2004 Honda Vtx1300 Problems

Notable Issues

Used HONDA VTX1300 shoppers should review this model-year complaint and recall record before making an offer. Based on 76 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Steering Defects the most reported area.

20035 years2005

Before you buy

This 2004 Honda Vtx1300 has 76 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Steering Defects.

A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.

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76
Complaints
2
Crashes
β€”
Fires
2
Injuries
β€”
Fatalities
β€”
Recalls
Quick Answer

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2004 Honda Vtx1300 has 76 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Steering Defects. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.

2004 Honda Vtx1300 β€” key reliability facts
Make
Honda
Model
Vtx1300
Model year
2004
NHTSA owner complaints
76
Crash-related complaints
2
Safety recall campaigns
0
Top reported component
Steering Defects
Reliability signal
Notable Issues

Common problems

Most common 2004 Honda Vtx1300 problems

Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.

#1
33
complaints

Steering Defects

Crash-related:1
Injuries:1
#2
25
complaints

Suspension Failures

Injuries:1
#3
9
complaints

Unintended Acceleration

Complaint patterns center on Steering Defects, Suspension Failures, Unintended Acceleration. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.

Buyer verdict

Should you buy a used 2004 Honda Vtx1300?

This HONDA VTX1300 year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection.

Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs.

May Suit

This year may suit buyers who prioritize complete maintenance records and pass a pre-purchase inspection.

May Want to Avoid

Buyers who want a lower-risk ownership profile may prefer comparing nearby model years before committing.

Pre-purchase

What to check before buying a used 2004 Honda Vtx1300

Inspection Focus

  • Inspect the most frequently reported complaint components on this model year
  • Confirm recall repairs were completed and documented
  • Check for accident damage, title brands, and mileage inconsistencies on the exact VIN

Before You Close the Deal

  • 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

Check the exact car

Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.

Before buying a used 2004 Honda Vtx1300, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.

AI verdict

What the complaint data suggests

Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

The HONDA VTX1300 has 76 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. 2 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Recall context: No recalls are currently on record in this dataset, but buyers should still verify recall status by VIN because campaigns can be added later.

Key Findings
  • 76 total complaints filed with NHTSA
  • 0 federal recall campaigns
  • 2 crash-related complaints on record
Top Concerns
  • Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
  • Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Verify service records for frequently complained components
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect Complaint volume is influenced by sales volume β€” popular models naturally accumulate more complaints

Full breakdown

All 2004 Honda Vtx1300 complaints by category

Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Honda Vtx1300. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Steering Defects331β€”β€”
Suspension Failures25β€”β€”β€”
Unintended Acceleration9β€”β€”β€”
Transmission / Drivetrain6β€”β€”β€”
Wheel Issues51β€”β€”
Electrical Faults4β€”β€”β€”
Uncategorized Issues3β€”β€”β€”
Fuel System1β€”β€”β€”
Gasoline1β€”β€”β€”
Tire Issues1β€”β€”β€”
Structural Problems1β€”β€”β€”
Engine Problems1β€”β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

In their words

Real owner complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Honda Vtx1300. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

Showing 76 most recent complaints

Steering DefectsJun 24, 2020

MY FRONT END WOBBLES BAD WHEN I'M SLOWING DOWN. IT HAPPENS ON BOTH CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.I REPLACED THE FRONT AND BACK TIRES AND HAD THEM BALANCED. NOTHING CHANGED. I'VE RESEARCHED IT AND IT'S APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 1300 MODELS AND REPLACING THE UPPER AND LOWER …

Suspension FailuresMar 4, 2018

THERE IS A SEVERE FRONT END WOBBLE WHEN DECELERATING FROM 50+ MPH. THE ENTIRE FRONT END SHAKES TO THE POINT THAT CONTROL IS ALMOST LOST. IT IS ALSO CAUSING THE TIRE ON THE FRONT TO WEAR UNEVENLY AND AT A VERY FAST RATE. THE BIKE HAS LESS THAN 6000 MILES ON IT AS OF MARCH OF 2018.

Steering DefectsMay 24, 2016

ON 2004 HONDA VTX1300C MOTORCYCLE, FRONT TIRE DEVELOPS A SEVERE SHIMMY WHEN DECELERATING FROM 40-50 MPH. HAVE REPORTED PROBLEM TO HONDA REPAIR CENTER AND TECH'S STATE THEY DO NOT KNOW CAUSE OF PROBLEM WHERE MANY FORUMS ONE STATED TO REPLACE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WITH VTX 1800 TAPE…

Suspension FailuresJul 10, 2014

REMOVED THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS TO HAVE NEW TIRES INSTALLED. NOTICED THE FINAL DRIVE FLANGE BEARINGS SEAL TOWARD WHEEL, WAS TORN OPEN AS IF THE SEAL HAD MELTED AND THE BEARINGS WERE DRY AND VERY ROUGH TO TURN. PROBLEM IS, I REPLACED THE BEARINGS AND FELT RESISTANCE WHEN TURNI…

Wheel IssuesApr 2, 2012

THIS PART IS MOUNTED TO THE RIM OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND CONNECTS TO THE DRIVE SHAFT . THE HOUSING THAT THE FLANGE BEARINGS PRESS INTO IS BORED TO TIGHT CAUSING THE BEARINGS TO BE CRUSHED AND NOT BE SMOOTH LIKE THEY SHOULD BE . I PURCHASED BRAND NEW BEARINGS AND HAD THE DEALER PUT T…

Steering DefectsSep 27, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA VTX1300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HANDLE BAR WOBBLED EXCESSIVELY WHEN DRIVING 35 MPH AND ABOVE. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE BUT THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE STEERING ST…

Steering DefectsSep 3, 2011

JUST PURCHASED THIS BIKE I'M 2ND OWNER, AND WHILE INSPECTING THIS BIKE I NOTICED THAT LEFT SIDE OF FRONT TIRE WAS COMPLETELY WORN BUT RIGHT SIDE HAD TREAD, SO I REPLACED WITH NEW DUNLOP TIRES FRONT AND REAR AND AFTER DRIVING HAVING ONLY 300 MILES ON BIKE ONE DAY I LET GO OF LEFT …

Steering DefectsJul 25, 2011

THERE IS A FRONT FORK WOBBLE ON MY 2004 HONDA VTX MOTORCYCLE. THIS IS COUPLED WITH EXTREMELY FAST WEAR ON THE FRONT TIRES. THE WOBBLE IS MOST NOTICEABLE BETWEEN 20 - 50 MPH, AND MORE PREVALENT WHEN COASTING TO A STOP. IT IS BAD ENOUGH AT TIME TO CAUSE A CONTROL ISSUE WHEN GOING A…

Suspension FailuresJul 22, 2011

REPLACING REAR TIRE ON 2004 HONDA VTX 1300C. CHECKING WHEEL AND FLANGE BEARINGS AT THIS TIME. THE FLANGE BEARINGS ARE ROUGH TURNING AND ONE BEARING IS FALLING APART. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS ONLY 16,000 MILES ON IT. REPLACING FLANGE BEARINGS WITH A NEW SET OF AFTERMARKET BEARINGS. …

Steering DefectsMay 31, 2011

I HAVE A 2004 HONDA VTX 1300 AND WHILE DECELERATING, USUALLY BETWEEN 50 AND 30 MILES PER HOUR, THE HANDLE BARS AND FRONT END STARTS TO WOBBLE. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS ON A MOTORCYCLE. *TR

Transmission / DrivetrainJan 28, 2011

2004 HONDA VTX 1300. BEARING FLANGE FAILURE ON THE REAR WHEEL. APPROX. 50,000 MILES BEFORE IT GOT REAL NOTICEABLE REAL FAST. THE BEARING FLANGE COST 249.00. CANT FIND A CROSS REFERENCE TO THE BEARING USED, SO HAD TO PURCHASE THE WHOLE FLANGE ASSY. *TR

Steering DefectsJun 7, 2010

2004 HONDA VTX 1300C. FRONT END SHAKE AND WOBBLE.THE WOBBLE IS BETWEEN 35-50 MPH. NEW TAPERED BEARINGS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

Steering DefectsNov 1, 2009

ON 2004 HONDA VTX1300C MOTORCYCLE, FRONT TIRE DEVELOPS A SEVERE SHIMMY WHEN DECELERATING FROM 40-50 MPH. HAVE REPORTED PROBLEM TO HONDA REPAIR CENTER AND TECH'S STATE THEY DO NOT KNOW CAUSE OF PROBLEM WHERE MANY FORUMS DISCUSS ISSUE IN DETAIL. *TR

Transmission / DrivetrainMay 26, 2009

I HAVE A 2004 HONDA VTX 1300C WITH 14,483 MILES ON IT. I CHECKED THE BEARINGS IN REAR WHEEL AS I WAS PUTTING A NEW TIRE ON. THE BEARINGS ARE SO BAD IT VERY HARD TO TURN THEM BY HAND. I'M 51 YEARS OLD AND PUT OVER 300,000 MILES ON BIKES. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN SUCH …

Fuel SystemApr 17, 2009

LEAKING FUEL VALVE ON A 2004 HONDA VTX 1300. EXACT SAME DESCRIPTION AS THE 2007 MODEL YEAR. *TR

Electrical FaultsNov 5, 2008

THE SPEEDOMETER IS OFF BY APPROXIMATELY 9-10% (READS FASTER THAN ACTUAL SPEED). THIS CREATES A SAFETY ISSUE WITH OTHER DRIVERS BEHIND YOU TAILGATING, PASSING YOU IN ROAD RAGE TYPE MANNERS AND CREATES AN OVERALL SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU ARE IMPEDING TRAFFIC AND DON'T KNOW IF YOUR DR…

Steering DefectsSep 24, 2008

MY 2004 HONDA VTX 1300C HAS A BAD VIBRATION WHEN DECELERATING FROM 50 TO 40 MPH. SEVERAL TIME THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DUE TO VIBRATION DURING A CURVE. ACCORDING TO MY REPAIR GUY THIS IS DUE TO A POOR DESIGN IN THE STEERING BEARING IN THE TRIPLE TREE ON THE 1300S. AP…

Steering DefectsJul 22, 2008

I HAVE A 2004 HONDA VTX 1300CC MOTORCYCLE, WHICH HAS DEVELOPED A LARGE PROBLEM IN THE STEERING (WOBBLE). THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED BY HUNDREDS OF OWNERS THAT I HAVE SEEN ON THE WEB. I AM REPLACING THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE STEERING STEM BEARINGS TO AVOID BEING KILLED. TH…

Steering DefectsApr 3, 2008

HONDA VTX 1300C HAS A SERIOUS FRONT END WOBBLE THAT IMPEDES THE SAFE OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE AT SPEEDS OF 40 MILES PER HOUR. I HAVE REPLACED TIRES AND REPLACED FORK SPRINGS/OIL. STILL FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY. THIS STARTED AROUND 7,000 MILES .I'M CURRENTLY AT 20,000 AND WANTE…

Steering DefectsJan 16, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA VTX1300. WHILE DRIVING 40-70, THE HANDLE BAR WOULD SHAKE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRES CAUSED THE FAILURE. THEY REPLACED THE TIRES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CUR…

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Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2004 Honda Vtx1300.

Safety recalls

2004 Honda Vtx1300 recalls

0 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2004 Honda Vtx1300. No recalls are currently on record in this dataset, but buyers should still verify recall status by VIN because campaigns can be added later. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.

No recall campaigns on record

No NHTSA recalls were found for this model year. Recalls can be added at any time β€” confirm open-recall status on the exact VIN or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Across model years

Compare Honda Vtx1300 model years

Compare complaint and recall volume across years to see whether 2004 lands in a lower-risk or higher-risk part of the model timeline.

Research more

Keep researching before you buy

Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.

Questions

2004 Honda Vtx1300 buying FAQ

Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.

Is the 2004 Honda Vtx1300 reliable?β–Ύ

Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 76 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns for this model year. This HONDA VTX1300 year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Honda Vtx1300?β–Ύ

#1: Steering Defects (33 complaints). #2: Suspension Failures (25 complaints). #3: Unintended Acceleration (9 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Honda Vtx1300?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2004 Honda Vtx1300?β–Ύ

Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2004 Honda Vtx1300, NHTSA complaints include 2 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 76 total complaints. 2 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2004 Honda Vtx1300 have any recalls?β–Ύ

No NHTSA recall campaigns were found for the 2004 Honda Vtx1300 in the current data. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.

Should I buy a 2004 Honda Vtx1300?β–Ύ

This HONDA VTX1300 year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs. Pay extra attention to Steering Defects during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Honda Vtx1300 reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Owner Reliability Rating

Rate the 2004 Honda Vtx1300 based on your ownership experience.

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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.

Before you buy

Check the exact vehicle history before you buy

Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.