U.S. public vehicle records

2005 Honda VTX1300 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

47 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

6,400 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2005 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 33 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 29 of 47 complaints (61.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Steering behavior	11	23.4%
Engine operation	2	4.3%
Braking behavior	1	2.1%
Electrical and battery issues	1	2.1%

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.

Steering

Suspension

Wheels

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel

Fuel System, Gasoline

Fuel/Propulsion System

Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar

Electrical System

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Steering	29
Suspension	4
Wheels	3
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	2
Fuel System, Gasoline	2
Fuel/Propulsion System	2
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar	2
Electrical System	1

Steering: 29; Suspension: 4; Wheels: 3; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 2; Electrical System: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 31; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 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 (31). 14 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

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2017

2021

2005: 3; 2006: 16; 2007: 2; 2008: 5; 2009: 6; 2010: 3; 2011: 3; 2012: 3; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2017: 1; 2021: 1

Pattern summary

Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 10163189 · 2006-07-22 (July 22, 2006)

FRONT END SHAKES WHEN DECELERATING. POSSIBLY CAUSED BY POORLY DESIGNED STEERING HEAD BEARINGS USED ON THE VTX1300. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10163189 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10163214 · 2006-07-23 (July 23, 2006)

FRONT END WOBBLE ON 05 HONDA VTX 1300S. THE WOBBLE BEGINS WHILE DECELING AND STARTS AROUND 45 AND STOPS AROUND 35 MILES PER HOUR. THIS HAS BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING HEAD BEARINGS. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 5,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163214 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10172679 · 2006-11-06 (November 6, 2006)

MY 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…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10172679 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10476519 · 2012-09-20 (September 20, 2012)

IN AUGUST 2012 PURCHASED FROM ORIGINAL OWNER THE MOTORCYCLE IN QUESTION. DRIVING HOME THE BIKE STALLED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY (LUCKY FOR ME WITHOUT INJURY). ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 THE BIKE STALLED ONCE AGAIN ON THE ROAD AND UPON VISUAL INSPECTION I NOTICED GAS WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL VALVE AND CARBURETOR AREA. I HAD THE BIKE TOWED AND IT IS PRESENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS. I NOTICED HONDA HAD A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM ON 2007 AND 2008 MODELS. I KNOW THAT THE AUTO INDUSTRY USES PARTS THAT WERE PRODUCED IN PRIOR YEARS ON NEWER MODELS AND I …

Owner-reported narrative. 1,536 miles reported. Look up ODI 10476519 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10653653 · 2014-11-08 (November 8, 2014)

11/08/2014 WHEN I WAS REPLACING REAR BRAKE ROTOR I FOUND PIECES OF FLANGE BEARING ALL OVER THE INSIDE THE HUB, THE BEARING SIMPLY FELL APART WITH LESS THAN 32,000 MILES. I HEARD NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS FOR A FEW WEEKS AND I THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO THE BRAKES NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. I READ A LOT OF ISSUES REGARDING THIS SITUATION WITH 2004 IT LOOKS LIKE IT CONTINUED TO THE 2005 MODELS ALSO. HONDA NEED TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE OR THEY ARE GOING TO END WITH DEAD RIDERS ON THEIR HANDS IT THE DARN WHEEL LOCKS UP ON THEM WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY! *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10653653 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

47 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

70.2%Usable mileage33 / 47 records

100.0%Valid incident date47 / 47 records

100.0%Valid filing date47 / 47 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates47 / 47 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.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Steering	925.7% ODI 10074525 · 100 mi 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 Look up ODI 10074525 at NHTSA ↗	2430.8% ODI 10078396 · 1 mi FRONT END WOBBLE BETWEEN 40 AND 45 MPH. *JB Look up ODI 10078396 at NHTSA ↗	2961.7% ODI 10142240 2005 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 Look up ODI 10142240 at NHTSA ↗	2262.9% ODI 10167749 · 3,000 mi FRONT END WOBBLE ON A NEW (3000 MILES) 2006 HONDA VTX 1300 MOTORCYCLE. *NM Look up ODI 10167749 at NHTSA ↗	2569.4% ODI 10237037 · 7,000 mi FRONT END WOBBLE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35MPH AND 45MPH. *TR Look up ODI 10237037 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 10746767 · 8,400 mi FRONT WHEEL WOBBLES WHEN COASTING AND I LET GO OF THE HANDLE BARS. WOBBLE IS VIOLENT BUT STOOPS WHEN I GRAB THE HANDLE BARS. Look up ODI 10746767 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Suspension	720.0% ODI 10074522 EXCESSIVE 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 Look up ODI 10074522 at NHTSA ↗	1316.7% ODI 10073267 · 50 mi 2004 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 Look up ODI 10073267 at NHTSA ↗	48.5% ODI 10163274 FRONT 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 Look up ODI 10163274 at NHTSA ↗	411.4% ODI 10167749 · 3,000 mi FRONT END WOBBLE ON A NEW (3000 MILES) 2006 HONDA VTX 1300 MOTORCYCLE. *NM Look up ODI 10167749 at NHTSA ↗	719.4% ODI 10237349 THE 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 Look up ODI 10237349 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Suspension:Front	25.7% ODI 10078414 FRONT END WOBBLED ON MY 2003 HONDA VTX 1300 RETRO MOTORCYCLE. *AK Look up ODI 10078414 at NHTSA ↗	1012.8% ODI 10031777 THE 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 Look up ODI 10031777 at NHTSA ↗	12.1% ODI 10245819 · 75 mi TL*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. Look up ODI 10245819 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	411.1% ODI 10237037 · 7,000 mi FRONT END WOBBLE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35MPH AND 45MPH. *TR Look up ODI 10237037 at NHTSA ↗	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 mi 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 Look up ODI 10074525 at NHTSA ↗	911.5% ODI 10074565 · 250 mi STEERING 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 … Look up ODI 10074565 at NHTSA ↗	24.3% ODI 10141455 FRONT END WOBBLES AT SPEEDS AROUND 40 MPH. DEALER SAID IT ALL LOOKS FINE. STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH THE WOBBLE. *NM Look up ODI 10141455 at NHTSA ↗	12.9% ODI 10644152 · 3,850 mi HANDLEBARS 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 Look up ODI 10644152 at NHTSA ↗	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 mi MY SPEEDOMETER IS OFF 10% AS PER THE HONDA REPAIR MAN USING A GPS TO EVALUATE THE DISCREPANCY. Look up ODI 10045501 at NHTSA ↗	911.5% ODI 10068130 · 500 mi MY NEW HONDA SHADOW SABRE MOTORCYCLE SPEEDOMETER READS 10% HIGHER THAN ACTUAL SPEED OF VEHICLE. *LA Look up ODI 10068130 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	25.6% ODI 10323616 · 1 mi SPEEDOMETER 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. Look up ODI 10323616 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Wheels	25.7% ODI 10066390 RUSTING WHEELS ON 2003 HONDA VTX 1300S. *JB Look up ODI 10066390 at NHTSA ↗	33.8% ODI 10103755 THE 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 Look up ODI 10103755 at NHTSA ↗	36.4% ODI 10258859 · 10,000 mi 2005 HONDA VTX1300C DATE: 2/13/09 - WHILE REPLACING REAR TIRE FOUND PIECES OF FLANGE BEARING ON THE GROUND REPLACED WITH AFTERMARKET BEARING. *TR Look up ODI 10258859 at NHTSA ↗	12.9% ODI 10233369 · 1,500 mi NEW 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 Look up ODI 10233369 at NHTSA ↗	12.8% ODI 10909408 · 7,200 mi MY 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… Look up ODI 10909408 at NHTSA ↗	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 mi LEAKING FUEL VALVE ON A 2004 HONDA VTX 1300. EXACT SAME DESCRIPTION AS THE 2007 MODEL YEAR. *TR Look up ODI 10265708 at NHTSA ↗	24.3% ODI 10236463 · 2,200 mi SEVERELY LEAKING FUEL CONTROL VALVE. ANYTIME MOTORCYCLE IS RUNNING. *TR Look up ODI 10236463 at NHTSA ↗	25.7% ODI 10245366 · 7,496 mi TL*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. Look up ODI 10245366 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10592638 · 750 mi TL* 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. Look up ODI 10592638 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	33.8% ODI 10134147 · 6,670 mi BOUGHT 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. Look up ODI 10134147 at NHTSA ↗	12.1% ODI 10172679 MY 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… Look up ODI 10172679 at NHTSA ↗	12.9% ODI 11209344 · 18,500 mi MY 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… Look up ODI 11209344 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11011189 · 11,000 mi AFTER 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… Look up ODI 11011189 at NHTSA ↗

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
Steering	1,000–9,000 mi	5,500 mi	21	ODI 10163214 · 5,200 mi FRONT END WOBBLE ON 05 HONDA VTX 1300S. THE WOBBLE BEGINS WHILE DECELING AND STARTS AROUND 45 AND STOPS AROUND 35 MILES PER HOUR. THIS HAS BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING HEAD BEARINGS. NM Look up ODI 10163214 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10163326 · 5,500 mi STEERING HEAD BEARING CAUSES THE HANDLE BARS TO WOBBLE AT ALL TIMES AND SPEED WHEN RIDING. NM Look up ODI 10163326 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10167456 · 7,000 mi AT AROUND 7,000 MILES I DEVELOPED A WOBBLE IN THE STEERING AT 35-45 MPH, VERY NOTICEABLE UNDER DECELERATION. AND HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF OTHER RIDERS WITH THE SIMILAR MODEL OF MOTORCYCLE WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND COMPLAINTS. *NM Look up ODI 10167456 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	Too few reports for a range	1,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10172439 · 1,000 mi 2005 HONDA VTX 1300 FRONT END WOBBLES AT SPEEDS FROM 20 - 40 MPH HONDA DOES NOT WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM, SAFETY CONCERN. NM Look up ODI 10172439 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10272426 · 1 mi WHEN SLOWING DOWN ON MY 2005 HONDA VTX1300 I HAVE A VERY BAD WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END AROUND 45MPH. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR DIES DUE TO THEIR NEGLECT. TR Look up ODI 10272426 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10290996 · 9,000 mi FRONT END WOBBLE. *TR Look up ODI 10290996 at NHTSA ↗
Wheels	Too few reports for a range	8,200 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10258859 · 10,000 mi 2005 HONDA VTX1300C DATE: 2/13/09 - WHILE REPLACING REAR TIRE FOUND PIECES OF FLANGE BEARING ON THE GROUND REPLACED WITH AFTERMARKET BEARING. TR Look up ODI 10258859 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10364278 · 6,400 mi I HAVE A 2005 HONDA VTX MODEL RETRO MOTORCYCLE THAT HAS A DRIVE FLANGE BEARING FAILURE WITH ONLY 6400 MILE ON IT. FOUND IT WHILE DOING A TIRE CHANGE. THIS IS A REAL ISSUE, A BEARING SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 6400 MILES. TR Look up ODI 10364278 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	Too few reports for a range	10 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10201815 · 10 mi SPEEDOMETER INACCURACY ON 2005 HONDA VTX 1300C MOTORCYCLE. SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYS SPEED 6% TO 8% LOWER THAN ACTUAL. *TR Look up ODI 10201815 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline	Too few reports for a range	4,600 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10236463 · 2,200 mi SEVERELY LEAKING FUEL CONTROL VALVE. ANYTIME MOTORCYCLE IS RUNNING. TR Look up ODI 10236463 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10272418 · 7,000 mi 2005 HONDA VTX 1300R 1 = NORMAL OPERATION 2 = FUEL VALVE LEAK. SAME AS DESCRIBED IN - NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V141000 FOR 2007 HONDA VTX 1300R 3 = DIAPHRAGM REPLACEMENT REQUIRED. THE RESULTING CONDITION AND FIRE HAZARD ON THIS 2005 IS THE SAME AS THE RECALLED YEAR OF 2007 AS WELL AND SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED. THIS IS NOT AN AUTOMOBILE AND AS SUCH OFFERS NO PROTECTION FROM FIRE. THE FUEL LEAKS DIRECTLY ON THE RIDERS LEFT LEG. SURLY THIS SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS A LESS IMPORTANT ISSUE THAN THE 2007-2008 MODELS. TR Look up ODI 10272418 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel/Propulsion System	Too few reports for a range	7,768 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10476519 · 1,536 mi IN AUGUST 2012 PURCHASED FROM ORIGINAL OWNER THE MOTORCYCLE IN QUESTION. DRIVING HOME THE BIKE STALLED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY (LUCKY FOR ME WITHOUT INJURY). ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 THE BIKE STALLED ONCE AGAIN ON THE ROAD AND UPON VISUAL INSPECTION I NOTICED GAS WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL VALVE AND CARBURETOR AREA. I HAD THE BIKE TOWED AND IT IS PRESENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS. I NOTICED HONDA HAD A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM ON 2007 AND 2008 MODELS. I KNOW THAT THE AUTO INDUSTRY USES PARTS THAT WERE PRODUCED IN PRIOR YEARS ON NEWER MODELS AND I … Look up ODI 10476519 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10671569 · 14,000 mi WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH THE MOTORCYCLE SHUT OFF RANDOMLY. I HAD JUST PUT FRESH GASOLINE IN THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. I RESTARTED THE MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT ISSUE AND PROCEEDED DOWN THE FREEWAY. ONCE I REACHED 70MPH THE MOTORCYCLE AGAIN SHUT OFF. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND CHECKED OUT MY MOTORCYCLE. AT THIS POINT I COULD SMELL GASOLINE. THE PETCOCK VALVE IS LEAKY AND BASED OFF OF INTERNET RESEARCH THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR HONDA VTX OWNERS. THERE ARE RECALLS FOR OTHER HONDA VTX'S (2007, 200… Look up ODI 10671569 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

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	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	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.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2008: 0 complaints · 2009: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
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

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
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 co-occurrence matrix
Component	Steering	Suspension	Wheels	Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	Fuel System, Gasoline	Fuel/Propulsion System	Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar	Electrical System
Steering	—	4 ODI 10163274 FRONT 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 Look up ODI 10163274 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10172439 · 1,000 mi 2005 HONDA VTX 1300 FRONT END WOBBLES AT SPEEDS FROM 20 - 40 MPH HONDA DOES NOT WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM, SAFETY CONCERN. NM Look up ODI 10172439 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10272426 · 1 mi WHEN SLOWING DOWN ON MY 2005 HONDA VTX1300 I HAVE A VERY BAD WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END AROUND 45MPH. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR DIES DUE TO THEIR NEGLECT. *TR Look up ODI 10272426 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0	0
Suspension	4 ODI 10163274 FRONT 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 Look up ODI 10163274 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10172439 · 1,000 mi 2005 HONDA VTX 1300 FRONT END WOBBLES AT SPEEDS FROM 20 - 40 MPH HONDA DOES NOT WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM, SAFETY CONCERN. NM Look up ODI 10172439 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10272426 · 1 mi WHEN SLOWING DOWN ON MY 2005 HONDA VTX1300 I HAVE A VERY BAD WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END AROUND 45MPH. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR DIES DUE TO THEIR NEGLECT. *TR Look up ODI 10272426 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Wheels	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Fuel/Propulsion System	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Electrical System	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.

Search patterns

3 patterns with matching reports.

Fuel smell or leak mentions

2 mentions · 4.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 4,268 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10272418 · 7,000 mi

2005 HONDA VTX 1300R 1 = NORMAL OPERATION 2 = FUEL VALVE LEAK. SAME AS DESCRIBED IN - NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V141000 FOR 2007 HONDA VTX 1300R 3 = DIAPHRAGM REPLACEMENT REQUIRED. THE RESULTING CONDITION AND FIRE HAZARD ON THIS 2005 IS THE SAME AS THE RECALLED YEAR OF 2007 AS WELL AND SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED. THIS IS NOT AN AUTOMOBILE AND AS SUCH OFFERS NO PROTECTION FROM FIRE. THE FUEL LEAKS DIRECTLY ON THE RIDERS LEFT LEG. SURLY THIS SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS A LESS IMPORTANT ISSUE THAN THE 2007-2008 MODELS. *TR

Look up ODI 10272418 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10476519 · 1,536 mi

Look up ODI 10476519 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Stalling or loss of power

2 mentions · 4.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 1,536 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10172679

Look up ODI 10172679 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10476519 · 1,536 mi

Look up ODI 10476519 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 2.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 20,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10421569 · 20,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA VTX1300R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE AT 20-25 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE DEALER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 10/21/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE BIKE WAS HARD TO TURN IN A CURVE. THE CONSUMER WENT OFF THE ROAD, STRIKING SOME TREES. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED INJ…

Look up ODI 10421569 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b