Check a VIN

2002 Honda GL1800A problems

The most common problem on the 2002 Honda GL1800A is body and structure. Its complaint count is close to a typical GL1800A model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
8
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
26
Worst area
Body

The worst 2002 Honda GL1800A problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Body
    3
  • Brakes
    3
  • Electrical
    1
  • Engine
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Body
    3
  • Brakes
    3
  • Electrical
    1
  • Engine
    1

Recalls 4

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinderReported October 23, 2015 · 145,219 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.

Recall number 15V700000 · Recall details

Structure: frame and membersReported January 31, 2005 · 34,919 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.

Recall number 05V027000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulicReported January 24, 2005 · 36,046 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.

Recall number 05V010000 · Recall details

Structure: frame and members: underbody shieldsReported September 26, 2003 · 8,196 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.

Recall number 03V350000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2002 Honda GL1800A

Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Honda GL1800A 26

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 26 bulletins for the 2002 Honda GL1800A

What 2002 Honda GL1800A owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 9, 2019 · Brakes · 47,400 miles · TN · crash · 1 injury

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 reimbursed me for repairs that is supposed to be an unending safety recall. Dealer said I had to pay, since honda has allegedly done the recall, claiming fluid contamination, even though their own dealer has flushed and bled the system twice in the last month. Twice, this has happened while riding in forward motion, once rear brake locked up after parking bike in dealer's lot, so this can happen at any time, without warning. The federal safety agency is supposed to be the watchdog over these issues, and is aware of this recall, when are we going to get this resolved? How many 1800 goldwing owners will be injured, possibly killed before this is fixed. Honda has known this for at least 8 years, and there is bikes with re-occurring problems, even after recall is preformed, apparently, their "fix" is not working. Help!

Filed Jul 24, 2017 · Brakes · 46,000 miles · TN

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 brakes with goldwings.

Filed Jul 21, 2009 · Body · 157,200 miles · KY

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, backrest, saddle bags would have fallen off most likely causing a serious accident. I shipped my motorcycle to lawrenceville honda in lawrenceville, ga where I bought the bike, for frame replacement which they recommended. When they contacted corporate honda they were told that since the motorcycle was out of warranty by one month they would provide a frame and limited total support of $4,000.00. Lawrenceville honda estimated the total cost of frame replacement to be between $6,500.00 and $8,000.00. I have been told that several other frames have broken in the same place. I called honda customer service and was refused any further help. They recommended that the frame not be welded. The only choice I have is to weld the frame for a cost of less than $1,000.00. Any assistance you can provide me would be appreciated.

Filed Nov 8, 2008 · Body · 64,760 miles · TX

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.

Filed Jun 2, 2005 · Brakes · CA

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. Honda has tried approximately 4 fixes over the past 2 years, none have worked. Their stance now is that the brake shudder is inherent to this particular motorcycle and their "fix" is to simply insert that statement into the owner's manuals going forward. That is totally unacceptable. The shudder is easily duplicated on my motorcycle and your engineers are welcome (and encouraged) to see for themselves whether they would consider this to be acceptable. I do know several other owners have this problem.

Filed Sep 8, 2004 · Engine · TX

I have a 2002 honda goldwing that continues to get hot and boil over in front of the rear tire while in traffic. I also have knowledge of 5 more goldwing doing the same thing. All of these bikes have had the ECM changed out.

Filed May 5, 2004 · Electrical · OR

While driving 55 MPH motorcycle stalled. Consumer restarted motorcycle and drove it to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem.

Filed Mar 22, 2004 · Body · 18,050 miles · NJ

Crack in 2002 ABS honda gold wing motorcycle frame on left lower frame.

Compare the 2002 Honda GL1800A

Other model years

2001200220032004200820132015

Questions about the 2002 Honda GL1800A

Is the 2002 Honda GL1800A reliable?

Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 2002 Honda GL1800A, close to a typical GL1800A model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Honda GL1800A?

Body and structure, with 3 complaints. Next is brakes (3).

How many recalls does the 2002 Honda GL1800A have?

4 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic and structure.

Was there a recall on the 2002 Honda GL1800A body?

Yes, 2 recalls: 05V027000, 03V350000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

Share your experience with the 2002 Honda GL1800A

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2002 Honda GL1800A?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN