2002 HONDA VTX1800 Recalls, Complaints & Safety

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.

Crash 2 injured

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.

Crash 1 injured

RECALL NOTICE NOT RECEIVED IN TIME FOR DEFECTIVE BOLT IN VTX1800G/R MOTORCYCLE. *BF

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

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