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2002 Honda VTX1800

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 19, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

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.…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10121466

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DECELERATING THERE IS A POPPING NOISE IN THE REAR CYLINDER. MECHANIC SAYS OIL IS GETTING INTO THE ENGINE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10052259

16,000 miles · Jul 9, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

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 WE…

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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 PERSONALLY KNOWING OF ANOTHER PERSON WHO FILED A COMPLAINT THRU THEM ALSO. AMERICAN HONDA REFUSED TO TAKE MY COMPLAINT OVER THE PHONE AND KEPT TELLING ME IT WAS A DEALER ISSUE. AMERICAN HONDA CLAIMS THERE IS NO DATABASE FOR DEFECT COMPLAINTS FROM CUSTOMERS. A FULL RECALL AND INSPECTION OF ALL 2002 VTX 1800'S SHOULD BE PEFORMED TO CHECK AND DIAGNOSE ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE DECOMPRESSION LOBES/CAMS. BIKE RUNS VERY RICH AND CAUSES HIGH EMISSIONS CONTENT AT LOW RPM'S.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10025701

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WITHIN THE FIRST 500 MILES AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW, THE SPARK PLUGS WERE DETERMINED TO BE FOULED FROM CARBON. A DETERIORATION IN PERFORMANCE WAS NOTED, ALONG WITH A SMELL OF GASOLINE FROM BEHIND THE VEHICLE AS IF IT WERE RUNNING RICH. THE VEHICLE ALSO BACKFIRES ON DECELLERATION. WHILE MY VEHICLE CONTINUES TO B…

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WITHIN THE FIRST 500 MILES AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW, THE SPARK PLUGS WERE DETERMINED TO BE FOULED FROM CARBON. A DETERIORATION IN PERFORMANCE WAS NOTED, ALONG WITH A SMELL OF GASOLINE FROM BEHIND THE VEHICLE AS IF IT WERE RUNNING RICH. THE VEHICLE ALSO BACKFIRES ON DECELLERATION. WHILE MY VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE USABLE, OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED A NEED FOR COMPLETE ENGINE REBUILDING TO FIX CAM TIMING INACCURACIES, SCUFFED CYLINDER BORES FROM INCORRECTLY SEATING RINGS (CAUSING OIL BURNING AND CARBON FOULING OF THE COMBUSTION CHAMGER). SOME OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE LOSS OF USE OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO SPARK PLUG FAILURE. I HAVE WRITTEN LETTERS TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO RESPONDED BY PHONE AND DETERMINED THAT MY VEHICLE IS "NORMAL". THIS, WITHOUT VIEWING THE VEHICLE OR HAVING IT LOOKED AT BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. I FEEL IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE VEHICLE FAILS TO OPERATE WHICH I BELIEVE POSES A DANGER TO MY SAFETY IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #10005702

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #567493

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING THE MOTORCYCLE LOSS POWER. CAUSE UNKNOWN DEALER NOTIFIED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #8014711

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED MOTORCYCLE WILL START TO LOSE POWER ,AND THEN STALL OUT. CONTACTED DEALER,AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8013379

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD. VEHICLE STALLED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN SPARK PLUGS FAILED. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. SPARK PLUGS WERE WET WITH FUEL, SOMEWHAT CARBONIZED. THE ENGINE AT TIMES RUNS ON ONE CYLINDER. *JG

NHTSA ODI #566070

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

RADIATOR ON MOTORCYCLE KEEPS BURNING OUT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED RADIATOR, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. SOLUTION WAS NOT YET FOUND.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8003391

Official recalls

3

09V362000 · 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

2

AQ12001 · 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.