
2010 Honda VFR1200F
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2010 Honda VFR1200F has 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (40% of all complaints), specifically: rear brake light is in-operable due to front brake switch failure. rider must use foot brake for vehicles behind him to see he is braking at 65 mph. rider can only determine brake switch is operable when motorcycle is initially checked at start-up. problem is intermittent when switch begins to fa.
20
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.3x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
ELECTRICAL
8 complaints- • REAR BRAKE LIGHT IS IN-OPERABLE DUE TO FRONT BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE. RIDER MUST USE FOOT BRAKE FOR VEHICLES BEHIND HIM TO SEE HE IS BRAKING AT 65 MPH. RIDER CAN ONLY DETERMINE BRAKE SWITCH IS OPERABLE WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS INITIALLY CHECKED AT START-UP. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT WHEN SWITCH BEGINS TO FA
- • REAR BRAKE LIGHT IS IN-OPERABLE DUE TO FRONT BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE. RIDER MUST USE FOOT BRAKE FOR VEHICLES BEHIND HIM TO SEE HE IS BRAKING AT 65 MPH. RIDER CAN ONLY DETERMINE BRAKE SWITCH IS OPERABLE WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS INITIALLY CHECKED AT START-UP. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT WHEN SWITCH BEGINS TO FA
- • REAR BRAKE LIGHT IS IN-OPERABLE DUE TO FRONT BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE. RIDER MUST USE FOOT BRAKE FOR VEHICLES BEHIND HIM TO SEE HE IS BRAKING AT 65 MPH. RIDER CAN ONLY DETERMINE BRAKE SWITCH IS OPERABLE WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS INITIALLY CHECKED AT START-UP. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT WHEN SWITCH BEGINS TO FA
“REAR BRAKE LIGHT IS IN-OPERABLE DUE TO FRONT BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE. RIDER MUST USE FOOT BRAKE FOR VEHICLES BEHIND HIM TO SEE HE IS BRAKING AT 65 MPH. RIDER CAN ONLY DETERMINE BRAKE SWITCH IS OPERABLE WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS INITIALLY CHECKED AT START-UP. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT WHEN SWITCH BEGINS TO FA”
— NHTSA complaint filing
BRAKES
6 complaints- • REAR BRAKE LIGHT IS IN-OPERABLE DUE TO FRONT BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE. RIDER MUST USE FOOT BRAKE FOR VEHICLES BEHIND HIM TO SEE HE IS BRAKING AT 65 MPH. RIDER CAN ONLY DETERMINE BRAKE SWITCH IS OPERABLE WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS INITIALLY CHECKED AT START-UP. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT WHEN SWITCH BEGINS TO FA
- • REAR BRAKE LIGHT IS IN-OPERABLE DUE TO FRONT BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE. RIDER MUST USE FOOT BRAKE FOR VEHICLES BEHIND HIM TO SEE HE IS BRAKING AT 65 MPH. RIDER CAN ONLY DETERMINE BRAKE SWITCH IS OPERABLE WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS INITIALLY CHECKED AT START-UP. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT WHEN SWITCH BEGINS TO FA
- • REAR BRAKE LIGHT IS IN-OPERABLE DUE TO FRONT BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE. RIDER MUST USE FOOT BRAKE FOR VEHICLES BEHIND HIM TO SEE HE IS BRAKING AT 65 MPH. RIDER CAN ONLY DETERMINE BRAKE SWITCH IS OPERABLE WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS INITIALLY CHECKED AT START-UP. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT WHEN SWITCH BEGINS TO FA
“REAR BRAKE LIGHT IS IN-OPERABLE DUE TO FRONT BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE. RIDER MUST USE FOOT BRAKE FOR VEHICLES BEHIND HIM TO SEE HE IS BRAKING AT 65 MPH. RIDER CAN ONLY DETERMINE BRAKE SWITCH IS OPERABLE WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS INITIALLY CHECKED AT START-UP. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT WHEN SWITCH BEGINS TO FA”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ENGINE
3 complaints- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HONDA VFR1200F MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE APPEARED TO LOOSE POWER BEFORE ACCELERATING RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER COMPLETING A TURN THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED. THE CONTACT RESOLVED THE FAILURE TEMPORARI
- • STUMBLING AND THEN SUDDEN SURGING IRRESPECTIVE OF THROTTLE POSITION HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER OVER SIX TIMES TO GET THIS CORRECTED AND HAVE SPOKEN TO HONDA USA MOTORCYCLE DIVISION. FINAL RESULT IS THAT THEY CAN OR WILL DO NOTHING UNTIL DEALER CAN HAVE IT HAPPEN TO THEM. AREA REP RODE BIKE FOR 40 MILE
- • ENGINE HAD METAL SWARF LEFT INSIDE OF IT WHEN MANUFACTURED. HONDA KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAS A RECALL ONLY IN THE UK, OWNERS IN OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE SUFFERED THE SAME DEFECTS BUT ARE OFFERED NO COMPENSATION. ENGINE DEVELOPED ROD KNOCK AT 4800 MILES.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HONDA VFR1200F MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE APPEARED TO LOOSE POWER BEFORE ACCELERATING RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER COMPLETING A TURN THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED. THE CONTACT RESOLVED THE FAILURE TEMPORARI”
— NHTSA complaint filing
TRANSMISSION
2 complaints- • STUMBLING AND THEN SUDDEN SURGING IRRESPECTIVE OF THROTTLE POSITION HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER OVER SIX TIMES TO GET THIS CORRECTED AND HAVE SPOKEN TO HONDA USA MOTORCYCLE DIVISION. FINAL RESULT IS THAT THEY CAN OR WILL DO NOTHING UNTIL DEALER CAN HAVE IT HAPPEN TO THEM. AREA REP RODE BIKE FOR 40 MILE
- • APPLICATION OF THROTTLE MAY EITHER CAUSE THE BIKE TO STUTTER OR SURGE CAUSING THE BIKE TO EITHER STALL OR INCREASE ITS FORWARD MOTION. THE IDLE SPEED IS SOMETIMES INAPPROPRIATELY SET AT 1500 RPMS WITH THE CLUTCH IN AND THE THROTTLE ROLLED ALL THE WAY FORWARD. IT CAN BE 300 MILES BETWEEN INCIDENTS.
“STUMBLING AND THEN SUDDEN SURGING IRRESPECTIVE OF THROTTLE POSITION HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER OVER SIX TIMES TO GET THIS CORRECTED AND HAVE SPOKEN TO HONDA USA MOTORCYCLE DIVISION. FINAL RESULT IS THAT THEY CAN OR WILL DO NOTHING UNTIL DEALER CAN HAVE IT HAPPEN TO THEM. AREA REP RODE BIKE FOR 40 MILE”
— NHTSA complaint filing
FUEL SYSTEM
1 complaints- • APPLICATION OF THROTTLE MAY EITHER CAUSE THE BIKE TO STUTTER OR SURGE CAUSING THE BIKE TO EITHER STALL OR INCREASE ITS FORWARD MOTION. THE IDLE SPEED IS SOMETIMES INAPPROPRIATELY SET AT 1500 RPMS WITH THE CLUTCH IN AND THE THROTTLE ROLLED ALL THE WAY FORWARD. IT CAN BE 300 MILES BETWEEN INCIDENTS.
“APPLICATION OF THROTTLE MAY EITHER CAUSE THE BIKE TO STUTTER OR SURGE CAUSING THE BIKE TO EITHER STALL OR INCREASE ITS FORWARD MOTION. THE IDLE SPEED IS SOMETIMES INAPPROPRIATELY SET AT 1500 RPMS WITH THE CLUTCH IN AND THE THROTTLE ROLLED ALL THE WAY FORWARD. IT CAN BE 300 MILES BETWEEN INCIDENTS.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 20 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: REAR BRAKE LIGHT IS IN-OPERABLE DUE TO FRONT BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE. RIDER MUST USE FOOT BRAKE FOR VEHICLES BEHIND HIM TO SEE HE IS BRAKING AT 65 MPH. RIDER CAN ONLY DETERMINE BRAKE SWITCH IS OPERABLE WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS INITIALLY CHECKED AT START-UP. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT WHEN SWITCH BEGINS TO FA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: REAR BRAKE LIGHT IS IN-OPERABLE DUE TO FRONT BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE. RIDER MUST USE FOOT BRAKE FOR VEHICLES BEHIND HIM TO SEE HE IS BRAKING AT 65 MPH. RIDER CAN ONLY DETERMINE BRAKE SWITCH IS OPERABLE WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS INITIALLY CHECKED AT START-UP. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT WHEN SWITCH BEGINS TO FA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HONDA VFR1200F MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE APPEARED TO LOOSE POWER BEFORE ACCELERATING RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER COMPLETING A TURN THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED. THE CONTACT RESOLVED THE FAILURE TEMPORARI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: STUMBLING AND THEN SUDDEN SURGING IRRESPECTIVE OF THROTTLE POSITION HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER OVER SIX TIMES TO GET THIS CORRECTED AND HAVE SPOKEN TO HONDA USA MOTORCYCLE DIVISION. FINAL RESULT IS THAT THEY CAN OR WILL DO NOTHING UNTIL DEALER CAN HAVE IT HAPPEN TO THEM. AREA REP RODE BIKE FOR 40 MILE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Honda VFR1200F — Year Comparison
How does 2010 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 20
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2010 Honda VFR1200F