The 2003 Honda Vfr800 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 42,998 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
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…
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC05V0100002005-01-2436,046 affected
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
1
Total complaints10
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information 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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“Regarding investigation pe05047 this investigation was closed 12/20/05, but I have read many complaints from owners of this model that are having the same problem. My honda vfr800 shows signs of failure during normal use and there are no "modifications to the wiring harness" as suggested by your…”
“Dt: the contact stated the electrical system burned. This caused the headlights not to work. The contact noticed the problem when he purchased the vehicle, and took it to a local dealership, who had the electrical system replaced under warranty. The dealership stated it was because of the previous…”
“Motorcyle engine would turn over, start, and run strong, but would die after the starter button was released. Looking over internet discussion forums that are dedicated to this model motorcycle, 2002-2005 honda vfr800, revealed a substansial*ak number of owners experianced the same problem, most…”
“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…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationAQ12001 Opened 2012-05-14 · closed 2013-05-13
Southern Honda Powersports
NHTSA opened Audit Query (AQ) 12-001 to determine whether Southern Honda Powersports (Southern Honda) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, had complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act…
InvestigationPE05047 Opened 2005-09-02 · closed 2005-12-20
STALLING & SUDDEN HEADLIGHT OUTAGE
ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING THREE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING AND/OR SUDDEN HEADLIGHT OUTAGES WHILE UNDERWAY.ODI ALSO FOUND NUMEROUS POSTINGS ON A WEB-BASED CHAT BOARD RELATED TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLE AND THESE ALLEGATIONS.FREQUENTLY, THE POSTING REFERENCED THE BLUE CONNECTOR JOINING…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Honda Vfr800 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.