RoadVitals

2005 Honda VTX1300 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
47
Latest May 12, 2021
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
8
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.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Honda VTX1300, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Steering3260.4%
  • Suspension59.4%
  • Fuel system59.4%
  • Other / unspecified35.7%
  • Electrical35.7%
  • Powertrain (other)23.8%
  • Engine23.8%
  • Transmission11.9%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

32
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11416278 · filed May 12, 2021

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

NHTSA ID 11051043 · filed Nov 28, 2017
All 32 reports naming steering

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT END WOBBLE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10290996 · filed Nov 4, 2009

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

NHTSA ID 10272426 · filed May 30, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10671569 · filed Jan 10, 2015

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

NHTSA ID 10476519 · filed Sep 20, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10653653 · filed Nov 8, 2014

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

NHTSA ID 10364278 · filed Nov 6, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2005 HONDA VTX1300C IS OFF BY APPROX. 10% AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN. FROM EVERYONE THAT I'VE TALKED TO, THAT HAS THE SAME MODEL, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IS ONLY CORRECTABLE BY SHELLING OUT $150 FOR AN AFTER-MARKET FIX. *TR UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ID 10201829 · filed Sep 4, 2007

SPEEDOMETER INACCURACY ON 2005 HONDA VTX 1300C MOTORCYCLE. SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYS SPEED 6% TO 8% LOWER THAN ACTUAL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10201815 · filed Sep 4, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10509664 · filed Apr 26, 2013

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

NHTSA ID 10341472 · filed Jul 5, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10671569 · filed Jan 10, 2015

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 LOCK UP UNTIL CLUTCH IS PULLED. THE REAR TIRE LOCK-UP IS VERY DANGEROUS, OCCURS ONLY WHEN BIKE STALLS. *JB

NHTSA ID 10172679 · filed Nov 6, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2005 HONDA VTX 1300 WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO 5TH GEAR. *TS ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE GEAR GOING INTO NEUTRAL BETWEEN 4TH AND 5TH GEAR AND SLAMMING INTO 4TH GEAR DURING ACCELERATION. *JB

NHTSA ID 10158393 · filed May 15, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .