MYRModel Year Report

2002 Honda GL1800

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Honda GL1800
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:24:16.755Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Honda GL1800 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 2001: 84 complaints 2001 2002: 182 complaints 2002 2003: 101 complaints 2004: 10 complaints 2004 2005: 18 complaints 2006: 22 complaints 2007: 20 complaints 2007 2008: 47 complaints 2009: 2 complaints 2010: 24 complaints 2010 2011: 0 complaints 2012: 31 complaints 2013: 9 complaints 2013 2014: 7 complaints 2015: 8 complaints 2016: 5 complaints 2016 2018: 34 complaints 2019: 8 complaints 2020: 1 complaints 2020 2021: 7 complaints 2022: 1 complaints 2023: 2 complaints 2023 2024: 3 complaints 2024
2002: 182 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
200184
2002182
2003101
200410
200518
200622
200720
200847
20092
201024
20110
201231
20139
20147
20158
20165
201834
20198
20201
20217
20221
20232
20243

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 49%

49% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 90 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

THIS WATER COOLED MOTORCYCLE OVERHEATS EVERY TIME IT IS RIDEN SLOWER THAN 20MPH STOP & GO OVER A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 1 MILE OR IN ABOUT 8 MINUTES. THE RADIATOR OVERFLOWS AND GAUGE READINGS ARE IN THE RED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020826

ENGINE OVERHEATS AND HONDA WILL DO NOTHING TO FIX, CLAIM IS NORMAL. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20011030

THIS PROBLEM SHOWS UP EACH TIME I FIND MYSELF IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI report, 20011025

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 20 distinct reports on file.

STRUCTURE 10%

10% of complaints: structure — 19 distinct reports on file.

TIRES 6%

6% of complaints: tires — 11 distinct reports on file.

SUSPENSION 4%

4% of complaints: suspension — 7 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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".

NHTSA ODI report, 20030821

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150820

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2002 — complaint volume: 182
I 20021015 — PE (closed 20030328)

MOTORCYCLE COOLANT SPRAY ONTO REAR TIRE

R 20021223 — fuel system, gasoline

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 ALL

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 DEAL

Campaign 02V340000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030811 — PE (closed 20031010)

REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE

R 20031003 — structure

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.

Campaign 03V350000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20040921 — RQ (closed 20050202)

FRAME CROSSMEMEBER WELD FAILURES

R 20050131 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 IMPR

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 866-784-18

Campaign 05V010000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20050209 — structure

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 RECAL

Campaign 05V027000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120106 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

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 CU

Campaign 11V567000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120113 — equipment

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 KURYAKY

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.

Campaign 11E054000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20120514 — AQ (closed 20130513)

Southern Honda Powersports

R 20151207 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 15V700000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Honda GL1800 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (90 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V340000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V350000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V010000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V027000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V567000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11E054000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V700000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2012 ▲ 2018 ▲ 2008

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ◆ 2001 ▲ 2008

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Honda GL1800 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Honda GL1800 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Honda GL1800?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:cooling system, accounting for 49% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Honda GL1800 have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.