IllustrationNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
2002 Honda GL1800
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all GL1800 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
290–25K
725–50K
450–75K
175–100K
1100–150K
4150K+
46 reports with mileage · 136 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 115 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Tires. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
115 reportsDRIVER, PASSENGER, AND GENERAL MOTORING PUBLIC SAFETY IS COMPROMISED WITH THE HONDA GL1800 MODEL MOTORCYCLE. ENGINE TEMPERATURE RISES TO AN UNSAFE CONDITION AS INDICATED ON THE MANUFACTURERS TEMPERATURE GAUGE WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT CITY SPEEDS OF LESS THAN APPROX. 30 MPH, OR WHEN DETAINED IN STOP AND GO CONGESTION TRAFFIC WIT…
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DRIVER, PASSENGER, AND GENERAL MOTORING PUBLIC SAFETY IS COMPROMISED WITH THE HONDA GL1800 MODEL MOTORCYCLE. ENGINE TEMPERATURE RISES TO AN UNSAFE CONDITION AS INDICATED ON THE MANUFACTURERS TEMPERATURE GAUGE WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT CITY SPEEDS OF LESS THAN APPROX. 30 MPH, OR WHEN DETAINED IN STOP AND GO CONGESTION TRAFFIC WITH THE SAME SPEED EXAMPLE. THE CONDITION SEVERLY DISTRACTS AND IMPEDES THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AND EFFECTS NOT ONLY THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER BUT OTHER MOTORIST AS WELL, WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR IS TRYING TO RELOCATE THEMSELVES INTO A PLACE THAT WOULD ALLOW ENGINE TEMP. TO RETURN TO NORMAL IE: ( FIND A PLACE TO PARK, OUT OF TRAFFIC, TO ALLOW THE FOWARD DESIGNED AIR FLOW OF FANS TO RETURN COOLANT TEMP TO NORMAL AFTER TIME, OR SPEED UP ENOUGH TO FACILITATE ADDITIONAL AIR FLOW THRU RADIATORS TO ALLOW ENGINE TEMPS TO RETURN TO NORMAL. ) EITHER SITUATION CAN AND DOES PLACE PEOPLE IN A DANGEROUS UNSAFE SITUATION. SHOULD THE REPEATABLE AND PREDICTABLE LOW MPH HIGH ENGINE TEMP. REACH THE POINT OF COOLANT OVERFLOW, EITHER BY NOT BEING ABLE TO RELOCATE THE MACHINE TO ALLOW COOLING AS STATED ABOVE, OR GO UNNOTICED BY NORMAL DRIVING DISTRACTIONS, THE DRAIN TUBE IS LOCATED IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO ALLOW COOLANT TO BE EXPELLED IN THE PROXIMITY OF THE REAR TIRE, THUS CAUSING AN ADDITIONAL UNSAFE CONDITION WHEREBY TRACTION WOULD BE COMPROMISED. THIS MODEL MACHINE IS SAFETY COMPROMISED WITH ITS INABILITY TO PROPERLY DEAL WITH ENGINE TEMPERATURES UNDER NORMAL EVERYDAY LOW SPEED, AND OR STOP AND GO DRIVING CONDITIONS AT SPEEDS BELOW 30 MPH. THE POTENTIAL SITUATION(S) WHEREBY SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE INJURED OR KILLED BY TRYING TO AVOID OR REMEDY HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURES AND OR LOSS OF TRACTION DUE TO ENGINE COOLANT OVERFLOW AT THE SPEEDS I HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT SEVERLY COMPROMISE THE SAFE OPERATION OF THESE MODELS.*AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN BE REPEATED AT WILL. COOLING FANS BLOW INTO WIND NOT ALLOWING ENGINE TO BE COOLED PROPERLY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 10 & 20 MPH.*AK
ON THE DAY THAT I BOUGHT MY MOTORCYCLE I RODE HOME THROUGH THE "MIXMASTER" IN DALLAS, TX AT A TIME WHEN, DUE TO AN ACCIDENT, TRAFFIC WAS STOP AND GO FOR MANY MILES. I SOON NOTICED MY TEMPERATURE GUAGE RISING TO THE HOT POINT ON THE INDICATOR. I PULLED OVER AND LET THE MOTORCYCLE COOL DOWN AND WAITED FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR TO PRO…
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ON THE DAY THAT I BOUGHT MY MOTORCYCLE I RODE HOME THROUGH THE "MIXMASTER" IN DALLAS, TX AT A TIME WHEN, DUE TO AN ACCIDENT, TRAFFIC WAS STOP AND GO FOR MANY MILES. I SOON NOTICED MY TEMPERATURE GUAGE RISING TO THE HOT POINT ON THE INDICATOR. I PULLED OVER AND LET THE MOTORCYCLE COOL DOWN AND WAITED FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR TO PROCEDE HOME. I HAVE NOT PUUT MYSELF IN THE SAME OR SIMILAR SITUATION AS YET ALTHOUGH I COULD FIND MYSELF THERE AT ANY TIME. THE OVER HEATING OF THE ENGINE IS A PROBLEM THAT HONDA WILL NOT ADDRESS IN A RECALL TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.*AK
THIS MOTORCYLE WILL RAPIDLY SHOW OVERHEATING TO THE REDLINE WHEN EXPOSED TO STANDARD URBAN TRAFFIC SITUATIONS SUCH AS 10-15 MPH CITY TRAFFIC. HAVE AS YET TO HAVE COOLANT OVERFLOW, BUT COOLANT OVER FLOW TANK IS LOACTED IN FRONT OF RAR WHEEL WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY IF COOLANT LEAK WENT ONTO PAVEMENT ON FRONT OF REAR TIRE. JUST WA…
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THIS MOTORCYLE WILL RAPIDLY SHOW OVERHEATING TO THE REDLINE WHEN EXPOSED TO STANDARD URBAN TRAFFIC SITUATIONS SUCH AS 10-15 MPH CITY TRAFFIC. HAVE AS YET TO HAVE COOLANT OVERFLOW, BUT COOLANT OVER FLOW TANK IS LOACTED IN FRONT OF RAR WHEEL WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY IF COOLANT LEAK WENT ONTO PAVEMENT ON FRONT OF REAR TIRE. JUST WANTED TO GET MY NAME ON THE LIST OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS SPECIFIC PRONBLEM WITH THIS MODEL; SO MAYBE HONDA WILL GET IT TOGETHER AND LET US OWNERS KNOW OF AND ENACT A SOLUTION TO THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. MANY HAVE REPARTED DEALERS AND HONDA DENYING A PROBLEM EVEN EXISTS, SO I HOPE TO SHOEW THAT THIS CONDITION IS NOT AN ISOLATED FEW MACHINES IN A LARGE PRODUSTION RUN. THANKS, JOHN. *AK
DEFECTIVE-DESIGNED RADIATOR FANS RUN AGAINST INCOMING AIRFLOW, CAUSE OVERHEATING.*AK
THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS WARRANTED SPEEDS UNDER 20 MPH MAX, WITH LITTLE STOPPED TIME. MOTORCYCLE INDICATED OVERHEATED CONDITION BUT DID NOT SPILL COOLANT. ENGINE IS ENTIRELY MADE OF ALUMINUM AND WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL IF CONSTANTLY SUBJECTED TO OVERHEATED CONDITIONS. THIS IS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE COOLANT SYSTEM. THE C…
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THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS WARRANTED SPEEDS UNDER 20 MPH MAX, WITH LITTLE STOPPED TIME. MOTORCYCLE INDICATED OVERHEATED CONDITION BUT DID NOT SPILL COOLANT. ENGINE IS ENTIRELY MADE OF ALUMINUM AND WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL IF CONSTANTLY SUBJECTED TO OVERHEATED CONDITIONS. THIS IS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE COOLANT SYSTEM. THE COOLING FANS CANNOT OVERCOME DUCTED AIR WHEN THE BIKE IS RUN BETWEEN 10-35 MPH FOR CONTINUAL PERIODS.*AK
THE MOTORCYCLE OVERHEATS WITHIN MINUTES AT 20-25MPH RAPIDLY SENDING THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE INTO THE RED ZONE AND EXPELLING COOLANT VIA THE OVERFLOW TANK WHICH IS LOCATED JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAT WHEEL. THIS PROVIDES A VERY DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT FOR THE RIDER AND OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THE SLIPPERY NATURE OF ANTI-FREEZE.*AK
IN TRAFFIC THE MOTORCYCLE WILL CONSISTENTLY REGISTER AS OVERHEATING CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION SHOULD THE FLUID GET ON THE REAR TIRE. DANGERIOUS =NERIOUS. *AK
Official recalls
615V700000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
Oct 23, 2015
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 & remedy
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.
11V567000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
Dec 1, 2011
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 & remedy
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.
05V027000 · Structure:frame And Members
Jan 31, 2005
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 & remedy
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.
05V010000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Jan 24, 2005
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 & remedy
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.
03V350000 · Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields
Sep 26, 2003
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 & remedy
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.
02V340000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Dec 23, 2002
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4AQ12001 · Southern Honda Powersports
Opened May 14, 2012 · Closed May 13, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
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 requires, among other things, that a motor vehicle or equipment manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with federal motor vehicle safety standards.In turn, a dealer may not sell and deliver a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed.(see 49 U.S.C. 30120(i); 49 C.F.R. 573.11)NHTSA issued an information request to Southern Honda on May 14, 2012 to which they responded on July 6, 2012.NHTSA?s inquiry led it to believe that Southern Honda had failed to complete the requirements of five recalls that required inspections and/or repairs of motorcycles prior to their sale or delivery.NHTSA believes that 329 motorcycles affected by recalls had not been inspected and/or repaired prior to their sale and delivery between 2007 and 2012.The agency is unaware of any deaths or injuries involving these vehicles.NHTSA concluded that it had a potential civil penalty claim against Southern Honda for violations of the Safety Act.Southern Honda denied any violations of the Safety Act.In order to settle this matter, Southern Honda agreed to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $125,000, to be paid in five annual installments.This AQ is closed.
RQ04009 · Frame Crossmemeber Weld Failures
Opened Sep 21, 2004 · Closed Feb 2, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:frame And Members
HONDA IS AMENDING THE SCOPE OF 03V-350 TO ADD 34,919 POTENTIALLY AFFECTED GL1800 GOLD WING MOTORCYCLES.THE INITIAL RECALL RANGE INCLUDED FRAMES MANUFACTURED WITH ONE OF A NUMBER OF WELDING PROCESSES.HONDA BELIEVED, ON THE BASIS OF DATA AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME, THAT ONLY THOSE GL'S BUILT WITH THAT ONE PROCESS WERE AT RISK OF FAILURE.WITH THE ORIGINAL RECALL (IN SEPTEMBER, 2003), HONDA INTRODUCED YET ANOTHER WELD PROCESS.SUBSEQUENTLY, HONDA BECAME AWARE OF INCIDENTS INVOLVING GL'S NOT INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL, BUILT USING ANOTHER EARLY WELDING PROCESS.THUS, HONDA HAS DECIDED TO RECALL ALL GL1800'S BUILT PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 20, 2003 REGARDLESS OF WHAT WELD PROCESS WAS BEING USED AT THE TIME.THIS RECALL EXPANSION AFFECTS THE 2001, 2002, 2003 AND 2004 MODEL YEARS AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AFFECTED U.S. GL1800 MOTORCYCLES INCREASES FROM 8,196 TO 43,115.
PE03039 · Rear Suspension Collapse
Opened Aug 11, 2003 · Closed Oct 10, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:frame And Members
THE SUBJECT MOTORCYCLES, INTRODUCED WITH THE 2001 MODEL YEAR, UTILIZE AN ALUMINUM FRAME INDIVIDUALLY WELDED BY HONDA EMPLOYEES IN THE COMPANY?S MARYSVILLE, OHIO ASSEMBLY PLANT.NHTSA/ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER LEARNING THAT SOME 2002 MODEL YEAR GL1800?S WERE EXPERIENCING REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE WHEN THE LOWEST CROSSMEMBER WOULD COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME.IT APPEARED THE CROSSMEMBER WAS SEPARATING DUE TO SUB-STANDARD WELDING OF THE CROSSMEMBER TO THE FRAME. ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2003 HONDA BRIEFED ODI STAFF AND ADVISED THAT THE SUBJECT WELD FAILURES RESULTED FROM A COMBINATION OF PRODUCTION LINE CHANGES THAT TOOK EFFECT ON MARCH 1, 2002.THESE CHANGES WERE:1) FEW, IF ANY, REINFORCING TIG WELDS APPLIED TO THE CROSSMEMBER MIG WELDS; 2) A RELATIVELY INEXPERIENCED WELDER BEGAN WELDING FRAMES AS OF THAT DATE; AND 3) A LESS ROBUST WELD QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTION WAS INTRODUCED.EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 11, 2002 HONDA ADDRESSED THESE ASSEMBLY LINE ISSUES.ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2003 HONDA ADVISED NHTSA/ODI THAT IT WAS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL OF ALL MYR 2002/2003 GL1800?S BUILT FROM MARCH 1, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10, 2002.THIS IS A WORLDWIDERECALL INVOLVING 9,521 MOTORCYCLES, OF WHICH 8,196 ARE IN THE UNITED STATES.FOR MORE INFORMATION CONCERNING BOTH HONDA?S SEPTEMBER 4TH BRIEFING AND THE RECALL, PLEASE REFER TO NHTSA?S OCTOBER 2, 2003 MEMO.BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY HONDA CONCERNING THE PRODUCTION LINE CHANGES; THE FIELD PERFORMANCE OF ALL 2001-2003 GL1800?S; AND NHTSA?S INDEPENDENT INFORMATION GATHERING ACTIVITIES; THE SCOPE OF HONDA?S RECALL APPEARS JUSTIFIED.ODI WILL CLOSELY MONITOR SUBJECT CROSSMEMBER WELD INTEGRITY FOR BIKES BUILT OUTSIDE THE RECALL SCOPE, AS WELL AS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HONDA?S RECALL REMEDY FOR THOSE BIKES WITHIN IT, AND WILL TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION IF WARRANTED BY FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS.
PE02077 · Motorcycle Coolant Spray Onto Rear Tire
Opened Oct 15, 2002 · Closed Mar 28, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT WITH ODI'SFINDINGS.