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2003 Honda VFR800Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 8 owner complaints about the 2003 Honda VFR800, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints80 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage20kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 23, 2013. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Honda VFR800 has problems

8 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system80
Exterior lighting10
Fuel system, gasoline10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2003 Honda VFR800 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Electrical system: wiring

Recall 07V-359 · Aug 15, 2007 · 6,952 vehicles

Risk. AS A RESULT, A LOSS OF CRITICAL LIGHTING OR ENGINE POWER COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 05V-010 · Jan 24, 2005 · 36,046 vehicles

Risk. IF THE MOTORCYCLE CONTINUES TO BE USED AFTER A LEAK OCCURS, THE REAR BRAKE WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Honda.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other VFR800 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the VFR800 median. How we score

'99'02'03'04'05'06
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Honda VFR800, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Southern Honda PowersportsAQ12001 · closed May 13, 2013
    No recall
  2. STALLING & SUDDEN HEADLIGHT OUTAGEPE05047 · closed Dec 20, 2005
    Led to recall 07V-359
In owners' words

What VFR800 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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 10509240 · Apr 23, 2013 · 50,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA VFR800. WHILE RIDING 70 MPH, THE HEADLIGHT SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FRONT FAIRING SUB-HARNESS TRANSFERRED THE ELECTRICAL GROUNDING LOAD OF THE HEADLIGHT TO OTHER COMPONENTS AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V359000…
Complaint 10201965 · Sep 5, 2007 · 27,239 miles
2003 HONDA VFR MOTORCYCLE SHUT OFF WHILE OPERATING AT APPROX. 30 MPH / 3500 RPM. SAFELY PULLED OFF ROAD AND PARKED. HEADLIGHTS & DASHBOARD LIGHTS DIM, BUZZING SOUND FROM DASHBOARD. BIKE RESTARTED ONLY WHEN HEADLIGHT FUSE WAS REMOVED. BIKE CURRENTLY AT HONDA DEALER FOR REPAIRS. EXTENSIVE DISCUSSION…
Complaint 10195932 · Jul 10, 2007 · 8,500 miles

Own a 2003 VFR800?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.