1HFSC46042A00640S2002 HONDA VTX1800
2002 HONDA VTX1800 was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 3 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 63 owner complaints include 3 reported injuries, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.
Executive Summary
2002 HONDA VTX1800
2002 HONDA VTX1800 was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 3 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 63 owner complaints include 3 reported injuries, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.
- 3 open recalls — verify these have been repaired before purchase
- 3 injuries reported across 63 owner complaints
- Common owner-reported issues: stalling
- Engine/Powertrain is flagged in both recalls and owner complaints — double-confirmed failure pattern
- Component failure cascade detected — a known defect pattern that typically leads to more severe downstream damage
63 owner complaints filed — top areas: Engine/Powertrain (37%), Suspension/Wheels (35%), Body/Structure (14%). Common issues: stalling. 2 crashes reported.
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- HONDA
- Model
- VTX1800
- Year
- 2002
- Trim / Series
- VTX1800C
- Body Style
- Motorcycle - Cruiser
- Vehicle Type
- MOTORCYCLE
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 2-cyl 1.795000L 107.0 hp
- Transmission
- Manual/Standard
- Manufacturer
- AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
- Assembly
- MARYSVILLE, OHIO, UNITED STATES (USA)
- GVWR
- Class 1A: 3,000 lb or less (1,360 kg or less)
Assembly Plant Quality
Honda of America Mfg. (Marysville)
Honda's first and flagship US plant. Produces Accord and Honda Ridgeline.
- ✓JD Power IQS recognition (multiple years)
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
- ▸Structural/frame recall
- ⚠2 recalls on same component: Body/Structure
Lemon law eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service. Consult an attorney for actual eligibility.
The same components appear in both official NHTSA recalls and owner-filed complaints — a double-confirmed failure signal.
Deferred Failure Risk
Components and defects approaching or past their known service milestones
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
3 RECALLSNHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 3 recalls below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Average repair completion across 3 recalls is ~64%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.
Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.
HONDA completes recalls at a good rate (92%), averaging about 16 months to remedy. Most affected vehicles are fixed.
Avg time to remedy open recall: ~16 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
SummaryVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. A TRANSMISSION CIRCLIP WAS NOT SEATED CORRECTLY AND COULD ALLOW GEARS TO LOCK.Read full details...
~36% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SummaryHONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 VTX1800 MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 14 AND OCTOBER 4, 2001. THE SWINGARM MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY WELDED.Read full details...
~36% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND
SummaryON 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.Read full details...
~36% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
Recall Intelligence
Detailed analysis of recall history and severity
⚠ One or more recalls have been open for over 5 years — may never have been repaired on this vehicle.
Recall Remedy Effectiveness — Complaints Continue After Fix
RECALL DIDN'T FIX ITOwner complaints filed AFTER recall remedies were issued for the same components
100% of complaints about "POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION" were filed AFTER recall campaign 01V134000 (2001-09-05) — the recall remedy may not have fully resolved the issue.
Continuing complaints after a recall may indicate an inadequate fix, a new failure mode, or that many vehicles never had the recall performed. Verify recall completion status directly with NHTSA.
Complaint Intelligence
63 complaints analyzed across 8 system categories
Owner Complaints
HIGH VOLUME63 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
BEARING FAILURE IN THE FINAL DRIVEN FLANGE ASSEMBLY,
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.
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.
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
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
REAR WHEEL FINAL DRIVE BEARING FAILURE. WAS FOUND WHEN REPLACING THE REAR TIRE. LOOKING AT OPTIONS FOR THE REPAIR NOW.
FOUND WHILE REPLACING REAR TIRE,INSIDE BEARING COMING APART. *TR
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.
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
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
2002 HONDA VTX 1800S REAR WHEEL FLANGE BEARING. WORN OUT AGAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME APPROX 8 TO 10,000 MILES. *TR
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.
EXCESSIVE BEARING NOISE AND ALL SPEEDS. CAUSE WAS FINAL DRIVE FLANGE BEARING FAILURE. *TR
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
FLANGE BEARING FAILURE. *TR
1. GRINDING NOISE IN REAR 2. FLANGE BEARING COMPLETELY DESTROYED 3. BEARING REPLACED AT DEALER(HAVE OLD BEARING IN HAND). *TR
REPLACING THE REAR TIRE AND THE FINAL FLANGE BEARING WERE HALF GONE. *TR
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
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
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
THE 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
REAR 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 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. 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 REQUEST OF TAPPER TEXAS X RIDERS VTXOA.COM. *NM
THE REAR FLANGE OUT- PUT BEARING IN MY 2002 HONDA VTX R 1800 IS MAKING A GRINDING SOUND. I HAVE READ ON NUMEROUS HONDA OWNER CHAT SITES THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM IN SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS. HONDA MOTORCYCLE CORP IS NOT TAKING ANY ACTION TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM. IF THIS COMES APART AT ANY SPEED IT COULD CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *JB
THE FLANGE BEARING ON THE REAR WHEEL FAILED. THE BEARING WAS ROUGH AND VERY HARD TO TURN. MANY, MANY METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE REAR HUB ASSEMBLY. THESE SHAVINGS WERE FROM THE BEARING. THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND WHEN INSTALLING A NEW TIRE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ENTIRE FLANGE ASSEMBLY. THEY ONLY CHARGED ME LABOR, DID NOT CHARGE ME FOR THE PART. THEY ARE A VERY, VERY GOOD DEALERSHIP. *NM
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
BEARING FAILURES ON THE FLANGE OR WHEEL BEARINGS OF 2002 HONDA VTX 1800C MOTORCYCLE. *JB
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
1. REAR TIRE REPLACMENT. 2. REAR BEARING FLANGE FAILURE, 3. DEALER REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY
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
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
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/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?T=58952 THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS CASES OF BEARING FAILER POSTED HERE AND I SINCERLY HOPE YOU WILL INVESTIGATE WITH UPMOST SPEED AS MOTORCYCLE RIDING SEASON IS ABOUT TO START AND I WOULD BE AFRAID OF WHAT A TOTAL FAILURE AT HIGH SPEED MIGHT CAUSE. THANKS MATT A MCKINLEY. *AK
FAILURE OF THE REAR BEARINGS IN THE FINAL DRIVE FLANGE OF MY 2002 HONDA VTX MOTORCYCLE.
THE BOLT IS FLEXING BUT THE SIDE STAND HASN'T BROKEN YET. THE VEHICLE'S VIN # IS IN THE DEFECTIVE SERIAL RANGE FOR THE SIDE STAND RECALL 04V564000 BUT THE MANUFACTURER IS SAYING THE VEHICLE ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THEY CAN'T EXPLAIN WHY. THEY ARE INVESTIGATING. *AK *JB
RECALL NOTICE NOT RECEIVED IN TIME FOR DEFECTIVE BOLT IN VTX1800G/R MOTORCYCLE. *BF
04V564000/HONDA MOTORCYCLE/SIDE STAND. THE OWNER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THIS DEFECT ON DECEMBER 27, 2004. HONDA HAS INFORMED THE DEALERS NOT TO ORDER PARTS FOR THE RECALL UNTIL A TOTAL NUMBER OF MOTOR CYCLES HAVE BEEN ACCOUNTED FOR. THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE MOTORCYCLES. THE OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT WAS STATED IN THE NOTICE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
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
KICK STAND RETRACT SPRING STUD BROKE ALLOWING THE SIDE STAND TO LOWER AND KILL THE ENGINE. THE STUD BROKE WHILE STOPPED AT A GAS STATION. I BUNGEED THE STAND UP AND CONTINUED MY TRIP.
THE BOLT WHICH HOLD THE KICKSTAND SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING THE MOTORCYCLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
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
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
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
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
ON A HONDA VTX 1800C MOTORCYCLE, THE SPRING HOOK BROKE THAT HOLDS THE SPRING TO KEEP THE KICKSTAND IN PLACE. AS A RESULT, THE KICKSTAND FALLS TO THE GROUND WHICH TURNS OFF THE ENGINE. THIS HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC, RESULTING IN THE ENGINE STOPPING AND THE MOTORCYCLE COMING TO A STOP UNEXPECTEDLY. AUTOMOBILES BEHIND ME ALMOST RAN INTO THE REAR END OF THE MOTORCYCLE. HONDA MOTORCYCLES IS AWARE OF THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE THAT OCCURS WITH THE KICKSTAND SPRING HOOK. *LA
WHILE DECELERATING THERE IS A POPPING NOISE IN THE REAR CYLINDER. MECHANIC SAYS OIL IS GETTING INTO THE ENGINE.*AK
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
THE TIRES WERE COMPLETELY CRACKED, THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM OCCURRED BECAUSE THE CONSUMER DID NOT RIDE THE BIKE ENOUGH.*JB
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.
EVERY 600 MILES THE PLUGS FOUL. BIKE WONT EVEN START. DEALER HAS OTHER VTX'S WITH SAME PROBLEM. DOESNT NO HOW TO FIX PROBLEM. HE STATED THAT HONDA INC. HAS BEEN NO HELP.
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.
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
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING THE MOTORCYCLE LOSS POWER. CAUSE UNKNOWN DEALER NOTIFIED.*JB
THE DUNLOP TIRES IN THE MOTORCYCLE ARE CUPPING CAUSING THE MOTORCYCLE TO VIBRATE AT HIGH SPEEDS AND WHEN MANUVERING AROUND TURNS, THE MANUFACTURER DECLINES TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM ALTHOUGH THE MOTORCYCLE IS UNDER WARRANTY, MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DEFECTIVE TIRES DO NOT POST ANY SAFETY RISK AND THAT THERE ISNT MUCH THEY CAN DO SINCE THERE HASNT BEEN AN OFFICIAL RECALL. NLM
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
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
RADIATOR ON MOTORCYCLE KEEPS BURNING OUT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED RADIATOR, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. SOLUTION WAS NOT YET FOUND.*AK
Component Failure Cascade Risk
Known patterns where one defect leads to more severe downstream failures
▸ Complete transmission failure — repair costs $3,000–$8,000+; vehicle may become undriveable
▸ Engine derate or no-start condition — DEF system failure puts vehicle into limp mode limiting speed to 5mph
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
The blue line shows 63 total NHTSA complaints filed over 14 years, with the worst year being 2005 (13 complaints, including 1 crash report).
The amber reliability line averaged 99/100 across the vehicle's life — relatively stable, with the lowest point of 90/100 in 2015.
Notably, despite 63 complaints on file, no recall has been issued — either the defect pattern has not met NHTSA's threshold for a formal campaign, or a recall may be forthcoming.
Red dots on the amber line flag 2 years (2005, 2015) where complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $46,614 (~$777/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Negotiation Ammunition
Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 2002 HONDA VTX1800 — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Auction History
Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators
Searching Public Auction Records
Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for 1HFSC46042A00640S. Results appear automatically when found.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History
Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations
HONDA has been fined $93M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2016: Additional penalties related to Takata airbag recall management.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | 1HFSC46042A00640S |
| Model Year | 2002 |
| Make | HONDA |
| Model | VTX1800 |
| Series | VTX1800C |
| Vehicle Type | MOTORCYCLE |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Motorcycle - Cruiser |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
| Transmission | Manual/Standard |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 2 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.795000 |
| Horsepower | 107.0 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. |
| Assembly City | MARYSVILLE |
| Assembly Country | UNITED STATES (USA) |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | 1HF |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 4 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | 2 |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | A |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 00640S |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 3 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 63 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 8/1/2026, 6:59:25 AM.