RoadVitals

2004 Victory Kingpin

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.
4
Latest Oct 27, 2005
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.
3
Latest Jul 5, 2011
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.
0
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

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Victory Kingpin, most frequently naming the brakes category. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 8 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

  • Brakes4100.0%

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

3 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
11V346000

EQUIPMENT

Jul 5, 2011
1,688 units potentially affected
The defect: POLARIS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2012 VICTORY KINGPIN MOTORCYCLES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2012 VICTORY JACKPOT MOTORCYCLES, AND 2003-2012 VEGAS MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1, 2004, THROUGH MAY 1, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH ACCESSORY SEATS, PART NUMBERS 2876641-01 SEAT, KINGPIN TOURING, DOUBLE BACKREST AND PART NUMBER 2875961-01 SEAT, JACKPOT TOURING W/BACKREST. THE BACKREST SUPPORT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE MOTORCYCLE WHILE IN USE.
The risk: THE PASSENGER CAN BE INJURED OR FALL FROM THE MOTORCYCLE SHOULD THIS OCCUR.
The remedy: VICTORY WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VICTORY CONSUMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT BY CALLING 1-888-704-5290.
POLARIS INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
06V258000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

Jul 17, 2006
3,902 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE WELDED JOINT ON THE SHIFT LEVER SHAFT MAY FAIL CAUSING THE SHIFT LEVER TO BECOME INOPERABLE.
The risk: IF THE WELD FAILS, THE OPERATOR CANNOT SHIFT GEARS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHIFT LEVER SHAFT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VICTORY AT 763-417-8650.
POLARIS INDUSTRIES, INC.Manufacturer number V-06-04View on NHTSA.gov
04V187000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Apr 19, 2004
3,230 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE REAR BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR TO THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY HAVE BECOME DAMAGED DURING SHIPMENT AND MAY LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
The risk: THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKING CAPABILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE RESERVOIR HOSE AND REPLACE THE HOSE IF IT IS FOUND TO BE DAMAGED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT POLARIS/VICTORY AT 1-763-417-8650.
POLARIS INDUSTRIES, INC.Manufacturer number V-04-01AView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Oct 27, 2005

I HAD A 5000 MILE SERVICE COMPLETED ON MY MOTORCYCLE AT THE DEALER. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE WORN OUT AND REPLACED THEM. THEY PROVIDED THE OLD PADS WHEN I PICKED UP THE BIKE AND SURE ENOUGH THEY WERE WORN ALL THE WAY TO THE METAL. THEY HAD 4957 MILES OF USE (SINCE NEW). AFTER BECOMING AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM I HAVE MONITORED THE REAR BRAKE MORE CLOSELY. WITHOUT ANY USE OF THE BACK BRAKE THE REAR CALIPER AND DISC BECOME HOT AFTER ONLY A FEW MILES OF RIDING. THE REAR BRAKE IS MAINTAINING CONSTANT PRESSURE ON THE DISC EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT APPLIED. THE PRESSURE IS CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR TO THE PADS, HEAT TO THE DISC, AND COMMON SENSE WOULD SAY DECREASED PERFORMANCE OF THE REAR BRAKE. ADDED HEAT AND FRICTION CREATES BRAKE FAD AND DECREASED PERFORMANCE. THE DEALER SAYS THE REAR BRAKES ARE "FUNCTIONING PROPERLY" AND REAR BRAKES ON VICTORY'S JUST DRAG.*JB

NHTSA ID
10140959
Incident
Oct 15, 2005
Mileage
4,957 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 1, 2005

REAR BRAKE FAILURE ON 2004 KINGPIN AT 2600 MILES. BRAKE PADS ARE WORN TO METAL BACKING PLATES, FINAL "WEAR OUT" OCCURRED OVER A PERIOD OF DAYS. FRONT BRAKES SEEM TO BE FINE EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE USED FOR ALMOST ALL BRAKING ON A MOTORCYCLE AS PER THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF ALL MOTORCYCLE SAFETY INSTRUCTORS. HAVE RIDDEN MOTORCYCLES FOR 35 YEARS AND NEVER GONE THROUGH REAR BRAKES IN UNDER A YEAR AND 2600 MILES. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT REPORTED BY NUMEROUS PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT VICTORY MOTORCYCLE CLUBS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10130816
Incident
Jul 29, 2005
Mileage
2,600 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 22, 2004

UNEVEN WEAR ON REAR BRAKE ROTOR AND EXCESSIVE HEATING OF ROTOR WITH NO BRAKE USAGE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10100322
Incident
Nov 21, 2004
Mileage
540 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 28, 2004

2004 VICTORY KINGPIN MOTORCYCLE, REAR BRAKES AFTER ONLY 2,500 MILES ARE DOWN TO THE METAL. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL AND VICTORY (POLARIS) WILL NOT COVER UNDER THIS WARRANTY. DOES NOT HAS A FIX TO PREVENT THESE BRIMBO BRAKES FROM WARRING OUT SO QUICKLY. IF AN OWNER OF ONE OF THESE BIKES IS NOT AWARE OF HOW FAST THESE BRAKES WARE OUT THEY COULD HAVE A FATAL ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10096542
Incident
Oct 27, 2004
Mileage
2,500 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

SAF-16-01

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

A STOP RIDE MEANS THE CONSUMER MUST NOT OPERATE THEIR VEHICLE UNTIL THE REPAIR IS COMPLETE. We have been made aware that some dealers are incorrectly communicating the importance of STOP RIDE communications.

V-06-04

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

VICTORY MOTORCYCLE SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. THE WELDED JOINT ON THE SHIFT LEVER SHAFT MAY FAIL, CAUSING THE SHIFT PEDAL TO BECOME INOPERABLE. MODELS: VEGAS,KINGPIN, KINGPIN DELUXE & NESS SIGNATURE SERIES KINGPIN. CSC LETTER WAS RECEIVED. *PE

060602

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

CORRECTION TO WIRING DIAGRAM FUEL PUMP WIRE COLOR. *TT

041204

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

FRONT BRAKE LEVER PUSH ROD INSTALLATION. VICTORY 1999 V92C, 2000 STANDARD CRUISER, 200 SPORT CRUISER, 2001 STANDARD, DELUXE, SPORT CRUISER, 2002 CLASSIC CRUISER, TOURING CRUISER, 2003 CLASSIC CRUISER, TOURING CRUISER, 2003 VEGAS, 2002-2004 CLASSIC CRUISER, TOURING CRUISER AND 2003-2004 VEGAS AND KINGPIN. *SC

041102

SUSPENSION

SUSPENSION RIDE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE SIMPLIFIED. VICTORY 2003-2005 VEGAS, KINGPIN, & HAMMER. *TT

040601

STRUCTURE:BODY

FOLLOWING ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS WHEN POSITIONING THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL MOUNTS ON THE FORK TUBES DURING SET-UP. *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

Victory Kingpin by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012010—
2011010—
2010110—
2009210—
2008010—
2007310—
2006130—
2005340—
2004Viewing430—

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.