VehicleVerdict

2003 Honda Vfr800 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 10 complaints on file for the 2003 Honda Vfr800 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

10

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Vfr800 years?

Vfr800 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted10 complaints1999: 2 complaints2002: 9 complaints2003: 10 complaints2004: 3 complaints2005: 3 complaints2006: 7 complaints
Vfr800 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Vfr800 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Honda Vfr800 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System880%
Fuel System110%
Lighting110%

Does the 2003 Honda Vfr800 have recalls?

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

07V359000Electrical SystemAugust 15, 2007 · 6,952 units

Defect

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DT: THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, THERE IS A BUZZING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF VEHICLE, ONE OF THE WIRES COMING FROM THE BATTERY BECAME HOT, CAUSING IT TO MELT. THE FUEL PUMP DOES NOT WORK, CAUSING VEHICLE NOT START, VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AT HIGHER SPEEDS, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 1, 2004

“DT: THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, THERE IS A BUZZING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF VEHICLE, ONE OF THE WIRES COMING FROM THE BATTERY BECAME HOT, CAUSING IT TO MELT. THE FUEL PUMP DOES NOT WORK, CAUSING VEHICLE NOT START, VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AT HIGHER SPEEDS, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 1, 2004

“MY ISSUE WAS FIRST DISCOVERED IN 2012 WHEN I COULD NOT START MY MOTORCYCLE; MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS AN OLD BATTERY. UPON RESEARCHING ON VFRDISCUSSION.COM I WAS EXPOSED TO NUMEROUS VFR OWNERS WITH STARTING ISSUES THAT WAS RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL AND CHARGING ISSUES, A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MY 2003 MODEL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · April 2, 2012

2003 Honda Vfr800 — common questions

Is the 2003 Honda Vfr800 reliable?

The record is thin — 10 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2003 Vfr800 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (8 complaints), lighting (1 complaints), fuel system (1 complaints).

Does the 2003 Honda Vfr800 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Honda Vfr800. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 Honda Vfr800 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

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.