RoadVitals

2002 Honda VTX1800 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
63
Latest Mar 7, 2018
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Honda VTX1800, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

HONDA 2002 VTX 1800RS DURING REAR TIRE REPLACEMENT AT 36K MILES DISCOVERED WHEEL BEARING ON THE RIGHT SIDE (BRAKE SIDE) WAS VERY BAD...HAD NO WARNING, NO WHEEL WOBBLE, WHEEL TURNED FREE, BUT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN VERY LONG. AXLE SHAFT DISCOLORED, NO REASON FOR THIS FAILURE! ALL REAR BEARINGS REPLACED! FRONT BEARINGS REPLACED FOR SAFETY! *TR

NHTSA ID 10331363 · filed May 20, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA VTX1800C. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR TIRE FELT DIFFERENT AS IF IT WERE NOT PROPERLY ALIGNED. THE VEHICLE ALSO PULLED TO THE LEFT. HE HEARD CLUNKING NOISES AND THE WELD ON THE SWING ARM DRIVESHAFT HOUSING FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK PICTURES AND NOTIFIED THE DEALER. THE DEALER THEN ADVISED HIM TO CALL NHTSA AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 17,000.

NHTSA ID 10248795 · filed Nov 14, 2008
All 14 reports naming suspension

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FOUND WHILE REPLACING REAR TIRE,INSIDE BEARING COMING APART. *TR

NHTSA ID 10394017 · filed Apr 2, 2011

EXCESSIVE BEARING NOISE AND ALL SPEEDS. CAUSE WAS FINAL DRIVE FLANGE BEARING FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10244344 · filed Oct 3, 2008
All 12 reports naming powertrain (other)

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA VTX 1800. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. *TR

NHTSA ID 10509532 · filed Apr 25, 2013

2002 HONDA VTX 1800 RIGHT SIDE OF THE RADIATOR PLASTIC TRIM MELTED THROUGH.*MR.....THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RADIATOR PLASTIC TRIM SHROUD MELTED THROUGH WHERE IT COMES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY WITH THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE TOP OF THE SHROUD IS APPROXIMATELY 8 FEET FROM THE FUEL TANK. CONSUMER IS AFRAID THAT PLASTIC SHROUD WILL CATCH ON FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID 10121466 · filed May 19, 2005
All 10 reports naming engine

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE BOLT IS FLEXING BUT THE SIDE STAND HASN'T BROKEN YET. THE VEHICLE'S VIN # IS IN THE DEFECTIVE SERIAL RANGE FOR THE SIDE STAND RECALL 04V564000 BUT THE MANUFACTURER IS SAYING THE VEHICLE ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THEY CAN'T EXPLAIN WHY. THEY ARE INVESTIGATING. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID 10107166 · filed Feb 7, 2005

RECALL NOTICE NOT RECEIVED IN TIME FOR DEFECTIVE BOLT IN VTX1800G/R MOTORCYCLE. *BF

NHTSA ID 10109255 · filed Jan 13, 2005
All 8 reports naming body & structure

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BEARING FAILURE IN THE FINAL DRIVEN FLANGE ASSEMBLY,

NHTSA ID 11076774 · filed Mar 7, 2018

I HAVE REPLACED THE FINAL DRIVE FLANGE BEARINGS 3 TIMES NOW. I HEARD THAT THERE WERE SOME ISSUES WITH THIS FLANGE. FIRST TIME I REPLACED IT, I REPLACED THE WHOLE FLANGE. THE SECOND AND THIRD TIME I REPLACED THE BEARINGS ONLY. ON THE THIRD TIME I REPLACED THE WHEEL DAMPENER INSIDE THE REAR WHEEL. I NOW HAVE 96,000 MILES ON MY BIKE AND CHECK THESE BEARINGS EVERY TIME I CHANGE THE REAR TIRE. ALL THREE TIMES THE PLASTIC SEAL WAS GONE AND A FEW BALLS OUT OF THE BEARING. THE CAGE THAT HOLDS THE BALLS IN THE BEARING WAS DESTROYED ALL THREE TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10701001 · filed Mar 22, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

REPLACING THE REAR TIRE AND THE FINAL FLANGE BEARING WERE HALF GONE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10219640 · filed Feb 28, 2008

THE TIRES WERE COMPLETELY CRACKED, THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM OCCURRED BECAUSE THE CONSUMER DID NOT RIDE THE BIKE ENOUGH.*JB

NHTSA ID 10011378 · filed Mar 11, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA VTX1800. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-40 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE BEGAN TO WOBBLE WHEN ONE OF THE HANDLES WAS RELEASED. THE VEHICLE HAD NEW TIRES AND BRAKES DUE TO OTHER NECESSARY REPAIRS; HOWEVER, THE WOBBLING CONTINUED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO INTERSTATE CYCLES (580 SW FLORIDA GATEWAY DR, LAKE CITY, FL 32024; 386-758-2423) WHO STATED THAT THE WOBBLING ONLY OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH. THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE DEALER STATED THEY DID NOT BELIEVE THERE WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE CONTACT COULD CONTINUE OPERATING THE MOTORCYCLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.

NHTSA ID 11045594 · filed Nov 13, 2017

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN LEANING THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE LEFT THERE IS A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING HANDLE. CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR PROBLEM IS U-JOINTS IN THE DRIVE SHAFT.

NHTSA ID 8020755 · filed Oct 15, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 HONDA VTX1800. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKES SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A WALL AND WAS THROWN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED ARM, A HEAD INJURY, AND A KNEE INJURY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A ROAD RASH OVER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BODY. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10733573 · filed Jul 13, 2015

THE SIDE STAND SPRING MOUNT ON 2002, HONDA VTX, 1800 C FELL OFF ALONG WITH THE SPRINGS AS CONSUMER WAS GETTING OFF THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM HAD IT HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC AS THE ENGINE WOULD STALL AS THE STAND CAME DOWN. *AK

NHTSA ID 10088108 · filed Aug 17, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ON A HONDA VTX 1800C MOTORCYCLE, THE SPRING HOOK BROKE THAT HOLDS THE SPRING TO KEEP THE KICKSTAND IN PLACE. AS A RESULT, THE KICKSTAND FALLS TO THE GROUND WHICH TURNS OFF THE ENGINE. THIS HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC, RESULTING IN THE ENGINE STOPPING AND THE MOTORCYCLE COMING TO A STOP UNEXPECTEDLY. AUTOMOBILES BEHIND ME ALMOST RAN INTO THE REAR END OF THE MOTORCYCLE. HONDA MOTORCYCLES IS AWARE OF THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE THAT OCCURS WITH THE KICKSTAND SPRING HOOK. *LA

NHTSA ID 10054862 · filed Jan 25, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE ROCKER SHIFTER IS NOT RETURNING TO CENTER POSITION. AFTER YOU SHIFT EITHER UP OR DOWN YOU HAVE TO MANUALLY PUT IT BACK TO CENTER BEFORE YOU CAN SHIFT TO THE NEXT GEAR. *JB

NHTSA ID 10157122 · filed May 9, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

EVERY 600 MILES THE PLUGS FOUL. BIKE WONT EVEN START. DEALER HAS OTHER VTX'S WITH SAME PROBLEM. DOESNT NO HOW TO FIX PROBLEM. HE STATED THAT HONDA INC. HAS BEEN NO HELP.

NHTSA ID 10005648 · filed Feb 10, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE STARTER ENGAGED AND THE MOTORCYCLE LURCHED FORWARD. THE KILL SWITCH AND STARTER WAS NOT ENGAGED, BUT THE FORWARD MOTION CONTINUED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO FORCE THE KICKSTAND DOWNWARD AND ENGAGE THE CLUTCH. THE MOTORCYCLE STOPPED, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED RUNNING. AFTER THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED, THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.

NHTSA ID 10151998 · filed Mar 6, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .