Honda Vfr800 2003

Model Vfr800 made in 2003 by Honda got 8 consumer complains, 1 investigation there are 2 recalls as well as 3 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to electrical system, fuel system, gasoline. Technical service bulletines regarding digital instrument panel, equipment and service brakes, hydraulic. The car had one investigation (electrical system). There were some recalls concerningelectrical system, service brakes, hydraulic.

Model 2003

Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
07V359000HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)from 07/09/2002 to 09/19/2002V (Vehicle)695211/05/2007ODIHONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)08/15/200708/16/2007
Defect SummaryOn 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 SummaryAs a result, a loss of critical lighting or engine power could occur without warning, which could cause a crash.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesCustomers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
05V010000HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)from 07/16/2002 to 11/25/2002V (Vehicle)3604601/31/2005MFRHONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)01/24/200501/25/2005
Defect SummaryCertain 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 SummaryIf 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.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesHonda recall no.p65.customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL
SB-06-08505/09/200810032953Honda: warranty extension-vehicle warranty mileage. class action lawsuit alleging that the odometers on certain 2002-2006 honda models were overstating mileage. federal court provided final approval of settlement on 12/29/07. no models06/16/2010
EQUIPMENT - OTHER - LABELS
08-04005/31/200810025523Load carrying capacity reduced label for all honda vehicles. *pe08/15/2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE
1095902/01/200510015344Linked braking system (lbs) proportional control valve (pcv) leakage safety recall. *tt07/14/2005

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PE05047HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)09/02/200512/20/2005STALLING & SUDDEN HEADLIGHT OUTAGE07V359000
 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 the main harness and the headlight sub-harness.odi has inspected subject motorcycles and its peers and met with their owners, discussed this matter with subject motorcycle dealers and independent service personnel, and reviewed honda's response to our information request.based on the information gathered to date, the evidence suggests that most failures have developed slowly over time with the operator notingdifficulty starting the motorcycle,and a smell of melting insulation, (no fires are reported).in the majority of reports, the problem is noted while starting the motorcycle.many reports state the engine stalled when the starter button was initially released. for the headlight problem, many of the circuit overload reports were due to the installation of aftermarket electrical equipment.currently, no defect trend has been identified warranting further expenditure of agency resources at this time.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the agency that no safety related defect exists.odi will continue to monitor this issue closely and should circumstances change, odi will take appropriate action.

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
07/05/20078500104/25/2003
 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 of this problem, solution, and electrical system design flaws in numerous 6th generation (2002 - 2007) vfrs available at http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php?showforum=2 (1st thread). solutions include additional electrical grounds, heavier gauge wiring &/or heavier duty fuse holders. this is a life threatening design flaw! if the bike were to shut down at high speed, in heavy traffic, under demanding road conditions, etc, a severe crash would be very likely. please encourage honda to issue a recall to correct this problem immediately. *tr
11/13/2005107/01/2005
 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 owner's negligence. *ak
06/01/20041200010
 Motorcycle headlights intermeittently turn off. electrical problem also resulting in motorcycle turning off during operation. refere to this web site for many details: http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=6856&hl=my+first+electrical+problem
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
04/06/200523500103/31/2003
 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 of the owners are in wet climates, eg., seattle, portland, british columbia, etc. following the trouble shooting methods recommended one the discussion forum (removed the headlight fuse and the bike would start and run fine until either the fuse was replaced or the turn signals were activated) the problem was traced to the ground wire for the forward portion of the motorcycle. this wire covers the headlights, ingintion, instruments, etc. the pin for this wire inside the main wiring connector block had corroded and gotten hot as evidenced by melting of the connector block around the pin. the other 23 pins in the connector block were shiny, clean, and appeared new. if this failure were to occur during opperation, the motorcycle would stall, and the headlights would go out, at night this could cause the rider to lose control as he/she couldn't see the the road or any hazards, nor could other motorists see the motorcycle.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
09/03/200727239104/01/2007
 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 (electrical system:wiring) was referenced. the dealer has not inspected the vehicle. the powertrain was unknown. the failure and current mileages were 27,239.
01/07/20061
 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 investigation. the only auxiliary loads i have on my bike are connected by separate harness directly to the battery and therefore bypass the main wiring harness. yet a cable, fuse block and a connector on the factory harness directly attached to the battery get hot to the touch in normal use. several owners have reported that they had to make several attempts at having the honda dealers admit to the problem, and that the factory never did, yet after sufficient complaints replaced the entire wiring harness with an upgraded model. i would think that this kind of failure (melted wiring insulation, burnt fuse block, melted connectors) would constitute a safety hazard and that nhtsa and honda would want to resolve this more proactively. *nm
06/01/200416000204/01/2003
 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 to dealer, who tried to fix problem, but problem recurred. *ak *sc *jb
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - FUEL PUMP
06/01/200416000204/01/2003
 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 to dealer, who tried to fix problem, but problem recurred. *ak *sc *jb

Car dealers selling


StateCityZipNamePhone
CACORTE MADERA94925MARIN CYCLEWORKS4159240327
CASANTA MONICA90038HONDA OF HOLLYWOOD323-466-3247
ILLIBERTYVILLE60048LIBERTY CYCLE847-362-7110