AI Damage2002 Honda Honda Motorcycle: common problems
Owners of the 2002 Honda Honda Motorcycle filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and structure. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 10
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 50% of all complaints
- 2 Structure 30% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 20% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 5 Tires 10% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 5 complaints (50% of all).
- Structure: 3 complaints (30% of all).
- Fuel system: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Tires: 1 complaints (10% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 10 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Have 2002 honda motorcycle st1100, 10,000 miles, retaining bolt on right front caliper broke, almost killed self.
Motorcycle honda rc51 2002 motorcycle battery leaks corrosive fluid which is channeled onto the swingarm of the vehicle causing damage to the swingarm which is a vital structural element of the bike.
Motorcycle's model number xr650l frame developed a crack. Dealer replaced the frame. However, rear tires wobbled when driving.
I have a 2002 honda shadow vlx motorcycle. I started it, was sitting on it, it had been running for quite some time and motor was hot and pipes were hot -- gasoline starting gushing down into the v-engine below the seat. Under right circumstances could have ignited/blown.
2003 honda vfr interceptor (motorcycle) caught on fire approximately 4-5 miles into ride. The fire was on the right side only, at the muffler and rear plastic cowling. Approximately 1-1.5 miles prior to the fire, the engine was running "rough" or "bogged down" with reduced power.
Honda cb900f (919) motorcycle. Unusual exhaust smell (smells overly rich) at idle and while moving. The turbulence caused by the moving rider causes the exhaust to surround the rider and passenger. On 9/14/03 (and other times), I have gone on rides and have come home feeling ill, similar to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Tires have a low speed wobble and produce vibration. Tires could lead to motorcycle accident while cornering/leaning. Talked to jeff selbert customer service rep for pirelli. He acknowledged they have logged several complaints from other riders who have puchased these tires. Each time I call, I receive a run-a-round.
The motorcycle overheated at a slow speed and at a moderate temperature. Scc
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 10,921 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 30% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Honda Motorcycle has 5 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 10, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Honda Honda Motorcycle?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, structure, fuel system. Total complaints: 10. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: overheating, coolant loss (10%), loss of power / limp mode (10%), smoke, burning smell, fire (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 Honda Honda Motorcycle?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2002 Honda Honda Motorcycle from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2002 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.