Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
The 1999 Victory V92c carries two red flags at once: 63 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 12.6× the V92c norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: REAR SPROCKET BOLTS). It is one of the V92c years to avoid.
The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 73% of all reports (46 of 63), far ahead of fuel system at 4.
63
NHTSA complaints
12
Recalls
3
Investigations · 2 open
8
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
6
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission | 46 | 73% | new |
| Fuel System | 4 | 6% | new |
| Brakes | 3 | 5% | new |
| Suspension | 3 | 5% | new |
| Other | 2 | 3% | new |
| Body & Structure | 2 | 3% | new |
| Engine | 2 | 3% | new |
| Electrical System | 1 | 2% | new |
12 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE SIDESTAND SPRING AND/OR THE PIN USED TO ATTACH THE SPRING TO THE FRAME MAY BE DAMAGED.
Consequence
THIS COULD ALLOW UNINTENDED DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDESTAND, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE SIDESTAND SPRING AND FRAME RAIL BRACKET. AN INTERIM NOTICE TO OWNERS WAS MAILED ON NOVEMBER 11, 2003. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VICTORY AT 1-763-417-8650.
Defect
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE FUEL PUMP CAN FAIL.
Consequence
THIS COULD CAUSE POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VICTORY AT 1-763-417-8650.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. PAINT ON THE WHEEL AND SPROCKET-MATING SURFACES COULD PRODUCE INSUFFICIENT CLAMP LOAD ON THE SPROCKET. REAR SPROCKET BOLTS COULD BECOME LOOSE CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR AND FRETTING AT THE WHEEL AND SPROCKET MATING SURFACES ALLOWING THE SPROCKET BOLT TO FAIL.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR WHEEL AND SPROCKET HUB, REMOVE ALL PAINT FROM THE CONTACT SURFACES OF THE WHEEL HUB AND SPROCKET, AND INSTALL NEW SPROCKET BOLTS. THE WHEEL AND SPROCKET WILL BE REPLACED IF BOLTS WERE LOOSE AND DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THREADED FASTENERS THAT HOLD THE THROTTLE BODY VALVE IN ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME LOOSE, ALLOWING THE VALVE DISC TO SHIFT OUT OF POSITION AND AFFECT THE ENGINE RPM LEVEL.
Consequence
A THROTTLE BODY VALVE DISC THAT HAS SHIFTED OUT OF POSITION CAN CAUSE SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR DAMAGE TO THE MOTORCYCLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY VALVE DISC THREADED FASTENERS AND APPLY A THREAD LOCKING AGENT.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. CHASSIS WIRING HARNESS CAN COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE HARNESS.
Consequence
LOSS OF REAR TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE/TAIL LIGHT FUNCTIONS COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE TAIL LIGHT WIRING HARNESS AND ADD ONE TIE STRAP.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FUEL HOSE CAN FAIL RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK NEAR THE REAR CYLINDER OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND UNDER THE RIDER SEAT.
Consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE FUEL HOSES.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. CERTAIN FUEL PUMP/FILTER HOSES AND THE FUEL TANK RETURN HOSE CAN FAIL, RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK.
Consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LINES BETWEEN THE FUEL FILTER AND THE FUEL PUMP AS WELL AS THE FUEL RETURN LINE.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT GASKET CAN SWELL PROVIDING INADEQUATE SEALING. IF PROPER SEALING IS NOT PROVIDED, FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence
IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT GASKET ON THESE MOTORCYCLES.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT WAS INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AND COULD LEAK.
Consequence
IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE TAIL LIGHT BULBS CAN BURN OUT PREMATURELY DUE TO THE TAIL LIGHT BULB VIBRATING IN THE LIGHT SOCKET.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A VISIBILITY PROBLEM FOR THE DRIVER AND ONCOMING VEHICLES.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL FIRM UP THE FITMENT OF THE TAILLIGHT BULB AND THE ELECTRICAL SOCKET TO PREVENT THE BULB FROM VIBRATING.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FUEL HOSE CLAMPS DO NOT PROPERLY SEAL THE HOSE TO THE PLASTIC COUPLER, NOR THE FUEL PUMP, ALLOWING FUEL LEAKAGE.
Consequence
IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE CLAMPS.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FUEL FILTER WAS INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AND COULD LEAK.
Consequence
IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER.
SQ99022
REAR SPROCKET BOLTS
POLARIS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN IN JULY 1999 ADDRESSING THE POTENTIAL FOR THE REAR SPROCKET BOLTS TO LOOSEN. A SPROCKET KIT MUST BE INSTALLED ON ALL AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES TO PREVENT LOOSENING OF THE SPROCKETS.THE BULLETIN ALSO STATES THAT IF THE WHEEL OR SPROCKET SURFACE IS DAMAGED THEY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED.POLARIS IS NOTIFING OWNERS TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR NEEDED REPAIRS.THIS INVESTIGATION IS OPENED TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM AND DETERMINE THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.
SQ99010
TAILLIGHT WIRING RE-ROUTING
THIS INVESTIGATION IS OPENED TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND SCOPE, AND TO PROVIDE THE BASISFOR NOT ISSUING A SAFETY RECALL TO CORRECT THIS TAILLIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT CONCERN.HISTORICALLY, PROBLEMS THAT EFFECT THE FUNCTION OF THE TAILLIGHTS AND BRAKE LAMPS ARE USUALLY CORRECTED BY CONDUCTING SAFETY RECALLS.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“I WAS DOING 55 ON THE MOTORCYCLE WHEN SOMETHING LOCKED UP IN EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR ENGINE ,WHICH CAUSED INTERMITTIENT SKIDDING AND PULLING ME INTO THE GUARD RAILS. DEALER IS HESITANT TO TEAR THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION APART TO FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE.D. *AK”
“OWNER PARKED THE MOTORCYCLE IN THE GARAGE. ABOUT ONE HOUR LATER, OWNER NOTICED GAS FUMES AND A PUDDLE OF GAS ON GARAGE FLOOR. THE PADDING AROUND FUEL TANK WAS ALSO SATURATED WITH FUEL. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN PICKED UP BY THE DEALERSHIP. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ALSO ABOUT THE PROBLEM.”
“WAS CRUSING ALONG AT ABOUT 25 MPH AND THE REAR END LOCKED UP ON MOTORCYCLE CAUSING ME TO WRECK. I INJURED MY HIP...AT THE TIME COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF ACCIDENT...SO I FIXED THE BIKE AND CONTINUED TO RIDE...THEREAFTER, THE BIKE WOULD OCCASIONALLY JUMP OUT OF THIRD GEAR UNTIL THIS APRIL 25TH, WHEN IT…”
“THE BRAKE ROTORS ARE WARPING AND FAILING ON THESE MOTORCYCLES. I AM NOW EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. THE MOTORCYCLE CLUB HAS MANY PEOPLE WITH NUMEROUS FAILURES OF THE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR. I AM REPORTING THIS AS A SAFETY PROBLEM, THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOME OF US ARE KILLED OR INJURED”
“I WAS DOING 55 ON THE MOTORCYCLE WHEN SOMETHING LOCKED UP IN EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR ENGINE ,WHICH CAUSED INTERMITTIENT SKIDDING AND PULLING ME INTO THE GUARD RAILS. DEALER IS HESITANT TO TEAR THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION APART TO FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE.D. *AK”
NHTSA data argues against it: 63 complaints put the 1999 model at #1 of 4 V92c years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the V92c years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (46 complaints), fuel system (4 complaints), brakes (3 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Victory V92c. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Yes — 2 investigations remain open (REAR SPROCKET BOLTS). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the V92c years to avoid are 1999. The cleanest record among V92c years belongs to 2002.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.