FaultScore
See all results →
All makes Worst years, ranked Problems by part Problems by model year Recalls in Canada Compare two cars How we grade

FaultScore report

2003 Honda VTX1800 problems

Owners have filed 61 complaints about the 2003 Honda VTX1800 with NHTSA between 2002 and 2017. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Honda VTX1800 All 2003 cars
—

Not graded

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

How this is worked out

The numbers

61

Complaints

1

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

1 complaint reports a death.

11,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

94%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 2003 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 2003 Honda VTX1800

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

Transmission & Drivetrain 20 32.8%

Median failure at 9,468 miles

Suspension 17 27.9%

Median failure at 14,465 miles

Wheels 11 18.0%

Median failure at 24,714 miles

Tires 3 4.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 6,252 mi

Fuel & Propulsion 2 3.3%
Lights 2 3.3%

Median failure at 1,012 miles

Steering 2 3.3%

Median failure at 10,000 miles

Engine & Cooling 2 3.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 1.6%

Median failure at 10,000 miles

Body & Structure 1 1.6%

Median failure at 2,000 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 29.0%
Driveline 5 16.1%
Axle Assembly 5 16.1%
HUB 4 12.9%
Axle Hubs 3 9.7%
Wheel Bearing 2 6.5%
Turn Signal 2 6.5%
Center Support Bearing 1 3.2%

When it fails

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

Under 1,000 miles 3 6.4%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 17 36.2%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 15 31.9%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 12 25.5%

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.

Oct 2002 peak 4 Mar 2017

Complaints that involved harm

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

Mulkeytown, IL Crash 2 killed

TIRES

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.

NHTSA complaint #10313161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

Nixa, MO

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10969010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,897 miles Maryville, TN

WHEELS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10651272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Bayfield, WI

WHEELS

THE REAR WHEEL FLANGE BEARINGS WERE FOUND DAMAGED AND MISSING.

NHTSA complaint #10534604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Sparks, NV

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10507265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Sparks, NV

WHEELS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10507265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Sparks, NV

STEERING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10507265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,429 miles Grain Valley, MO

WHEELS

I HEARD A NOISE WHEN TURNING OR CORNERIG BOTH DIRECTIONS. REMOVED REAR WHEEL AND FOUND DRIVE FLANGE BEARING HAD FAILED BREAKING APART INTO SMALL PIECES.

NHTSA complaint #10469436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,000 miles Fort Worth, TX

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #10453528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,200 miles Linn Creek, MO

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10408891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,000 miles Lima, OH

TIRES

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..

NHTSA complaint #10386522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 23,000 miles Bluffton, SC

WHEELS

THE REAR FLANGE BEARING ON MY 2003 HONDA VTX 1800C FAILED RESULTING IN A VERY SCARY DRIVING SITUATION FOR ME. IT HASN'T HAPPENED SINCE THE INITIAL FAILURE ON OR ABOUT SEPTEMBER 2 OF LAST YEAR, BUT THE REAR WHEEL IS STARTING TO TURN A LITTLE HARDER AGAIN RECENTLY AND I AM LOOKING INTO REPLACING THE BEARING SOON. THE DEALERSHIP (HONDA/YAHAMA OF SAVANNAH, GA) REPLACED THE BEARING AT MY COST AND TOLD ME THAT IT JUST HAPPENS AND IT'S A PART OF THE DESIGN. I WASN'T AWARE THAT THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AN ITEM SUBJECT TO WEAR AND TEAR REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10356549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,000 miles Ruther Glen, VA

SUSPENSION:REAR

WHILE REMOVING THE REAR TIRE FOR REPLACEMENT I NOTICED THE FLANGE BEARING HAS FAILED. 11,000 MILES, FIRST TIME INSPECTING THE BEARING. WILL REPLACE WITH NEW BEARINGS AND POSSIBLY MACHINE THE FLANGE FOR BETTER FIT.

NHTSA complaint #10333977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mulkeytown, IL Crash 2 killed

TIRES

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.

NHTSA complaint #10313161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 27,000 miles Pearl River, LA

SUSPENSION:REAR

HONDA MOTORCYCLE VTX-1800 REAR WHEEL FLANGE BEARING FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10275138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,465 miles Palm Beach Gardens, FL

SUSPENSION:REAR

WHEN THE REAR TIRE WAS REPLACED, I HAD THE TECHNICIAN CHECK THE CONDITION OF THE REAR FLANGE BEARINGS. THEY WERE VERY ROUGH. I ORDERED TWO BEARINGS AND REPLACED THEM ON 12/04/2008 WITH 14,465 MILES ON THE MOTORCYCLE. UPON REMOVAL FROM THE FLANGE, THE BEARINGS WERE IN A STATE OF TOTAL FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10250777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,200 miles Montgomery, IL

POWER TRAIN

REAR TIRE WAS WORN OUT UPON REPLACING TIRE I INSPECTED BEARINGS AND THEY FELL OUT. ORDERED NEW BEARINGS ON LINE AND REPLACED THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10248322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,200 miles Montgomery, IL

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

REAR TIRE WAS WORN OUT UPON REPLACING TIRE I INSPECTED BEARINGS AND THEY FELL OUT. ORDERED NEW BEARINGS ON LINE AND REPLACED THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10248322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 9,500 miles Bellbrook, OH

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

I WAS REMOVING REAR WHEEL ON MY 2003 HONDA VTX C MODEL TO REPLACE WORN TIRE AND WITH THE WHEEL OFF I DID A CHECK OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS. I FREQUENTLY VISIT THE HONDA VTX OWNERS SITE TO KEEP UP ON MAINTENANCE ISSUES AND HAVE FOUND THAT MANY OTHER OWNER HAVE HAD A FAILURE OF THIS ONE PARTICULAR BEARING ASSEMBLY REFERRED TO AS " FINAL DRIVEN FLANGE A , HONDA PART NUMBER 42630-MCH-000. I DID A CHECK OF THE BEARING AND FOUND THAT IT WOULD BARELY ROTATE, IT HAD COMPLETELY FAILED. CONSIDERING THIS IS ON A MOTORCYCLE, I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE ORDERED A NEW PART FROM HONDA AND I HOPE THAT THEY HAVE ADDRESSED THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10241257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,371 miles Hays, KS

SUSPENSION:REAR

HONDA VTX 1800C DURING REAR TIRE REPLACEMENT AT 8,371 MILES DISCOVERED WHEEL BEARING ON THE RIGHT SIDE (BRAKE SIDE) WAS VERY BAD...HAD NO WARNING BUT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN VERY LONG. LONGEST TRIP HAS BEEN 100 MILES REST IS ALL CITY. NO REASON FOR THIS FAILURE!

NHTSA complaint #10235727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Chesapeake, VA

WHEELS

DRIVEN FLANGE BEARING SET FAILURE DISCOVERED WHEN REAR TIRE WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10235654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Chesapeake, VA

SUSPENSION

DRIVEN FLANGE BEARING SET FAILURE DISCOVERED WHEN REAR TIRE WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10235654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 9,560 miles Dublin, OH

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

FLANGE BEARING ON MOTORCYCLE FINAL DRIVE ENGAGEMENT FELL APART AFTER 9500 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10234120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,000 miles Southlake, TX

SUSPENSION

FLANGE BEARING FAILURE APPROXIMATE DATE OF FAILURE: JUNE 2008 YEAR OF MANUFACTURE: 2003 MODEL: R MILEAGE: 36,000 BEARING CONDITION: INNER BEARING COMPLETELY DESTROYED...FOUND WHEN I CHANGED OUT THE TIRE....SEAL BULGED OUT AND METAL PIECES EVERYWHERE. ACCIDENT : NO HOW FIXED: PURCHASED PART FROM BEARING SUPPLY STORE AND REPLACED IT MYSELF.......HOPING IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN!

NHTSA complaint #10232657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles VAN, TX

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

HONDA VTX DRIVE FLANGE BEARING FAILURE. REPAIRED AT HOME. NO ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10228200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 9,000 miles Ellington, CT

SUSPENSION:REAR

FAILURE OF FLANGE BEARING, REAR WHEEL AT 9000 MILES CHECK BEARING AT TIRE REPLACEMENT REPLACE FLANGE BEARING UNIT-HONDA DOES NOT SELL BEARINGS ONLY.

NHTSA complaint #10227149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.