VehicleVerdict

2003 Honda ST1300 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 2003 Honda ST1300 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

11

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other ST1300 years?

ST1300 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted11 complaints2003: 11 complaints2004: 10 complaints2005: 8 complaints2006: 5 complaints2007: 5 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 1 complaints2010: 0 complaints
ST1300 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all ST1300 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Honda ST1300 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System655%
Brakes218%
Engine218%
Suspension19%

Does the 2003 Honda ST1300 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

05V010000BrakesJanuary 24, 2005 · 36,046 units

Defect

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.

04V568000Electrical SystemDecember 9, 2004 · 4,345 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE MAIN WIRE HARNESS HAS A GROUND DISTRIBUTION CONNECTOR THAT IS INCORRECTLY ASSEMBLED. SOME ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS MAY OVERHEAT AND SHORT, INCLUDING THE FUEL PUMP.

Consequence

IF THE FUEL PUMP STOPS WORKING, THE ENGINE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE GROUND DISTRIBUTION CONNECTOR FOR OVERHEATING DAMAGE. IF ANY DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE WIRE HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE CONNECTORS WILL BE ASSEMBLED PROPERLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 8, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 866-784-1870.

04V549000Electrical SystemNovember 23, 2004 · 2,185 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE ROUTING OF SOME WIRE HARNESSES MAY ALLOW A CONNECTOR TO CONTACT AND CHAFE AGAINST THE FUEL TANK.

Consequence

EVENTUALLY THE CHAFING MAY CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT AND BLOW AN IGNITION SYSTEM FUSE. THE ENGINE WILL THEN STALL WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR POSITION AND CHECK FOR DAMAGE. IF ANY DAMAGE IS FOUND, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NECESSARY PARTS. IF NO DAMAGE IS FOUND, DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE CONNECTOR, AND MAKE SURE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE EXISTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 8, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-866-784-1870.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THERE ARE A GROUP OF WIRES THAT RUN UNDER THE SEAT LATCHING MECHANISM AND UNDER THE TOP GAS TANK THAT RUB AND FRAY. DUE TO THIS ISSUE BEING TALKED ABOUT ON THE ST 1300 CHAT ROOM I CHECKED MINE. THE INSULATION WAS STARTING TO FRAY FROM THE RUBBING ON THE LATCHING MECHANISM. IF THE WIRES WERE TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 16, 2004

“CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER TO HAVE RECALLS REPAIRS PERFORMED ON HIS 2003 HONDA ST1300 AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO BRING IT BACK AT THE END OF THE SUMMER TO HAVE THE WORK PERFORMED BECAUSE THEY WERE BUSY. *MR RECALL CAMPAIGN#'S 04V549000 AND 05V010000. *SC *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 10, 2005

“ONCE THE TEMPERATURE GETS ABOVE 85 DEGREES OUTSIDE, THE TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE BECOMES UNBEARABLE. ENGINE AVERAGES ABOUT 205 DEGREES NEAR THE CONSUMER'S LEGS.*AK THIS COULD CAUSE BLOOD CLODS AND DEHYDRATION. *PH *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 5, 2003

“REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE: THE DRIVEN FLANGE BEARINGS WHICH TOGETHER MAKE UP THE RIGHT SIDE REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED AT LOW MILEAGE. THESE TWO BEARINGS FAILED AT 21,000 MILES, AND WERE DISCOVERED AT A ROUTINE TIRE CHANGE. OTHERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR AND NEAR CATASTROPHIC BEARING FAILURES AT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 31, 2006

2003 Honda ST1300 — common questions

Is the 2003 Honda ST1300 reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2003 ST1300 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (6 complaints), brakes (2 complaints), engine (2 complaints).

Does the 2003 Honda ST1300 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Honda ST1300. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.