Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
310–25K
225–50K
050–75K
075–100K
0100–150K
0150K+
33 reports with mileage · 14 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Steering. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
47 reports
7,000 miles · Jun 16, 2011
Fuel 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 CA…
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #10407079
5,000 miles · May 20, 2011
Steering
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
NHTSA ODI #10402190
6,400 miles · Nov 6, 2010
Wheels
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
NHTSA ODI #10364278
3,000 miles · Jul 9, 2010
Steering
HONDA VTX 1300, HANDLE BARS START TO WOBBLE AT AROUND 40 MPH. DEALER SAID IT WAS FINE !! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10342355
20,000 miles · Jul 5, 2010
Power Train
THE REAR TIRE FLANGE BEARINGS ARE FAILED ON MY 2005 HONDA VTX 1300R MOTORCYCLE AT 20K MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10341472
9,000 miles · Nov 4, 2009
SteeringSuspension
FRONT END WOBBLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10290996
10 miles · Aug 19, 2009
Steering
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 INS…
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #10281099
1 miles · May 30, 2009
SteeringSuspension
WHEN SLOWING DOWN ON MY 2005 HONDA VTX1300 I HAVE A VERY BAD WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END AROUND 45MPH. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR DIES DUE TO THEIR NEGLECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10272426
7,000 miles · May 30, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
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 …
Read full complaint
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
NHTSA ODI #10272418
13,000 miles · May 15, 2009
Steering
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
NHTSA ODI #10268850
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2005 Honda VTX1300 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration