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KLUNK
KLUNK

2002 Honda Vtx1800

The Verdict

84 Smooth Ride

The 2002 Honda Vtx1800 has 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (36 complaints) and transmission (13 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 84/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Honda Vtx1800, consider the 2008 model year which has 96% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2008 has 96% fewer complaints

View the 2008 Honda Vtx1800 dashboard →

84

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 3

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

04V564000 STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND

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 OPERAT...

Risk

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.

Reported Apr 10, 2026

09V362000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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.

Risk

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 MOTORCYC...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

01V134000 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. A TRANSMISSION CIRCLIP WAS NOT SEATED CORRECTLY AND COULD ALLOW GEARS TO LOCK.

Risk

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.

Reported Sep 5, 2001

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200236211113
20032902418
200420004
200520001
200720021
200810010

By Category

Body
36
Transmission
13
Engine
11
Brakes
2
Electrical
1

By Severity

1
27
2
34
4
2

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 2

BEARING FAILURE IN THE FINAL DRIVEN FLANGE ASSEMBLY,

101mo ago
Body 2

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; 386-758-2423) WHO STATED THAT THE WOBBLING ONLY OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH. THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE DEALER STATED THEY DID NOT BELIEVE THERE WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE CONTACT COULD CONTINUE OPERATING THE MOTORCYCLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.

105mo ago
Brakes 4

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.

134mo ago
Body 1

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 BEARINGS EVERY TIME I CHANGE THE REAR TIRE. ALL THREE TIMES THE PLASTIC SEAL WAS GONE AND A FEW BALLS OUT OF THE BEARING. THE CAGE THAT HOLDS THE BALLS IN THE BEARING WAS DESTROYED ALL THREE TIMES. *TR

137mo ago
Engine 2

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

161mo ago
Body 1

REAR WHEEL FINAL DRIVE BEARING FAILURE. WAS FOUND WHEN REPLACING THE REAR TIRE. LOOKING AT OPTIONS FOR THE REPAIR NOW.

181mo ago
Transmission 1

FOUND WHILE REPLACING REAR TIRE,INSIDE BEARING COMING APART. *TR

186mo ago
Body 2

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 ACCEPTABLE, ENGINEERED SOLUTION, OR ACKNOWLEDGED IT FOR THAT MATTER. FAILED COMPONENT: QTY OF 2 BEARINGS IN ITEM DESCRIBED AS FLANGE SET, PN 42630-MCH-000.

187mo ago
Body 1

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

194mo ago
Body 1

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

196mo ago
Body 1

2002 HONDA VTX 1800S REAR WHEEL FLANGE BEARING. WORN OUT AGAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME APPROX 8 TO 10,000 MILES. *TR

208mo ago
Body 2

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA VTX1800C. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR TIRE FELT DIFFERENT AS IF IT WERE NOT PROPERLY ALIGNED. THE VEHICLE ALSO PULLED TO THE LEFT. HE HEARD CLUNKING NOISES AND THE WELD ON THE SWING ARM DRIVESHAFT HOUSING FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK PICTURES AND NOTIFIED THE DEALER. THE DEALER THEN ADVISED HIM TO CALL NHTSA AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 17,000.

215mo ago
Transmission 2

EXCESSIVE BEARING NOISE AND ALL SPEEDS. CAUSE WAS FINAL DRIVE FLANGE BEARING FAILURE. *TR

216mo ago
Transmission 2

FLANGE BEARINGS WERE NOTICED TO BE DISINTEGRATING WHILE CHANGING OUT THE TIRE ON THE REAR RIM OF AN 02, 1800 HONDA VTX WITH ONLY 15000 MILES. I HAVE ORDERED NEW SET OF BEARINGS TO REPLACE. *TR

218mo ago
Transmission 1

FLANGE BEARING FAILURE. *TR

220mo ago
Body 2

1. GRINDING NOISE IN REAR 2. FLANGE BEARING COMPLETELY DESTROYED 3. BEARING REPLACED AT DEALER(HAVE OLD BEARING IN HAND). *TR

222mo ago
Transmission 2

REPLACING THE REAR TIRE AND THE FINAL FLANGE BEARING WERE HALF GONE. *TR

223mo ago
Body 1

APPROXIMATE DATE OF FAILURE: JULY 6 2007 YEAR OF MANUFACTURE: 2002 MODEL:VTX 1800 S BEARING CONDITION: BEARING TOTALLY TRASHED (IN PIECES) DISCOVERED WHILE REMOVING WHEEL TO HAVE TIRE REPAIRED/REPLACED ACCIDENT : NONE HOW FIXED: LOCATING PARTS NOW ADDITIONAL REMARKS: (ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION) *TR

231mo ago
Body 2

I OWN A 2002 HONDA VT1800C MOTORCYCLE AND THERE IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT ON THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. I ONLY HAVE 12,000 MILES ON THIS MOTORCYCLE AND THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ARE SHOT TO HELL. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THIS SUBJECT WITH OWNER FORUMS AND SEE THAT MANY OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT YET HONDA REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE THAT THEY HAVE A DEFECT OR NEED A RECALL. IT IS MY OPINION THAT HONDA IS NOT RECALLING THIS PARTICULAR FACTORY DEFECT DUE TO LACK OF A QUALITY FIX. MANY OWNERS REPORT BUYING BRAND NEW FACTORY BEARING SETS ONLY TO FIND THAT THEY ARE DEFECTIVE EVEN BEFORE INSTALLING THE NEW REPLACEMENT BEARINGS. SOME ONE NEEDS TO MAKE HONDA FIX THIS SITUATION AT THEIR EXPENSE BEFORE SOME ONE GETS KILLED RIDING THEIR MOTORCYCLE DUE TO REAR WHEEL LOCK UP. *JB

234mo ago
Body 2

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

243mo ago

63 total

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