RoadVitals

2004 Honda VTX1300 Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints 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.
25
Latest Mar 4, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
32%
of 78 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Honda VTX1300 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 25 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming suspension

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Suspension
Filed Mar 4, 2018

THERE IS A SEVERE FRONT END WOBBLE WHEN DECELERATING FROM 50+ MPH. THE ENTIRE FRONT END SHAKES TO THE POINT THAT CONTROL IS ALMOST LOST. IT IS ALSO CAUSING THE TIRE ON THE FRONT TO WEAR UNEVENLY AND AT A VERY FAST RATE. THE BIKE HAS LESS THAN 6000 MILES ON IT AS OF MARCH OF 2018.

NHTSA ID
11076127
Incident
Jan 24, 2018
Mileage
5,500 mi
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jul 10, 2014

REMOVED THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS TO HAVE NEW TIRES INSTALLED. NOTICED THE FINAL DRIVE FLANGE BEARINGS SEAL TOWARD WHEEL, WAS TORN OPEN AS IF THE SEAL HAD MELTED AND THE BEARINGS WERE DRY AND VERY ROUGH TO TURN. PROBLEM IS, I REPLACED THE BEARINGS AND FELT RESISTANCE WHEN TURNING THE NEW BEARINGS. READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN ONE OF THE FORUMS, REMOVED THE NEW BEARINGS AND ORDERED A SECOND SET. MEASURED THE BEARING FIT IN THE FLANGE AND IT WAS .001" TOO CLOSE AT THE TOP AND .002" AT THE BOTTOM. HAD THE FLANGE MACHINED TO CORRECT CLEARANCE AND INSTALLED NEW BEARINGS. JUST LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FROM THE FACTORY, AND I AM VERY GLAD I FOUND THE PROBLEM BEFORE A DEADLY OR COSTLY INCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10609741
Incident
Jun 2, 2014
Mileage
15,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 25, 2011

THERE IS A FRONT FORK WOBBLE ON MY 2004 HONDA VTX MOTORCYCLE. THIS IS COUPLED WITH EXTREMELY FAST WEAR ON THE FRONT TIRES. THE WOBBLE IS MOST NOTICEABLE BETWEEN 20 - 50 MPH, AND MORE PREVALENT WHEN COASTING TO A STOP. IT IS BAD ENOUGH AT TIME TO CAUSE A CONTROL ISSUE WHEN GOING AROUND TURNS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10414996
Incident
Jul 16, 2011
Mileage
25 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Jul 22, 2011

REPLACING REAR TIRE ON 2004 HONDA VTX 1300C. CHECKING WHEEL AND FLANGE BEARINGS AT THIS TIME. THE FLANGE BEARINGS ARE ROUGH TURNING AND ONE BEARING IS FALLING APART. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS ONLY 16,000 MILES ON IT. REPLACING FLANGE BEARINGS WITH A NEW SET OF AFTERMARKET BEARINGS. LUCKY TO FIND THE BEARING PROBLEM WHEN I DID. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT IF THE REAR WHEEL WOULD HAVE LOCKED UP DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS!!! THIS IS NOT THE FIRST REPORTED FLANGE BEARING FAILURE. *TT

NHTSA ID
10414698
Incident
Jul 21, 2011
Mileage
16,400 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 22, 2008
1 injury reported

I HAVE A 2004 HONDA VTX 1300CC MOTORCYCLE, WHICH HAS DEVELOPED A LARGE PROBLEM IN THE STEERING (WOBBLE). THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED BY HUNDREDS OF OWNERS THAT I HAVE SEEN ON THE WEB. I AM REPLACING THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE STEERING STEM BEARINGS TO AVOID BEING KILLED. THAT FAILURE OF THE NHTSA TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH HONDA IS SICKENING. I GUESS PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE OUR WONDERFUL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WILL DO THEIR JOBS; MAYBE NOT EVEN THEN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10235297
Incident
Jan 15, 2008
Mileage
8,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 16, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA VTX1300. WHILE DRIVING 40-70, THE HANDLE BAR WOULD SHAKE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRES CAUSED THE FAILURE. THEY REPLACED THE TIRES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600. UPDATED 04/29/08. *LJ UPDATED 04/29/08 *TR

NHTSA ID
10215140
Incident
Nov 6, 2005
Mileage
600 mi
Suspension
Filed Feb 27, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2004 HONDA MOTORCYCLE BTX 1300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE'S FRONT END VIBRATED. WHEN SLOWING TRHE MOTORCYCLE DOWN FROM 50 - 40 MPH IT BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN DOING THIS SAMETHING SINCE HE PURCHASED IT 2 YEARS AGO. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12500. *AK

NHTSA ID
10183646
Incident
Nov 24, 2006
SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 8, 2006

2004 HONDA VTX1300C FRONT END WOBBLE AT 50 MPH. *JB

NHTSA ID
10170240
Incident
Oct 7, 2006
Mileage
4,420 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 1, 2005

I OWN A 2004 HONDA VTX1300C MOTORCYCLE AND IN JULY OF THIS YEAR IT DEVELOP A FRONT END WOBBLE. WHEN YOU LET OFF THE GAS AT AROUND 35 TO 45 MPH THE FRONT END WOBBLES TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. IF YOU DO NOT HANG ON, IT WILL COME OUT OF YOUR HANDS. I HAVE REPLACED FRONT TIRES TWICE AND REBALANCED TWICE. NO HELP.

NHTSA ID
10141450
Incident
Jun 26, 2005
SteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 1, 2005

I OWN A 2004 HONDA VTX1300R MOTORCYCLE. THERE IS A NOTICEABLE VIBRATION ON DECEL FROM AN INDICATED SPEED OF APPROX 45 MPH TO ABOUT 30 MPH. THE VIBRATION IS TO THE FRONT TIRE AND IS FELT THROUGH THE HANDLEBARS. THE VIBRATION HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS WITH VERY LITTLE SATISFACTION FROM HONDA. THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM THAT RAISES SAFETY CONCERNS SINCE IT IS CENTERED ON THE STEERING COMPONENT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10141444
Incident
Nov 1, 2005
Mileage
1,500 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 11, 2005

FRONT END WOBBLE ON HONDA VTX 1300S 2004 MODEL. *NM

NHTSA ID
10139281
Incident
Oct 11, 2005
ElectricalSuspension
Filed Aug 26, 2005

I AM EXPERIENCING TWO PROBLEMS WITH MY 2005 HONDA VTX1300 MOTORCYCLE, WHICH I BOUGHT ONE WEEK AGO. THE BIKE WAS PUT TOGETHER OUT OF THE CRATE FOR ME AND HAD 0 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. AT SPEEDS OF 30-50 MPH, I HAVE A WOBBLING UP DOWN MOTION....IN WHAT SEEMS TO BE MY FRONT END.....IT DOES NOT CHANGE WITH SPEED....IT IS THE SAME RATE OF WOBBLE THROUGH THE RANGE OF SPEED. I CALLED THIS ISSUE TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER AFTER A 7 MILE DEMO RIDE....THEY ASSURED ME IT WAS DUE TO FLAT SPOTS IN THE TIRES DUE TO SHIPPING AND THIS WOULD GO AWAY. OVER 300 MILES LATER, IT HAS NOT. SECOND PROBLEM: SPEEDOMETER IS OFF BY 10%, ODOMETER IS OFF BY OVER 5% AS CONFIRMED BY A GPS.....THIS CAUSES PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD IN THAT THE RIDER HAS TO CONSTANTLY DO A MATH CALCULATION TO DETERMINE ACTUAL SPEED...UNSAFE. THE ODOMETER INACCURACY WILL AFFECT VALUE OF BIKE DUE TO SHOWING HIGHER MILEAGE THAN ACTUAL. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL AND "WITHIN SPECS" PER HONDA TECH LINE. MY PREVIOUS HONDA MOTORCYCLE'S SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER WAS DEAD ON ACCURATE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10134275
Incident
Aug 18, 2005
Mileage
1 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 22, 2005

2004 HONDA VTX1300 FRONT END WOBBLES WHILE DECELERATING FROM 35 TO 45 MPH.*MR THE BIKE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO EXPLAINED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS WITH SPECS. THE CONSUMER ALSO SAW SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON A WEBSITE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10131270
Incident
Jul 1, 2005
Suspension
Filed Jul 7, 2005

DT: CONSUMER NOTICED THAT MOTORCYCLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND TIRES WORE OUT UNEVENLY ON THE LEFT SIDE MUCH WORSE THAN THE RIGHT. ALSO, MOTORCYCLE HAD A BAD WOBBLE IN THE FRONT WHEEL. CONSUMER BOUGHT NEW TIRES FROM THE SAME SHOP THAT HE BOUGHT THE MOTORCYCLE, HOPING THAT THIS WAS BEING CAUSED BY THE UNEVEN WEAR OF TIRES. THIS DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. CONSUMER SAID THAT FRONT WHEEL WAS NOT IN LINE WITH BACK WHEEL. CONSUMER MEASURED DISTANCE. CONSUMER TOOK MOTORCYCLE BACK TO SHOP WHERE HE PURCHASED IT SEVERAL TIMES AND DEALER STATED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG, BUT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. CONSUMER TALKED TO MANUFACTURER AND HAS NOT HAD HIS PROBLEM RESOLVED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10127818
Incident
Jul 7, 2005
Suspension
Filed Apr 16, 2005

REMOVED REAR WHEEL TO REPLACE TIRE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BEARING WAS ROUGH. WHEN IT WAS REMOVED, THE INNER BEARING HAD 2 BEARINGS MISSING AND THE CAGE WAS DISTORTED. OUTER BEARING OKAY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10117967
Incident
Apr 13, 2005
Mileage
11,734 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 27, 2004

WHEN SLOWING DOWN BETWEEN 40-45 MPH THE FRONT END WOBBLES, HAVE TAKEN IT TO A DEALER AND THEY DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM AND NOTED IT, BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY THING OUT OF TOLERANCE. I BELIEVE THIS CONSTITUTES A SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL ,RESULTING IN INJURY AND/OR DEATH.*AK

NHTSA ID
10100601
Incident
Dec 4, 2003
Suspension
Filed Nov 9, 2004

FRONT END WOBBLED ON MT 2004 VTX1300. I HAVE TALKED TO HONDA CORP AND THEY DENY ANY ISSUES. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP TWICE AND THEY ONLY CAME BACK TO SAY IT IS THE TIRES WHICH IT IS NOT. THERE IS SOMETHING THAT IS CAUSING THE TIRES TI WEAR THE WAY THEY ARE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFTY ISSUE AND THESE BIKES SHOULD BE RECALLED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10098532
Incident
May 15, 2004
Mileage
3,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 19, 2004

FRONT END WOBBLE ON 2004 HONDA VTX 1300 MOTORCYCLE . *AK

NHTSA ID
10096012
Incident
Nov 1, 2003
Suspension
Filed Jun 29, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH MOTORCYCLE VIBRATED HEAVILY. CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10080109
Incident
May 17, 2004
Suspension
Filed Jun 18, 2004

HONDA VTX 1300 S (RETRO). FRONT TIRE WOBBLE WHEN SLOWING DOWN. HAPPENS IN CURVES ALSO. THE WHOLE FRONT OF MY MOTORCYCLE WILL SHAKE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10078436
Incident
May 14, 2004
Mileage
750 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 8, 2004

FRONT END HAS A WOBBLE/ HOP BETWEEN 30-45 MPH. *AK

NHTSA ID
10074976
Incident
Jan 17, 2004
Mileage
100 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 2, 2004

BIKE HAS A SERVERE WOBBLE/ VIRBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10074703
Incident
May 31, 2004
Mileage
700 mi
Suspension
Filed May 27, 2004

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

NHTSA ID
10073267
Incident
May 27, 2004
Mileage
50 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 5, 2003

I AM EXPERIENCING A WOBBLE WITH MY HONDO VTX 1300. BETWEEN 45 AND 40MPH ON DECELERATION THE BIKE HAS A SIGNIFICANT WOBBLE I FEEL IS UNSAFE. I KNOW MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME MODEL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS A HANDLING SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10045528
Incident
Aug 7, 2003
Mileage
1,203 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 12, 2003

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

NHTSA ID
10031777

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.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .