Honda HONDA MOTORCYCLE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
52 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
5,600 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 to 2003 model years. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 52 complaints (9.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 5.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 5.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 26 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 26; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (26). 22 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 23 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
1995: 2; 2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2002: 2; 2003: 23; 2004: 13; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2012: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10235202 · 2008-07-21 (July 21, 2008)
THE BRAKE ROTOR ON MY 1990 HONDA VT1100 HAS A CRACK 75% OF THE WAY ACROSS IT, MAKING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE UNTIL REPAIRS ARE MADE. I AM REPORTING THIS TO SEE IF THIS IS A TREND WITH THESE MOTORCYCLES BECAUSE THE IS NO APPARENT REASON FOR THE BRAKE ROTOR FAILURE, NO WRECK, NO LAYDOWN, JUST NORMAL OPERATIONS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 43,877 miles reported. Look up ODI 10235202 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019015 · 2003-05-20 (May 20, 2003)
ERRATIC ENGINE PERFORMANCE ALMOST CAUSING NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO HOLD A CONSTANT SPEED AND THROTTLE POSITION, THE BIKE WILL LOSE POWER (AS IF THE GAS WAS SHUTOFF). OPENING THE THROTTLE WILL PRODUCE MORE POWER, CAUSING THE BIKE TO SURGE FORWARD. AFTER DECELERATION IN GEAR USING COMPRESSION BRAKING THERE IS NO THROTTLE RESPONSE, WITH THE INITIAL TURNING OF THE THROTTLE, FOR ACCELERATION. TURNING THE THROTTLE OPEN FURTHER RESULTS IN A BURST OF POWER NOT PROPORTIONAL TO THE TWIST OF THE THROTTLE. WHEN ACCELERATING SLOWLY FROM …
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019015 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039083 · 2003-09-17 (September 17, 2003)
COMPLETE AND UNEXPECTED FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL POWER. TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THIS IS DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN OF VOLTAGE REGULATOR. A WEB SEARCH TURNED UP DOZENS OF INCIDENTS OF THIS TYPE; THE DEFECTIVE PART HAS BEEN IN USE SINCE AT LEAST 1991.(HONDA VFR750F). *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 14,003 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039083 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007340 · 2002-08-22 (August 22, 2002)
ALTERNATOR IS UNABLE TO KEEP THE BATTERY CHARGED IF THE HIGH BEAMS ARE ON. MOTORCYCLE WILL STOP RUNNING WHEN THE BATTERY FINALLY GIVES UP. AFTER 1 AND HALF HORS BIKE WILL LOOSE ALL ELECTRICAL POWER AND FAIL REGARDLESS OF RATE OF TRAVEL. (HONDA MOTORCYCLE VF750, 2001) *AK PH *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**766055
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007340 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10061238 · 2004-03-03 (March 3, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10061238 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10139643 · 2005-10-13 (October 13, 2005)
WHEN RIDING MOTORCYCLE AND STOPPING AT STREET LIGHTS CAN SMELL GAS FUMES, NOT EXHAUST. INSPECTED FOUND WELD AT BOTTOM REAR OF FUEL TANK LEAKING FUEL, HAVE READ ABOUT THIS FAILURE WITH OTHER 2000 RC51S ON INTERNET FORUMS, HONDA HAS NO RECALL!!! WHY NOT?!!!*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10139643 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10163318 · 2006-07-24 (July 24, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A GAS LEAK WAS OBSERVED IN THE REAR WELD OF THE GAS TANK ON THE MOTORCYCLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN ALERTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163318 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038151 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF WITHOUT NOTICE. *AK THE HANDLEBAR WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED TO THE STEERING SHAFT. (FREEPLAY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE BALANCE AND CONTROL OF THE SCOOTER. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 217 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038151 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 0 |
1990: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0; 2003: 0