2004 Victory KINGPIN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
2,550 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 4 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 100.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 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 | 4 |
| 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: 4; 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 (4). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
2004: 2; 2005: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 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 10096542 · 2004-10-28 (October 28, 2004)
2004 VICTORY KINGPIN MOTORCYCLE, REAR BRAKES AFTER ONLY 2,500 MILES ARE DOWN TO THE METAL. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL AND VICTORY (POLARIS) WILL NOT COVER UNDER THIS WARRANTY. DOES NOT HAS A FIX TO PREVENT THESE BRIMBO BRAKES FROM WARRING OUT SO QUICKLY. IF AN OWNER OF ONE OF THESE BIKES IS NOT AWARE OF HOW FAST THESE BRAKES WARE OUT THEY COULD HAVE A FATAL ACCIDENT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100322 · 2004-11-22 (November 22, 2004)
UNEVEN WEAR ON REAR BRAKE ROTOR AND EXCESSIVE HEATING OF ROTOR WITH NO BRAKE USAGE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 540 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100322 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130816 · 2005-08-01 (August 1, 2005)
REAR BRAKE FAILURE ON 2004 KINGPIN AT 2600 MILES. BRAKE PADS ARE WORN TO METAL BACKING PLATES, FINAL "WEAR OUT" OCCURRED OVER A PERIOD OF DAYS. FRONT BRAKES SEEM TO BE FINE EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE USED FOR ALMOST ALL BRAKING ON A MOTORCYCLE AS PER THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF ALL MOTORCYCLE SAFETY INSTRUCTORS. HAVE RIDDEN MOTORCYCLES FOR 35 YEARS AND NEVER GONE THROUGH REAR BRAKES IN UNDER A YEAR AND 2600 MILES. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT REPORTED BY NUMEROUS PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT VICTORY MOTORCYCLE CLUBS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 2,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10130816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140959 · 2005-10-27 (October 27, 2005)
I HAD A 5000 MILE SERVICE COMPLETED ON MY MOTORCYCLE AT THE DEALER. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE WORN OUT AND REPLACED THEM. THEY PROVIDED THE OLD PADS WHEN I PICKED UP THE BIKE AND SURE ENOUGH THEY WERE WORN ALL THE WAY TO THE METAL. THEY HAD 4957 MILES OF USE (SINCE NEW). AFTER BECOMING AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM I HAVE MONITORED THE REAR BRAKE MORE CLOSELY. WITHOUT ANY USE OF THE BACK BRAKE THE REAR CALIPER AND DISC BECOME HOT AFTER ONLY A FEW MILES OF RIDING. THE REAR BRAKE IS MAINTAINING CONSTANT PRESSURE ON THE DISC EVEN WHE…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,957 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140959 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V187000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2004-04-19 (April 19, 2004)
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE REAR BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR TO THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY HAVE BECOME DAMAGED DURING SHIPMENT AND MAY LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKING CAPABILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE RESERVOIR HOSE AND REPLACE THE HOSE IF IT IS FOUND TO BE DAMAGED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT POLARIS/VICTORY AT 1-763-417-8650.
NHTSA campaign record ↗06V258000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift
Reported: 2006-07-17 (July 17, 2006)
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE WELDED JOINT ON THE SHIFT LEVER SHAFT MAY FAIL CAUSING THE SHIFT LEVER TO BECOME INOPERABLE.
Consequence: IF THE WELD FAILS, THE OPERATOR CANNOT SHIFT GEARS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHIFT LEVER SHAFT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VICTORY AT 763-417-8650.
NHTSA campaign record ↗11V346000 · Equipment
Reported: 2011-07-05 (July 5, 2011)
POLARIS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2012 VICTORY KINGPIN MOTORCYCLES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2012 VICTORY JACKPOT MOTORCYCLES, AND 2003-2012 VEGAS MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1, 2004, THROUGH MAY 1, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH ACCESSORY SEATS, PART NUMBERS 2876641-01 SEAT, KINGPIN TOURING, DOUBLE BACKREST AND PART NUMBER 2875961-01 SEAT, JACKPOT TOURING W/BACKREST. THE BACKREST SUPPORT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE MOTORCYCLE WHILE IN USE.
Consequence: THE PASSENGER CAN BE INJURED OR FALL FROM THE MOTORCYCLE SHOULD THIS OCCUR.
Remedy: VICTORY WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VICTORY CONSUMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT BY CALLING 1-888-704-5290.
NHTSA campaign record ↗