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FaultScore report

2002 Honda VTX1800 problems

Owners have filed 66 complaints about the 2002 Honda VTX1800 with NHTSA between 2002 and 2018. The largest single group is the suspension.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Honda VTX1800 All 2002 cars
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Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

66

Complaints

2

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries reported

15,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

84%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 2002 compares with every other Honda VTX1800

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2002 Honda VTX1800

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Suspension 16 24.2%

Median failure at 22,200 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 13 19.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 14,000 mi

Engine & Cooling 10 15.2%

Median failure at 12,500 miles

Body & Structure 8 12.1%

Median failure at 6,150 miles

Wheels 6 9.1%

Median failure at 28,650 miles

Other & Unspecified 3 4.5%

Median failure at 43,385 miles

Tires 3 4.5%

Median failure at 8,228 miles

Brakes 2 3.0%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 33,000 mi

Steering 2 3.0%

Median failure at 27,000 miles

Doors, Latches & Locks 1 1.5%

Median failure at 13,772 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 1 1.5%

Median failure at 600 miles

Electrical System 1 1.5%

Median failure at 6,300 miles

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Rear 9 25.0%
Kickstand/Center Stand 7 19.4%
Wheel Bearing 5 13.9%
Axle Assembly 4 11.1%
Engine 4 11.1%
Center Support Bearing 3 8.3%
Driveline 2 5.6%
Spindle 2 5.6%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 2.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 14 27.5%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 20 39.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 11 21.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 4 7.8%
150,000+ miles 1 2.0%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Feb 2002 peak 4 Mar 2018

NHTSA investigations into the 2002 Honda VTX1800

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

AQ12001 Opened 14 May 2012 Closed 13 May 2013 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Southern Honda Powersports

NHTSA opened Audit Query (AQ) 12-001 to determine whether Southern Honda Powersports (Southern Honda) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, had complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a motor vehicle or equipment manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with federal motor vehicle safety standards.In turn, a dealer may not sell and deliver a new vehicle subject to a recall unless...

PE04063 Opened 15 Sep 2004 Closed 21 Jan 2005 STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND

UNINTENDED SIDE-STAND DEPLOYMENT

THIS PE WAS OPENED TO EXAMINE REPORTS OF UNINTENDED MOTORCYCLE SIDE-STAND DEPLOYMENT WHILE UNDERWAY.IF THE STAND DEPLOYS WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS BEING RIDDEN, THE SIDE-STAND INTERLOCK (DESIGNED TO PREVENT RIDING WITH THE STAND DEPLOYED) WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL.ADDITIONALLY, SUDDEN, UNINTENDED SIDE-STAND DEPLOYMENT WHILE RIDING CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL IN LEFT TURNS.SHORTLY AFTER OPENING THIS PE, HONDA ADVISED THAT IT WAS CONDUCTING A RECALL TO ADDRESS THIS CONDITION.WITH THAT RECALL (04V-564) THIS PE IS CLOSED.

Recalls on the 2002 Honda VTX1800

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

09V362000

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 VTX1800 MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 14 AND OCTOBER 4, 2001. THE SWINGARM MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY WELDED.

Risk: THE SWINGARM COULD BREAK WHILE RIDINGCAUSING THE RIDER TO LOSE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN CRASH.

04V564000

STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE WASHER FOR THE SIDE STAND SPRING BOLT DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT HARNESS AND COULD DEFORM, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO FLEX AND EVENTUALLY BREAK DURING SIDE STAND OPERATION.

Risk: A RETRACTED SIDE STAND COULD DROP WHILE RIDING, POSSIBLY ACTIVATING THE SIDE STAND IGNITION CUT-OFF SYSTEM. IF THE IGNITION IS CUT, THE ENGINE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

01V134000

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. A TRANSMISSION CIRCLIP WAS NOT SEATED CORRECTLY AND COULD ALLOW GEARS TO LOCK.

Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A REAR-WHEEL LOCKUP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 39,000 miles Myrtle Beach, SC Crash 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

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 complaint #10733573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,150 miles Brunswick, GA Crash 1 injured

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CENTER SUPPORT BEARING

FAILURE OF THE REAR BEARINGS IN THE FINAL DRIVE FLANGE OF MY 2002 HONDA VTX MOTORCYCLE.

NHTSA complaint #10112316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 67,873 miles Bremen, KY

WHEELS

BEARING FAILURE IN THE FINAL DRIVEN FLANGE ASSEMBLY,

NHTSA complaint #11076774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 27,000 miles Lake City, FL

STEERING

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 complaint #11045594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 39,000 miles Myrtle Beach, SC Crash 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

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 complaint #10733573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 698,000 miles Huntsville, AR

WHEELS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10701001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 9,000 miles Baton Rouge, LA

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10509532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18,300 miles Houston, MS

WHEELS

REAR WHEEL FINAL DRIVE BEARING FAILURE. WAS FOUND WHEN REPLACING THE REAR TIRE. LOOKING AT OPTIONS FOR THE REPAIR NOW.

NHTSA complaint #10423401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,956 miles Cantonment, FL

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

FOUND WHILE REPLACING REAR TIRE,INSIDE BEARING COMING APART.

NHTSA complaint #10394017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 27,371 miles Pepperell, MA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

REMOVED REAR WHEEL TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE AND CHECK REAR WHEEL FLANGE BEARINGS AS ADVISED BY MANY OTHER OWNERS DISCUSSIONS ON VTXOA.COM, WHO'VE EXPERIENCED THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM. THE BEARINGS WERE IN VERY ROUGH SHAPE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS APPEARS TO BE ATTRIBUTED TO INCORRECTLY DIMENSIONED HONDA PARTS, FOR WHICH THEY'VE NEVER PROVIDED AN ACCEPTABLE, ENGINEERED SOLUTION, OR ACKNOWLEDGED IT FOR THAT MATTER. FAILED COMPONENT: QTY OF 2 BEARINGS IN ITEM DESCRIBED AS FLANGE SET, PN 42630-MCH-000.

NHTSA complaint #10384912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18,000 miles Elgin, IL

WHEELS

TWO FAULTY FLANGE BEARINGS IN LESS THAN 18,000 MILES. FAILURE NOTED DURING TIRE CHANGES IN BOTH INSTANCES. BOTH REPLACED AT OWNER'S COST @ OVER 190 DOLLARS EACH INSTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10346665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,000 miles Liberty Hill, TX

SUSPENSION:REAR

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!

NHTSA complaint #10331363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Edgewater, FL

WHEELS

2002 HONDA VTX 1800S REAR WHEEL FLANGE BEARING. WORN OUT AGAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME APPROX 8 TO 10,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10272419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,000 miles Sterling Heights, MI

SUSPENSION:REAR

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 complaint #10248795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,000 miles Kennewick, WA

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

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

NHTSA complaint #10244344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Howe, ID

POWER TRAIN

FLANGE BEARINGS WERE NOTICED TO BE DISINTEGRATING WHILE CHANGING OUT THE TIRE ON THE REAR RIM OF AN 02, 1800 HONDA VTX WITH ONLY 15000 MILES. I HAVE ORDERED NEW SET OF BEARINGS TO REPLACE.

NHTSA complaint #10238013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Colorado Springs, CO

POWER TRAIN

FLANGE BEARING FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10229630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,500 miles Brooksville, FL

SUSPENSION:REAR

1. GRINDING NOISE IN REAR 2. FLANGE BEARING COMPLETELY DESTROYED 3. BEARING REPLACED AT DEALER(HAVE OLD BEARING IN HAND).

NHTSA complaint #10223466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,653 miles Broken Arrow, OK

TIRES

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

NHTSA complaint #10219640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,653 miles Broken Arrow, OK

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

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

NHTSA complaint #10219640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,856 miles Colorado Springs, CO

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE

APPROXIMATE DATE OF FAILURE: JULY 6 2007 YEAR OF MANUFACTURE: 2002 MODEL:VTX 1800 S BEARING CONDITION: BEARING TOTALLY TRASHED (IN PIECES) DISCOVERED WHILE REMOVING WHEEL TO HAVE TIRE REPAIRED/REPLACED ACCIDENT : NONE HOW FIXED: LOCATING PARTS NOW ADDITIONAL REMARKS: (ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION)

NHTSA complaint #10197242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,000 miles Alto, NM

SUSPENSION:REAR

I OWN A 2002 HONDA VT1800C MOTORCYCLE AND THERE IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT ON THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. I ONLY HAVE 12,000 MILES ON THIS MOTORCYCLE AND THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ARE SHOT TO HELL. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THIS SUBJECT WITH OWNER FORUMS AND SEE THAT MANY OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT YET HONDA REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE THAT THEY HAVE A DEFECT OR NEED A RECALL. IT IS MY OPINION THAT HONDA IS NOT RECALLING THIS PARTICULAR FACTORY DEFECT DUE TO LACK OF A QUALITY FIX. MANY OWNERS REPORT BUYING BRAND NEW FACTORY BEARING SETS ONLY TO FIND THAT THEY ARE DEFECTIVE EVEN BEFORE INSTALLING THE NEW REPLACEMENT BEARINGS. SOME ONE NEEDS TO MAKE HONDA FIX THIS SITUATION AT THEIR EXPENSE BEFORE SOME ONE GETS KILLED RIDING THEIR MOTORCYCLE DUE TO REAR WHEEL LOCK UP.

NHTSA complaint #10188409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,000 miles Alto, NM

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE

I OWN A 2002 HONDA VT1800C MOTORCYCLE AND THERE IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT ON THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. I ONLY HAVE 12,000 MILES ON THIS MOTORCYCLE AND THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ARE SHOT TO HELL. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THIS SUBJECT WITH OWNER FORUMS AND SEE THAT MANY OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT YET HONDA REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE THAT THEY HAVE A DEFECT OR NEED A RECALL. IT IS MY OPINION THAT HONDA IS NOT RECALLING THIS PARTICULAR FACTORY DEFECT DUE TO LACK OF A QUALITY FIX. MANY OWNERS REPORT BUYING BRAND NEW FACTORY BEARING SETS ONLY TO FIND THAT THEY ARE DEFECTIVE EVEN BEFORE INSTALLING THE NEW REPLACEMENT BEARINGS. SOME ONE NEEDS TO MAKE HONDA FIX THIS SITUATION AT THEIR EXPENSE BEFORE SOME ONE GETS KILLED RIDING THEIR MOTORCYCLE DUE TO REAR WHEEL LOCK UP.

NHTSA complaint #10188409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 39,000 miles Stillwater Lake, 00

WHEELS

FLANGE BEARING (BEARING ON REAR WHEEL, FINAL DRIVE SIDE) FAILURE AT 39,000 MILES, NOTICED WHEN CHANGING REAR TIRE. TOTAL FAILURE AT HIGH SPEED COULD CAUSE THE REAR WHEEL TO LOCK AND A CRASH TO OCCUR. NEW BEARING INSTALLED AT OWNERS EXPENSE.

NHTSA complaint #10161622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,240 miles Fairchild AFB, WA

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY

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.

NHTSA complaint #10157122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,300 miles Sikeston, MO

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CENTER SUPPORT BEARING

REAR FLANGE BEARING ON 2002 HONDA VTX1800 MOTORCYCLE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #10156425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 34,500 miles Marianna, FL

SUSPENSION:REAR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE REAR TIRE WAS BEING REPLACED, THE CONTACT REQUESTED THE REAR FLANGE BEARING BE INSPECTED, BECAUSE OF FAILURE INFORMATION FOUND ON THE INTERNET. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE REAR FLANGE BEARINGS, BECAUSE THEY HAD DISINTEGRATED.

NHTSA complaint #10155679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.