Honda Vtx1300 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Honda Vtx1300 options? We analyzed 7 model years (2003–2009) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Honda Vtx1300 has 231 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls across model years 2003–2009. The most reported issue area is STEERING. 2004 drew the most complaints; 2003 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Honda
- Model
- Vtx1300
- Model years analyzed
- 2003–2009 (7 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 231
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Crash-related complaints
- 6
- Fire-related complaints
- 0
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2004 (76 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2003 (34 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- STEERING
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Honda Vtx1300: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe HONDA VTX1300 has 231 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. 6 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 231 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 2 federal recall campaigns
- 6 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
2 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2003–2009. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 231 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
231 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
AFTER 4 YEARS OF USE, THE ODOMETER BLACKENED OUT TO THE POINT THAT I HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING MY MILEAGE. I REPLACED IT, AND NOW THE REPLACEMENT IS ALSO TOO DARK TO READ! I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF I AM RUNNING OUT OF GAS, NO WAY TO KNOW WHEN TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED, NO WAY TO KNOW WHEN THE OIL SHOULD BE CHANGED, NO WAY TO KNOW IF IT IS TIME FOR ANY OTHER SAFETY CHECKS. I CONTACTED HONDA, THEY TOLD ME I SHOULD KEEP THE MOTORCYCLE IN THE GARAGE, AWAY FROM SUNLIGHT!?! I AM VERY RELUCTANT TO USE IT ON THE FREEWAYS ANYMORE, BECAUSE I WILL NOT KNOW WHEN I AM ABOUT TO RUN OUT OF GAS. THE ODOMETER IS A LCD PANEL, NOT A GOOD DESIGN.SEE PICTURE.
FRONT WHEEL WOBBLES WHEN COASTING AND I LET GO OF THE HANDLE BARS. WOBBLE IS VIOLENT BUT STOOPS WHEN I GRAB THE HANDLE BARS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA VTX1300C MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL CONTROL VALVE. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V1410000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 750.
The fuel system petcock of my 2007 Honda VTX1300 motorcycle leaks fuel when positioned "on", as well as " on reserverve". This poses a safety issue in the event that an ignition source is near. My motorcycle has been backfiring, not maintaining idle, and spits and sputters when taking off. The spitting and sputtering has been happening since I bought the bike in 2008. I attributed it to cold starts. Until recently, when I noticed the leaking fuel from the petcock. There are no warning lights to alert me this issue.
MY 2007 HONDA VTX-1300C HAS A WOBBLE WHICH IS ONLY NOTICEABLE WHEN DECELERATING FROM 50 MILES PER HOUR. I FOUND OUT THAT MOST IF NOT ALL OF THE HONDA VTX SERIES MOTORCYCLE HAVE HAD CHEAP BEARINGS PUT IN THE FRONT FORKS. USUALLY THE BAD BEARINGS WEAR OUT WITHIN A YEAR'S TIME, BUT SINCE I BOUGHT THE BIKE USED IN 2020 THIS PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIXED. THIS PROBLEM IS EASILY CORRECTED BY PUTTING IN TAPERED BEARINGS IN!
FRONT END WOBBLE UPON DECELERATION AT AROUND 30MPH. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL OWNERS OF LIKE MACHINES WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM.
Read 14 more owner reports
MY 2007 HONDA 1300 VTX DEVELOPS A VIOLENT WHEEL WOBBLE UPON ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION AT AROUND 40MPH. THIS ISSUE WEARS TIRES AND IS VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO REACT TO THE PROBLEM.I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER 1300 VTX OWNERS AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. HONDA DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM AND DOES NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. HONDA SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF PARTS AND REPLACEMENT OF FRONT TIRES WHICH SHOW UNREASONABLE WEAR IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND LOW MILEAGE ON HE TIRES.
UPON DECELERATION ABOVE 45MPH THE HANDLEBARS WILL SHAKE SIDE TO SIDE VIOLENTLY. THE LAST INCIDENT CAUSED A WRIST INJURY TRYING TO STOP THE SHAKING HANDLEBARS. MOTORCYCLE CAN BE TRAVELLING IN A STRAIGHT LINE OR IN A TURN TO DUPLICATE THE CONCERN. ANY ROAD SURFACE CAN BE USED TO DUPLICATE ISSUE. THIS CONCERN HAS NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH ON A FEW OCCASIONS. MOTORCYCLE HAS NOT BEEN RIDDEN SINCE LAST INCIDENT FOR FEAR OF CRASHING. DON'T WANT TO SELL THE MOTORCYCLE TO SOMEONE WITH SUCH A DANGEROUS ISSUE!
WHEN DECELERATING TO BELOW 50MPH THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC IT IS A VERY CONCERNING FEELING TO THINK IT MIGHT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
THERE IS A CONSENT STEERING SHIMMY BETWEEN 40-45 MPH. MAKES FOR DANGEROUS HANDLING. *TR
WHILE RIDING THE BIKE NOTICED THAT THERE IS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL VALVE DIAPHRAGM. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE HONDA DEALER SHIP FOR REPAIR IN ALLEN TX BUT THEY STATED THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. WHERE AS THE NHTSA'S WEBSITE SHOWS THERE IS A RECALL. I WILL FURTHER REPORT THIS TO HONDA. *TR
FELT STEERING GO UNSTABLE TAKING A TURN. THEN DRIVING STRAIGHT LIFTED HANDS OFF THE HANDLE BARS AND NOTICE A VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE HANDLE BARS. HAD MY MECHANIC CHECK THE BIKE OUT. HE COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH TIRES, LOOSE NUTS OR BOLTS, MISS-ALIGNED PARTS OR EQUIPMENT. HE SAID HE TOO NOTICED WOBBLING AND UNSTABLE STEERING IN FRONT END. HE SUGGESTED THE BEARING NEED TO BE REPLACED AS THIS IS A DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION. *TR
FRONT END SHAKES, WOBBLES AND VIBRATES VIOLENTLY, WHEN YOU LOOSEN YOUR HAND PRESSURE FROM THE HANDLE BAR GRIPS. IT WILL ABSOLUTELY GO "OUT OF CONTROL" IF YOU DON'T HOLD ON TIGHTLY TO THE HANDLE BARS. THIS OCCURS AT ANY AND ALL SPEEDS. (20 TO 90 MPH). THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG HERE. THE PREVIOUS OWNER NOW ADMITS HE NOTICED THIS PROBLEM AT 300 MILES, AND DIDN'T FEEL SAFE TO RIDE IT ANY MORE! HENCE THE LOW MILEAGE, FOR A 7 YEAR OLD MOTORCYCLE. I CAN NOW SEE EXCESSIVE FRONT TIRE TREAD WEAR, ON THE LEFT SIDE OF CENTER. I HAVE TO REPLACE THIS TIRE NOW. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA VTX 1300 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WOBBLE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BEARINGS WOULD NEED TO BE RE-TORQUED AND THE FRONT TIRE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 950 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,200.
FRONT END WOBBLE ON DECELERATION. *TR
SEVERE WOBBLE STARTED AT ONLY 6000 MILES ON THE BIKE! IT HITS AT AROUND 40 MPH; IT IS SO BAD THAT THE HANDLEBARS WILL 'HOP' BACK AND FORTH AND THE BIKE WILL SHAKE. THE STOCK STEERING BEARINGS ARE FAULTY YET HONDA CLAIMS NOTHING IS WRONG AND WILL ONLY REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER STOCK BEARING. THIS IS A KNOWN MAJOR ISSUE AMONG VTX OWNERS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA VTX 1300 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN EITHER DECELERATING OR ACCELERATING, THE HANDLE BARS WOULD WOBBLE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS AND WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
SINCE ABOUT 500 MILES INTO THE PURCHASE OF THIS BIKE I NOTICED A SLIGHT WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END WHEN TRAVELING WHENEVER I SLIGHTLY TOOK PRESSURE OFF THE HANDLE BARS. THIS WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END ( SHAKING FROM SIDE TO SIDE ) HAS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE UP THIS DAY. JUST YESTERDAY I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO PULL OUT CHANGE WITH ONE HAND TO PAY A TOLL FEE WHILE THE OTHER HAND WAS STILL ON THE OPPOSITE HANDLE BAR. AT THE POINT I LET GO OF THE HANDLE BAR WITH THE ONE HAND ,THE FRONT END WAS SHAKING SO BAD THAT IF I WOULD NOT OF GRABBED THE OTHER SIDE AGAIN QUICKLY! , I BELIEVE THE FRONT END WOULD OF TWISTED UP AND THE BIKE AND I WOULD OF BEEN SLIDING DOWN THE BRIDGE. NOT GOOD. I'VE BEEN ASKING AROUND SINCE THIS BEGAN WITHOUT ANY SOLID ANSWER , BUT I DID NOTICE TODAY THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE CONCURS WITH THIS SAME TYPE OF CONCERN POSTED ON THE WEB SINCE 2007. SO IF A SOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND, THAN I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IT IS. IF NOTHING HAS BEEN ADDRESSED WITH THE MANUFACTURE YET , I WOULD HOPE THAT THIS GOVERNMENT DIVISION HAD SHOWED THERE TEETH ABOUT THIS OBVIOUS AND CONSISTENT CONCERN AND IS DOING TO SOMETHING TO PREVENT WHAT IS PREVENTABLE. HAVE A FANTASTIC DAY! AND GO RATTLE SOME CAGES! *TR
2007 HONDA VTX1300C MOTORCYCLE. STEERING COMPLAINT. "HEAD SHAKE" OR "WOBBLE" FROM HANDLEBARS WHEN DECELERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. ALSO WHEN NOT GRIPPING BARS TIGHTLY. ALSO WHEN TURNING. DANGEROUS AS OCCASIONALLY WOBBLE BECOMES SEVERE ENOUGH THAT ENDS OF HANDLE BARS MOVE 3-5" FORE TO AFT. *TR
I OWN A 2007 VTX1300 PURCHASED WITH 5 MILES ON THE CLOCK - IT NOW HAS NEARLY 12000. AT APPROX 2000 MILES I EXPERIENCED WOBBLE ON THE HANDLEBARS WHEN I SLIGHTLY MOVED MY HANDS FROM THE GRIP, THIS WOULD GET EXTREME IF MY HANDS WERE LEFT OFF OR HELD LIGHTLY TO THE EXTENT THAT I WOULD HAVE CRASHED IF NOT REGRIPPED AND HELD FIRMLY SO NOT DONE AGAIN, HOWEVER AS I PUT MORE MILES ON THE BIKE THE WOBBLE IS PERMANANT AT AROUND 5000 MILES WHICH IS MORE PRONOUNCED ON DEACCELERATION AT APPROX 40 MPH, I ALSO EXPERIENCED A FRIGHTENING OCCURANCE WHILE TOURING IN GERMANY ON THE MOTORWAY THERE WAS A SWEEPING LONG BEND WHICH THE BIKE STARTED WOBBLING ON THE FRONT HANDLEBARS AND NEARLY LOST CONTROL, I ALSO EXPERIENCE THE ODD CLUNK WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, LOOKING AT INFO ON THE NET IT POINTS TO A FAULT IN THE NECK/STEERING BEARINGS WHERE THE BALL TYPE BEARINGS HAVE BEEN USED AS OPPOSED TO THE 1800 VTX WHICH HAD THE ROLLER TYPE FITTED AND APPEAR NOT TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM, THERE IS A LOT OF INFO ON THE NET WHERE VTX1300 OWNERS HAVE CHANGED TO THIS ROLLER TYPE TO FIND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ELIMINATED.. I HAVE TO EMPHASISE THAT THIS FAULT APPEARS TO BE COMMON AND LIVES PUT AT RISK - I CERTAINLY CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY THAT TIME IN GERMANY AND SO DOES MY WIFE WHO WAS SAT ON THE BACK (ALL TYRE PRESSURES CORRECT AND GOOD, NOT OVERLOADED) I WILL BE CHANGING MY FRONT TYRE AS A START BUT AS THIS WOBBLE WAS THERE WITH LITTLE MILEAGE IT CERTAINLY WILL STILL BE THERE. *TR
Showing 20 of 231 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Honda Vtx1300
These pages show model-year patterns across 7 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Honda Vtx1300, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Honda Vtx1300 has 231 complaints on record across 7 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Honda Vtx1300 has 2 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 6 of the Honda Vtx1300's 231 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Honda Vtx1300 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Honda Vtx1300 vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Honda Vtx1300 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Honda Vtx1300.
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Honda Vtx1300 reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Honda Vtx1300 reliable?
Poor. The Honda Vtx1300 has 231 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is STEERING. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Honda Vtx1300 years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2004 (76 complaints), 2005 (47 complaints), 2007 (36 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Honda Vtx1300 problems?
Top reported issues: STEERING (125 complaints); SUSPENSION (58 complaints); VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (16 complaints).
Does the Honda Vtx1300 have recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Honda Vtx1300. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.