2002 Honda VTX1800
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › Honda › VTX1800 › 2002
These records cover every 2002 Honda VTX1800. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 2002 Honda VTX1800. Newest first.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
Vehicle description: motorcycles. a transmission circlip was not seated correctly and could allow gears to lock.
Risk and remedy
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.
Owner complaints
63 complaints2 involved a crash3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Wheels
Bearing failure in the final driven flange assembly,
- 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…
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 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…
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
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…
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
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
Rear wheel final drive bearing failure. Was found when replacing the rear tire. Looking at options for the repair now.
- Power train › Driveline
Found while replacing rear tire,inside bearing coming apart. *tr
- 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…
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
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
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
2002 honda vtx 1800s rear wheel flange bearing. Worn out again for the second time approx 8 to 10,000 miles. *Tr
- 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…
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
Excessive bearing noise and all speeds. Cause was final drive flange bearing failure. *Tr
- 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. *tr
- Power train
Flange bearing failure. *tr
- Suspension › Rear
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 · Tires
Replacing the rear tire and the final flange bearing were half gone. *tr
- 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) *tr
- Suspension › Rear · 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…
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
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
- 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. *Jb
- Power train › Driveline › Center support bearing
Rear flange bearing on 2002 honda vtx1800 motorcycle failed. *nm
- 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.
- Suspension › Rear
I have a 2002 honda vtx1800r motorcycle. while removing rear wheel and tire for a tire replacement I found one of the flange bearings damaged. the inner cage of the bearing was completely torn apart and the balls while still in the race of the bearing housing were worn. I had been battling a…
I have a 2002 honda vtx1800r motorcycle. while removing rear wheel and tire for a tire replacement I found one of the flange bearings damaged. the inner cage of the bearing was completely torn apart and the balls while still in the race of the bearing housing were worn. I had been battling a vibration on this motorcycle for nearly 8000 miles. I was not able to detect this while turning the wheel with the motorcycle on jack. I had thought it was tire related but I know now that this was not the problem. although I had reported my vibration problem to my local honda dealer several times they never developed this information to me even though I know there have been many vtx's with this problem. I am angry that a dealer and manufacturer would put people in danger to save a buck. I have at my own cost replaced both bearings and had the flange machined to prevent the binding of the inner bearing which I believe IS the reason for the bearing failure. I had a machinist measure the flange bearing sleeve and discovered that the inner surface of the sleeve IS smaller in diameter by .0015 of an inch making the bearing too tight when installed. this causes what many have reported as a bearing that feels like it grabs or IS rough while turning yet when it IS removed from the flange it spins freely. *nm
- Suspension › Front › Wheel bearing · Suspension › Rear
I was having the rear tire changed and I checked the bearings. It has been reported on the honda web site that there have been several problems. The bearings were replaced and it was found that one was severely damaged. I have the bearing and photos. *nm
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- 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…
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 that required inspections and/or repairs of motorcycles prior to their sale or delivery.NHTSA believes that 329 motorcycles affected by recalls had not been inspected and/or repaired prior to their sale and delivery between 2007 and 2012.The agency is unaware of any deaths or injuries involving these vehicles.NHTSA concluded that it had a potential civil penalty claim against Southern Honda for violations of the Safety Act.Southern Honda denied any violations of the Safety Act.In order to settle this matter, Southern Honda agreed to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $125,000, to be paid in five annual installments.This AQ is closed.
- 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…
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.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10128559Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of July 23, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and service bulletins 14-040, Safety Recall: Accord, Civic, and Others ? Front Passenger?s Airbag Inflator Can Be Over-Pressurized, 14-045, Recall: Front Driver?s Airbag Inflator May Produce Excessive Pressure After Long-Term Exposure to High Absolute Humidity Recall, and 14-046, Recall: Front Passenger?s Airbag Inflator May Produce Excessive Pressure After Long-Term Exposure to High Absolute Humidity have been posted to ISIS. However, due to the large number of affected units, American Honda is still in the process of populating the VIN status inquiry function on iN, which is expected to take several days. When this process is complete, American Honda will notify all dealers again via iN message. Until that time, the existing acknowledgement procedure must be used for all potentially affected vehicles.
- 10128531Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of August 4, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and VIN status inquiry has been updated.
- 10032953Honda: warranty extension-vehicle warranty mileage. Class action lawsuit alleging that the odometers on certain 2002-2006 honda models were overstating mileage. Federal court provided final approval of settlement on 12/29/07. No models listed.
- 10025523Load carrying capacity reduced label for all honda vehicles.
- 10018357Stuck fuel pump. Honda. The wrench.
- 10016287No start condition. To include honda vtx1800 2004.
- 10009060Trippy trip switch. Honda. The wrench.
- 10005969Primary drive gear assembly. Honda technician newsletter.
- 637056Information on servicing a stumble condition and fi light flash with no codes stored vtx1800c, r and s models.
- 626723Subject regarding product update campaign, primary ground cable rerouting.
- 626450Information regarding seat bolts removal tip.
- 626446Information regarding compression pressue.
- 626442Information regarding primary ground cable rerouting product update campaign.
- 624557Information regarding 2002 vtx1800c front brake pads.
- 624556Information regarding 2002 vtx1800c live the engine in.
- 624553Information regarding key number plate?
- 623825Information regarding 2002 vtx1800c headlight rattling?
- 623820Information regarding how to prevent fuel tank damage.
Every Honda VTX1800 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.