RoadVitals

2005 Victory Vegas

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 Mar 29, 2011
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.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Victory Vegas, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and other / unspecified categories. 3 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

  • Brakes125.0%
  • Engine125.0%
  • Other / unspecified125.0%
  • Transmission125.0%

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
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
04V514000

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

Oct 26, 2004
488 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE CLAMP THAT SECURES THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL HOSE TO THE FUEL RAIL MAY BE LOOSE.
The risk: A LOOSE CLAMP MAY ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE FUEL RAIL FITTING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPOSITION AND TIGHTEN THE CLAMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VICTORY AT 1-763-417-8650.
POLARIS INDUSTRIES, INC.Manufacturer number V-04-03View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Other / unspecified
Filed Mar 29, 2011

WHILE PREPARING TO STOP I PULLED IN THE CLUTCH LEVER AND THE CLUTCH CABLE SEVERED AT THE CLUTCH LEVER. I LET THE BIKE STALL OUT AND GOT IT OFF THE ROAD. WITH 10,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON THE BIKE, THIS WAS THE 2ND. TIME I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH CABLE AT THE SAME LOCATION (LEVER). THE FIRST TIME WAS WITH LESS THAN 5,000 MILES. BOTH TIMES NOW THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THE ONLY THING THEY CAN DO IS REPLACE THE CABLE. I HAVE TALKED WITH 3 DIFFERENT VICTORY DEALERS IN MY AREA AND EACH ONE OF THEM IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, ALL OF THEM TOLD ME THAT VICTORY/POLARIS WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT... THEY WERE ALL KIND ENOUGH TO OFFER AN UP-SALE TO AN HYDRALLIC CLUTCH SYSTEM THERE BY ELIMINATING THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CABLE. I WAS TOLD BY ONE AUTHORIZED DEALERS MECHANIC THAT HE HAS REPLACED MORE THAN 50 CLUTCH CABLES ON VICTORY'S, MANY OF THEM TWICE! I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT PERIODIC LUBRICATION OF THE CABLE AT THE POINT OF CONTACT WITH THE CLUTCH LEVER WOULD HELP WITH THE THE LONGIVITY OF THE CABLE. I WILL SAY THAT MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS ARE UP TO DATE AND COMPLETE. AND AFTER LOSING THE FIRST CABLE, I MADE SURE THAT THIS AREA WAS ALWAYS CLEAN AND WELL LUBRICATED ONLY TO FIND OUT THROUGH CONVERSATIONS WITH SEVERAL MECHANICS THAT THE CLUTCH LEVER ITSELF COULD BE THE SUSPECT. WHY AND WHEN WILL VICTORY/POLARIS TAKE CARE OF THIS OBVIOUS PROBLEM. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE TWICE NOW WITH NO INCIDENT OTHER THAN TO MY WALLET. I FEEL AS IF MY LUCK IS RUNNING OUT!

NHTSA ID
10393674
Incident
Mar 26, 2011
Mileage
5,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jun 24, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VICTORY VEGAS MOTORCYCLE. WHILE ENTERING A GAS STATION AT 10 MPH, THE CLUTCH CABLE FRACTURED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SWITCH GEARS. THE CONTACT USED THE BRAKES TO STALL THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE CLUTCH CABLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE ONCE BEFORE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 14,500.

NHTSA ID
10339877
Incident
Jun 19, 2010
Mileage
14,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported

ABOUT 1 MONTH BEFORE THE CRASH, THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT AT 3,000 MILES. I BELIEVE THIS WAS DUE TO THE BRAKE LINE ROUTING RIGHT NEXT TO THE EXHAUST PIPE, CAUSING THE BRAKE FLUID TO HEAT AND APPLY THE BRAKE. THE DEALERS SOLUTION WAS TO INSTALL NEW HEAVY-DUTY PADS TO IMPROVE WEAR. ON MAY 23, 2007 THE REAR BRAKE SUDDENLY AND COMPLETELY LOCKED UP, THROWING ME FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. I WAS NOT APPLYING THE BRAKE AT ALL WHEN THIS OCCURRED. AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH I SUFFERED A BROKEN CLAVICLE, FRACTURED SCAPULA, FOUR BROKEN RIBS, A BRUISED LUNG AND SEVERE ABRASIONS OVER MUCH OF MY BODY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10192483
Incident
May 23, 2007
Mileage
3,352 mi
Engine
Filed May 14, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MV AUGUSTA F4 1000. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHEN DECELERATING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RECEIVING TOO MUCH FUEL. THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE AIR FUEL MIXTURE HOWEVER, THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,200.

NHTSA ID
10190686
Incident
Jul 1, 2006
Mileage
100 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

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 Vegas by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2016100—
2013110—
2012120—
2011110—
2010010—
2009110—
2008010—
2007110—
2006430—
2005Viewing430—
2004130—
2003350—

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.