2003 Honda HONDA MOTORCYCLE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
2,161 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 28 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Suspension:Rear | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 1 |
Unknown Or Other: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Suspension:Rear: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan: 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 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 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 (14). 12 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 | 15 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2003: 15; 2004: 8; 2005: 2; 2008: 1; 2012: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10020213 · 2003-05-20 (May 20, 2003)
SINCE THE FIRST DAY OF PURCHASE, THE MOTORCYCLE CONSTANTLY OVER HEATED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING THE FROM VEHICLE. THE DEALER SERVICED THEN PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. VEHICLE IS 2003 HONDA REFLEX 250. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020213 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020786 · 2003-05-31 (May 31, 2003)
THE MOTORCYCLE AND MANY OF THE SAME MODELS HAVE A HEAT ISSUE. THE BIKE DOES NOT OVER HEAT, BUT IT OVER HEATS THE DRIVER. IN 85 DEGREE WEATHER, THE HEAT COMING FROM THE ENGINE VENTS IS UNBEARABE. IT HEATS THE DRIVER FROM THE SHINS TO THE CROTCH. WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENED, I EXPECTD TO PULL DOWN MY PANTS AND HAVE BURNS ON MY LEGS AND CROTCH AREA. I TOOK THE BIKE TO MY DEALER AND THEY AGREE WITH ME, THEY CALLED HONDA AND HONDA SAYS THEY ARE NOT DOING ANY THING ABOUT IT. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ADDRESSED IN THE MAJOR MOTOCYCLE MAGAZINES,A ND IS ALL OVER…
Owner-reported narrative. 890 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020786 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020811 · 2003-05-31 (May 31, 2003)
2003 HONDA ST1300A3. MOTORCYCLE EMITTED TOO MUCH ENGINE/RADIATOR HEAT ON THE RIDERS LOWER LEGS. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 4,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020811 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023808 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
2001 HONDA SHADOW SABRE 1100CC MOTORCYCLE... STARTER SWITCH BURNS OUT WHEN LIGHTS ARE WIRED. PUSHED SALE OF LIGHTS( FOG AND POSITION LIGHTS) FROM DEALERS , OWNERS NOT TOLD OF LOW AMPRAGE RATE ON STARTER SWITCHES! LOW AMP RATED SWITCHES ARE USED IN THESE MOTORCYCLES. LEADS TO START FAILURE, EXPENSIVE TOWING,AND HIGH MAITENANCE COST. FIRE. LOSS OF CONTROL, AND HIGHWAY ACCIDENTS POSSIBLE! HEADLIGHTS ARE WIRED THRU STARTER SWITCH!???*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 19,575 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023808 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024044 · 2003-06-13 (June 13, 2003)
THE MOTOR CYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. DEALER STATED THAT SPEEDOMETER WAS 10% INACCURATE. THE SPEEDOMETER WAS REPLACED ON 6/13/2003. SPEEDOMETER IS STILL INACCURATE. HONDA SABRE 2003. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033038 · 2003-08-18 (August 18, 2003)
INCURABLE (UNABLE TO FIX) EXHAUST SMELL FROM NEW MOTORCYCLE! IN RIGHT CONDITIONS THE SMELL IS STRONG ENOUGH TO GIVE ME A HEADACHE AND STOMACH ILLNESS. I OWN A 2003 HONDA CB900F3 ALSO KNOW AS A MODEL 919. MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND HONDA WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM SELLING MY MOTORCYCLE AND PURCHASING ANOTHER AS A PERMANENT CURE TO THIS ISSUE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033038 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033058 · 2003-08-18 (August 18, 2003)
EXHAUST FROM MOTORCYCLE CAUSES ME TO GET TIRED AND LIGHT-HEADED. IT ALSO SMELLS REALLY BAD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033058 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.