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
16,000 miles · Aug 16, 2007
Suspension
2002 HONDA GL1800 MOTORCYCLE. THE REAR SUSPENSION ADJUSTMENT MOTOR DOES NOT ENGAGE UNTIL THE NUMBER ON THE INDICATOR DISPLAY REACHES 7 OR 8. THIS MEANS THAT THERE IS NO SUSPENSION LIFT UNTIL THAT POINT, (7 OR 8), IS REACHED. HONDA MAINTAINS THE UNIT IS WORKING PROPERLY. IF IT WERE WORKING PROPERLY THE BIKE SHOULD BEGIN RISIN…
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2002 HONDA GL1800 MOTORCYCLE. THE REAR SUSPENSION ADJUSTMENT MOTOR DOES NOT ENGAGE UNTIL THE NUMBER ON THE INDICATOR DISPLAY REACHES 7 OR 8. THIS MEANS THAT THERE IS NO SUSPENSION LIFT UNTIL THAT POINT, (7 OR 8), IS REACHED. HONDA MAINTAINS THE UNIT IS WORKING PROPERLY. IF IT WERE WORKING PROPERLY THE BIKE SHOULD BEGIN RISING WHEN THE DISPLAY READS 1. I HAVE READ THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS DEFECT, BUT HONDA WILL NOT REPAIR THE ITEM, I SUSPECT BECAUSE IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR, AND OBVIOUSLY WIDESPREAD. AIKEN MOTORCYCLE SALES & SERVICE WILL NOT REPAIR, SAYING THAT THE SUSPENSION MECHANISM IS WITHIN HONDA SPECS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10199752
16,732 miles · Jun 1, 2007
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA GOLDWING 1800. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP AND SEVERAL PARTS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK IN THE SHOP NOW FOR FIVE WEEKS AND THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA GOLDWING 1800. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP AND SEVERAL PARTS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK IN THE SHOP NOW FOR FIVE WEEKS AND THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 16,732.
NHTSA ODI #10192226
34,918 miles · Jan 29, 2007
SteeringSuspension
FRONT WHEEL WOBBLE WHEN REDUCING SPEED BETWEEN 55 AND 20 MPH. INDUCED ALSO BY THE USE OF CRUISE CONTROL WHEN IT DECREASES SPEED. NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN IT HAPPENS UNEXPECTED. MUCH WORSE ON ROUGH SURFACES. DEALER UNABLE TO REPAIR UNDER WARRENTY BECAUSE FACTORY WILL NOT PAY AS A AUTHORIZED FIX ???? *NM
NHTSA ODI #10180986
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
GL1800 2002 OVERHEATING AT LOW SPEED. PAID $1,000.00 PLUS FOR SERVICE BULLETIN FIX AND IT DID NOTHING TO HELP THE PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10165375
8,700 miles · Mar 27, 2006
Power Train
2002 HONDA GL 1800 GOLD WING MOTORCYCLE. DRIVE SHAFT RUBBER BOOT CAME APART AND SLICED INTO ELECTRICAL HARNESS WHICH IN TURN SHUT DOWN ENGINE AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON BUSY ROAD AND STRANDED MY WIFE AND I ON SIDE OF ROAD UNTIL HELP ARRIVED. VEHICLE HAD 8,700 MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10153826
30,850 miles · Mar 24, 2006
Electrical System
2002 GOLDWING RADIO WILL LOSE POWER 2 OR 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING. THEN WHEN STOPPED AND TURNED OFF, UPON TRYING TO RESTART THERE IS NO POWER TO THE DIGITAL CONTROL CONSOLE OR STARTER. HAVE TO REMOVE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AND RE-ATTACHED TO REGAIN POWER TO CRANK BIKE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10153638
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2005
Steering
I BOUGHT THIS MOTORCYCLE WITH 1530 MILES ON IT, AND THE PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING FROM THE BEGINNING. IT CONTINUES AND I FEEL IT IS A CLEAR SAFETY ISSUE. THE MOTORCYCLE FRONT FORKS WOBBLE WHEN LESS THAN A FIRM GRIP IS HELD ON THE HANDLE BARS. THE WOBBLE BEGINS SMALL, AND LEFT UNCHECKED INCREASES IN INTENSITY TO WHERE WITHIN ABOUT…
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I BOUGHT THIS MOTORCYCLE WITH 1530 MILES ON IT, AND THE PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING FROM THE BEGINNING. IT CONTINUES AND I FEEL IT IS A CLEAR SAFETY ISSUE. THE MOTORCYCLE FRONT FORKS WOBBLE WHEN LESS THAN A FIRM GRIP IS HELD ON THE HANDLE BARS. THE WOBBLE BEGINS SMALL, AND LEFT UNCHECKED INCREASES IN INTENSITY TO WHERE WITHIN ABOUT 20 SECONDS THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD BECOME UNSTABLE AND CRASH. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10136010
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2005
SteeringTires
FRONT END WOBBLES ON THIS MOTORCYCLE SINCE DAY 1. HAPPENS MAINLY AT 40 MPH AND THE HANDLEBARS SHAKE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10135941
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2005
Structure
SAFETY RECALL REGARDING THE FRAME WELD AND BRAKE VALVE ON THE 2002 HONDA GOLD WING MOTORCYCLE. *MR THE WELDED AREA COULD BREAK WITHOUT WARNING, RESULTING IN LOWER CROSSMEMBER SEPARATION AND THE REAR SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE. RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED HOWEVER NO REPAIRS PERFORMED. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10133476
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2005
Suspension
2002 HONDA GL1800 GOLDWING FRONT END WOBBLES AT 35 TO 40 MPH. *MR HEADER/TAPERED ROLLING BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW MOTORCYCLE IS FINE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *TT
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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