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
9,000 miles · Oct 11, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE OVERHEATING - I PURCHASED THE BIKE IN JULY OF 2002. I EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER IN TEMECULA CALIFORNIA AND HAD IT CHECKED OUT. THEY KEPT IT FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. I THEN CONTACTED THE HONDA COOPERATION AND WAS TOLD TO TAK…
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ENGINE OVERHEATING - I PURCHASED THE BIKE IN JULY OF 2002. I EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER IN TEMECULA CALIFORNIA AND HAD IT CHECKED OUT. THEY KEPT IT FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. I THEN CONTACTED THE HONDA COOPERATION AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT BACK IN. I DID. AGAIN NOTHING. I AM NOT OVERSEAS AND HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE OCT 2002. I HAVEN'T RIDDEN THE BIKE AND WON'T RIDE AGAIN AS I AM IN THE MARINE CORPS STATIONED ABROAD UNTIL 2005. I FINALLY DISCOVERED THIS SITE AND REALIZED THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SELF-SAME PROBLEMS AS I AM HAVING. I HAVEN'T RIDDEN IT ENOUGH TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE WRONG WITH IT AS OTHERS HAVE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICES OR ANYTHING. HONDA HAS MY ADDRESS STATESIDE AND OVERSEAS AS I DO RECEIVE MY BILL HERE. WHAT IS BEING DONE TO REMEDY THESE MATTERS/CONCERNS OF US WHO HAVE PAID IN EXCESS OF $15,000.00? WHEN ONE SPENDS HIS/HER HARD EARNED MONEY ON "TOYS," WE EXPECT MUCH BETTER THAN THIS. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10041622
14,000 miles · Oct 6, 2003
Unknown Or Other
I PURCHASED A 2002 HONDA GL1800 GOLDWING. SINCE THEN, THE SPEEDOMETER HAS READ 10% FASTER THAN MY ACTUAL SPEED. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF MY DEALER AND I GOT HONDA'S STANDARD ANSWER OF, 'IT'S WITHIN ACCEPTABLE LIMITS.' HOW FAR DOES A SPEEDOMETER HAVE TO BE OFF BEFORE IT IS UNACCEPTABLE? *LA
NHTSA ODI #10041321
18,000 miles · Oct 5, 2003
Structure
2002 HONDA GOLDWING GL1800 FRAME CRACKS. FOUND WHILE SERVICING AT HOME, THE FRAME CRACKED ON BOTH LOWER SIDES NEAR THE REAR SUSPENSION MOUNT. REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER, THEY PICKED UP THE BIKE FOR INSPECTION & WARRANTY CLAIM ON SAT 10/4. I AM WAITING TO HEAR FROM HONDA ON THE MATTER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10041251
12,600 miles · Sep 26, 2003
Structure
2002 HONDA GL1800 CRACKED WELD RIGHTSIDE ON CENTERSTAND CROSSMEMBER. READ IN MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS. VOL. 34. #10, OCT. 2003. BIKE IS AT ROD'S POWER SPORTS, ROCA NE. # 402-423-6230
NHTSA ODI #10039579
3,500 miles · Sep 20, 2003
Structure
FRAME CRACK ON RT SIDE. HONDA 2002 GOLDWING 1800. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10039191
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2003
Tires
MOTORCYCLE'S FRONT TIRES MAY HAVE A HORIZONTAL CUT ON THE EDGE OF THE TREAD THAT COULD HAVE OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING. BRIDGESTONE ,FIRESTONE, E130/70R18. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10037763
6,800 miles · Aug 25, 2003
Structure
HONDA GL 1800 FRAME FALURE. THIS FALURE HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED BY BOB YOUNG ON AUGUST 11, 2003. MY FRAME FAILURE WAS FOUND ON INSPECITON.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10033430
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2003
SuspensionCrashInjury
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 WOBBLED VIOLENTLY CAUSING ME T…
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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 WOBBLED VIOLENTLY CAUSING ME TO CRASH AND SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSE ALMOST $10,000 DAMAGE TO MY BIKE, AS WELL AS PERSONAL INJURY. THE BIKE WAS "FIXED" ONLY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RESURFACE SEVERAL TIMES. HONDA HAS STATED THEY "HAVE NO CLUE" AS TO HOW TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10033254
18,000 miles · Aug 14, 2003
Tires
I PURCHASED NEW METZELER TIRES FOR MY 2002 HONDA GOLDWING GL1800 TO REPLACE THE WORN OUT BRIDGESTONES THAT CAME NEW WITH THE MOTORCYCLE. SINCE NEW, THE METZELERS HAVE GIVEN ME A FRONT END WOBBLE AT 35-45MPH. THE WOBBLE MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE THE MOTORCYCLE THROUGH TURNS TAKEN AT 35-45 MPH. I HAVE CONTACTED METZELER CU…
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I PURCHASED NEW METZELER TIRES FOR MY 2002 HONDA GOLDWING GL1800 TO REPLACE THE WORN OUT BRIDGESTONES THAT CAME NEW WITH THE MOTORCYCLE. SINCE NEW, THE METZELERS HAVE GIVEN ME A FRONT END WOBBLE AT 35-45MPH. THE WOBBLE MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE THE MOTORCYCLE THROUGH TURNS TAKEN AT 35-45 MPH. I HAVE CONTACTED METZELER CUSTOMER SUPPORT AT 1-800-747-3554 X5802 AND SPOKEN WITH JEFF SELBERT. HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND SAID METZELER WAS TESTING NEW TIRES IN ITALY AND HOPE TO HAVE A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. JEFF ALSO SAID METZELER WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE LABOR TO REPLACE AN OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE TIRE ON THE BIKE AND THAT MY DEALER SHOULD FILE FOR RENUMERATION THROUGH THE WARRANTY CHANNELS. MY DEALER HAS CALLED METZELER AND LEFT MESSAGES 6 TIMES WITHOUT A SINGLE REPLY FROM METZELER. I PAID $480 FOR THESE TWO TIRES MOUNTED AND BALANCED FROM MY DEALER BACK IN JUNE AND AM UNWILLING TO PAY OVER $100 TO HAVE THE DEFECTIVE TIRE(S) REPLACED. JEFF AT METZELER SAID HE IS NOT SURE WHETHER IT IS THE FRONT TIRE OR THE REAR TIRE; I MAY HAVE TO REPLACE THEM BOTH TO TRY TO CURE THE PROBLEM AS METZELER IS NOT SURE I WOULD GET A "GOOD" TIRE(S) AS THERE ARE PLENTY OF METZELER REPLACEMENT TIRES OUT THERE AND THEY ARE NOT SURE OF A FAILURE PATTERN YET. THAT IS, METZELER DOES NOT KNOW WHICH TIRES ARE GOOD AND WHICH ARE DEFECTIVE. I DO NOT WANT TO SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS GETTING "FREE" REPLACEMENT TIRES MOUNTED AND BALANCED ONLY TO FIND OUT THE REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE, TOO. HELP!!!*AK
NHTSA ODI #10032841
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
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 HIGHWAY JUST AHEAD OF THE REA…
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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 HIGHWAY JUST AHEAD OF THE REAR TIRE. *SCC *JB
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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