Model year record

2002 Honda VTX1800 recalls & problems

The 2002 Honda VTX1800 has 3 safety recalls and 63 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (16 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints63filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

StructureSep 17, 2009

Frame and members

Recall 09V362000688 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

StructureNov 30, 2004

Motorcycle › Kickstand/center stand

Recall 04V56400012,866 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 trainMay 9, 2001

Manual transmission

Recall 01V13400070 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
SuspensionRear; Front › Wheel bearing	16	0	0	22,200 mi
Power trainAxle assembly; Driveline › Center support bearing	13	1	1	14,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system › Radiator assembly	9	0	0	—
StructureMotorcycle › Kickstand/center stand; Frame and members › Underbody shields	8	0	0	6,150 mi
Wheels	6	0	0	28,650 mi
Tires	3	0	0	—
Unknown or other	3	0	0	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar	2	0	0	—
Fuel system, other	1	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkages	1	0	0	—
Parking brake	1	0	0	—
Electrical systemStarter assembly	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Wheels
BEARING FAILURE IN THE FINAL DRIVEN FLANGE ASSEMBLY,
Feb 28, 2018 · 67,873 miles
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.
Jan 1, 2007 · 27,000 miles
Service brakesCrash2 injuries
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.
May 17, 2015 · 39,000 miles
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. *TR
Jul 6, 2012 · 698,000 miles
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. *TR
Apr 8, 2013 · 9,000 miles
Wheels
REAR WHEEL FINAL DRIVE BEARING FAILURE. WAS FOUND WHEN REPLACING THE REAR TIRE. LOOKING AT OPTIONS FOR THE REPAIR NOW.
Aug 29, 2011 · 18,300 miles
Power train › Driveline
FOUND WHILE REPLACING REAR TIRE,INSIDE BEARING COMING APART. *TR
Mar 26, 2011 · 22,956 miles
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.
Jan 15, 2011 · 27,371 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Southern Honda PowersportsClosed
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 the recall remedy has been performed.(see 49 U.S.C. 30120(i); 49 C.F.R. 573.11)NHTSA issued an information request to Southern Honda on May 14, 2012 to which they responded on July 6, 2012.NHTSA?s inquiry led it to believe that Southern Honda had failed to complete the requirements of five recalls…
AQ12001 · opened May 14, 2012 · closed May 13, 2013
UNINTENDED SIDE-STAND DEPLOYMENTClosedLed to recall 04V564000
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.
PE04063 · opened Sep 15, 2004 · closed Jan 21, 2005