IllustrationTHE 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
2002 Honda VTX1800
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all VTX1800 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
330–25K
1025–50K
450–75K
075–100K
0100–150K
1150K+
48 reports with mileage · 15 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Suspension. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
63 reportsREAR FLANGE BEARING ON 2002 HONDA VTX1800 MOTORCYCLE FAILED. *NM
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.
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 N…
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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
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
2002 HONDA VTX1800C, VIN = [XXX] REAR AXLE DRIVE SHAFT BEARING FAILURE. MILEAGE ON MOTORCYCLE = 4874 MILES. *JB UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE STARTER ENGAGED AND THE MOTORCYCLE LURCHED FORWARD. THE KILL SWITCH AND STARTER WAS NOT ENGAGED, BUT THE FORWARD MOTION CONTINUED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO FORCE THE KICKSTAND DOWNWARD AND ENGAGE THE CLUTCH. THE MOTORCYCLE STOPPED, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED RUNNING.…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE STARTER ENGAGED AND THE MOTORCYCLE LURCHED FORWARD. THE KILL SWITCH AND STARTER WAS NOT ENGAGED, BUT THE FORWARD MOTION CONTINUED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO FORCE THE KICKSTAND DOWNWARD AND ENGAGE THE CLUTCH. THE MOTORCYCLE STOPPED, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED RUNNING. AFTER THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED, THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.
1, TIRE CHANGE 2. INSIDE FLANGE BEARING NOTCH 3. REPLACED BEARINGS, OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. 4. SECOND FAILURE OF BEARINGS. INSIDE BEARINGS BOTH TIME, FIRST FAILURE AT 23,209 MILES, SECOND FAILURE AT 29,773 MILES. 6,564 MILES BETWEEN FAILURES. SEAL ON INSIDE BEARING BLOWN OUT. *JB
REAR WHEEL FLANGE BEARINGS FAILED ON ME 2002 HONDA VTX 1800 MOTOR CYCLE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE BIKES AND HONDA WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A LIFE AND DEATH PROBLEM. *JB
BEARING FAILURE IN THE FINAL DRIVEN FLANGE ASSEMBLY APPROXIMATE DATE OF FAILURE: 12/4/2005 YEAR OF MANUFACTURE: 2002 MODEL PURCHASED JUNE 2001 MODEL: HONDA MC VTX 1800C BEARING CONDITION: DIFFICULTY TURNING BY HAND. CONDITION DISCOVERED WHEN REAR WHEEL REMOVED FOR TIRE CHANGE AT 7145 TOTAL MILES. REPORT MADE AT RE…
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BEARING FAILURE IN THE FINAL DRIVEN FLANGE ASSEMBLY APPROXIMATE DATE OF FAILURE: 12/4/2005 YEAR OF MANUFACTURE: 2002 MODEL PURCHASED JUNE 2001 MODEL: HONDA MC VTX 1800C BEARING CONDITION: DIFFICULTY TURNING BY HAND. CONDITION DISCOVERED WHEN REAR WHEEL REMOVED FOR TIRE CHANGE AT 7145 TOTAL MILES. REPORT MADE AT REQUEST OF TAPPER TEXAS X RIDERS VTXOA.COM. *NM
Official recalls
309V362000 · Structure:frame And Members
Sep 17, 2009
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
04V564000 · Structure:motorcycle:kickstand/center Stand
Nov 30, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
01V134000 · Power Train:manual Transmission
May 9, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. A TRANSMISSION CIRCLIP WAS NOT SEATED CORRECTLY AND COULD ALLOW GEARS TO LOCK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2AQ12001 · Southern Honda Powersports
Opened May 14, 2012 · Closed May 13, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
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.
PE04063 · Unintended SIDE-STAND Deployment
Opened Sep 15, 2004 · Closed Jan 21, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:motorcycle:kickstand/center 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.