2005 Honda VTX1300

Routine

Owners filed 47 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. No safety recall has been issued.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
6,400 milesMedian miles at failure

33 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering27
202
Wheels3
000
Suspension2
000
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar2
000
Fuel/Propulsion System2
000
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel2
000
Suspension › Front1
000
Steering › Column1
000
Power Train › Manual Transmission1
000
Power Train › Driveline1
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed May 12, 20211 milesTX

DEATH WOBBLE FROM 30-65 ON MY MOTORCYCLE. IT WILL CAUSE A WRECK, BIKE WOBBLES OUT OF CONTROL BECAUSE OF FAULTY STEERING BEARINGS ON MY HONDA VTX 1300C.

Steering
Filed Nov 28, 201716,200 milesOK

WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR MT 2005 HONDA VTX 1300S HAS A SERIOUS FRONT END WOBBLE THAT IMPEDES THE SAFE OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE AT SPEEDS 35 - 45

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 10, 201514,000 milesMN

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, 2008) BUT NOT 2005. PLEASE CONSIDER ISSUING A RECALL FOR THE 2005 MODELS AS THERE ARE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN YOUR DATABASE FOR 2005 MODELS, AS WELL AS ALREADY STANDING RECALLS FOR THE 2007, 2008 MODELS. IF YOU WISH I CAN PROVIDE MORE DOCUMENTATION ON OTHER VTX OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES BUT NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME TO BE TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND TO HAVE MY MOTORCYCLE SHUT DOWN BECAUSE OF A LEAKY VALVE. *TR

Wheels
Filed Nov 8, 2014CA

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

Steering
Filed Oct 27, 20136,208 milesAR

I RECEIVED A 2005 HONDA 1300 VTX R IN JULY, 2013 AND SHORTLY AFTER TAKING IT FOR A RIDE I NOTICED THE FRONT END BEGAN TO WOBBLE OUT OF CONTROL AS I LOOSENED MY GRIPS FROM HANDLE BARS. I NEVER COMPLETELY LET GO OF HANDLE BARS, I WAS JUST RELAXING MY GRIP DUE TO STRESS ON HANDS. THE WOBBLE WAS SO EXTREME THAT BARS WERE WANTING TO GO LEFT AND RIGHT TO POINT OF JACK-KNIFING AND FLIPPING BIKE. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM EVEN AFTER I HAD REPLACED FRONT TIRE WITH NEW ONE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD HAS WORN DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY, ALMOST TO WEAR BARS IN ONLY 1800 MILES EVEN THOUGH I KEEP MY TIRE PRESSURE AT OWNER'S MANUAL RECOMMENDATIONS OF 33LBS., AND I CHECK IT WEEKLY. IT DOESN'T LOSE ANY PRESSURE OTHER THAN NORMAL VARIANCE GOING FROM HOT WEATHER TO COLD. AS OF TODAY, 10/27/13, I NOW HAVE 8800 MILES ON BIKE AND STEERING WOBBLE IS STILL EXTREME AND VERY DANGEROUS. I SPOKE WITH 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS JUST A FEW DAYS AGO WHO SAID THEY WEREN'T AWARE OF ANY WOBBLE ISSUES AND TOLD ME TO CHECK TIRE AIR PRESSURE, MAYBE FORK BEARINGS ARE WORN, ETC. I ALSO CALLED HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPOKE WITH A [XXX] WHO WAS NOT HELPFUL AT ALL AND APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO PUT BURDEN OF PROOF ON CUSTOMER ONLY AS SPECULATION. I ASKED HIM IF I COULD SPEAK WITH AN ENGINEER TO DISCUSS MY CONCERNS AND SOME POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS BUT HE INSISTED THAT I TAKE IT TO DEALER ONLY. DEALERS TOLD ME THAT IT COULD COST AS MUCH AS $500 OR MORE JUST TO INSPECT AND THAT THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE IT WOULD SOLVE THE PROB

Power Train
Filed Apr 26, 201338,700 milesTX

UPON REMOVING THE REAR TIRE FOR REPLACEMENT, A CHECK OF THE REAR BEARINGS REVEALED THE HUB BEARING TO BE FAULTY. THERE WAS NO GREASE SEAL ON THE REAR OF THE BEARING CAUSING THE BEARING TO BECOME DRY. THE BALLS HAVE BEGUN TO DISINTEGRATE AND TURN BLUE FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT. HAD I NOT CHECKED IT WHEN I DID, IT LIKELY WOULD HAVE SEIZED AND POSSIBLY CAUSED A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 20, 20121,536 milesNJ

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 CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT IN THE MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY IT IS THE SAME.I CONTACT HONDA AND THEY DID NOTHING ABOUT THIS. I AM WONDERING HOW MANY MORE BIKES HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM? THE TWO MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES ARE STALLING WHEN RIDING AND GAS LEAKING ON THE ENGINE CAN IGNITE. CAN YOU HELP? *TR

Steering
Filed May 24, 201219,800 milesNC

I HAVE A 2005 HONDA VTX 1300C AND WHILE DECELERATING, USUALLY BETWEEN 45 AND 30 MILES PER HOUR, THE HANDLE BARS AND FRONT END VIOLENTLY START TO WOBBLE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. IF I DO NOT APPLY STEADY PRESSURE ON THE HANDLE BARS, I COULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I BALANCED AND INSTALLED NEW TIRES, CHECKED WHEEL BEARINGS AND TIRE PRESSURE. *TR

SteeringCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 29, 201231,000 milesNC

EXPERIENCED A VIBRATION FROM THE STEERING AS I ENTERED A CURVE ON A PAVED ROAD CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND LEAVE THE PAVEMENT AND CRASH. APPROXIMATELY $1500.00 DOLLARS DAMAGE TO THE MOTORCYCLE . I WAS EJECTED OVER THE HANDLEBARS CAUSING A SEVERE LACERATION TO MY CHIN AND THE LOSS OF THREE LOWER FRONT TEETH.

SteeringCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 26, 201120,000 milesMI

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 INJURIES. THE BIKE WAS TAKEN TO A JUNK YARD. UPDATED 10/26/11

Fuel System, Other
Filed Jun 16, 20117,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA VTX1300 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE DIAPHRAGM OF THE HEAD CAP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD COCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2007 MODEL FOR THE EXACT SAME FAILURE BUT NOT FOR THE 2005 MODEL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V141000-FUEL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,200.

Steering
Filed May 20, 20115,000 milesCA

2005 HONDA VTX 1300R HAS STEERING WOBBLE AT ABOUT 40 MPH. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME DECELERATION BETWEEN 50 MPH AND 35 MPH. I HAD THE STEERING BEARING REPLACED AND HEAVIER SHOCKS PUT ON THE BIKE AND IT STILL WOBBLES. *TR

Wheels
Filed Nov 6, 20106,400 milesKY

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

Steering
Filed Jul 9, 20103,000 milesOK

HONDA VTX 1300, HANDLE BARS START TO WOBBLE AT AROUND 40 MPH. DEALER SAID IT WAS FINE !! *TR

Power Train › Driveline
Filed Jul 5, 201020,000 milesAZ

THE REAR TIRE FLANGE BEARINGS ARE FAILED ON MY 2005 HONDA VTX 1300R MOTORCYCLE AT 20K MILES. *TR

Suspension
Filed Nov 4, 20099,000 milesCO

FRONT END WOBBLE. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 19, 200910 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA VTX 1300S MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FRONT TIRE EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE WEAR AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE TO ENGAGE IN A PULLING MOTION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT TIRE WAS LEANING TO ONE SIDE. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed May 30, 20097,000 milesFL

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

Suspension
Filed May 30, 20091 milesOH

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

Steering
Filed May 15, 200913,000 milesCA

FRONT FORK WOBBLE ON '05 HONDA VTX 1300R. ON GOING PROBLEM. FRONT END WOBBLES ON DECELERATION AT SPEEDS OF AROUND 45 MPH. MAKES CONTROLLING OF MOTORCYCLE HARD TO HANDLE ESPECIALLY ON CORNERS. *TR

20 of 47 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20091000Routine
20082100Routine
200736100Routine
200635000Routine
2005 — this page47000Routine
200478000Routine
200335000Routine

Compare every VTX1300 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.