U.S. public vehicle records

2002 Honda VTX1800 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

63 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

15,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2002 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 48 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Suspension:Rear is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 63 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Engine operation	5	7.9%
Braking behavior	3	4.8%
Fuel system concerns	2	3.2%
Electrical and battery issues	1	1.6%
Steering behavior	1	1.6%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Suspension:Rear

Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand

Wheels

Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Power Train:Axle Assembly

Power Train:Driveline:Center Support Bearing

Tires

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Suspension:Rear	9
Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand	7
Wheels	6
Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing	5
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	4
Power Train:Axle Assembly	4
Power Train:Driveline:Center Support Bearing	3
Tires	3

Suspension:Rear: 9; Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand: 7; Wheels: 6; Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 4; Power Train:Driveline:Center Support Bearing: 3; Tires: 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 33; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (33). 15 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2013

2015

2017

2018

2002: 7; 2003: 4; 2004: 10; 2005: 13; 2006: 10; 2007: 2; 2008: 6; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2013: 1; 2015: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 1

Pattern summary

Suspension:Rear leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10088108 · 2004-08-17 (August 17, 2004)

THE SIDE STAND SPRING MOUNT ON 2002, HONDA VTX, 1800 C FELL OFF ALONG WITH THE SPRINGS AS CONSUMER WAS GETTING OFF THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM HAD IT HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC AS THE ENGINE WOULD STALL AS THE STAND CAME DOWN. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088108 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10091083 · 2004-09-15 (September 15, 2004)

KICK STAND BROKE PT#HOOK SPRING50536-MCH-000 MOTOCYCLE KICK STAND SPRING HOLDER BROKE WITCH MEANS BIKE STALLS WILE RIDING IN GEAR BECAUSE KICK STAND DOWN AND BIKE FALLING OVER WILE PARKED.A SERIOUS HASARD WILE RIDING AND A COSTLY DAMADGE WILE PARKED OR COULD FALL OVER ON SOMEONE BIKE WEIGHS OVER 700 LPS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 8,051 miles reported. Look up ODI 10091083 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10331363 · 2010-05-20 (May 20, 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-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10331363 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10733573 · 2015-07-13 (July 13, 2015)

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-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10733573 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10121466 · 2005-05-19 (May 19, 2005)

2002 HONDA VTX 1800 RIGHT SIDE OF THE RADIATOR PLASTIC TRIM MELTED THROUGH.*MR.....THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RADIATOR PLASTIC TRIM SHROUD MELTED THROUGH WHERE IT COMES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY WITH THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE TOP OF THE SHROUD IS APPROXIMATELY 8 FEET FROM THE FUEL TANK. CONSUMER IS AFRAID THAT PLASTIC SHROUD WILL CATCH ON FIRE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10121466 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 567493 · 2002-09-17 (September 17, 2002)

THE VEHICLE ENGINE IS FOULING ITS SPARK PLUGS AFTER SOME SMALL PERIOD OF RIDING TIME CAUSING AN EXTENSIVE INCREASE IN BAD EXHAUST EMISSIONS. THERE IS A GASOLINE SMELL BEHIND THE MOTORCYCLE. AS WELL AS DEGRADED FUEL MILEAGE AND OVERALL PRODUCT PERFORMANCE. THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE THAT THE HONDA ASSEMBLY LINE INSTALLED THE ENGINE CAMSHAFTS OFF BY ONE TOOTH, WHICH WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE PRIMARY REASON FOR THE ENGINE TO FOUL. *JG

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 567493 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10151998 · 2006-03-06 (March 6, 2006)

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.

Owner-reported narrative. 6,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151998 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 8020755 · 2002-10-15 (October 15, 2002)

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN LEANING THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE LEFT THERE IS A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING HANDLE. CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR PROBLEM IS U-JOINTS IN THE DRIVE SHAFT.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8020755 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

63 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

76.2%Usable mileage48 / 63 records

95.2%Valid incident date60 / 63 records

100.0%Valid filing date63 / 63 records

95.2%Ordered incident and filing dates60 / 63 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2002	2003	2004	2005	2007	2008
Suspension:Rear	914.3% ODI 10120612 · 21,000 mi 1. REAR TIRE REPLACMENT. 2. REAR BEARING FLANGE FAILURE, 3. DEALER REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY Look up ODI 10120612 at NHTSA ↗	917.0% ODI 10112333 THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ON MY HONDA VTX 1800 MOTORCYCLE 2003 MODEL. MANY PEOPLE SAY THESE BEARINGS FAIL. SHOULD I BE CONCERNED? *JB Look up ODI 10112333 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Wheels	69.5% ODI 10161622 · 39,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10161622 at NHTSA ↗	713.2% ODI 10191760 · 20,445 mi FAILURE OF REAR BEARINGS ON MOTORCYCLE. DEALER FOUND AT TIME OF TIRE CHANGE. Look up ODI 10191760 at NHTSA ↗	350.0% ODI 10275148 · 57,000 mi 2004 HONDA VTX 1800C MOTORCYCLE WITH 57,000 MILES. WHILE REPLACING REAR TIRE, I INSPECTED REAR FLANGE BEARING AND BY SIMPLE OBSERVATION NOTED THAT ABOUT HALF THE BALL BEARINGS WERE MISSING. FIRST TIME FAILURE ON THIS MOTORCYCLE. HAVING THE FLANGE BEARINGS AND THE MAIN WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED WITH NEW BEARINGS. *TR Look up ODI 10275148 at NHTSA ↗	133.3% ODI 10323427 · 22,000 mi 2005 HONDA VTX 1800R REAR FLANGE BEARING LOCATED IN THE REAR TIRE HUB ASSEMBLY. AFTER SEEING MANY FAILURES OF THIS BEARING I INSPECT IT EVERY TIME THE REAR TIRE IS REMOVED. BIKE HAS ONLY 22000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS THE 3RD ONE I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN ON A VTX BIKE. THE CAGE OF THE BEARING HAD FULLY DESINIGRATED AND WAS NOT MUCH MORE THEN METAL STRIPS AND POWDER. I AM A MECHANIC BY TRADE AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE THER REPAIR MYSELF. Look up ODI 10323427 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Axle Assembly	46.3% ODI 10144937 · 7,145 mi 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 Look up ODI 10144937 at NHTSA ↗	59.4% ODI 10080178 · 4,000 mi WHILE DRIVING MOTORCYCLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE MOTORCYCLE, AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR RIGHT BOLT THAT HOLDS THE AXLE SEPARATED. THE AXLE WAS HALF INCH OUT OF THE SWING ARM AND RESTED AGAINST IT. THE BOLT SHOULD NOT HAVE SEPARATED BECAUSE IT HAD A LOCK KNOT THAT PREVENTED IT FROM COMING OFF THE AXLE. *AK Look up ODI 10080178 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Driveline	23.2% ODI 10244344 · 24,000 mi EXCESSIVE BEARING NOISE AND ALL SPEEDS. CAUSE WAS FINAL DRIVE FLANGE BEARING FAILURE. *TR Look up ODI 10244344 at NHTSA ↗	59.4% ODI 10133389 · 6,043 mi WHILE REPLACING REAR TIRE ON MY VTX 1800C I NOTICED THE FLANGE BEARING WAS ROUGH,THE LOCAL DEALER REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. NO ACCIDENTS OR DAMAGE. *NM Look up ODI 10133389 at NHTSA ↗	233.3% ODI 10230882 · 8,000 mi WHEN MY MOTORCYCLE REACHED 8,000 MILES IT HAD A HIGH SPEED WHINE, WHEN I HAD A NEW TIRE INSTALLED , I FOUND THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE IN PIECES. I NOW HAVE 18,000 MILES ON IT AND AGAIN THE BEARINGS ARE OUT. I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT HONDA KNOWS ABOUT . IF ONE OF THESE MOTORCYCLES HAS A BEARING LOCK UP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT COULD BE FATAL. *TR Look up ODI 10230882 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand	711.1% ODI 10088146 · 6,800 mi SIDESTAND ROD ON MOTORCYCLE BROKE DURING NORMAL OPERATION CAUSING THE TENSION SPRING TO FALL OFF, LEAVING THE SIDESTAND IN A STATE WHERE IT WOULD NOT STAY IN THE RAISED POSITION. I REPLACED THE SPRING ROD WITH AN IDENTICAL PART. *JB Look up ODI 10088146 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing	57.9% ODI 10116679 · 23,400 mi READ DRIVE FLANGE BEARING FAILURE WAS FOUND DURING ROUTINE MAINTENENCE. BEING AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, I HAD THE DEALER INSPECT THE BEARING. IT WAS FOUND TO BE VERY ROUGH, AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FOR MORE INFORMATION VTXOA.COM/FORUMS/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?T=62787. *AK Look up ODI 10116679 at NHTSA ↗	23.8% ODI 10162920 2003 HONDA VTX 1800C FLANGE BEARING FAILURE. DISCOVERED WHILE REAR WHEEL OFF FOR POLISHING. INNER 6905 BEARING OK, OUTER 6905RS BEARING ROUGH TO TURN. HATTIESBURG HONDA WOULD NOT EVEN TALK TO ME ABOUT IT, COLUMBIA HONDA REPLACED BOTH BEARINGS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. *NM Look up ODI 10162920 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Tires	34.8% ODI 10011378 · 2,803 mi THE TIRES WERE COMPLETELY CRACKED, THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM OCCURRED BECAUSE THE CONSUMER DID NOT RIDE THE BIKE ENOUGH.*JB Look up ODI 10011378 at NHTSA ↗	35.7% ODI 10020311 · 1,504 mi THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE AIR PRESSURE CHECKED. THE MECHANIC NOTICED CRACKS IN THE FRONT TIRE. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE CRACKS WERE NOT FROM WEAR. THE BIKE WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. NLM, RETURNED USPS, 2ND ATTEMPT MADE 06/08/07 FAILED LJ Look up ODI 10020311 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	120.0% ODI 10280625 · 3,700 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA VTX1800 BC MOTORCYCLE. HIS MOTORCYCLE IS LEANING TO ONE SIDE DUE TO THE TIRES. THE TIRES ARE WORN AND UNEVEN. THE DRIVER IS REQUIRED TO PURCHASE TWO NEW TIRES EVERY TWO WEEKS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE TIRE WEAR IS SO FREQUENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,700. Look up ODI 10280625 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Suspension	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	47.5% ODI 10232657 · 37,000 mi FLANGE BEARING FAILURE APPROXIMATE DATE OF FAILURE: JUNE 2008 YEAR OF MANUFACTURE: 2003 MODEL: R MILEAGE: 36,000 BEARING CONDITION: INNER BEARING COMPLETELY DESTROYED...FOUND WHEN I CHANGED OUT THE TIRE....SEAL BULGED OUT AND METAL PIECES EVERYWHERE. ACCIDENT : NO HOW FIXED: PURCHASED PART FROM BEARING SUPPLY STORE AND REPLACED IT MYSELF.......HOPING IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN! *TR Look up ODI 10232657 at NHTSA ↗	233.3% ODI 10230882 · 8,000 mi WHEN MY MOTORCYCLE REACHED 8,000 MILES IT HAD A HIGH SPEED WHINE, WHEN I HAD A NEW TIRE INSTALLED , I FOUND THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE IN PIECES. I NOW HAVE 18,000 MILES ON IT AND AGAIN THE BEARINGS ARE OUT. I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT HONDA KNOWS ABOUT . IF ONE OF THESE MOTORCYCLES HAS A BEARING LOCK UP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT COULD BE FATAL. *TR Look up ODI 10230882 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Suspension:Rear	12,000–29,223 mi	17,000 mi	9	ODI 10120612 · 21,000 mi 1. REAR TIRE REPLACMENT. 2. REAR BEARING FLANGE FAILURE, 3. DEALER REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY Look up ODI 10120612 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10134864 · 9,600 mi MY 2002 VTX 1800 EXPERIENCED REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON THE BIKE. THE BEARING WAS CHECKED BY A HONDA DEALER AND WAS FOUND TO BE LOCKED UP. REPAIR IS BEING COMPLETED BY DEALER WITH EXPENSE OUT OF MY POCKET. JB Look up ODI 10134864 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10154043 · 29,223 mi 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 Look up ODI 10154043 at NHTSA ↗
Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand	5,175–7,700 mi	6,150 mi	6	ODI 10088146 · 6,800 mi SIDESTAND ROD ON MOTORCYCLE BROKE DURING NORMAL OPERATION CAUSING THE TENSION SPRING TO FALL OFF, LEAVING THE SIDESTAND IN A STATE WHERE IT WOULD NOT STAY IN THE RAISED POSITION. I REPLACED THE SPRING ROD WITH AN IDENTICAL PART. JB Look up ODI 10088146 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10088272 · 8,000 mi THE SIDE-STAND SPRING ANCHOR FAILED AND THE SIDE STAND WOULD NOT REMAIN IN ITS UN-DEPLOYES (RETRACTED) POSITION. THIS COULD BE DISASTEROUS WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT BACK TO MY DEALER AND THEY RELUCTANTLY REPLACED IT IMMEDIATLY, THEY WANTED ME TO LEAVE THE BIKE THERE. THE FAILURE OCCURED SOME 200 MILES FROM HOME ON A SUNDAY AND I HAD TO "MCGYVER" IT WITH BUNGEE CORDS AND ONCE I FAILED TO HOLD THE SIDE STAND DOWN, IT RETRACTED, AND THE BIKE FELL OVER!AK Look up ODI 10088272 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10088369 · 5,067 mi SPRING HOOK TO THE SIDE STAND UNEXPECTEDLY BROKE WHILE TRAVELING CAUSING THE SIDE STAND TO DROP AND ENGAGE THE ENGINE KILL SWITCH SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF IN TRAFFIC. *JB Look up ODI 10088369 at NHTSA ↗
Wheels	18,075–60,655 mi	28,650 mi	6	ODI 10161622 · 39,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10161622 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10272419 · 10,000 mi 2002 HONDA VTX 1800S REAR WHEEL FLANGE BEARING. WORN OUT AGAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME APPROX 8 TO 10,000 MILES. TR Look up ODI 10272419 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10346665 · 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 Look up ODI 10346665 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing	23,400–29,223 mi	26,628 mi	5	ODI 10116679 · 23,400 mi READ DRIVE FLANGE BEARING FAILURE WAS FOUND DURING ROUTINE MAINTENENCE. BEING AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, I HAD THE DEALER INSPECT THE BEARING. IT WAS FOUND TO BE VERY ROUGH, AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FOR MORE INFORMATION VTXOA.COM/FORUMS/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?T=62787. AK Look up ODI 10116679 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10116873 · 30,000 mi NOISE IN REAR WHEN RIDING, REMOVED REAR WHEEL TO INSPECT AND REPLACED REAR TIRE, FOUND FLANGE BEARING COMING APART, CAGE DESTROYED, AND BALL BEARINGS MISSING, HAS OBVIOUSLY BEEN BAD FOR SOME TIME. AK Look up ODI 10116873 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10132708 · 14,200 mi BEARING FAILURES ON THE FLANGE OR WHEEL BEARINGS OF 2002 HONDA VTX 1800C MOTORCYCLE. *JB Look up ODI 10132708 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	16,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10025701 · 16,000 mi DECOMPRESSION LOBE ON THE FRONT CYCLINDER HAS FAILED ON MY 2002 VTX1800R. DECOMPRESSION LOBE IS STUCK IN OPEN POSTIION AND CAUSED SPARK PLUGS TO FOUL QUITE REGULARLY (EVERY 5K MILES). HAVE HAD PEOPLE TELL ME THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR MOTORCYCLES AND HONDA WOULD NOT REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. MY WARRANTY WAS ONLY OUT 2 WEEKS BEFORE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED. ONLY FIX FIX PROBLEM IS CAM REPLACEMENTM WHICH RUNS ABOUT $350. I CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA DIRECTLY AND THEY DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF HAVING THIS PROBLEM IN ANY OTHER MOTORCYCLES, DESPITE… Look up ODI 10025701 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Axle Assembly	Too few reports for a range	10,399 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10144937 · 7,145 mi 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 Look up ODI 10144937 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10219640 · 13,653 mi REPLACING THE REAR TIRE AND THE FINAL FLANGE BEARING WERE HALF GONE. TR Look up ODI 10219640 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Driveline:Center Support Bearing	Too few reports for a range	14,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10112316 · 10,150 mi FAILURE OF THE REAR BEARINGS IN THE FINAL DRIVE FLANGE OF MY 2002 HONDA VTX MOTORCYCLE. Look up ODI 10112316 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10112571 · 14,000 mi I OWN A 2002 HONDA VTX RETRO . I AM A MEMBER OF THE VTXOA , IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION AFTER READY WHAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FINAL DRIVE BEARINGS OR THE FINAL DRIVE FLANGE. I RECEANTLLY INSPECTED MY FINAL DRIVE, AND MUCH TO MY DISPLEASURE DISCOVERED I AM ALSO A VICTOM OF FAILURE. I WILL BE ORDERING NEW BEARINGS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM TEMPORALLY. PLEASE USE THIS LINK TO FUTHER INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AS THERE IS MUCH MORE INFORMATION THAN I CAN PROVIDE HERE. HTTP://WWW.VTXOA.COM/FORUMS/VIEWTOPI… Look up ODI 10112571 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10156425 · 17,300 mi REAR FLANGE BEARING ON 2002 HONDA VTX1800 MOTORCYCLE FAILED. *NM Look up ODI 10156425 at NHTSA ↗
Tires	Too few reports for a range	8,228 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10011378 · 2,803 mi THE TIRES WERE COMPLETELY CRACKED, THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM OCCURRED BECAUSE THE CONSUMER DID NOT RIDE THE BIKE ENOUGH.JB Look up ODI 10011378 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10219640 · 13,653 mi REPLACING THE REAR TIRE AND THE FINAL FLANGE BEARING WERE HALF GONE. TR Look up ODI 10219640 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2007: 2 complaints · 2008: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2007	1	1	2
2008	0	0	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2007	5	0	0
2008	2	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Suspension:Rear	Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand	Wheels	Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Power Train:Axle Assembly	Power Train:Driveline:Center Support Bearing	Tires
Suspension:Rear	—	0	0	1 ODI 10154043 · 29,223 mi 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 Look up ODI 10154043 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0
Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Wheels	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing	1 ODI 10154043 · 29,223 mi 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 Look up ODI 10154043 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Power Train:Axle Assembly	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	1 ODI 10219640 · 13,653 mi REPLACING THE REAR TIRE AND THE FINAL FLANGE BEARING WERE HALF GONE. *TR Look up ODI 10219640 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Driveline:Center Support Bearing	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Tires	0	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10219640 · 13,653 mi REPLACING THE REAR TIRE AND THE FINAL FLANGE BEARING WERE HALF GONE. *TR Look up ODI 10219640 at NHTSA ↗	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

3 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

5 mentions · 7.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 9,000 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10088108 · 27,000 mi

Look up ODI 10088108 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10091083 · 8,051 mi

Look up ODI 10091083 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10509532 · 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 VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. *TR

Look up ODI 10509532 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 1.6% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 567493

Look up ODI 567493 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 1.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 6,300 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10151998 · 6,300 mi

Look up ODI 10151998 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule