Owners filed 63 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension › rear. It has been recalled 3 times.
When it fails
01500015,000 milesMedian miles at failure
47 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 0–10,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Suspension › Rear
8
0
0
0
Structure › Motorcycle › Kickstand/Center Stand
7
0
0
0
Wheels
6
0
0
0
Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
4
0
0
0
Power Train › Axle Assembly
4
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
4
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
3
0
0
0
Power Train › Driveline › Center Support Bearing
3
1
0
1
Tires
2
0
0
0
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Spindle
2
0
0
0
3 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Structure › Frame and Members09V362000
Filed Sep 17, 2009688 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)
Defect. 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.
Remedy. HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELD AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SWINGARM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA MOTORCYCLE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-784-1870.
Filed Nov 30, 200412,866 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)
Defect. 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.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED WASHER AND A NEW SPRING BOLT AND NUT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-866-784-1870.
Power Train › Manual Transmission01V134000
Filed May 9, 200170 vehiclesAmerican Honda Motor Co.
Defect. 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.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION ON THESE MOTORCYCLES. ALL OWNERS WERE CONTACTED BY TELEPHONE AND ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. THIS CAMPAIGN IS 100% COMPLETED.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Wheels
Filed Mar 7, 201867,873 milesKY
BEARING FAILURE IN THE FINAL DRIVEN FLANGE ASSEMBLY,
Steering
Filed Nov 13, 201727,000 milesFL
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.
Service BrakesCrash2 injured
Filed Jul 13, 201539,000 milesSC
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.
Wheels
Filed Mar 22, 2015698,000 milesAR
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
Engine
Filed Apr 25, 20139,000 milesLA
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
Wheels
Filed Aug 29, 201118,300 milesMS
REAR WHEEL FINAL DRIVE BEARING FAILURE. WAS FOUND WHEN REPLACING THE REAR TIRE. LOOKING AT OPTIONS FOR THE REPAIR NOW.
Power Train › Driveline
Filed Apr 2, 201122,956 milesFL
FOUND WHILE REPLACING REAR TIRE,INSIDE BEARING COMING APART. *TR
Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 21, 201127,371 milesMA
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.
Wheels
Filed Aug 1, 201018,000 milesIL
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. *TR
Suspension › Rear
Filed May 20, 201036,000 milesTX
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
Wheels
Filed May 30, 200910,000 milesFL
2002 HONDA VTX 1800S REAR WHEEL FLANGE BEARING. WORN OUT AGAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME APPROX 8 TO 10,000 MILES. *TR
Suspension › Rear
Filed Nov 14, 200817,000 milesMI
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.
Power Train › Driveline
Filed Oct 3, 200824,000 milesWA
EXCESSIVE BEARING NOISE AND ALL SPEEDS. CAUSE WAS FINAL DRIVE FLANGE BEARING FAILURE. *TR
Power Train
Filed Aug 13, 200815,000 milesID
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. *TR
Power Train
Filed Jun 2, 200868,000 milesCO
FLANGE BEARING FAILURE. *TR
Suspension › Rear
Filed Apr 5, 200813,500 milesFL
1. GRINDING NOISE IN REAR 2. FLANGE BEARING COMPLETELY DESTROYED 3. BEARING REPLACED AT DEALER(HAVE OLD BEARING IN HAND). *TR
Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Feb 28, 200813,653 milesOK
REPLACING THE REAR TIRE AND THE FINAL FLANGE BEARING WERE HALF GONE. *TR
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Spindle
Filed Jul 23, 200767,856 milesCO
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) *TR
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Spindle
Filed Apr 20, 200712,000 milesNM
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. *JB
Wheels
Filed Jul 6, 200639,000 miles00
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. *JB
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Sep 17, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.