RoadVitals

2012 Victory Cross Country 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.
19
Latest Aug 4, 2023
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.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Victory Cross Country, 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

  • Body & structure622.2%
  • Other / unspecified518.5%
  • Powertrain (other)414.8%
  • Engine414.8%
  • Exterior lighting311.1%
  • Interior & seats27.4%
  • Electrical27.4%
  • Brakes13.7%

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

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE RIGHT-SIDE SADDLEBAG LATCH IS MISALIGNED TO THE LATCH BRACKET. THIS MISALIGNMENT CAUSES THE BRACKET TO RUB THE LATCH TO WHERE THE LATCH EVENTUALLY BREAKS. SHOULD THE LATCH BREAK, THE SADDLEBAG LID WILL BE LOOSE AND CAN CAUSE INSTABILITY WHILE RIDING AND POTENTIALLY DANGER TO VEHICLES BEHIND SHOULD ANYTHING BE SUCKED OUT OF THE SADDLEBAG. THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE AFFECTING ALL "CROSS" BIKES FROM POLARIS/VICTORY. AT THIS POINT ALL INSPECTED CROSS BIKES ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF THIS WEAR AND MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS CREATING A DATABASE OF ALL LOCAL OWNERS. YOU CAN FIND MANY REFERENCES ON MANY VICTORY FORUMS, SUCH AS THIS ONE: HTTP://WWW.VICTORYFORUMS.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=104498 AS OF THIS POINT POLARIS/VICTORY HAS NOT CREATED A RECALL FOR THIS. I DO HAVE AN OPEN CASE WITH THEM THOUGH, CASE # [XXX]. I'M HOPING THE DOT RECOGNIZES THIS POTENTIAL DANGER TO VICTORY CROSS RIDERS/PASSENGERS AND TO VEHICLES FOLLOWING BEHIND, AND SUPPORTS US IN ADVISING POLARIS/VICTORY TO SUBMIT A RECALL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10712062 · filed Apr 21, 2015

VICTORY MOTORCYCLES HAVE A DEFECTIVE LATCH ON THEIR RIGHT ?SADDLEBAGS? THAT RENDERS THE RIGHT STORAGE COMPARTMENT USELESS. THE FAULTY LOCKING MECHANISM HAS APPEARED SINCE 2010 ON SEVERAL VICTORY MODELS. MY RIGHT BAG WILL POP OPEN FROM TIME TO TIME. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN THE LID POPS OPEN AT VERY HIGH SPEEDS WHEN LEANED OVER IN GUSTY CONDITIONS. APPARENTLY THE LOCKING MECHANISM IS FAULTY AND CAUSING MY RIGHT SADDLEBAG LID TO FLY OPEN ON THE ROAD, POSING A HAZARD TO ME, THE RIDER, AND OTHER DRIVERS. WHEN IT ?THE SADDLEBAG? POPS OPEN THERE IS A SENSATION OF REAR STEER. *DT

NHTSA ID 10667459 · filed Dec 20, 2014

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2012 VICTORY CROSS COUNTRY MOTORCYCLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOCK & RIDE BACK REST RECALL DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. *SMD

NHTSA ID 10735223 · filed Jul 22, 2015

THE RIGHT-SIDE SADDLEBAG LATCH IS MISALIGNED TO THE LATCH BRACKET. THIS MISALIGNMENT CAUSES THE BRACKET TO RUB THE LATCH TO WHERE THE LATCH EVENTUALLY BREAKS. SHOULD THE LATCH BREAK, THE SADDLEBAG LID WILL BE LOOSE AND CAN CAUSE INSTABILITY WHILE RIDING AND POTENTIALLY DANGER TO VEHICLES BEHIND SHOULD ANYTHING BE SUCKED OUT OF THE SADDLEBAG. THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE AFFECTING ALL "CROSS" BIKES FROM POLARIS/VICTORY. AT THIS POINT ALL INSPECTED CROSS BIKES ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF THIS WEAR AND MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS CREATING A DATABASE OF ALL LOCAL OWNERS. YOU CAN FIND MANY REFERENCES ON MANY VICTORY FORUMS, SUCH AS THIS ONE: HTTP://WWW.VICTORYFORUMS.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=104498 AS OF THIS POINT POLARIS/VICTORY HAS NOT CREATED A RECALL FOR THIS. I DO HAVE AN OPEN CASE WITH THEM THOUGH, CASE # [XXX]. I'M HOPING THE DOT RECOGNIZES THIS POTENTIAL DANGER TO VICTORY CROSS RIDERS/PASSENGERS AND TO VEHICLES FOLLOWING BEHIND, AND SUPPORTS US IN ADVISING POLARIS/VICTORY TO SUBMIT A RECALL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10712062 · filed Apr 21, 2015

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY VICTORY JUST SHUTS OFF FOR NO REASON NO MATTER HOW FAST YOU ARE MOVING, CAUSING THE BIKE IN ONE INSTANCE FOR ME TO DROP THE BIKE.

NHTSA ID 11536480 · filed Aug 4, 2023

WHEN PULLING IN THE CLUTCH TO SHIFT THE CABLE SNAPPED RIGHT AT THE CLUTCH ARM GOING INTO THE TRANSMISSION THIS HAPPEN AS I WAS COMING OUT OF A ROTARY STARTING TO SHIFT UP ON A SECONDARY RD. WHEN I STARTED LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS ISSUE IF YOU HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP AND IT SNAPPED THEN OR IF IT SNAPPED AS YOU WERE STARTING TO TAKE OFF IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THE BIKE STALLED YOU COULD EASILY GET REARENDED. THIS PROBLEM IS SO COMMON SEVERAL COMPANIES ARE MAKING ROADSIDE REPAIR KITS FOR THESE BIKE.

NHTSA ID 10875350 · filed Jun 20, 2016

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY VICTORY JUST SHUTS OFF FOR NO REASON NO MATTER HOW FAST YOU ARE MOVING, CAUSING THE BIKE IN ONE INSTANCE FOR ME TO DROP THE BIKE.

NHTSA ID 11536480 · filed Aug 4, 2023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VICTORY CROSS COUNTRY. WHEN THE VEHICLE TURNED RIGHT, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE LOWER PART OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RETAINING CLIP WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

NHTSA ID 10904296 · filed Sep 7, 2016

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

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS SELF-CANCELING TURN SIGNALS. THE CANCELLATION OF ACTIVATED TURN SIGNALS, ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, DEPENDS ON SEVERAL FACTORS, SUCH AS SPEED, DISTANCE, AND DURATION. HOWEVER, THE ACTION OF THE TURN SIGNALS IS OFTEN INCONSISTENT, GIVEN IDENTICAL FACTORS. FURTHER, CANCELLATION OFTEN OCCURS AFTER AS FEW AS THREE FLASHES; AGAIN, THIS CONDITION DOES NOT OCCUR IN A CONSISTENT FASHION, EVEN WHEN FAITHFULLY DUPLICATING THE ALLEGED CONDITIONS OF CANCELLATION. IF THE TURN SIGNALS CANCEL PREMATURELY WHILE THE RIDER OF THE MOTORCYCLE IS STOPPED, AWAITING A TURN, DRIVERS FOLLOWING THE MOTORCYCLE MAY HAVE NO (OR INSUFFICIENT) INDICATION THAT THE OPERATOR IS STATIONARY. THIS SITUATION MAY RESULT IN A CRASH, AS THE RIDER MAY BE STRUCK FROM BEHIND. SIMILARLY, VEHICLES APPROACHING THE RIDER FROM THE FRONT MAY HAVE NO (OR INSUFFICIENT) INDICATION THAT THE OPERATOR IS STATIONARY AND IS PLANNING ON TURNING; THIS MAY RESULT IN THE RIDER'S BEING STRUCK FROM THE FRONT OR SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10640404 · filed Oct 1, 2014

ANYTIME THE MOTORCYCLE GETS WET THE ELECTRICAL ACTS STRANGE. SOMETIMES THE CRUISE DOESN'T WORK. OFTEN TIMES WHEN I PULL THE CLUTCH HANDLE MY HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS WILL BLINK. IF I GET RAINED ON FOR A PERIOD OF TIME MY TURN SIGNALS WILL CEASE FUNCTIONING UNTIL THE BIKE HAS SPENT SEVERAL HOURS DRYING OUT. I BELIEVE THE TURN SIGNALS NOT FUNCTIONING AS WELL THE HAZARDS BLINKING WHEN THE CLUTCH IS PULLED IN POSE AN IMMINENT THREAT TO MYSELF OR TO OTHERS AROUND ME SINCE MY INTENTIONS ARE EITHER BEING MISREPRESENTED BY THE HAZARDS OR I'M UNABLE TO EFFECTIVELY SIGNAL TO THOSE AROUND ME MY INTENTIONS TO TURN OR MAKE A LANE CHANGE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10536288 · filed Aug 20, 2013

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

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

RIGHT SADDLE BAG LATCH IS WEARING , NO ADJUSTMENT . WHEN LATCH WEARS THRU BAG WILL FLY OPEN SCATTERING CONTENTS AND POSSIBLY CAUSING A CRASH TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AS I HAVE HEARD THIS IS AN ACROSS THE BOARD PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10663162 · filed Dec 9, 2014

THERE IS A MISALIGNMENT BETWEEN THE RIGHT SIDE SADDLEBAG LATCH MECHANISM AND THE HOOP THAT IT CAPTURES WHEN THE LID IS CLOSED. THERE IS NO ADJUSTABILITY BUILT INTO THE DESIGN SO THIS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE RESULTING PROBLEM IS THAT THE SOFTER METAL OF THE LATCH MECHANISM IS WORN AWAY BY THE HARDER METAL OF THE HOOP, EVENTUALLY RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE LATCH. THIS WILL RESULT IN THE LID BLOWING OPEN AND THE CONTENTS OF THE SADDLE BAG BEING BLOWN OUT ONTO THE ROADWAY, POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AS FOLLOWING MOTORISTS WERE EITHER STRUCK BY THE CONTENTS OR SWERVED TO AVOID THEM. THIS ISSUE IS SHARED TO VARYING DEGREES BY A MAJORITY OF OWNERS OF THIS MODEL, SPANNING ALL 5 YEARS THAT IT HAS BEEN IN PRODUCTION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10644672 · filed Oct 14, 2014

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VICTORY CROSS COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

NHTSA ID 10780206 · filed Oct 6, 2015

ANYTIME THE MOTORCYCLE GETS WET THE ELECTRICAL ACTS STRANGE. SOMETIMES THE CRUISE DOESN'T WORK. OFTEN TIMES WHEN I PULL THE CLUTCH HANDLE MY HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS WILL BLINK. IF I GET RAINED ON FOR A PERIOD OF TIME MY TURN SIGNALS WILL CEASE FUNCTIONING UNTIL THE BIKE HAS SPENT SEVERAL HOURS DRYING OUT. I BELIEVE THE TURN SIGNALS NOT FUNCTIONING AS WELL THE HAZARDS BLINKING WHEN THE CLUTCH IS PULLED IN POSE AN IMMINENT THREAT TO MYSELF OR TO OTHERS AROUND ME SINCE MY INTENTIONS ARE EITHER BEING MISREPRESENTED BY THE HAZARDS OR I'M UNABLE TO EFFECTIVELY SIGNAL TO THOSE AROUND ME MY INTENTIONS TO TURN OR MAKE A LANE CHANGE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10536288 · filed Aug 20, 2013

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

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VICTORY CROSS COUNTRY MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, ALL OF THE REAR LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 3,000. UPDATED 10/16/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER LOCATED A LOOSE GROUND (PIN) TYPE PLUG UNDER REAR FENDER THAT CAUSED THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED AS OF 10/4/2012. UPDATED 10/18/2012 *JS

NHTSA ID 10475821 · filed Sep 18, 2012

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 .