2005 Honda VTX1300: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 47 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (68% of complaints).
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
47
owner complaints
0
fire reports
7,000
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No fire reportsNo recall campaignsWeak spot: steering (68%)Problems reported early (median 7,000 mi)
Common problems
Computed from 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Steering (steering wheel, rack, power assist)68% · 32 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)6% · 3 complaints
Wheels (wheels, lug nuts, bearings)6% · 3 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)6% · 3 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System (fuel pump, tank, lines)4% · 2 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline (fuel pump, tank, lines)4% · 2 complaints
“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.”Owner report · Steering · May 2021
“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”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2017
“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”Owner report · Wheels · May 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2013
“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”Owner report · Steering · May 2012
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2011
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · Jun 2011
“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”Owner report · Steering · May 2011
“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”Owner report · Wheels · Nov 2010
“Front fork wobble on '05 honda vtx 1300r. On going problem. Front end wobbles on deceleration at speeds of around 45 mph. Makes controlling of motorcycle hard to handle especially on corners. *tr”Owner report · Steering · May 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2005 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
Cylinders2
FuelGasoline
TransmissionManual/Standard
Body stylesMotorcycle - Cruiser
How other years compare
Check your exact VTX1300 by VIN
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Is the 2005 Honda VTX1300 reliable?
NHTSA has 47 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Honda VTX1300. The most complained-about area is steering (68% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Honda VTX1300 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 7,000 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.