Honda VFR1200F problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
20,541 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 to 2013 model years. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 14 complaints (57.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 42.9% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 14.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Electrical System: 8; Service Brakes: 6; Engine: 4; Power Train: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
2012: 3; 2013: 6; 2015: 1; 2017: 1; 2020: 1; 2024: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 10511572 · 2013-05-12 (May 12, 2013)
REAR BRAKE LIGHT IS IN-OPERABLE DUE TO FRONT BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE. RIDER MUST USE FOOT BRAKE FOR VEHICLES BEHIND HIM TO SEE HE IS BRAKING AT 65 MPH. RIDER CAN ONLY DETERMINE BRAKE SWITCH IS OPERABLE WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS INITIALLY CHECKED AT START-UP. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT WHEN SWITCH BEGINS TO FAIL, SO CHECK AT START-UP IS NOT CONCLUSIVE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,912 miles reported. Look up ODI 10511572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10511573 · 2013-05-12 (May 12, 2013)
REAR BRAKE LIGHT IS IN-OPERABLE DUE TO FRONT BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE. RIDER MUST USE FOOT BRAKE FOR VEHICLES BEHIND HIM TO SEE HE IS BRAKING AT 65 MPH. RIDER CAN ONLY DETERMINE BRAKE SWITCH IS OPERABLE WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS INITIALLY CHECKED AT START-UP. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT WHEN SWITCH BEGINS TO FAIL, SO CHECK AT START-UP IS NOT CONCLUSIVE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 20,082 miles reported. Look up ODI 10511573 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10465502 · 2012-07-13 (July 13, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HONDA VFR1200F MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE APPEARED TO LOOSE POWER BEFORE ACCELERATING RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER COMPLETING A TURN THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED. THE CONTACT RESOLVED THE FAILURE TEMPORARILY BY RESTARTING THE MOTORCYCLE. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE, STATING THAT NO FAILURES WERE FOUN…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10465502 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10490362 · 2012-12-28 (December 28, 2012)
APPLICATION OF THROTTLE MAY EITHER CAUSE THE BIKE TO STUTTER OR SURGE CAUSING THE BIKE TO EITHER STALL OR INCREASE ITS FORWARD MOTION. THE IDLE SPEED IS SOMETIMES INAPPROPRIATELY SET AT 1500 RPMS WITH THE CLUTCH IN AND THE THROTTLE ROLLED ALL THE WAY FORWARD. IT CAN BE 300 MILES BETWEEN INCIDENTS. I HAD A VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH MY YAMAHA R1 THAT WAS FIXED BY A FACTORY RECALL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. OTHER VFR1200 OWNERS ARE REPORTING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THERE IS CURRENTLY NO FIX AT HONDA DEALERS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10490362 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11589672 · 2024-05-20 (May 20, 2024)
The bike is draining the battery, this is my 3rd battery and this drainage isn’t covered under warranty due to the drainage being the bikes fault. The bike will not start a great deal of the time. The wiring was checked by a certified motorcycle mechanic and the issue has not been resolved. Honda of America has been notified and calls to reach back out to me haven’t been made. This has been a recurring incident since May of 2019 when I purchase the bike. Whenever the black double arrow bar(fuel pump indicator) is left if the air temp screen th…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11589672 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11608426 · 2024-08-14 (August 14, 2024)
According to the cert Honda Technician, Brannon Kilbarger recommended that the fuel pump be replaced due to off and on start up issues. I filed a complaint on May 16th, 2024 for this issue with Honda case #[XXX] and with The NHTSA for this issue. I felt that this issue was a defect from the factory since the occurrence happen before I took possession of the bike in 2019 with 8,300 miles and that Honda should service the bike without any cost to me. Honda denied my claim and refused to service my bike. New evidence now shows that the VFR1200F n…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11608426 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10748467 · 2015-08-13 (August 13, 2015)
WHILE I WAS RIDING THRU A RIGHT HAND CURVE AT 55 MPH I HEARD TREMENDOUS VIBRATION FROM THE BIKE. I PULLED IN THE CLUTCH AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP MOMENTARILY. I COASTED TO A STOP. I PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO FIRST GEAR AND TRIED TO MOVE BUT NO FORWARD MOVEMENT WAS POSSIBLE. THE DRIVESHAFT HAD BROKEN AT 23, 000 MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. 23,220 miles reported. Look up ODI 10748467 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
2010: 2; 2012: 2; 2013: 2