HONDA VTX1300 · model year

2005 HONDA VTX1300

54 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005HONDAVTX1300 carries 54 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 VTX1300 is steering with 29 filings, followed by suspension (4) and wheels (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 77 investigation files overlapping the 2005 VTX1300, and 9 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

54
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

54 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING29
SUSPENSION4
WHEELS3
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION1
STEERING:COLUMN1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER1

Recent Complaints

20210512STEERING

DEATH WOBBLE FROM 30-65 ON MY MOTORCYCLE. IT WILL CAUSE A WRECK, BIKE WOBBLES OUT OF CONTROL BECAUSE OF FAULTY STEERING BEARINGS ON MY HONDA VTX 1300C.

Mileage: 1

20171128STEERING

WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR MT 2005 HONDA VTX 1300S HAS A SERIOUS FRONT END WOBBLE THAT IMPEDES THE SAFE OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE AT SPEEDS 35 - 45

Mileage: 16,200

20150110FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH THE MOTORCYCLE SHUT OFF RANDOMLY. I HAD JUST PUT FRESH GASOLINE IN THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. I RESTARTED THE MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT ISSUE AND PROCEEDED DOWN THE FREEWAY. ONCE I REACHED 70MPH THE MOTORCYCLE AGAIN SHUT OFF. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND CHECKED OUT MY MOTORCYCLE. AT THIS POINT I COULD SMELL GASOLINE. THE PETCOCK VALVE IS LEAKY AND BASED OFF OF INTERNET RESEARCH THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR HONDA VTX OWNERS. THERE ARE RECALLS FOR OTHER HONDA VTX'S (2007, 2008) BUT NOT 2005. PLEASE CONSIDER ISSUING A RECALL FOR THE 2005 MODELS AS THERE ARE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN YOUR DATABASE FOR 2005 MODELS, AS WELL AS ALREADY STANDING RECALLS FOR THE 2007, 2008 MODELS. IF YOU WISH I CAN PROVIDE MORE DOCUMENTATION ON OTHER VTX OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES BUT NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME TO BE TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND TO HAVE MY MOTORCYCLE SHUT DOWN BECAUSE OF A LEAKY VALVE.

Mileage: 14,000

20150110ENGINE

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH THE MOTORCYCLE SHUT OFF RANDOMLY. I HAD JUST PUT FRESH GASOLINE IN THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. I RESTARTED THE MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT ISSUE AND PROCEEDED DOWN THE FREEWAY. ONCE I REACHED 70MPH THE MOTORCYCLE AGAIN SHUT OFF. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND CHECKED OUT MY MOTORCYCLE. AT THIS POINT I COULD SMELL GASOLINE. THE PETCOCK VALVE IS LEAKY AND BASED OFF OF INTERNET RESEARCH THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR HONDA VTX OWNERS. THERE ARE RECALLS FOR OTHER HONDA VTX'S (2007, 2008) BUT NOT 2005. PLEASE CONSIDER ISSUING A RECALL FOR THE 2005 MODELS AS THERE ARE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN YOUR DATABASE FOR 2005 MODELS, AS WELL AS ALREADY STANDING RECALLS FOR THE 2007, 2008 MODELS. IF YOU WISH I CAN PROVIDE MORE DOCUMENTATION ON OTHER VTX OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES BUT NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME TO BE TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND TO HAVE MY MOTORCYCLE SHUT DOWN BECAUSE OF A LEAKY VALVE.

Mileage: 14,000

20141108WHEELS

11/08/2014 WHEN I WAS REPLACING REAR BRAKE ROTOR I FOUND PIECES OF FLANGE BEARING ALL OVER THE INSIDE THE HUB, THE BEARING SIMPLY FELL APART WITH LESS THAN 32,000 MILES. I HEARD NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS FOR A FEW WEEKS AND I THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO THE BRAKES NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. I READ A LOT OF ISSUES REGARDING THIS SITUATION WITH 2004 IT LOOKS LIKE IT CONTINUED TO THE 2005 MODELS ALSO. HONDA NEED TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE OR THEY ARE GOING TO END WITH DEAD RIDERS ON THEIR HANDS IT THE DARN WHEEL LOCKS UP ON THEM WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY! *TR

20131027STEERING

I RECEIVED A 2005 HONDA 1300 VTX R IN JULY, 2013 AND SHORTLY AFTER TAKING IT FOR A RIDE I NOTICED THE FRONT END BEGAN TO WOBBLE OUT OF CONTROL AS I LOOSENED MY GRIPS FROM HANDLE BARS. I NEVER COMPLETELY LET GO OF HANDLE BARS, I WAS JUST RELAXING MY GRIP DUE TO STRESS ON HANDS. THE WOBBLE WAS SO EXTREME THAT BARS WERE WANTING TO GO LEFT AND RIGHT TO POINT OF JACK-KNIFING AND FLIPPING BIKE. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM EVEN AFTER I HAD REPLACED FRONT TIRE WITH NEW ONE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD HAS WORN DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY, ALMOST TO WEAR BARS IN ONLY 1800 MILES EVEN THOUGH I KEEP MY TIRE PRESSURE AT OWNER'S MANUAL RECOMMENDATIONS OF 33LBS., AND I CHECK IT WEEKLY. IT DOESN'T LOSE ANY PRESSURE OTHER THAN NORMAL VARIANCE GOING FROM HOT WEATHER TO COLD. AS OF TODAY, 10/27/13, I NOW HAVE 8800 MILES ON BIKE AND STEERING WOBBLE IS STILL EXTREME AND VERY DANGEROUS. I SPOKE WITH 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS JUST A FEW DAYS AGO WHO SAID THEY WEREN'T AWARE OF ANY WOBBLE ISSUES AND TOLD ME TO CHECK T

Mileage: 6,208

20130426POWER TRAIN

UPON REMOVING THE REAR TIRE FOR REPLACEMENT, A CHECK OF THE REAR BEARINGS REVEALED THE HUB BEARING TO BE FAULTY. THERE WAS NO GREASE SEAL ON THE REAR OF THE BEARING CAUSING THE BEARING TO BECOME DRY. THE BALLS HAVE BEGUN TO DISINTEGRATE AND TURN BLUE FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT. HAD I NOT CHECKED IT WHEN I DID, IT LIKELY WOULD HAVE SEIZED AND POSSIBLY CAUSED A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

Mileage: 38,700

20120920FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

IN AUGUST 2012 PURCHASED FROM ORIGINAL OWNER THE MOTORCYCLE IN QUESTION. DRIVING HOME THE BIKE STALLED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY (LUCKY FOR ME WITHOUT INJURY). ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 THE BIKE STALLED ONCE AGAIN ON THE ROAD AND UPON VISUAL INSPECTION I NOTICED GAS WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL VALVE AND CARBURETOR AREA. I HAD THE BIKE TOWED AND IT IS PRESENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS. I NOTICED HONDA HAD A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM ON 2007 AND 2008 MODELS. I KNOW THAT THE AUTO INDUSTRY USES PARTS THAT WERE PRODUCED IN PRIOR YEARS ON NEWER MODELS AND I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT IN THE MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY IT IS THE SAME.I CONTACT HONDA AND THEY DID NOTHING ABOUT THIS. I AM WONDERING HOW MANY MORE BIKES HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM? THE TWO MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES ARE STALLING WHEN RIDING AND GAS LEAKING ON THE ENGINE CAN IGNITE. CAN YOU HELP? *TR

Mileage: 1,536

20120524STEERING

I HAVE A 2005 HONDA VTX 1300C AND WHILE DECELERATING, USUALLY BETWEEN 45 AND 30 MILES PER HOUR, THE HANDLE BARS AND FRONT END VIOLENTLY START TO WOBBLE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. IF I DO NOT APPLY STEADY PRESSURE ON THE HANDLE BARS, I COULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I BALANCED AND INSTALLED NEW TIRES, CHECKED WHEEL BEARINGS AND TIRE PRESSURE. *TR

Mileage: 19,800

20120130CrashSTEERING

EXPERIENCED A VIBRATION FROM THE STEERING AS I ENTERED A CURVE ON A PAVED ROAD CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND LEAVE THE PAVEMENT AND CRASH. APPROXIMATELY $1500.00 DOLLARS DAMAGE TO THE MOTORCYCLE . I WAS EJECTED OVER THE HANDLEBARS CAUSING A SEVERE LACERATION TO MY CHIN AND THE LOSS OF THREE LOWER FRONT TEETH.

Mileage: 31,000

20110826CrashSTEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA VTX1300R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE AT 20-25 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE DEALER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 10/21/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE BIKE WAS HARD TO TURN IN A CURVE. THE CONSUMER WENT OFF THE ROAD, STRIKING SOME TREES. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES. THE BIKE WAS TAKEN TO A JUNK YARD. UPDATED 10/26/11

Mileage: 20,000

20110616FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA VTX1300 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE DIAPHRAGM OF THE HEAD CAP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD COCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2007 MODEL FOR THE EXACT SAME FAILURE BUT NOT FOR THE 2005 MODEL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V141000-FUEL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,200.

Mileage: 7,000

20110520STEERING

2005 HONDA VTX 1300R HAS STEERING WOBBLE AT ABOUT 40 MPH. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME DECELERATION BETWEEN 50 MPH AND 35 MPH. I HAD THE STEERING BEARING REPLACED AND HEAVIER SHOCKS PUT ON THE BIKE AND IT STILL WOBBLES. *TR

Mileage: 5,000

20101106WHEELS

I HAVE A 2005 HONDA VTX MODEL RETRO MOTORCYCLE THAT HAS A DRIVE FLANGE BEARING FAILURE WITH ONLY 6400 MILE ON IT. FOUND IT WHILE DOING A TIRE CHANGE. THIS IS A REAL ISSUE, A BEARING SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 6400 MILES. *TR

Mileage: 6,400

20100709STEERING

HONDA VTX 1300, HANDLE BARS START TO WOBBLE AT AROUND 40 MPH. DEALER SAID IT WAS FINE !! *TR

Mileage: 3,000

20100705POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

THE REAR TIRE FLANGE BEARINGS ARE FAILED ON MY 2005 HONDA VTX 1300R MOTORCYCLE AT 20K MILES. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

20091104SUSPENSION

FRONT END WOBBLE. *TR

Mileage: 9,000

20091104STEERING

FRONT END WOBBLE. *TR

Mileage: 9,000

20090819STEERING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA VTX 1300S MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FRONT TIRE EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE WEAR AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE TO ENGAGE IN A PULLING MOTION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT TIRE WAS LEANING TO ONE SIDE. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

Mileage: 10

20090530FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

2005 HONDA VTX 1300R 1 = NORMAL OPERATION 2 = FUEL VALVE LEAK. SAME AS DESCRIBED IN - NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V141000 FOR 2007 HONDA VTX 1300R 3 = DIAPHRAGM REPLACEMENT REQUIRED. THE RESULTING CONDITION AND FIRE HAZARD ON THIS 2005 IS THE SAME AS THE RECALLED YEAR OF 2007 AS WELL AND SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED. THIS IS NOT AN AUTOMOBILE AND AS SUCH OFFERS NO PROTECTION FROM FIRE. THE FUEL LEAKS DIRECTLY ON THE RIDERS LEFT LEG. SURLY THIS SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS A LESS IMPORTANT ISSUE THAN THE 2007-2008 MODELS. *TR

Mileage: 7,000

Compare 2005HONDAVTX1300 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 9 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 HONDA VTX1300 have?
The 2005 HONDA VTX1300 has 54 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 HONDA VTX1300?
The most-complained component for the 2005 HONDA VTX1300 is STEERING with 29 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION and WHEELS.
Is the 2005 HONDA VTX1300 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.