VehicleVerdict

2002 Honda Gl1800 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 210 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 16.2 times the median Gl1800 year — the 2002 model ranks #1 of 23 Gl1800 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 61% of all reports (127 of 210), far ahead of body & structure at 32.

210

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

4

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Gl1800 years?

Gl1800 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted210 complaints2001: 103 complaints2002: 210 complaints2003: 107 complaints2004: 11 complaints2005: 25 complaints2006: 27 complaints2007: 28 complaints2008: 60 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 28 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 49 complaints2013: 16 complaints2014: 9 complaints2015: 8 complaints2016: 7 complaints2018: 46 complaints2019: 12 complaints2020: 3 complaints2021: 13 complaints2022: 1 complaints2023: 2 complaints2024: 6 complaints
Gl1800 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Gl1800 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Honda Gl1800 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine12760%
Body & Structure3215%
Tires & Wheels126%
Suspension94%
Brakes63%
Steering63%
Electrical System52%
Other42%
Transmission42%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Lighting10%
Speed Control10%

Does the 2002 Honda Gl1800 have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V700000BrakesOctober 23, 2015 · 145,219 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A rear brake that drags may increase the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, extended riding with the rear brake dragging could generate enough heat to result in a fire.

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.

11E054000OtherDecember 12, 2011 · 7,446 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY OR A CRASH.

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.

11V567000BrakesDecember 1, 2011 · 126,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

UNEXPECTED BRAKING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH, AND RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE WITH THE REAR BRAKE DRAGGING MAY GENERATE ENOUGH HEAT TO CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE TO CATCH FIRE.

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.

05V027000Body & StructureJanuary 31, 2005 · 34,919 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE WELDED AREA COULD BREAK, RESULTING IN REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE OR LOWER CROSS MEMBER SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

05V010000BrakesJanuary 24, 2005 · 36,046 units

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.

03V350000Body & StructureSeptember 26, 2003 · 8,196 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE WELDED AREA COULD BREAK, RESULTING IN REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE OR LOWER CROSS MEMBER SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

02V340000Fuel SystemDecember 23, 2002 · 660 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE SENSOR DETACHES, THE ENGINE WILL STOP UNEXPECTEDLY. SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, ESPECIALLY WHILE TURNING, COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“PULLING OFF ROAD ON INTERSTATE TO COOL DOWN IS NOT SAFE. WHEN TRAFFIC BACK UP AND CAUSES ME TO DRIVE AS A VERY SLOW SPEED THE MOTORCYCLE OVERHEATS INTO THE READ ZONE ON THE TEMPERATURE. GAUGE. DEALER SAID THAT THERE IS NO SERVICE BULLETIN ON A FIX OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 20, 2002

“HONDA GL1800 GOLD WING MOTORCYCLE FRAME FAILURE. *MR FRAME FAILURES OCCURRED WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS IN MOTION. THE ENGINE DROPPED TO THE HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING WAS DANGEROUSLY AFFECTED. HONDA HAD BEEN SECRETLY REPLACING THESE. THE ENGINE ALSO OVERHEATED AND CAUSED COOLANT TO SPILL ON THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure

“FRONT TIRE ON GL 1800 MOTORCYCLE. HONDA RECOMMENDS 36 PSI IN THE FRONT TIRE THIS CAUSES CUPPING OF THE TIRE AND A BAD VIBRATION IN FRONT WHICH COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENT AND DEATH! BRIDGESTONE TIRES RECOMMEND 38 TO 40 PSI IN THIS TIRE, YET HONDA HAS 36 IN THEIR OWNERS GUIDE. HONDA NOR BRIDGESTONE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 18, 2004

“SINCE NEW I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT A WOBBLING WHEN BRAKING MY GOLD WING. THE VARIOUS DEALERSHIPS HAVE STATED TIME AND AGAIN THAT "THE PROBLEM WAS NOT EVIDENT". ON JANUARY 3, 2003 I WAS RIDING MY 2002 GL1800A AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN I LIGHTLY APPLIED MY REAR BRAKE PEDAL TO "CHECK MY SPEED" AND THE BIKE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · January 3, 2003 · crash

“STUCK IN TRAFFIC ,STOP AND GO FOR 30 MIN AT LOW SPEED , BRAKES WHEN APPLIED SUDDENDLY CHATTERED LIKE ABS WOULD , SPEED WAS ABOUT 5 MILES AN HR, BRAKE PEDAL WAS RIGHT TO THE TOP AND HARD , THRU OUT DAY CAME AND WENT , COOLED DOWN WHILE PARKED WAS OK LATER TILL I WENT TO PARK AND STARTED AGAIN ,OFF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 25, 2003

2002 Honda Gl1800 — common questions

Is the 2002 Honda Gl1800 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 210 complaints put the 2002 model at #1 of 23 Gl1800 years. It is one of the Gl1800 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Gl1800 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (127 complaints), body & structure (32 complaints), tires & wheels (12 complaints).

Does the 2002 Honda Gl1800 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Honda Gl1800. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Honda Gl1800 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Honda Gl1800 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Gl1800 years to avoid are 2002, 2003, 2001, 2008, 2012, 2018. The cleanest record among Gl1800 years belongs to 2011.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.