The 2002 Honda Vfr800 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 42,998 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE FRONT FAIRING SUB-HARNESS (SECTION OF THE WIRING HARNESS) TRANSFERS THE ELECTRICAL GROUNDING LOAD OF THE HEADLIGHTS, FRONT TURN SIGNALS, INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND VARIOUS RELAYS TO THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS VIA AN 18-PIN CONNECTOR. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE GROUND WIRE TERMINALS INSIDE THE…
Consequence
AS A RESULT, A LOSS OF CRITICAL LIGHTING OR ENGINE POWER COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RE-DESIGNED SUB-HARNESS. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS WILL ALSO BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED TO OWNERS ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS WERE RE-NOTIFIED ON NOVEMBER 10, 2007, TO TAKE THEIR MOTORCYCLES TO DEALERS TO HAVE THE PARTS INSTALLED. OWNERS…
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC05V0100002005-01-2436,046 affected
Defect
CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH COMBINED-BRAKE SYSTEMS HAVE A PROPORTIONING CONTROL VALVE (PCV) THAT MECHANICALLY PROPORTIONS BRAKE FORCE WHEN THE REAR BRAKE IS APPLIED. A SEAL IN SOME PCVS IS IMPROPERLY SHAPED, AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR.
Consequence
IF THE MOTORCYCLE CONTINUES TO BE USED AFTER A LEAK OCCURS, THE REAR BRAKE WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE. A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE FORCE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE FORLEAKAGE. IF LEAKAGE IS CONFIRMED, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PCV FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 31, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 866-784-1870.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1
Total complaints9
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 honda vfr800. The contact mailed in a warranty card notifying the honda manufacturer that he now owns the motorcycle. The warranty information was entered into honda's system incorrectly and now it states that the motorcycle is stolen. There is a nhtsa campaign id number…”
“I own a 2002 honda vfr 800 motorcycle that has incurred electrical problems that 2 dealers were unable to repair. The electrical problems occurred while I was driving on the highway at highway speeds, and when trying to use turn signals. The headlights went out and the engine died...a very…”
“I own a 2002 honda vfr 800 motorcycle that has incurred electrical problems that 2 dealers were unable to repair. The electrical problems occurred while I was driving on the highway at highway speeds, and when trying to use turn signals. The headlights went out and the engine died...a very…”
“I own a 2002 honda vfr 800 motorcycle that has incurred electrical problems that 2 dealers were unable to repair. The electrical problems occurred while I was driving on the highway at highway speeds, and when trying to use turn signals. The headlights went out and the engine died...a very…”
“Had starting problems and went to check the battery. Found that the fuse holder, a connector and the small wire between the two had discolored to a brown. There were signs of melting on the wire insulation. The part has not failed to date but gets very hot to the touch when the vehicle engine is…”
“Motorcycle engine died while running. I did troubleshoot to find an electrical 30 amp fuse wire insulation scorched and burned through. Copper conductor had become very hot. *jb”
“Motorcycle engine died while running. I did troubleshoot to find an electrical 30 amp fuse wire insulation scorched and burned through. Copper conductor had become very hot. *jb”
“30amp main fuse holder melting. Engine stopped on freeway. *nm”
Defect investigations
InvestigationAQ12001 Opened 2012-05-14 · closed 2013-05-13
Southern Honda Powersports
NHTSA opened Audit Query (AQ) 12-001 to determine whether Southern Honda Powersports (Southern Honda) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, had complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act…
InvestigationPE05047 Opened 2005-09-02 · closed 2005-12-20
STALLING & SUDDEN HEADLIGHT OUTAGE
ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING THREE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING AND/OR SUDDEN HEADLIGHT OUTAGES WHILE UNDERWAY.ODI ALSO FOUND NUMEROUS POSTINGS ON A WEB-BASED CHAT BOARD RELATED TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLE AND THESE ALLEGATIONS.FREQUENTLY, THE POSTING REFERENCED THE BLUE CONNECTOR JOINING…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Honda Vfr800 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.