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
What owners actually said
182 reports
400 miles · Feb 26, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2002 HONDA GL1800 HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER 6 TIMES FOR REPAIR OF ENGINE OVERHEATING. I HAVE HAD THE ENGINE OVERHEATING RECALL WORK CONDUCTED TWICE ON THE BIKE. THE FIRST REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL ACTUALLY ACTUALLY ACERBATED THE OVERHEATING PROBLEM. THE SECOND RECALL REPAIR ONLY SLIGHTLY IMPROVED THE BIKE OVER ITS ORIGINAL DE…
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MY 2002 HONDA GL1800 HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER 6 TIMES FOR REPAIR OF ENGINE OVERHEATING. I HAVE HAD THE ENGINE OVERHEATING RECALL WORK CONDUCTED TWICE ON THE BIKE. THE FIRST REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL ACTUALLY ACTUALLY ACERBATED THE OVERHEATING PROBLEM. THE SECOND RECALL REPAIR ONLY SLIGHTLY IMPROVED THE BIKE OVER ITS ORIGINAL DELIVERED STATE. AMERICAN HONDA REFUSES TO DO ANY FURTHER REPAIRS THAT COULD RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THAT SOME OF THE GL1800 MOTORCYCLES HAVE THIS INHERENT DEFECT AND OTHERS DO NOT. HONDA APPARENT REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM WHICH IS NOT RECTIFIED BY THEIR ECM RECALL. THE OVERHEATING MAKES THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE IN HEAVY, CONGESTED TRAFFIC AT LOW SPEEDS. HONDA SAYS TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN IT OVERHEATS. SITTING ON THE SHOULDER OF THE L.A. FREEWAY ON A MOTORCYCLE ADJACENT TO CONGESTED TRAFFIC AND SCREACHING AUTO AND TRUCK BRAKES IS UNNERVING AND QUITE UNSAFE. AMERICAN HONDA'S V.P OF THE MOTORCYCLE DIVISION, RAY BLANK, HAS REFUSED TO RESPOND TO MY TWO COMPLAINT LETTERS APPEALING FOR HONDA TO CORRECT THE OVERHEATING PROBLEM. THE RECALL REPAIR THAT HONDA IS UTILIZING DOESN'T WORK AND CORRET THE DEFECT FOR MANY GL1800 OWNERS. I ASK THE NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10059069
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2004
Structure
SAFETY RECALL ON MOTORCYCLE, BUT DELAYS WITH HIGH VOLUME OF CUSTOMERS AT THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR PROBLEM. *LA RECALL#03V350000 *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10053571
Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2003
Structure
RECALL ON MOTORCYCLE'S FRAME WELDING PROCEDURE. THE WELDING PROCEDURE WAS REVERSED AFTER THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED IT REPRESENTED A RISK TO MOTORCYCLE OWNERS. *LA WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR THE REPAIR, THE WELDER DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS EXISTING CRACK DAMAGE TO THE FRAME. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10051663
2,000 miles · Dec 1, 2003
StructureTires
PROBLEMS WITH TIRE EQUIPMENT ON 2002 HONDA GOLDWING.*MR THE CONSUMER ADDED A CB RADIO AND ANTENNA AT A COST OF $800.00 DOLLARS AND ANOTHER SEAT FOR $900.00. THIS WAS TO ACCOMMODATE THE CONSUMER'S HEIGHT OF 6'5", SINCE THE MOTORCYCLE IS FOR MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF 5'10". MIDWAY THROUGH THEIR FIRST TRIP, THE CONSUMER NOTICE…
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PROBLEMS WITH TIRE EQUIPMENT ON 2002 HONDA GOLDWING.*MR THE CONSUMER ADDED A CB RADIO AND ANTENNA AT A COST OF $800.00 DOLLARS AND ANOTHER SEAT FOR $900.00. THIS WAS TO ACCOMMODATE THE CONSUMER'S HEIGHT OF 6'5", SINCE THE MOTORCYCLE IS FOR MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF 5'10". MIDWAY THROUGH THEIR FIRST TRIP, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE FRONT TIRE HAD BEGUN TO WEAR UNEVENLY AND DEVELOPED A "CUPPED" PATTERN ON THE EDGE OF THE TIRE. AFTER THE TRIP, CONSUMER POINTED THIS OUT TO THE MECHANIC. HE STATED THIS WAS A NORMAL PATTERN. AT 7,400 MILES, CONSUMER REPLACED THE FRONT TIRE. MOTORCYCLE COULDN'T BE SAFELY RIDDEN DUE TO CUPPING. UPON COMMUNICATING WITH OTHER GOLDWING OWNERS VIA INTERNET, CONSUMER WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE TIRE WITH METZLER TIRE AND ADD A SUPERBRACE FORKBRACE (A REINFORCING MEMBER OF THE FRONT END). PROBLEM DISAPPEARED AS A RESULT. LATER, CONSUMER LEARNED THE BIKE WOULD OVERHEAT WHEN DRIVEN SLOWLY FOR 10-15 MIN. AND HONDA WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. BIKE WAS TAKEN IN AND MODIFIED UNDER HONDA'S "PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN". THE HEADS WERE FLOW TESTED, COMPUTER MODULE WAS INSTALLED AND WIRE HARNESS WAS REPLACED. CONSUMER NOTED IT WOULD OVERHEAT JUST NOT AS QUICKLY. NEXT, CONSUMER LEARNED OF CRACKING IN THE LOWER CROSS MEMBER OF THE FRAME AND HONDA HAD GIVEN NEW MOTORCYCLES WITH APOLOGIES. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10048238
Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2002 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE.*MR CONSUMER'S WIFE BURNED THE LEG ON THE EXHAUST DUE TO A POOR LOCATION OF THE EXHAUST. SHE SUSTAINED 2ND DEGREE BURNS. THEY DECIDED TO SELL THE BIKE FOR SAFETY REASONS. OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDE: WOBBLY HANDLEBAR, THE REPEATED CUPPING OF THE FRONT TIRE, OVERHEATING, A…
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VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2002 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE.*MR CONSUMER'S WIFE BURNED THE LEG ON THE EXHAUST DUE TO A POOR LOCATION OF THE EXHAUST. SHE SUSTAINED 2ND DEGREE BURNS. THEY DECIDED TO SELL THE BIKE FOR SAFETY REASONS. OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDE: WOBBLY HANDLEBAR, THE REPEATED CUPPING OF THE FRONT TIRE, OVERHEATING, AND THE BREAKING OF SWING ARM FRAMES WITHOUT NOTICE. *PH
I HAVE A 2002 HONDA GOLDWING. IT HAS A RECALL FOR A OVER HEATING PROBLEM AND A FRAME BREAKING PROBLEM. I DO NOT AT ALL FEEL SAFE ON THIS MOTORCYCLE OR WOULD I IF SOMEONE WERE TO WELD ON AN ALUMINUM FRAME. THIS FRAME BREAKAGE IS MORE THAN JUST SOMETHING THAT WILL LEAVE YOU STANDING BESIDE THE ROAD. HONDA NEEDS TO BE MADE TO REPL…
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I HAVE A 2002 HONDA GOLDWING. IT HAS A RECALL FOR A OVER HEATING PROBLEM AND A FRAME BREAKING PROBLEM. I DO NOT AT ALL FEEL SAFE ON THIS MOTORCYCLE OR WOULD I IF SOMEONE WERE TO WELD ON AN ALUMINUM FRAME. THIS FRAME BREAKAGE IS MORE THAN JUST SOMETHING THAT WILL LEAVE YOU STANDING BESIDE THE ROAD. HONDA NEEDS TO BE MADE TO REPLACE THESE BIKES, NOT MODIFY THEM. MY FRAME IS NOT BROKEN BUT IS UNDER RECALL AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH OR WITH OUT THE FIX. *LA
NHTSA RECALL 02 V 340 000/BANK ANGLE SENSOR ON MOTORCYCLE: CONSUMER STATED DEALER WAS UNABLE TO HONOR THE RECALL DUE TO NUMEROUS CRACKS ON THE MOTORCYCLE FRAME. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10046175
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2003
Structure
STRUCTURE PROBLEM. CONSUMER WILL PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
4
AQ12001 · 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.
2002 Honda GL1800 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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