Motorcycles · Honda · Cruiser & retro

Illustration

Honda VTX1300 / VTX1800.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 2002 to 2009 models.

370owner complaints

4recalls

4%involved a crash, fire or injury

7,200typical miles at complaint

Honda VTX1300 / VTX1800 years to avoid. The model years with the most complaints filed with NHTSA.

200388 complaints

26 of 88 describe a front-end wobble or vibration.

36 mention the tires.

1 reported a crash.

200484 complaints

43 of 84 describe a front-end wobble, often while slowing from 40-50 mph.

3 reported a crash.

200263 complaints

5 of 63 describe fouled spark plugs.

21 mention the tires.

2 reported a crash.

Recall 09V362000 (structure): The swingarm may not have been properly welded.
Recall 04V564000 (structure): 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.

After 2004, no model year drew more than 50.

Fewest complaints on file: 2008 (4), 2009 (1). Few complaints is not a clean bill of health, just fewer owners filing.

What each year's complaints describe comes from reading their text. These are counts, not rates: there are no sales figures per motorcycle model year. A complaint is not proof of a defect.

Every year8 model yearsMost complaints: 2003See every year →ProblemsSteering35% of complaintssteering35%suspension25%transmission & drivetrain13%See problems →Recalls & safety4 recallsFree fix at any dealerSee recalls & safety →Specs & enginesEvery versionpower, weight, seat height and priceSee specs →

Complaints by model year.

200263

200388

200484

200550

200639

200741

20084

20091

Popular years get more complaints just because more were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect them. There are no U.S. sales figures by motorcycle model year, so these are counts, not rates.

What owners complain about. Share of complaints.

steering35%

suspension25%

transmission & drivetrain13%

wheels9%

engine6%

Recalls 4

Structure 2009
The swingarm may not have been properly welded.
Fuel System, Gasoline 2008
The motorcycles may have an improperly manufactured fuel control valve diaphragm and the fuel valve may drip fuel.
Structure 2004
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.

Show all 4

Power Train 01V134000
Vehicle description: motorcycles.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific bike's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Specs The maker's claimed figures for a representative year. ~ means approximate.

Honda VTX1300 / VTX1800

2002–2009

~106 hpClaimed crank figure

Engine: 1,795 cc liquid-cooled 52-degree V-twin (VTX1300: 1,312 cc)Honda VTX V-twin family
Torque: ~120 lb-ftclaimed
Weight: ~750 lbwet or curb, as the maker quotes it
Seat height: 27.4 in
Price new: ~$13,000 (2005 VTX1800C)base U.S. MSRP before destination, approximate

From the makers' U.S. spec sheets (the EU sheet for horsepower where the U.S. one leaves it out), checked against a sample on Nov 11; years and versions differ.

Filed as: VTX1300, VTX1800, VTX1800N, VTX1800C, VTX1800R. Source: NHTSA owner complaints (model years 2000-2026) and recalls. Every motorcycle

Also counted in the Honda Shadow family page.

More cruiser & retro: Yamaha Road Star / Road Star Warrior · Suzuki Boulevard · Harley-Davidson Softail · Honda Shadow · Yamaha V Star · Ducati SportClassic · Harley-Davidson Dyna · Harley-Davidson V-Rod · Every motorcycle

A new bike every day: follow @lemonindexmotorcycle on TikTok and Instagram.

Updated Nov 14, 2026

Spot a mistake or have an idea? Tell us