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, accounting for 69% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Honda GL1800 have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

2002 Honda GL1800

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2002 Honda GL1800
RENDERED 2026-11-01T11:38:59.726Z

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: 182
Recalls: 7
Investigations: 4
Top problem: Engine and engine cooling

Complaints per year

2002: 182 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2001	84
2002	182
2003	101
2004	10
2005	18
2006	22
2007	20
2008	47
2009	2
2010	24
2011	0
2012	31
2013	9
2014	7
2015	8
2016	5
2018	34
2019	8
2020	1
2021	7
2022	1
2023	2
2024	3

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

69% · 125 reports

Most commonly citing cooling system and gasoline.

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, 2002-08-26

Engine overheats and Honda will do nothing to fix, claim is normal.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-10-30

This problem shows up each time I find myself in stop-and-go traffic.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-10-25

Structure

18% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing frame and members and underbody shields.

Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda goldwing. While driving 65 MPH, the consumer struck a small object in the road and a pop was heard. The dealer diagnosed that the welds fractured in several different places and needed to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-11-16

Tires

6% · 11 reports

Suspension

5% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing wheel bearing and front.

CRASHINJURY

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, 2003-08-21

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, 2015-08-20

Steering

3% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing gear box (other than rack and pinion) and steering wheel/handle bar.

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

▮
2002Complaint volume 182 complaints filed for this model year.
I
2002-10-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-03-28 Motorcycle coolant spray onto rear tire
R

2002-12-23Fuel system, gasoline02V340000 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2003-08-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-10-10 Rear suspension collapse
R

2003-10-03Structure03V350000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2004-09-21Recall queryClosed 2005-02-02 Frame crossmemeber weld failures
R

2005-01-31Service brakes, hydraulic05V010000 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2005-02-09Structure05V027000 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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2012-01-06Service brakes, hydraulic11V567000 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2012-01-13Equipment11E054000 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…

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2012-05-14Audit queryClosed 2013-05-13 Southern Honda Powersports
R

2015-12-07Service brakes, hydraulic15V700000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Honda GL1800 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Engine and engine cooling: 125 reports on file for this year.
Structure: 32 reports on file for this year.
Tires: 11 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 02V340000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Recall 03V350000 · Structure
Recall 05V010000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Recall 05V027000 · Structure
Recall 11V567000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Recall 11E054000 · Equipment
Recall 15V700000 · Service brakes, hydraulic

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years2 years

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, accounting for 69% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Honda GL1800 have?: 7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.

2002 Honda GL1800

Complaints per year

Known problem areas

Engine and engine cooling

Structure

Tires

Suspension

Steering

Safety timeline

Buy-smart checklist

Inspect

Verify these recalls were completed

Other years of this model

▲Best years3 years

■Worst years2 years

FAQ

Best years3 years

Worst years2 years