Does the 2003 Honda VFR800 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2003 Honda VFR800, the most recent reported on August 15, 2007 (Electrical system: wiring). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Honda VFR800?

Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (8 complaints), followed by exterior lighting (1).

How many 2003 Honda VFR800 complaints mention a crash or fire?

0 of 8 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2003 Honda VFR800 recalls and problems

2 recalls and 8 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Honda VFR800.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2003 Honda VFR800 recalls

Electrical system: wiring

NHTSA campaign 07V359000 · reported August 15, 2007 · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) · 6,952 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: As a result, a loss of critical lighting or engine power could occur without warning, which could cause a crash.
The fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulic

NHTSA campaign 05V010000 · reported January 24, 2005 · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) · 36,046 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Electrical system8
Exterior lighting1
Fuel system, gasoline1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Apr 23, 2013 · Electrical system · 50,000 miles
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 YEAR. FROM THE…

Sep 5, 2007 · Electrical system · 27,239 miles
TL 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)…

Jul 10, 2007 · Electrical system · 8,500 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 OF THIS PROBLEM…

Jan 7, 2006 · Electrical system
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…

Nov 14, 2005 · Electrical system
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.

VFR800 model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes
2002	2	6	0
2003	2	8	0
2004	2	3	1
2005	1	3	0
2006	1	3	0

All Honda VFR800 years →

Questions

Does the 2003 Honda VFR800 have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2003 Honda VFR800, the most recent reported on August 15, 2007 (Electrical system: wiring). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Honda VFR800?: Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (8 complaints), followed by exterior lighting (1).
How many 2003 Honda VFR800 complaints mention a crash or fire?: 0 of 8 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received April 23, 2013.