2002 Honda Vtx1800 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension:rear (8) · Structure:motorcycle:kickstand/Center Stand (7) · Wheels (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Honda Vtx1800 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
47 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (18)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Air Bags 2014-08-06 · DLR MSG - Honda · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dealer 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.
Air Bags 2014-07-23 · DLR MSG - Stop S · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dealer 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-pressur
Equipment:other:labels 2008-05-31 · 08-040 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
load carrying capacity reduced label for all honda vehicles. *pe
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel 2008-05-09 · SB-06-085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
honda: 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. *pe
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2005-07-01 · 07012005 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
stuck fuel pump. honda. the wrench. *tt
Engine And Engine Cooling 2005-05-01 · 05012005 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
no start condition. to include honda vtx1800 2004. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 18 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-03-07 · Wheels · 67,873 mi“bearing failure in the final driven flange assembly,…”
2017-11-13 · Steering · 27,000 mi“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-…”
2015-07-13 · Service Brakes · 39,000 mi · 💥 crash“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 an…”
2015-03-22 · Wheels · 698,000 mi“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 be…”
2013-04-25 · Engine · 9,000 mi“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 veh…”
2011-08-29 · Wheels · 18,300 mi“rear wheel final drive bearing failure. was found when replacing the rear tire. looking at options for the repair now. …”
2011-04-02 · Power Train:driveline · 22,956 mi“found while replacing rear tire,inside bearing coming apart. *tr…”
2011-02-21 · Unknown Or Other · 27,371 mi“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…”
2010-08-01 · Wheels · 18,000 mi“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…”
2010-05-20 · Suspension:rear · 36,000 mi“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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.