Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 6 of 6 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
6 reports
5,330 miles · Jul 28, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
THIS IS A VICTORY MOTORCYCLE. 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 GR…
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THIS IS A VICTORY MOTORCYCLE. 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. ALSO INFORMED THAT THE CLUTCH WAS BURNED. ALTHOUGH THIS MOTORCYCLE IS 10 YEARS OLD, IT ONLY HAD 5330 MILES ON IT AND WAS REGULARLY SERVICED. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING SHIFT FORKS DO NOT JUST BREAK. I BELIEVE EITHER THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE OR THE DESIGN WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION AS THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD HAVE LOCKED UP AND THROWN ME OFF IF THE BREAK HAD OCCURRED WHILE I WAS MOVING AT REGULAR HIGHWAY SPEED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS DANGEROUS PART AND CONDITION. THANK YOU. UPDATE 9/15/15*CW UPDATED 12/12/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI #10744195
71,000 miles · May 11, 2009
Suspension
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. I WENT BACK AND BROUGHT HOME THE ORIGINAL (CRACKED) SWINGARM. I H…
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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. I WENT BACK AND BROUGHT HOME THE ORIGINAL (CRACKED) SWINGARM. I HAVE IT AND HAVE PICTURES TOO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10268418
9,000 miles · May 11, 2009
Suspension
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. INSPECTION SHOWS THAT CAST ATTACHMENT POINT ON SWINGARM FOR SHOCK LINKAGE FRACTURED ON BOTH SIDES, RESULTING IN SWINGARM NO LONGER BEING SUPPORT…
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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. INSPECTION SHOWS THAT CAST ATTACHMENT POINT ON SWINGARM FOR SHOCK LINKAGE FRACTURED ON BOTH SIDES, RESULTING IN SWINGARM NO LONGER BEING SUPPORTED BY SHOCK LINKAGE. RESULTED IN COMPRESSION OF REAR OF BIKE WITH REAR FENDER AND SUBFRAME RESTING ON REAR TIRE. DEEP GASHES IN TIRE FROM STRUCTURES ON UNDERSIDE OF FENDER, MELTED RUBBER, AND DISCOLORED PAINT ON FENDER FROM HEAT, AND TORN WIRING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10268402
18,000 miles · Dec 20, 2008
Power Train
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. 24 MONTH LATER @18,000MILES 2ND GEAR STARTED TO SKIP AGAIN BUT THIS TIME IT LOCKED UP ON ME IN TRA…
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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. 24 MONTH LATER @18,000MILES 2ND GEAR STARTED TO SKIP AGAIN BUT THIS TIME IT LOCKED UP ON ME IN TRAFFIC. I HEARD SOMETHING BREAK AND A LOT OF CLATTER SO I QUICKLY GOT OVER TO THE SIDE AND THEN IT LOCKED UP. $4,000 FOR PARTS AND LABOR FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. ALL PARTS REPLACED. ALL BROKEN PARTS IN MY POSSESSION. THEY INCLUDE A BROKEN SHIFT FORK, AND TEETH BROKEN ON 4 OF THE 6 GEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10252357
8,894 miles · Jun 2, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE 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. HE PLACED …
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TL*THE 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. HE PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN REVERSE IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE BELT FROM THE MOTOR. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 8,894. UPDATED 06/25/08. *LJ UPDATED 06/25/08
NHTSA ODI #10229498
31,060 miles · Aug 16, 2006
Power Train
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. THE SEIZURE WAS DUE TO FRACTURED TEETH ON THE 2ND GEAR PLATE AND A BENT AND BROKEN SHIFT FORK SUPPORT. …
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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. THE SEIZURE WAS DUE TO FRACTURED TEETH ON THE 2ND GEAR PLATE AND A BENT AND BROKEN SHIFT FORK SUPPORT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 11/09/06. *JB
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, SOME OF THE FUEL SUPPLY HOSE LEADING FROM THE FUEL TANK TO THE FUEL RAIL MAY BE INCORRECT FOR USE IN A PRESSURIZED FUEL SYSTEM APPLICATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INCORRECT HOSES MAY LEAK FUEL OR CRACK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MARKINGS ON THE FUEL HOSE TO DETERMINE IF REPLACEMENT IS REQUIRED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE WITH A NEW ONE OF THE CORRECT MATERIAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VICTORY AT 1-763-417-8650.
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE CAMSHAFT CHAIN DRIVE SPROCKET LOCATED ON THE CRANKSHAFT MAY HAVE CRACKED UPON INSTALLATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF CRACKS ARE PRESENT, THE SPROCKET MAY FAIL DURING OPERATION. SPROCKET FAILURE COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO LOCK UP WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF OPERATOR CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE LOWER RIGHT ENGINE COVER, INSPECT THE SPROCKET FOR CRACKS, AND REPLACE THE ENGINE OR THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VICTORY AT 763-417-8650.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2005 Victory Hammer Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year