AI Damage2003 Honda ST1300: common problems
Owners of the 2003 Honda ST1300 filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 9
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 67% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 22% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 22% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 11% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (67% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (22% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (22% of all).
- Suspension: 1 complaints (11% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 9 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Rear wheel bearing failure: the driven flange bearings which together make up the right side rear wheel bearing failed at low mileage. These two bearings failed at 21,000 miles, and were discovered at a routine tire change. Others have reported similar and near catastrophic bearing failures at similar mileages .
Consumer contacted the dealer to have recalls repairs performed on his 2003 honda st1300 and was instructed to bring it back at the end of the summer to have the work performed because they were busy. Recall campaign#'s 04v549000 and 05v010000.
2003 honda st 1300 motorcycle, stalls on the interstate. The consumer had been trying to get his motorcycle repaired ever since he received the recall letter in the mail on dec 20,2004. The consumer was already having problems with the motorcycle, but the problem was sporadic.
A visit to the st1300 post yielded the fact that this is a common failure due to the routing of a black and a white wire in proximity of the underseat fuel tank which abrades thru the insulation causing a short which in turn causes the fuel pump fuse to blow and shuts down the motor.
While riding the motorcycle the side vent was blowing out 120 degrees of hot air. Consumer sustained a first degree burn due to the hot air. Dealership was notified, but the problem was not resolved.
Once the temperature gets above 85 degrees outside, the temperature of the vehicle becomes unbearable. Engine averages about 205 degrees near the consumer's legs. This could cause blood clods and dehydration.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 11,366 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 31% most complained about).
On average one model year of the ST1300 has 5 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 9, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Honda ST1300?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, service brakes. Total complaints: 9. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (11%), stalls while driving (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2003 Honda ST1300?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2003 Honda ST1300 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2003 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.