2003 Honda VTX1800 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 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
- Powertrain (other)1830.5%
- Suspension1728.8%
- Tires & wheels711.9%
- Other / unspecified711.9%
- Exterior lighting23.4%
- Engine23.4%
- Steering23.4%
- Fuel system23.4%
- Body & structure11.7%
- Driver assistance11.7%
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
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR DRIVE SIDE FLANGE BEARING TOTAL FAILURE 4 TIMES BEFORE 30000 MILES. BEARINGS TOTALLY GROUND DOWN AND ROUGH. T $220.00 A POP, IT IS BECOMING EXPENSIVE AND AN IMMINENT DANGER TO ALL RIDERS. *JS
REAR TIRE WAS WORN OUT UPON REPLACING TIRE I INSPECTED BEARINGS AND THEY FELL OUT. ORDERED NEW BEARINGS ON LINE AND REPLACED THEM. *TR
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
JUST HAD REAR TIRE REPLACED ON MY VTX 1800R AT HONDA DEALER. WAS INFORMED BY TECHNICIAN THAT MY REAR BEARING NEEDS REPLACED. THE BIKE ONLY HAS 13,500 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. THIS SEEMS WAY TO EARLY FOR THIS TO HAVE WORN OUT ALREADY. I SEE ON THIS FORUM THAT THIS PROBLEM IS ENORMOUSLY COMMON ON THE 1800S. PRETTY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS. ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS AND HOPING THE BEARINGS HAVE BEEN UPGRADED IN THE LAST 13 YEARS.
WHEN CHANGING REAR TIRE CHECKED FLANGE BEARING AND NOTICED BEARING WAS COMING APART. SEAL GONE AND METAL PIECES PRESENT ALONG WITH ROUGH AND LOOSE BEARINGS. 14,000 MILES ON 03 1800 VTX C. *TR
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
FLANGE BEARING WORN AT ONLY 11,000 MILES...LUCKILY I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR TIRE FOR A 1200 MILE TRIP I WAS GETTING READY TO TAKE OR ELSE IT COULD OF MADE FOR A REALLY BAD TRIP FOR SOMETHING THAT I BELIEVE SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AFTER ONLY THIS MANY MILES...SPENT 35 BUCKS AND GOT THEM REPLACED.. *TR
2003 HONDA VTX1800 MC BIKE STARTED TO SHAKE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED*CW ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE REAR TIRE STARTED TO SHAKE AS THE CONSUMER WAS RIDING. SECONDS LATER, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE BIKE AND WENT DOWN ON THE PAVEMENT. THE SECOND PERSON, THE CONSUMERS WIFE WAS ON A SEPARATE BIKE TRIED TO SWERVE TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT, BUT LOST CONTROL INSTEAD. HUSBAND AND WIFE WERE PRONOUNCED DEAD. ACCORDING TO THE DECEDENT'S SON, THE CONSUMER HAD PLACED A CAR TIRE ON THE REAR OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND HAD BEEN RIDING THAT WAY FOR ABOUT A YEAR. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
NOTICED ODD TIRE WEAR ON THE REAR TIRE OF THE MOTORCYCLE WHILE AWAY FROM HOME. TIRE SEEMED TO HAVE WORN DOWN VERY QUICKLY. AFTER ANOTHER 100 MILES RIDDEN, NOTICED TREAD ON LEFT SIDE OF TIRE WAS WORN DOWN TO THE CORDS OF THE TIRE AND VERY CLOSE TO HAVING A BLOW OUT. REMOVED TIRE AND WHEEL TO REPLACE TIRE. DISCOVERED THAT THE BEARING IN THE FLANGE WAS DESTROYED, THIS BEARING WAS ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE TIRE THAT HAD WORN DOWN TO THE CORDS. BEARING HAD METAL PIECES LOOSE INSIDE AND BALL BEARINGS WERE LOOSE AND SCATTERED AROUND BEARING. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND HAVE FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF PREVIOUS FAILURE. *TR
THE REAR WHEEL FLANGE BEARINGS WERE FOUND DAMAGED AND MISSING. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR IS LOCATED ON THE FUEL TANK AND DOES NOT INDICATE WHICH REAR TURN SIGNAL ILLUMINATES. THE SWITCH TO INITIATE THE TURN SIGNAL IS LOCATED ON THE LEFT HANDLE BAR AND ONCE ENGAGED RETURNS TO A NEUTRAL POSITION WHICH ALSO FAILS TO DEMONSTRATE WHICH TURN SIGNAL IS ENGAGED. ADDITIONALLY, THE STRUCTURE FRAME APPEARED UNEVEN AND PHYSICALLY FELT UNSTABLE WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THIS WAS THE DESIGN OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 6/27/2006 - WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE MOTORCYCLE LEANS TO THE LEFT. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE FRAME IS CROOKED. *NM
DT: 2003 HONDA VTX1800 RETRO CAST. THE TURN SIGNAL LENSES KEEP FALLING OFF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP STATES THEY HAVE CONTACTED HONDA AND THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 60 TIMES SINCE HE HAS OWNED THE MOTORCYCLE. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS GIVING HIM THE LENSES AND HE FIXES IT HIMSELF. WHEN THIS FALLS OF, IT COULD HIT SOMEONE BEHIND THE CONSUMER AND INJURE THEM. THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT KNOW WHY THE LENS KEEPS FALLING OFF.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED MOTORCYCLE SEVERAL TIMES AND COULD NOT FIX THE MOTORCYCLE. CURRENTLY, WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND CONSUMER HAD FIXED THE MOTORCYCLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE.*AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. MR WHILE OPENING THE THROTTLE MORE THAN HALF WAY BLACK SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE TAILPIPE, THE MOTORCYCLE BACKFIRED AND CUT OFF. *NM
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
MAJOR FRONT END WOBBLE (ESPECIALLY IF NOT GRIPPING WITH BOTH HANDS) BETWEEN 35-50MPH. SEVERAL HUNDRED COMPLAINTS ONLINE, BUT NOBODY HAS A 100% FIX. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DURING A TURN WITH THE WOBBLE. ALMOST FEELS LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE CONTROL. BROUGHT IT TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE ALSO BROUGHT IN THERE BIKES WITH THE SAME ISSUE, BUT NO KNOWN FIXES. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE HANDLE BAR VIBRATED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NLM
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
2003 VTX 1800 FUEL LEAKED ON TO THE CYLINDER HEAD. *TS ***NAR*** FUEL LEAKED FROM THE LOWER RIGHT SIDE SEAM OF THE FUEL TANK. *JB
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING FUEL LIGHT WOULD COME ON TOO EARLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR IS LOCATED ON THE FUEL TANK AND DOES NOT INDICATE WHICH REAR TURN SIGNAL ILLUMINATES. THE SWITCH TO INITIATE THE TURN SIGNAL IS LOCATED ON THE LEFT HANDLE BAR AND ONCE ENGAGED RETURNS TO A NEUTRAL POSITION WHICH ALSO FAILS TO DEMONSTRATE WHICH TURN SIGNAL IS ENGAGED. ADDITIONALLY, THE STRUCTURE FRAME APPEARED UNEVEN AND PHYSICALLY FELT UNSTABLE WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THIS WAS THE DESIGN OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 6/27/2006 - WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE MOTORCYCLE LEANS TO THE LEFT. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE FRAME IS CROOKED. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
MAJOR FRONT END WOBBLE (ESPECIALLY IF NOT GRIPPING WITH BOTH HANDS) BETWEEN 35-50MPH. SEVERAL HUNDRED COMPLAINTS ONLINE, BUT NOBODY HAS A 100% FIX. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DURING A TURN WITH THE WOBBLE. ALMOST FEELS LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE CONTROL. BROUGHT IT TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE ALSO BROUGHT IN THERE BIKES WITH THE SAME ISSUE, BUT NO KNOWN FIXES. *TR
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .