2004 Honda VTX1800 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
17,051 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data updated: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Wheels is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 6 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Wheels | 3 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Center Support Bearing | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
Wheels: 3; Power Train:Driveline: 2; Suspension: 2; Power Train:Driveline:Center Support Bearing: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 0 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Wheels leads the component reports. 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.
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
6 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
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.
| Component | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2007 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:Rear | 914.3%ODI 10120612 · 21,000 mi1. REAR TIRE REPLACMENT. 2. REAR BEARING FLANGE FAILURE, 3. DEALER REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY | 917.0%ODI 10112333THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ON MY HONDA VTX 1800 MOTORCYCLE 2003 MODEL. MANY PEOPLE SAY THESE BEARINGS FAIL. SHOULD I BE CONCERNED? *JB | 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 miFLANGE 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 | 713.2%ODI 10191760 · 20,445 miFAILURE OF REAR BEARINGS ON MOTORCYCLE. DEALER FOUND AT TIME OF TIRE CHANGE. | 350.0%ODI 10275148 · 57,000 mi2004 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 | 133.3%ODI 10323427 · 22,000 mi2005 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. | 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 miBEARING 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 | 59.4%ODI 10080178 · 4,000 miWHILE 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 | 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 miEXCESSIVE BEARING NOISE AND ALL SPEEDS. CAUSE WAS FINAL DRIVE FLANGE BEARING FAILURE. *TR | 59.4%ODI 10133389 · 6,043 miWHILE 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 | 233.3%ODI 10230882 · 8,000 miWHEN 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 | 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 miSIDESTAND 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 | 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 miREAD 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 | 23.8%ODI 101629202003 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 | 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 miTHE TIRES WERE COMPLETELY CRACKED, THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM OCCURRED BECAUSE THE CONSUMER DID NOT RIDE THE BIKE ENOUGH.*JB | 35.7%ODI 10020311 · 1,504 miTHE 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 | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 10280625 · 3,700 miTL 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Suspension | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 47.5%ODI 10232657 · 37,000 miFLANGE 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 | 233.3%ODI 10230882 · 8,000 miWHEN 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 | 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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheels | Too few reports for a range | 22,000 mi | 3 (sparse) | ODI 10275148 · 57,000 mi2004 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 ODI 10335341 · 22,000 miCHANGE TIRE ON 2004 HONDA VTX1800. BAD BEARINGS IN REAR TIRE. THE BEARING FLANGE WAS COMPLETELY GONE. TRYING TO FIND THE BEST BEARINGS RIGHT NOW TO PUT BACK IN. THERE IS 22,000 MILES ON THE MOTORCYCLE, DID NOT NOTICE THE BAD BEARINGS THE LAST TIRE CHANGE. *TR ODI 10356879 · 12,400 miFLANGE BEARING FAILURE, TOTALLY DISINTEGRATED. NO ADVANCED WARNING. WAS IN PROCESS OF REPLACING REAR TIRE. 12,400 MILES ON A 2004 HONDA VTX TOOK HOURS TO REMOVE SHREDDED METAL. REPLACED WITH REPAIRED UNIT. *TR |
| Power Train:Driveline | Too few reports for a range | 10,200 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10230882 · 8,000 miWHEN 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 ODI 10356879 · 12,400 miFLANGE BEARING FAILURE, TOTALLY DISINTEGRATED. NO ADVANCED WARNING. WAS IN PROCESS OF REPLACING REAR TIRE. 12,400 MILES ON A 2004 HONDA VTX TOOK HOURS TO REMOVE SHREDDED METAL. REPLACED WITH REPAIRED UNIT. *TR |
| Suspension | Too few reports for a range | 14,851 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10230882 · 8,000 miWHEN 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 ODI 10471744 · 21,701 miFINAL DRIVE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE FOUND DURING TIRE CHANGE. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS COMMOM FAILURE ON VTX1800. *TR |
| Power Train:Driveline:Center Support Bearing | Too few reports for a range | 9,662 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10220978 · 9,662 miA COMMON PROBLEM NOT RECOGNIZED BY HONDA IN REFERENCE TO A FLANGE BEARING FAILURE IN THE REAR WHEEL OF 2004 VTX 1800C MOTORCYCLE. NOTICED WHEN REPLACING REAR TIRE DUE TO REGULAR TIRE WEAR. *TR |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | Too few reports for a range | 57,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10275148 · 57,000 mi2004 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 |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
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
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | 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.
2007: 2 complaints · 2008: 1 complaints
| 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
| 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 | Wheels | Power Train:Driveline | Suspension | Power Train:Driveline:Center Support Bearing | Power Train:Manual Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheels | — | 1ODI 10356879 · 12,400 miFLANGE BEARING FAILURE, TOTALLY DISINTEGRATED. NO ADVANCED WARNING. WAS IN PROCESS OF REPLACING REAR TIRE. 12,400 MILES ON A 2004 HONDA VTX TOOK HOURS TO REMOVE SHREDDED METAL. REPLACED WITH REPAIRED UNIT. *TR | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 10275148 · 57,000 mi2004 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 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 1ODI 10356879 · 12,400 miFLANGE BEARING FAILURE, TOTALLY DISINTEGRATED. NO ADVANCED WARNING. WAS IN PROCESS OF REPLACING REAR TIRE. 12,400 MILES ON A 2004 HONDA VTX TOOK HOURS TO REMOVE SHREDDED METAL. REPLACED WITH REPAIRED UNIT. *TR | — | 1ODI 10230882 · 8,000 miWHEN 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 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 0 | 1ODI 10230882 · 8,000 miWHEN 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 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Center Support Bearing | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1ODI 10275148 · 57,000 mi2004 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 | 0 | 0 | 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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.