2013 Victory Vision

This Preliminary Evaluation (PE14006) was opened after NHTSA became aware of alleged steering lockup involving Victory Vision motorcycles built by Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris).This issue has been the subject of numerous online forum posts by the filer of VOQ 10534733.Both the VOQs and forum posts (from all sources) formed the foundation of our investigation. The subject motorcycles are equipped with a two-piece, plastic, front fender.The back half (the all-black portion in the photo below) is secured to the fork with a single fastener on each side.It is secured to the front half of the fender with two plastic pushpins.The back half of the subject 2-piece fender is alleged to cause steering lockup when it partially separates and becomes wedged in the lower faring.We have expanded the PE's original scope to include the MY2014 and 2015 Visions because (1) these bikes came on-line after we opened this investigation and (2) the subject fender remains unchanged.Since its introduction in May, 2007, Polaris has produced 7,337 Visions (and trim derivatives).In the 8 years since, we are aware of 35 incidents of partial fender separation wherein the fender wedged in the lower fairing opening.None of the incidents involved a crash.During testing, with the fender both wedged in the lower fairing and with it pinned in the seam joining the right and left lower fairing halves, we noted a ?notchy? steering feel but no steering lock-up.At no time was steering control lost in either circumstance (wedged and/or pinned).When the front forks were rotated at angles greater than 10 degrees, and vehicle speed was, by necessity, below 10mph we noted an increase in steering effort that was easily manageable.This is consistent with the results of Polaris? testing where steering effort increased at steering angles beyond ten degrees.Such steering angles were only reasonably obtainable at speeds below ten mph.Polaris concluded that a fender separation of the type owners allege, does not represent an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety, but does compromise owner satisfaction.Consequently, on April 28, 2015, Polaris advised the agency that it decided to undertake a consumer satisfaction campaign to improve fender durability on all MY 2008-15 Victory Vision motorcycles regardless of mileage, time in service, or ownership status.Owners will receive notification of this campaign by June 20, 2015.A copy of Polaris' April 28, 2015 letter to us about this program is in the public file for this PE.In light of the low risk to motor vehicle safety as a result of displaced fenders, and Polaris?s actions to reduce the likelihood of fender interference through a consumer satisfaction campaign, further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.For additional detailed information on this investigation, see the attached closing report.The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following (ODI) numbers: 10534913, 10535066, 10430546, 10469285, 10468997, 10592181, 10585428, 10534743, 10597031, 10535938, 10594160, 10594161, 10606364

THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER HAS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWICE IN THE 5 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS MOTORCYCLE. EACH TIME IT FAILED IT CAUSED A LOSS IN THE ABILITY TO STOP THE BIKE WHILE RIDING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE BIKE FROM THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY VICTORY BRAND MOTORCYCLES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY DEALERSHIP THAT THE PART CAN'T BE REPAIRED BUT MUST BE REPLACED, BUT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS, WHILE THEY WORK AS THEY SHOULD, ARE NO BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL PARTS AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE SAME PROBLEM WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.

NHTSA ID

11231287

Incident

Jun 10, 2019

Mileage

5,000 mi

THE VICTORY VISION HAS A TWO PIECE PLASTIC FRONT FENDER WHICH IS HELD TOGETHER WITH PLASTIC FASTENERS AND MOUNTED DIRECTLY TO THE METAL FORKS WITH METAL SCREWS. VIBRATIONS FRACTURED THE REAR PORTION OF THE PLASTIC FENDER AT THE POINT WHERE IT CONTACTS THE METAL FORKS, THIS CAUSED THE REAR PORTION OF THE FENDER TO FAIL, DISLODGE ITSELF AND BECOME WEDGED BETWEEN THE FORKS AND THE MAIN BODY OF THE MOTORCYCLE AFFECTING STEERING. FORTUNATELY THE SPEED WAS LOW AND THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, HOWEVER, IF THIS INCIDENT HAD OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED OR DURING CORNERING THE RESULT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. PLEASE CONSIDER ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE WITH THE MANUFACTURE AS I HAVE AND THEY REFUSE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY AND FEEL IT IS NOT A DEFECT OR A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

10724295

Incident

Feb 13, 2015

Mileage

12,893 mi

WHILE SLOWING THE MOTORCYCLE NORMALLY IN PREPARATION FOR STOPPING AT A STOP LIGHT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND REV-MATCHING THE ENGINE NORMALLY, THE ENGINE STALLED REQUIRING EVASIVE ACTION TO AVOID COLLISION WITH OTHER VEHICLES AND BRING THE MOTORCYCLE TO A SAFE STOP. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY AND REQUIRED 3 ATTEMPTS TO RESTART. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NO LESS THAN FOUR OCCASIONS. MANUFACTURER SAYS THE MOTORCYCLE ENGINE IS DESIGNED TO STALL IN THIS MANNER. THE TIMING AND ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION (EFI) ARE PURPOSELY DESIGNED TO MALFUNCTION AND READ REV-MATCHING ON DOWNSHIFT AS OVER SUPPLYING FUEL AND SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF TO "AVOID DAMAGE". NOTE THAT IN EVERY INSTANCE OF THIS HAPPENING THE REVOLUTIONS PER MINUTE (RPMS) WERE BETWEEN 800 TO 1600RPMS MAXIMUM (WELL WITHIN THE MAXIMUM OF 5200RPMS) AND THERE WAS NO REAL OR IMAGINED POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSE IS 1. IT IS THE OPERATORS RESPONSIBILITY TO ENGAGE IN NON-STANDARD OPERATION TO ENSURE THE ENGINE DOES NOT STALL. 2. THIS STALLING MALFUNCTION CAN BE CORRECTED BY PURCHASING AND HAVING INSTALLED AN ADDITIONAL AFTERMARKET EFI UNIT AND AN ADJUSTABLE IDLE CONTROL VALE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM - CLEARLY ADMITTING THEIR EQUIPMENT IS FAULTY (AND ULTIMATELY DANGEROUS) BY DESIGN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10663990

Incident

Apr 11, 2014

Mileage

2,000 mi

ON ROUTINE INSPECTION FOUND A 1 TO 2 INCH CRACK IN THE PLASTIC PORTION OF THE FRONT FENDER. I HAVE BEEN WATCHING FOR THIS PROBLEM AFTER READING DIFFERENT VICTORY INTERNET SITES. THIS PROBLEM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO LOCK UP THE FRONT WHEEL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10650819

Incident

Oct 13, 2014

Mileage

23,200 mi

2013 VICTORY VISION. THE FRONT REAR SECTION OF THE FENDER (PLASTIC) CRACKS WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE FRONT FORKS. THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE THAT HAS HAPPENED TO 100;S IF NOT 1,000S OF VICTORY VISIONS. POLARIS REFUSES TO REPAIR OR REPLACE, AND SUGGESTS THAT IT IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THIS IS A HUGE SAFELY ISSUE THAT MUST BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10644548

Incident

Oct 1, 2014

Mileage

10,200 mi

FRONT LOWER FENDER IS FAILING. THIS IS THE ONE THAT SNAPS OFF AND LOCKS UP THE STEERING, YOU HAVE OTHER REPORTS ON THIS. INSPECTED FOR FIRST TIME AND LEFT SIDE OF FENDER IS SEPARATING FROM THE MOUNT POINT. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN ON THE ROAD ~5 MONTHS. PURCHASED NEW ON 08/13. BACK WHEN I WAS IN THE CAR BUSINESS, A STEERING LOCKUP CONDITION GOT RECALLED REAL QUICK. I GUESS THAT'S NOT TRUE FOR MOTORCYCLES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10558244

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

Mileage

9,000 mi

VICTORY VISION MOTORCYCLES OF ALL YEARS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING SEPARATION OF THE REAR PORTION OF THE TWO PIECE FRONT FENDER ASSEMBLY. FENDER. I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN THE CRACKS AND REPAIRS BY THE OWNERS AFTER A HARROWING EXPERIENCE OF HAVING THE FENDER COME LOOSE AND JAMMING THE STEERING. I OWN A 2013 VISION AND DO WANT TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE DEFECT I AM SURPRISED THAT NO-ONE HAS BEEN KILLED BY THIS YET. I DON'T WANT IT TO HAPPEN TO ME. SINCE I KNOW IT HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY WHO EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE NTSB HAS REACHED A CONCLUSION OR DISCUSSED THE ISSUE WITH POLARIS/VICTORY? *TR

NHTSA ID

10548727

Incident

Oct 21, 2013

Mileage

14,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VICTORY VISION TOURING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE ENGINE FUSE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 620.

NHTSA ID

10536157

Incident

Aug 10, 2013

Mileage

620 mi

Victory has determined that some 2011-2014 Victory Vision motorcycles, designated for sale in EU and non-EU countries outside of the United States and Canada, may not meet emission standards set forth by the Conformity of Production (COP). Victory has released an ECM software update to bring the CO levels into compliance with COP standards.

The Victory Motorcycle Division of Polaris Industries Inc. has determined that certain California Air Resource Board (CARB) certified Victory Vision models, equipped with approved Stage 1 accessory exhaust, must have the Stage 1 Certification decal updated. The new decal will ensure that the emission certification information displayed on the decal aligns with CARB requirements for Stage 1 equipped motorcycles.

VICTORY MC: TSB HAS AN OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER. SELECT DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON BELOW. AT MOUNTING HOLES ON FRONT FENDER HALVES, CRACKS WILL DEVELOP AND EITHER HAVE BOTH OR ONE REPLACED. MODEL 2008-15 VISION. *PE

Victory Motorcycles has determined that 2008-2015 Victory Vision front fenders may not meet internal durability standards. Certain operating conditions may cause the fender halves to crack at the mounting holes. A fender bracket kit has been developed to address this concern.