2002 Honda GL1800A Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated May 9, 2019 · 8 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other GL1800A years
Not enough data 4th of 8 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Honda GL1800A. That ranks 4th out of 8 GL1800A model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is structure (3 complaints, 38%), typically at around 64,760 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 injury. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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Most common 2002 Honda GL1800A problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Structure3 · ~64,760 mi
Service Brakes2 · ~46,700 mi
Electrical System1
Engine and Engine Cooling1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Structure338%64,760——
Service Brakes225%46,700——
Electrical System113%———
Engine and Engine Cooling113%———
Service Brakes, Hydraulic113%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2004, with 3 complaints
2004: 3200432005: 1200512008: 1200812009: 1200912017: 1201712019: 120191

n = 8 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2002 Honda GL1800A recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinderOct 23, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V700000 · 145,219 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Structure:frame and membersJan 31, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V027000 · 34,919 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: The welded area could break, resulting in rear suspension collapse or lower cross member separation, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulicJan 24, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V010000 · 36,046 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Structure:frame and members:underbody shieldsSep 26, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V350000 · 8,196 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: The welded area could break, resulting in rear suspension collapse or lower cross member separation, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

This concerns an ongoing safety recall for rear brake lockup on gl1800 goldwing. I own a 2002 model. Three times in the last month, my rear brake has locked up, one time causing me to loose control and drop the bike, being slightly injured, with a scrape to the right arm. Honda has thus far not…

Service Brakes · received May 9, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11206622

Following brake recall repair completed in late 2016 by honda dealer, motorcycle has experienced same failure of rear caliper/brakes hydraulically seizing to a complete stop of bike. The honda recall(s) (2 recalls) is still not adequate to fix the problem with the secondary master cylinder and rear…

Service Brakes · received Jul 24, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 11010305

I ride a 2002 honda goldwing gl1800a. In mid june the starter switch stuck and the starter failed. While checking the starter the honda dealer found my frame was broken in two on one side and cracked on the other just behind the passenger foot rest. If the second side had broken the trunk…

Structure · received Jul 21, 2009 · NHTSA complaint 10277668

2002 ,1800 goldwing motorcycle . I was checking the bike over and found a crack in the frame . The cracks is right behind both passenger floorboards. Right now the bike is at a honda motorcycle dealership . Waiting to see what honda is going to do. *tr

Structure · received Nov 8, 2008 · NHTSA complaint 10248011

Vehicle is a 2002 honda goldwing gl1800 motorcycle. When applying the rear brake, it causes the entire motorcycle to violently shudder. The shudder worsens as the ambient air temperature rises. Due to the technique of turning on a motorcycle by leaning, this causes a very serious safety issue…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · received Jun 2, 2005 · NHTSA complaint 10123893

Other Honda GL1800A years

← 2001 GL1800A · 2003 GL1800A →

See all Honda GL1800A problems by year, every Honda model, or the Honda VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Honda GL1800A?

Owners most often report structure, service brakes, electrical system problems. The top one, structure, accounts for 3 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2002 Honda GL1800A?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2002 Honda GL1800A a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other GL1800A model years, the 2002 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.