2004 Honda VFR800: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
8,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Wiring is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 3 complaints (66.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 66.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 66.7% |
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:Wiring | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Electrical System:Wiring: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 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: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 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 (3). 0 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 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
2007: 1; 2008: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Wiring leads the component reports. 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10203513 · 2007-09-20 (September 20, 2007)
INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, LOSS OF POWER, LIGHTS, INSTRUMENTS. LOSS OF POWER AND LIGHTS AT NIGHT RESULTED LOST CONTROL OF MOTORCYCLE, WHICH CAME IN CONTACT WITH REFLECTOR/BARRIER ON HIGHWAY. AT HIGHER SPEEDS THIS MAY HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 8,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10203513 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10220836 · 2008-03-11 (March 11, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA VFR800. WHILE RIDING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AND STALLS RANDOMLY. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET ANY OF THE HONDA DEALERS TO REPAIR OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY INFORMED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE HONDA DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 7,000. UPDATED 4/2/08 *CN UPDATED 04/02/08 *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10220836 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10232921 · 2008-07-01 (July 1, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA VFR800. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V359000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, WIRING). WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHUT OFF. WHEN HE EXITED THE FREEWAY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. WHEN HE MERGED BACK ONTO THE FREEWAY, EVERYTHING WORKED NORMALLY, EXCEPT THE SPEEDOMETER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER CONTINUOUSLY FLUCTUATED ON AND OFF. HE DOES NOT WANT TO RIDE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE HE DOES NOT WANT TO GET A SPEEDING TICKET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,550 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232921 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
05V010000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Reported: 2005-01-24 (January 24, 2005)
CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH COMBINED-BRAKE SYSTEMS HAVE A PROPORTIONING CONTROL VALVE (PCV) THAT MECHANICALLY PROPORTIONS BRAKE FORCE WHEN THE REAR BRAKE IS APPLIED. A SEAL IN SOME PCVS IS IMPROPERLY SHAPED, AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR.
Consequence: IF THE MOTORCYCLE CONTINUES TO BE USED AFTER A LEAK OCCURS, THE REAR BRAKE WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE. A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE FORCE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE FORLEAKAGE. IF LEAKAGE IS CONFIRMED, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PCV FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 31, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 866-784-1870.
NHTSA campaign record ↗07V359000 · Electrical System:Wiring
Reported: 2007-08-15 (August 15, 2007)
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE FRONT FAIRING SUB-HARNESS (SECTION OF THE WIRING HARNESS) TRANSFERS THE ELECTRICAL GROUNDING LOAD OF THE HEADLIGHTS, FRONT TURN SIGNALS, INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND VARIOUS RELAYS TO THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS VIA AN 18-PIN CONNECTOR. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE GROUND WIRE TERMINALS INSIDE THE CONNECTOR CAN OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN MELTING OF THE CONNECTOR AND A LOSS OF POWER TO VARIOUS CIRCUITS.
Consequence: AS A RESULT, A LOSS OF CRITICAL LIGHTING OR ENGINE POWER COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RE-DESIGNED SUB-HARNESS. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS WILL ALSO BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED TO OWNERS ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS WERE RE-NOTIFIED ON NOVEMBER 10, 2007, TO TAKE THEIR MOTORCYCLES TO DEALERS TO HAVE THE PARTS INSTALLED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-866-784-1870.
NHTSA campaign record ↗