2002 Honda VTX1800: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 63 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (23% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2015
“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”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2013
“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”Owner report · Wheels · Jul 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2011
“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”Owner report · Wheels · Jul 2010
“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”Owner report · Suspension · May 2010
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2008
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2008
“1. Grinding noise in rear 2. Flange bearing completely destroyed 3. Bearing replaced at dealer(have old bearing in hand). *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2008
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. A TRANSMISSION CIRCLIP WAS NOT SEATED CORRECTLY AND COULD ALLOW GEARS TO LOCK.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact VTX1800 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Honda VTX1800 reliable?
NHTSA has 63 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Honda VTX1800. The most complained-about area is suspension (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Honda VTX1800 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 15,500 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Honda VTX1800 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning structure:frame and members. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.