2004 Honda VTX1300 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
78 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
4,860 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 52 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 78 complaints (30.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 12 | 15.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 24 |
| Suspension | 13 |
| Suspension:Front | 10 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
Steering: 24; Suspension: 13; Suspension:Front: 10; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 9; Vehicle Speed Control: 9; Electrical System: 3; Power Train:Driveline: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 49 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 49; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 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 (49). 26 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 25 |
| 2005 | 18 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2003: 2; 2004: 25; 2005: 18; 2006: 11; 2007: 1; 2008: 5; 2009: 3; 2010: 1; 2011: 6; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2020: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 10052367 · 2004-01-04 (January 4, 2004)
2004 HONDA CRF-50 DIRT BIKE, RIGHT FRONT FORK SHAFT IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SAFELY SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE BIKE DUEING NORMAL OPERATION. THE SLIGHTEST IMPACT SUCH AS FALLING OVER WHILE MOVING AT SPEEDS FOUND AT LESS THAN FULL THRODDLE IN FIRST GEAR, SUCH AS A BEGINNER WOULD USE, WILL CAUSE THE FRONT FORK SHAFTS TO BEND RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POTENTIAL HARMFUL CONDITION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10052367 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10074565 · 2004-12-07 (December 7, 2004)
STEERING PROBLEM - STEERING WHEEL/HANDLEBARS: FRONT HANDLEBARS WOBBLE TO THE POINT OF BEING UNCONTROLABLE AT BETWEEN SPEEDS OF 35 TO 45 MPH. THIS HAPPENED RECENTLY WHILE EXITING A HIGHWAY AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND END UP GOING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. IT IS USUALLY NOT AS NOTICABLE WHEN YOU HOLD ON TO THE HANDLEBAR TIGHTLY WITH BOTH HANDS, BUT WHEN YOU HOLD IT WITH ONE HAND, OR IF YOU SHOULD HAVE AN OCCASION TO LET GO ALL-TOGETHER SUCH AS IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, YOU MAY DEFINITELY HAVE AN ACCIDENT IF TRAVELING …
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10074565 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10124945 · 2005-06-10 (June 10, 2005)
DT: CONSUMER BOUGHT A HONDA MOTORCYCLE VLX 600. WAS NOT ABLE TO RIDE MOTORCYCLE BEFORE PURCHASE. IT HAD FOUR SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. IN FIRST GEAR THE MOTORCYCLE WILL STALL IF IT HAS NOT REVVED TO A HIGH RPMS. CONSUMER STATED HE HAS ALMOST BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND WHEN MOTORCYCLE STALLED DUE TO TRYING TO FOLLOW A SLOW VEHICLE. WHEN IT REVVED TOO HIGH AND CONSUMER RELEASED CLUTCH THEN IT SNAPPED AS IF TO RIDE A WHEEL. CONSUMER SAID THAT MOTORCYCLE NEEDED FIVE GEARS,WAS UNSAFE WITH FOUR.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10124945 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10134147 · 2005-08-25 (August 25, 2005)
BOUGHT MOTORCYCLE IN SEPT. 2004. THE IGNITION/STARTER FUSE HAS BLOWN DUE TO AN INTERMITTANT ELECTRICAL SHORT 5 TIMES. DEALER HAS TRIED TO LOCATE PROBLEM 3 TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. AFTER SECOND TRY, THEY'RE SUGGESTION TO REMEDY IT WAS TO CARRY A LOT OF FUSES. BIKE JUST DIES WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS A HAZARD TO ME, MY PASSENGER, AND VEHICLES AROUND ME.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,670 miles reported. Look up ODI 10134147 at NHTSA ↗