE A BURNED SMELL & IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF KEY. I THEN DISCONNECTED MY BATTERY & STARTED TO LOOK FOR THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE BATTERY CHECKED OUT TO BE GOOD , I STARTED CHECKING FUSES , WHEN I NOTICE THE STRING BURNED SMELL FROM THE STARTER MAGNET AREA , THE MAIN FUSE WAS STILL GOOD BUT NOTICED THE CONNECTOR PLUG SLIGHTLY MELTED. UPON FURTHER… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 11011189 · 11,000 miAFTER 4 YEARS OF USE, THE ODOMETER BLACKENED OUT TO THE POINT THAT I HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING MY MILEAGE. I REPLACED IT, AND NOW THE REPLACEMENT IS ALSO TOO DARK TO READ! I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF I AM RUNNING OUT OF GAS, NO WAY TO KNOW WHEN TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED, NO WAY TO KNOW WHEN THE OIL SHOULD BE CHANGED, NO WAY TO KNOW IF IT IS TIME FOR ANY OTHER SAFETY CHECKS. I CONTACTED HONDA, THEY TOLD ME I SHOULD KEEP THE MOTORCYCLE IN THE GARAGE, AWAY FROM SUNLIGHT!?! I AM VERY RELUCTANT TO USE IT ON THE FREEWAYS ANYMORE, BECAUSE I WILL NOT KN… |
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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 125–8,500 mi | 1,348 mi | 7 | ODI 10074525 · 100 mi2003 HONDA VTX1300 RETRO EXHIBITS AN ABNORMAL WOBBLE IN THE STEERING/HANDLE BARS ON DECELERATION BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MILES PER HOUR. THE PROBLEM IS PERSISTANT AND HAS BEEN COMPLAINED ABOUT BY MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. SEE WWW.XTXOA.COM FOR CONFIRMATION.*AK ODI 10102142 · 4 miTHERE HAS BEEN A WOBBLE IN THE FRONT OF MY 2003 HONDA VTX 1300 RETRO FROM THE FIRST DAY I OWNED IT. I HAVE HAD THE WHEELS TRUED AND NEW TIRES INSTALLED. IT IS BETTER BUT IT STILL WOBBLES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL DEALERS AND THE STOCK RESPONSE IS "WE HAVE NEVER HEARD ABOUT A PROBLEM LIKE THIS." OR "HONDA SAYS TO HOLD ONTO YOUR HANDLE BARS TIGHTER." THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FROM A COMPANY THAT HAS BUILT IT'S REPUTATION ON QUALITY. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE.*AK ODI 10141445 · 5,000 miVEHICLE - 2003 HONDA VTX S/R MODEL PROBLEM IS FRONT END WOBBLE AT 45-35 MPH WHEN DECELERATING. I REPLACED FRONT AND REAR TIRES AT JUST OVER 9000 MILES. BEFORE I REPLACED THE FRONT TIRE THE WOBBLE WAS GETTING WORSE. AFTER I REPLACED THE FRONT TIRE I NOTICED THAT THE WOBBLE IS GONE BUT I CAN STILL FEEL A VERY SLIGHT SIDE TO SIDE VIBRATION IN THE HANDLEBARS. *NM |
| Suspension | Too few reports for a range | 14,000 mi | 4 (sparse) | ODI 10141445 · 5,000 miVEHICLE - 2003 HONDA VTX S/R MODEL PROBLEM IS FRONT END WOBBLE AT 45-35 MPH WHEN DECELERATING. I REPLACED FRONT AND REAR TIRES AT JUST OVER 9000 MILES. BEFORE I REPLACED THE FRONT TIRE THE WOBBLE WAS GETTING WORSE. AFTER I REPLACED THE FRONT TIRE I NOTICED THAT THE WOBBLE IS GONE BUT I CAN STILL FEEL A VERY SLIGHT SIDE TO SIDE VIBRATION IN THE HANDLEBARS. *NM ODI 10164334 · 12,000 miI AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 HONDA VT1300S. THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS A DECELERATION "WOBBLE" AT 35-45 MPH. IT IS FELT AT THE HANDLEBARS EVEN WHILE HAVING BOTH HANDS ON THEM. MANY VTX OWNERS I KNOW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT REALLY FEELS AS IF THE STEERING HEAD WOULD COME LOOSE AT ANY POINT AND ALSO IT'S DANGEROUS WHEN RIDING ON CERTAIN ROADS. IT ALSO SHOWS UNEVEN TIRE WEAR ON THE FRONT TIRE. *JB ODI 10230287 · 270,000 miREAR FLANGE BEARING IN VTX 1300 CAME APART, LOOKED AT BEARING WHILE CHANGING REAR TIRE. REPLACE 2004 AND 2003 VTX S BEARING WHILE CHANGING REAR TIRE. REPLACE BEARING # 91052-KZ4-J21. *TR |
| Vehicle Speed Control | Too few reports for a range | 6,001 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10045501 · 1 miMY SPEEDOMETER IS OFF 10% AS PER THE HONDA REPAIR MAN USING A GPS TO EVALUATE THE DISCREPANCY. ODI 10074721 · 12,000 mi2003 HONDA VTX MOTOR CYCLE SPEEDOHMETER IS IN CORRECT, ABOUT 8% FASTER THAN ACTURE SPEED. *JB |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | Too few reports for a range | 100 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10074525 · 100 mi2003 HONDA VTX1300 RETRO EXHIBITS AN ABNORMAL WOBBLE IN THE STEERING/HANDLE BARS ON DECELERATION BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MILES PER HOUR. THE PROBLEM IS PERSISTANT AND HAS BEEN COMPLAINED ABOUT BY MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. SEE WWW.XTXOA.COM FOR CONFIRMATION.*AK |
| Suspension:Front | Too few reports for a range | 580 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10078420 · 580 miI HAVE A 2003 HONDA VTX 1300 S RETRO. I FIRST NOTICED THE FRONT END WOBBLE AT 450 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IT STARTS BETWEEN 38 TO 45 MILES PER HOUR. YOU CAN REALLY NOTICE IT WHEN YOU HOLD A CONSTANT SPEED OF 40 MILES PER HOUR. AT THIS SPEED THE HANDLE BARS SHAKE RIGHT IN YOUR HANDS. IF YOU INCREASE THE SPEED TO 50 AND LET GO OF THE BARS YOU CAN SEE THE BARS SHAKE BACK AND FORTH WITH ABOUT 5 TO 8 INCHES OF SIDE TO SIDE PLAY UNTIL YOU GET DOWN TO AROUND 35 MPH. EVEN WITH YOUR HANDS ON THE BARS YOU CAN FEEL THE SIDE TO SIDE MOTION AT THESE SPEEDS. … |
| Wheels | Too few reports for a range | 1 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10093869 · 1 miFRONT END WOBBLE BETWEEN 35 - 40 MPH UPON DECELERATION. *NM |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | Too few reports for a range | 1 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10122168 · 1 miNEW VEHICLE PURCHASED IN SEPT 2002. A HONDA MOTORCYCLE, MODEL YEAR 2003 VTX1300 RETRO WAS PURCHASED AND LATER WAS FOUND TO HAVE RED SPEEDOMETER LIGHTS FOR NIGHT RIDING. THE LIGHTS ARE DIM AND DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT, WHICH MAKES THE SPEEDOMETER USELESS AT NIGHT. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT CHANGING THE LIGHTS AND THERE ARE NO SEPARATE PARTS AVAILABLE. I CALLED THE AMERICAN HONDA IN CALIFORNIA, THE IMPORTER, AND THEY REFERRED ME BACK TO THE DEALER, TO SEE IF THEY ARE WORKING CORRECTLY. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THEY ARE RED DIODES AND BY N… |
Complaint and recall timeline
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
| 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.
2008: 0 complaints · 2009: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 | 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 | Steering | Suspension | Vehicle Speed Control | Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | Tires | Suspension:Front | Wheels | Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | — | 3ODI 10141445 · 5,000 miVEHICLE - 2003 HONDA VTX S/R MODEL PROBLEM IS FRONT END WOBBLE AT 45-35 MPH WHEN DECELERATING. I REPLACED FRONT AND REAR TIRES AT JUST OVER 9000 MILES. BEFORE I REPLACED THE FRONT TIRE THE WOBBLE WAS GETTING WORSE. AFTER I REPLACED THE FRONT TIRE I NOTICED THAT THE WOBBLE IS GONE BUT I CAN STILL FEEL A VERY SLIGHT SIDE TO SIDE VIBRATION IN THE HANDLEBARS. *NM ODI 10164334 · 12,000 miI AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 HONDA VT1300S. THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS A DECELERATION "WOBBLE" AT 35-45 MPH. IT IS FELT AT THE HANDLEBARS EVEN WHILE HAVING BOTH HANDS ON THEM. MANY VTX OWNERS I KNOW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT REALLY FEELS AS IF THE STEERING HEAD WOULD COME LOOSE AT ANY POINT AND ALSO IT'S DANGEROUS WHEN RIDING ON CERTAIN ROADS. IT ALSO SHOWS UNEVEN TIRE WEAR ON THE FRONT TIRE. *JB ODI 10468388 · 16,000 miBAD WOBBLE IN STEERING/BEARING BETWEEN 30 AND 50 MPH. WHEN THIS IS GOING ON IN A CURVE YOU NEARLY LOOSE CONTROL IT CONVULSIVE WOBBLE GROWS. NOT HARD TO FIND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CONDITION EVEN ON THESE BIKES RIGHT FROM THE DEALER. *TR | 0 | 1ODI 10074525 · 100 mi2003 HONDA VTX1300 RETRO EXHIBITS AN ABNORMAL WOBBLE IN THE STEERING/HANDLE BARS ON DECELERATION BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MILES PER HOUR. THE PROBLEM IS PERSISTANT AND HAS BEEN COMPLAINED ABOUT BY MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. SEE WWW.XTXOA.COM FOR CONFIRMATION.*AK | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3ODI 10141445 · 5,000 miVEHICLE - 2003 HONDA VTX S/R MODEL PROBLEM IS FRONT END WOBBLE AT 45-35 MPH WHEN DECELERATING. I REPLACED FRONT AND REAR TIRES AT JUST OVER 9000 MILES. BEFORE I REPLACED THE FRONT TIRE THE WOBBLE WAS GETTING WORSE. AFTER I REPLACED THE FRONT TIRE I NOTICED THAT THE WOBBLE IS GONE BUT I CAN STILL FEEL A VERY SLIGHT SIDE TO SIDE VIBRATION IN THE HANDLEBARS. *NM ODI 10164334 · 12,000 miI AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 HONDA VT1300S. THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS A DECELERATION "WOBBLE" AT 35-45 MPH. IT IS FELT AT THE HANDLEBARS EVEN WHILE HAVING BOTH HANDS ON THEM. MANY VTX OWNERS I KNOW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT REALLY FEELS AS IF THE STEERING HEAD WOULD COME LOOSE AT ANY POINT AND ALSO IT'S DANGEROUS WHEN RIDING ON CERTAIN ROADS. IT ALSO SHOWS UNEVEN TIRE WEAR ON THE FRONT TIRE. *JB ODI 10468388 · 16,000 miBAD WOBBLE IN STEERING/BEARING BETWEEN 30 AND 50 MPH. WHEN THIS IS GOING ON IN A CURVE YOU NEARLY LOOSE CONTROL IT CONVULSIVE WOBBLE GROWS. NOT HARD TO FIND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CONDITION EVEN ON THESE BIKES RIGHT FROM THE DEALER. *TR | — | 0 | 0 | 2ODI 10074748THE FRONT WHEEL OF MY HONDA VTX 1300 HAS A MAJOR WOBBLE WHEN I RUN 40 TO 50 MPH. A WHILE BACK (6 OR 7 MONTHS AGO) I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM WHEN I BROUGHT IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THE BIKE WAS NOT MADE TO RIDE WITH NO HANDS. END OF STORY. THE REASON WHY I WAITED SO LONG IS UNTIL NOW I DID NOT KNOW WHO TO TURN TO. RECENTLY I WAS READING ON A WEB SITE JUST FOR HONDA VTX CRUISERS THAT I WAS NOT ALONE BY A LONG SHOT WITH THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW WERE TO GO SO I AM LOOKING TO FOR AN ANSWER FROM YOU INSTEAD O… ODI 10079888MOTORCYCLE'S TIRES WEAR DOWN UNEVENLY ON THE LEFT SIDE.*MR THE MOTORCYCLE DEVELOPED A TERRIBLE FRONT WHEEL AND FORK WOBBLE DUE TO TIRES (DUNLOP 404) THAT WORE UNEVENLY ON THE LEFT SIDE, AFTER ONLY 6000 MILES ON THE ORIGINAL TIRES, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TREAD WAS DOWN TO 2MM WHILE THE RIGHT WAS ABOUT 5MM. AT 7000 MILES THE LEFT SIDE WAS DOWN TO 1MM AND THE RIGHT WAS 4-5MM. *NM | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 1ODI 10074525 · 100 mi2003 HONDA VTX1300 RETRO EXHIBITS AN ABNORMAL WOBBLE IN THE STEERING/HANDLE BARS ON DECELERATION BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MILES PER HOUR. THE PROBLEM IS PERSISTANT AND HAS BEEN COMPLAINED ABOUT BY MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. SEE WWW.XTXOA.COM FOR CONFIRMATION.*AK | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 0 | 2ODI 10074748THE FRONT WHEEL OF MY HONDA VTX 1300 HAS A MAJOR WOBBLE WHEN I RUN 40 TO 50 MPH. A WHILE BACK (6 OR 7 MONTHS AGO) I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM WHEN I BROUGHT IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THE BIKE WAS NOT MADE TO RIDE WITH NO HANDS. END OF STORY. THE REASON WHY I WAITED SO LONG IS UNTIL NOW I DID NOT KNOW WHO TO TURN TO. RECENTLY I WAS READING ON A WEB SITE JUST FOR HONDA VTX CRUISERS THAT I WAS NOT ALONE BY A LONG SHOT WITH THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW WERE TO GO SO I AM LOOKING TO FOR AN ANSWER FROM YOU INSTEAD O… ODI 10079888MOTORCYCLE'S TIRES WEAR DOWN UNEVENLY ON THE LEFT SIDE.*MR THE MOTORCYCLE DEVELOPED A TERRIBLE FRONT WHEEL AND FORK WOBBLE DUE TO TIRES (DUNLOP 404) THAT WORE UNEVENLY ON THE LEFT SIDE, AFTER ONLY 6000 MILES ON THE ORIGINAL TIRES, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TREAD WAS DOWN TO 2MM WHILE THE RIGHT WAS ABOUT 5MM. AT 7000 MILES THE LEFT SIDE WAS DOWN TO 1MM AND THE RIGHT WAS 4-5MM. *NM | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension:Front | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.