2002 Honda Vtx1800 recalls and problems

The 2002 Honda Vtx1800 has 3 recalls and 63 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is suspension.

How the 2002 compares

Highest

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 6 Vtx1800 model years — the most of any year.

3recalls

63complaints

2crashes

0fires

3injuries

15,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

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3 recalls

Structure

Sep 17, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V362000 · 688 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Original NHTSA wording

THE SWINGARM COULD BREAK WHILE RIDINGCAUSING THE RIDER TO LOSE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN CRASH.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Structure

Nov 30, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V564000 · 12,866 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

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.

Original NHTSA wording

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 & notes

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.

Honda recall no. P53.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Power Train

May 9, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V134000 · 70 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: Motorcycles. A transmission circlip was not seated correctly and could allow gears to lock.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Engine10

Unknown or other3

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

NHTSA investigations

Southern Honda Powersports

AQ12001 · opened May 14, 2012 · closed May 13, 2013

Summary

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 …

UNINTENDED SIDE-STAND DEPLOYMENT

PE04063 · opened Sep 15, 2004 · closed Jan 21, 2005 · led to recall 04V564000

Summary

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.

2002 vs. other Honda Vtx1800 years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2002. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2002 Honda Vtx1800 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns covering the 2002 Honda Vtx1800, the latest from Sep 17, 2009 (structure). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Honda Vtx1800?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention suspension (14), power train (13), engine (10). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.