2002 Honda GL1800: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 182 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (63% of complaints); the 2001 and 2003 and 2004 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 182 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I recently found a problem with a motorcycle tire that the tread appears to be coming lose from the casing. It has several blisters in the center of the tire t 63v date of manufacture is 01/22 the mileage is approximately 16,000”Owner report · Wheels · Sep 2023
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 honda gl1800 (goldwing) motorcycle. The contact stated that there was a crack on the right side of the frame where an aluminum tube entered into the mainframe. The dealer (fred cummings motorsports, 2211 chester ave, bakersfield, ca 93301, (661) 324-9695) stated there were no recalls and did not assist. The manufacturer had a recorded message stating that there were no recalls. The contact emailed the manufacturer's website and was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was 186,000.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 honda gl1800 (goldwing) motorcycle. While driving 25 mph, the rear brakes failed. The contact pulled over and had the bike towed to his residence. There were no warning indicators illuminated. An unknown dealer was notified, but was not able to assist. The contact repaired the rear master brake cylinder sub-assembly himself. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 186,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 honda goldwing. While driving 65 mph, the consumer struck a small object in the road and a pop was heard. The dealer diagnosed that the welds fractured in several different places and needed to be replaced. The motorcycle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05v027000 (structure). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. No assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 153,950. Updated 01/04/17*lj updated 01/05/17.*jb”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 honda goldwing motorcycle. The contact stated that brake fluid leaked onto the ground from the rear master cylinder. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the master cylinder was replaced. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v700000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the dealer refused to service the vehicle under the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 honda goldwing equipped with a 2015 rally wagon prl. While driving at approximately 60 mph, the axle for the trailer fractured and the tires detached. The trailer was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the material used was defective. The trailer was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 honda goldwing motorcycle. The contact noticed that there was a huge crack on the left side of the motorcycle under the passenger side foot rest. The contact was concerned that if driving over a road bump, the crack would proceed to spread and cause a severe failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they inspected the vehicle and stated that the sub-frame needed to be replaced. The failure and the current mileage was 72,000. Updated 04/11/12 *bf updated 05/10/12”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2012
“2002 goldwing gl1800 broken frame on the bottom or the rear frame tubes can result in separation and the rear of the bike will come off including driver, passenger,saddlebags and rear trunk! Honda will do nothing to fix it! If the damage goes unseen by a tech the owner will never know the frame is broken because it is not in hondas recall of the welded centerstand area. The replacement frames have gussettes welded in the affected areas, so honda knows there is a problem. Affected frames are in 2001-2004 honda gl1800 motorcycles and was updated in letter 2004 models! Honda service rep virtualla says too bad! *tr”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2009
“Cracked motorcycle frame on 2002 gl1800a : location of crack: directly under saddle consequences: motorcycle unsafe to ride. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2008
“Upon inspection, the rear frame tubes have cracked on both sides of my '02 honda gl1800 bike. The tubes have not completely separated yet, but the cracks extend about 1/3 around the tube beginning at the weld area. Bike-handling irregularity has been reported by others with this failure when the cracks have opened further. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
ON SOME MOTORCYCLES, CERTAIN FRAME WELDS DO NOT MEET MANUFACTURING SPECIFICATIONS. HIGH LOADS CREATED WHEN RIDING ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACES OR THROUGH POTHOLES CAN CAUSE THE AFFECTED WELDS TO CRACK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REINFORCE THE WELDS ON ALL FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DURING OCTOBER 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-866-784-1870.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2010 and 2012-2015 GL1800, 2001-2005 GL1800A and 2013-2015 GL1800B motorcycles. The rear brakes of the affected motorcycles may drag after the brakes are released.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary brake master cylinder and the rear brake master cylinder, and flush the brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on December 7, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is JV6. Note: This recall supercedes recall 14V-472.
ON SOME MOTORCYCLES, CERTAIN FRAME WELDS DO NOT MEET MANUFACTURING SPECIFICATIONS. HIGH LOADS CREATED WHEN RIDING ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACES OR THROUGH POTHOLES CAN CAUSE THE AFFECTED WELDS TO CRACK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REINFORCE THE WELDS ON 2001-2002 MOTORCYCLES FREE OF CHARGE. ON 2003-2004 MOTORCYCLES, THE UNITS WILL BE REPAIRED, NO INSPECTION WILL BE NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-866-784-1870.
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.
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.
KURYAKYN IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET PASSENGER FLOORBOARD MOUNTS, PART NUMBER 607005, SOLD AND INSTALLED FOR USE ON 2001-2012 HONDA GL 1800 (GOLDWING) MOTORCYCLES. THIS MOUNT WAS SOLD ON KURYAKYN 'TRANSFORMER' PASSENGER FLOORBOARD SETS, PART NUMBER 7005 FROM SEPTEMBER 15, 2008, TO PRESENT. THE FLOORBOARD MOUNT MAY CRACK AND BREAK FREE FROM THE MOUNTING BOLTS THAT SECURE THE MOUNT TO THE MOTORCYCLE.
Remedy: KURYAKYN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE REPLACEMENT MOUNT KITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 13, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KURYAKYN AT 1-866-296-4728.
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2010, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 GL1800 GOLDWING MOTORCYCLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE COMBINED BRAKING SYSTEM'S SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER MAY CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE TO DRAG.
Remedy: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 6, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-784-1870.
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE BANK ANGLE SENSORS DESIGNED TO SHUT OFF THE FUEL PUMP AND THE ENGINE ELECTRICAL POWER IN THE EVENT THE MOTORCYCLE FALLS OVER, WERE INSTALLED USING THE WRONG SIZE SCREWS ALLOWING THE SCREWS TO EVENTUALLY DETACH FROM THEIR MOUNTING POINT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MOUNTING SCREW SIZE AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL SCREWS OF THE CORRECT SIZE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-289-8226.
How other years compare
Check your exact GL1800 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Honda GL1800 reliable?
NHTSA has 182 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Honda GL1800. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (63% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Honda GL1800 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 17,366 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Honda GL1800 have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning structure:frame and members:underbody shields. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.