AI DamageHonda VTX1800: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Honda VTX1800 across 6 model years: 132 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 28% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 26% of all complaints
- 3 Wheels 16% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 9% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 6 Tires 5% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 3% of all complaints
- 8 Engine 2% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 37 complaints (28% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Suspension: 34 complaints (26% of all).
- Wheels: 21 complaints (16% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 12 complaints (9% of all).
- Structure: 11 complaints (8% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 132 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 37 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 34 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 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.
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.
2003 honda vtx1800 mc bike started to shake resulting in an accident. Two people were killed according to witnesses the rear tire started to shake as the consumer was riding. Seconds later, he lost control of the bike and went down on the pavement.
Failure of the rear bearings in the final drive flange of my 2002 honda vtx motorcycle.
The contact stated while riding approximately 70 MPH and crossing a highway overpass, the motorcycle stalled. The contact stated that he pulled over while still on the overpass and had to wait about 15 minutes before he was able to restart the motorcycle. The contact stated that the oil warning light was illuminated.
Supertrapp/jardine is an ohio company offering motorcycle accessories. I purchased a 2005 honda vtx 1800 motorcycle with a jardine backrest installed. This backrest was a very expensive, premium product costing considerably more than the competition.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Wheels. Wheel runout, cracks, signs of a wheel strike.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other models of this make
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.