RoadVitals

2004 Honda VFR800

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest Jul 1, 2008
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Aug 15, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Honda VFR800, most frequently naming the electrical and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 5 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical266.7%
  • Engine133.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07V359000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Aug 15, 2007
6,952 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE FRONT FAIRING SUB-HARNESS (SECTION OF THE WIRING HARNESS) TRANSFERS THE ELECTRICAL GROUNDING LOAD OF THE HEADLIGHTS, FRONT TURN SIGNALS, INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND VARIOUS RELAYS TO THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS VIA AN 18-PIN CONNECTOR. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE GROUND WIRE TERMINALS INSIDE THE CONNECTOR CAN OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN MELTING OF THE CONNECTOR AND A LOSS OF POWER TO VARIOUS CIRCUITS.
The risk: AS A RESULT, A LOSS OF CRITICAL LIGHTING OR ENGINE POWER COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RE-DESIGNED SUB-HARNESS. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS WILL ALSO BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED TO OWNERS ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS WERE RE-NOTIFIED ON NOVEMBER 10, 2007, TO TAKE THEIR MOTORCYCLES TO DEALERS TO HAVE THE PARTS INSTALLED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-866-784-1870.
HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)View on NHTSA.gov
05V010000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Jan 24, 2005
36,046 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH COMBINED-BRAKE SYSTEMS HAVE A PROPORTIONING CONTROL VALVE (PCV) THAT MECHANICALLY PROPORTIONS BRAKE FORCE WHEN THE REAR BRAKE IS APPLIED. A SEAL IN SOME PCVS IS IMPROPERLY SHAPED, AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR.
The risk: IF THE MOTORCYCLE CONTINUES TO BE USED AFTER A LEAK OCCURS, THE REAR BRAKE WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE. A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE FORCE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE FORLEAKAGE. IF LEAKAGE IS CONFIRMED, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PCV FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 31, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 866-784-1870.
HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)Manufacturer number P65View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

AQ12001ClosedAudit Query

Southern Honda Powersports

Opened May 14, 2012
Closed May 13, 2013

NHTSA opened Audit Query (AQ) 12-001 to determine whether Southern Honda Powersports (Southern Honda) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, had complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a motor vehicle or equipment manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with federal motor vehicle safety standards.In turn, a dealer may not sell and deliver a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed.(see 49 U.S.C. 30120(i); 49 C.F.R. 573.11)NHTSA issued an information request to Southern Honda on May 14, 2012 to which they responded on July 6, 2012.NHTSA?s inquiry led it to believe that Southern Honda had failed to complete the requirements of five recalls that required inspections and/or repairs of motorcycles prior to their sale or delivery.NHTSA believes that 329 motorcycles affected by recalls had not been inspected and/or repaired prior to their sale and delivery between 2007 and 2012.The agency is unaware of any deaths or injuries involving these vehicles.NHTSA concluded that it had a potential civil penalty claim against Southern Honda for violations of the Safety Act.Southern Honda denied any violations of the Safety Act.In order to settle this matter, Southern Honda agreed to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $125,000, to be paid in five annual installments.This AQ is closed.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Jul 1, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA VFR800. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V359000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, WIRING). WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHUT OFF. WHEN HE EXITED THE FREEWAY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. WHEN HE MERGED BACK ONTO THE FREEWAY, EVERYTHING WORKED NORMALLY, EXCEPT THE SPEEDOMETER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER CONTINUOUSLY FLUCTUATED ON AND OFF. HE DOES NOT WANT TO RIDE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE HE DOES NOT WANT TO GET A SPEEDING TICKET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,550. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF AFTER THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE DASH LIGHTS AND SPEEDOMETER. UPDATED 08/01/08. *JB

NHTSA ID
10232921
Incident
Jun 28, 2008
Mileage
12,550 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 11, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA VFR800. WHILE RIDING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AND STALLS RANDOMLY. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET ANY OF THE HONDA DEALERS TO REPAIR OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY INFORMED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE HONDA DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 7,000. UPDATED 4/2/08 *CN UPDATED 04/02/08 *TR

NHTSA ID
10220836
Incident
Feb 5, 2008
Mileage
7,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 20, 2007
Crash reported

INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, LOSS OF POWER, LIGHTS, INSTRUMENTS. LOSS OF POWER AND LIGHTS AT NIGHT RESULTED LOST CONTROL OF MOTORCYCLE, WHICH CAME IN CONTACT WITH REFLECTOR/BARRIER ON HIGHWAY. AT HIGHER SPEEDS THIS MAY HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10203513
Incident
Sep 16, 2007
Mileage
8,800 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

DLR MSG - Honda

AIR BAGS

Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of August 4, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and VIN status inquiry has been updated.

DLR MSG - Stop S

AIR BAGS

Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of July 23, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and service bulletins 14-040, Safety Recall: Accord, Civic, and Others ? Front Passenger?s Airbag Inflator Can Be Over-Pressurized, 14-045, Recall: Front Driver?s Airbag Inflator May Produce Excessive Pressure After Long-Term Exposure to High Absolute Humidity Recall, and 14-046, Recall: Front Passenger?s Airbag Inflator May Produce Excessive Pressure After Long-Term Exposure to High Absolute Humidity have been posted to ISIS. However, due to the large number of affected units, American Honda is still in the process of populating the VIN status inquiry function on iN, which is expected to take several days. When this process is complete, American Honda will notify all dealers again via iN message. Until that time, the existing acknowledgement procedure must be used for all potentially affected vehicles.

08-040

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY REDUCED LABEL FOR ALL HONDA VEHICLES. *PE

SB-06-085

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

HONDA: WARRANTY EXTENSION-VEHICLE WARRANTY MILEAGE. CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ALLEGING THAT THE ODOMETERS ON CERTAIN 2002-2006 HONDA MODELS WERE OVERSTATING MILEAGE. FEDERAL COURT PROVIDED FINAL APPROVAL OF SETTLEMENT ON 12/29/07. NO MODELS LISTED. *PE

10959

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE

LINKED BRAKING SYSTEM (LBS) PROPORTIONAL CONTROL VALVE (PCV) LEAKAGE SAFETY RECALL. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Honda VFR800 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2006310—
2005311—
2004Viewing321—
2003822—
2002622—
1999200—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.