AI Damage2005 Victory Hammer: common problems
Owners of the 2005 Victory Hammer filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and suspension. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 33% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 33% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 17% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 17% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (33% of all).
- Suspension: 2 complaints (33% of all).
- Engine: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (17% of all).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
When downshifting to arrive at a light I heard a clunk in the transmission area. Shifting became impossible within a few minutes. The motorcycle was towed to a victory dealer in harrisonburg, va and 2 weeks later I was informed that one of the shift fork broke and fell into the transmission and ground up 2 gears.
2005 victory hammer premium being driven on an interstate traveling 65 mph went over a dip in the road. The rear tire suddenly began to drag and lock; able to pull to side of roadway.
During a routine tire change, the tech notified me of a crack in my swingarm. After he showed it to me they located a take off (a used) from someone who wanted a chrome swingarm instead of black. I was offered that used swingarm at a good price and had it swapped.
13 months after I bought my victory hammer new the 2nd gear began to skip between 3200 and 3600 rpm's. I took it to the dealer and they replaced the 2nd gear trans rack. Parts free. Labor $1500. That happened around 8,000 miles.
Tl contact owns a 2005 victory hammer. While driving approximately 70 mph, the contact heard a loud noise as if the vehicle shifted out of the correct driveshaft. He pulled the vehicle over for inspection. He noticed that the lower belt of the belt system spontaneously fractured and became jammed in the motor.
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling at 30 mph, the transmissioin seized causing the rear wheel to lock. The drive belt had to be cut in order to roll the vehicle out of traffic. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer.
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 13,278 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Hammer has 2 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 6, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Victory Hammer?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, suspension, engine. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2005 Victory Hammer?
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 2005 Victory Hammer 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 2005 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.