2002 Honda GL1800 engine problems

Filed Jul 8, 2009 · Engine · 19,000 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 honda gl1800 motorcycle. While traveling 14 MPH, the motorcycle would overheat and shut off. The dealer stated that the ECM was failing. The estimated repair cost was $1,000. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that no compensation would be provided because the motorcycle was not under recall. The failure mileage was 19,000 and current mileage was 21,000.

Filed Oct 2, 2007 · Engine · 4,500 miles · CA

My motorcycle was subject to the june 2003 engine cooling campaign which included replacement of the ECM and other adjustments. I had my bike repaired on july 30, 2003 at honda of milpitas (r/o 94030949). Since the campaign repairs were done, the bike has had a surging problem at 1500 RPM. When riding, or if the bike is stationary, when I open the throttle to 1500 RPM, the engine speed drops to 1000 RPM and then jumps back to 1500 RPM. This will go on for as long as I hold the throttle at 1500 RPM. While this is not a problem when the bike is stationary, it is a big problem when riding. When riding in parking lots, in traffic or when making low speed turns, I frequently run the engine around 1500 RPM and when I hit that RPM, the engine speed drops without warning. On several occasions I have almost dropped the bike in a sharp turn when the engine speed dropped. Since I cannot safely watch the tachometer and the road at the same time, it's very hard to drive around that engine speed. Not only is this behavior annoying while riding, it's also dangerous as I could be injured if the bike fell when the engine speed dropped. I took the bike back to honda of milpitas in june 2004 to have them look at the problem. Both the service manager and the technician confirmed the problem but said it was an ECM mapping problem and that american honda would not authorize them any time to troubleshoot and repair the problem (r/o 94034826).

Filed Aug 13, 2006 · Engine · WA

Gl1800 2002 overheating at low speed. Paid $1,000.00 plus for service bulletin fix and it did nothing to help the problem.

Filed Jul 14, 2004 · Engine · 8,000 miles · OK

The motorcycle overheats in stop and go traffic. Consumer has to pull of the road and turn the motorcycle off to let the engine cool off. Dealership indicated the switch that turns the fans on are not working properly, they are faulty, and don't come on when they are suppose to because of a factory defect.

Filed Jun 17, 2004 · Body, Engine · KY

Vehicle's front end wobbles between 35 and 40 MPH.* mr when the dealer was notified they stated that the front end wobbled because of the tires used. However they did not pay to have tires replaced on bike because they claimed that the consumer should have left the originals on. The consumer feels that the bike is unsafe to ride and it could cause an accident if not repaired. (when the cruise was set and if the vehicle was going 40 MPH without a firm grip on the handle bars, the vehicle would shake) *cb the bike also had an overheating problem. The consumer was told that was how the bike was designed.*jb

Filed Feb 26, 2004 · Engine · 400 miles · CA

My 2002 honda gl1800 has been into the dealer 6 times for repair of engine overheating. I have had the engine overheating recall work conducted twice on the bike. The first repair under the recall actually actually acerbated the overheating problem. The second recall repair only slightly improved the bike over its original delivered state. American honda refuses to do any further repairs that could rectify the problem. It appears that some of the gl1800 motorcycles have this inherent defect and others do not. Honda apparent refuses to acknowledge that some people have an overheating problem which is not rectified by their ECM recall. The overheating makes the vehicle undrivable in heavy, congested traffic at low speeds. Honda says to pull over to the side of the road when it overheats. Sitting on the shoulder of the l.a. Freeway on a motorcycle adjacent to congested traffic and screaching auto and truck brakes is unnerving and quite unsafe. American honda's v.p of the motorcycle division, ray blank, has refused to respond to my two complaint letters appealing for honda to correct the overheating problem. The recall repair that honda is utilizing doesn't work and corret the defect for many gl1800 owners. I ask the federal safety agency for assistance.

Filed Nov 28, 2003 · Engine · MN

Various problems with 2002 honda goldwing motorcycle.*mr consumer's wife burned the leg on the exhaust due to a poor location of the exhaust. She sustained 2nd degree burns. They decided to sell the bike for safety reasons. Other problems include: wobbly handlebar, the repeated cupping of the front tire, overheating, and the breaking of swing arm frames without notice.

Filed Nov 26, 2003 · Body, Engine · TN

I have a 2002 honda goldwing. It has a recall for a over heating problem and a frame breaking problem. I do not at all feel safe on this motorcycle or would I if someone were to weld on an aluminum frame. This frame breakage is more than just something that will leave you standing beside the road. Honda needs to be made to replace these bikes, not modify them. My frame is not broken but is under recall and I do not feel safe with or with out the fix.

Filed Oct 11, 2003 · Engine · 9,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Aug 13, 2003 · Body, Engine · LA

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