RoadVitals

2005 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.
3
Latest Apr 7, 2014
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.
4
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Victory Kingpin, most frequently naming the brakes, powertrain (other) and transmission categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 6 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

  • Brakes133.3%
  • Powertrain (other)133.3%
  • Transmission133.3%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
05V326000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Jul 19, 2005
4,244 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, SOME OF THE FUEL SUPPLY HOSE LEADING FROM THE FUEL TANK TO THE FUEL RAIL MAY BE INCORRECT FOR USE IN A PRESSURIZED FUEL SYSTEM APPLICATION.
The risk: INCORRECT HOSES MAY LEAK FUEL OR CRACK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MARKINGS ON THE FUEL HOSE TO DETERMINE IF REPLACEMENT IS REQUIRED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE WITH A NEW ONE OF THE CORRECT MATERIAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VICTORY AT 1-763-417-8650.
POLARIS INDUSTRIES, INC.Manufacturer number V-05-04(A)View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 7, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VICTORY KINGPIN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V258000 (POWER TRAIN) AND TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE COMPLETION OF RECALL REPAIRS. THE FOLLOWING DAY, SHIFTER WELD LINKAGE FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE SHIFTER WELD LINKAGE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000. UPDATED 05/29/14 MA THE CONSUMER HAD A PROFESSIONAL BIKE BUILDER RE-WELD THE LINKAGE. UPDATED 08/05/14

NHTSA ID
10578079
Incident
Apr 4, 2014
Mileage
14,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 20, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 POLARIS VICTORY KINGPIN MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 2-20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITHIN 3,000 MILES, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS BECAME WORN AND HE FELT THAT THE ROTORS CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,000. UPDATED 12/12/07 * BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10209526
Incident
Aug 1, 2005
Mileage
500 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 17, 2006

REFUSAL BY DEALER TO CORRECT SAFETY RECALL ON POLARIS, VICTORY, KINGPIN MOTORCYCLE. VICTORY SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 06V-258. WARNING AND SAFETY RECALL BULLETIN V-06-04. REASON: A WELD ON THE SHIFT LEVER SHAFT ON SOME 2004 & 2005 VICTORY MODELS MAY NOT MEET VICTORY QUALITY STANDARDS AND MAY FAIL DURING OPERATION. IF THE WELD FAILS THE OPERATOR CANNOT SHIFT GEARS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. POLARIS INDUSTRIES DOES NOT ANSWER E-MAIL OR LETTERS. PRESCOTT VALLEY MOTORCYCLES DOES NOT ANSWER E-MAILS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10165773
Incident
Aug 3, 2006

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

060502

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

TURN SIGNAL WIRE COLOR AND POLARITY QUESTIONS ADDRESSED. VOICE OF VICTORY. *TT

041102

SUSPENSION

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

0403

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

LOOSE FUEL LINE HOSE CLAMP AT FUEL RAIL. *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—
2005Viewing340—
2004430—

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.