2005 Honda Vtx1300 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (25) · Suspension (4) · Wheels (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Honda Vtx1300 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
33 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (6)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Air Bags 2014-08-06 · DLR MSG - Honda · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dealer message - on monday, june 23, 2014, american honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 honda models. as of august 4, 2014, affected vins have been identified, and vin status inquiry has been updated.
Air Bags 2014-07-23 · DLR MSG - Stop S · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dealer message - on monday, june 23, 2014, american honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 honda models. as of july 23, 2014, affected vins have been identified, and service bulletins 14-040, safety recall: accord, civic, and others ? front passenger?s airbag inflator can be over-pressur
Electrical System:starter Assembly 2012-01-12 · SB-12-002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
honda: on some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (ast) module capable of testing alternators, installed on gr8 diagnostic battery station. *pe
Equipment:other:labels 2008-05-31 · 08-040 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
load carrying capacity reduced label for all honda vehicles. *pe
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel 2008-05-09 · SB-06-085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
honda: warranty extension-vehicle warranty mileage. class action lawsuit alleging that the odometers on certain 2002-2006 honda models were overstating mileage. federal court provided final approval of settlement on 12/29/07. no models listed. *pe
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan 2005-11-01 · 11012005 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
cooling fan ground. honda the wrench. *tt
What owners report
2021-05-12 · Steering · 1 mi“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.…”
2017-11-28 · Steering · 16,200 mi“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…”
2015-01-10 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 14,000 mi“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 motorcycl…”
2014-11-08 · Wheels“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 li…”
2013-10-27 · Steering · 6,208 mi“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 …”
2013-04-26 · Power Train · 38,700 mi“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 …”
2012-09-20 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 1,536 mi“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 presentl…”
2012-05-24 · Steering · 19,800 mi“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 pr…”
2012-01-29 · Steering · 31,000 mi · 💥 crash“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. …”
2011-08-26 · Steering · 20,000 mi · 💥 crash“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 f…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.