AI Damage2002 Honda Shadow: common problems
Owners of the 2002 Honda Shadow filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about exterior lighting and vehicle speed control. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 10
What fails most often
- 1 Exterior lighting 20% of all complaints
- 2 Vehicle speed control 20% of all complaints
- 3 Wheels 20% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 10% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 10% of all complaints
- Exterior lighting: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Wheels: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (10% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
2002 honda shadow 600 backfiring and has a gas leak. Upon inspection mechanic determined they needed a new gas tank.
While driving approximately 50 mph right rear tail light lenses fell off. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic replaced the lenses five times. However, the problem recurred. The store where consumer purchased this honda have 2005 hondas in their showroom missing turn signal lenses.
My 2002 honda sabre motorcycle came with a seedometer that reads approximately 10% higher velocity that actual velocity. I have checked this by timing against mile markers while traveling at a set speed (60 mph) on the speedometer, and I have also checked it against several other cars and motorcycles.
Turn signal lens will not stay on the light it is attached to. Consumer repaired this piece of equipment three times already, and it needs to be repaired again.
Consumer stated throttle broke. Dealer notified. Please provide registration card and further information since vehicle has only 1 mile. Shadow 2003.
Consumer called complaining about vehicle shutting off.manufacturer was contacted, and had replaced different things on the vehicle.
The rear tire rim rusted. The dealer stated it was due to driver's neglect.
While driving at speeds of 45 to 55 miles per hour, there is an evident shake in the handle bars, the front wheel hops/bounces. The dealer was informed when vehicle was brought in for it's 600 mile check. Dealer changed the wheel and tire. This provided improvement some what.
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 Shadow has 6 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 10, above average.
What to check before buying
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Wheels. Wheel runout, cracks, signs of a wheel strike.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Honda Shadow?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, wheels. Total complaints: 10. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (10%), headlights and tail lights (10%), rust, corrosion (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 Honda Shadow?
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 Shadow 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.