NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Honda GL1800A Recalls & Complaints

The 2002 Honda GL1800A has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 8 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Honda dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Honda GL1800A. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2002 Honda GL1800A owner complaints

Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Honda GL1800A, describing incidents dated March 17, 2004 to April 11, 2019.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 3 complaints
Structure 3 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Engine 1 complaint

Of the 8 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 8 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11206622 · Filed May 9, 2019
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…
ODI #11010305 · Filed July 24, 2017
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…
ODI #10277668 · Filed July 21, 2009
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…

Read all 8 complaints

Rear Brakes may Drag

NHTSA #15V700000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Master Cylinder · NHTSA notice

Reported October 23, 2015 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 145,219 vehicles

Repair completion: 54.07% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Honda campaign JV6 · Owners notified December 7, 2015 · Vehicles built April 6, 2004 – August 8, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

MOTORCYCLE/FRAME CRACKS

NHTSA #05V027000 · Structure — Frame and Members · NHTSA notice

Reported January 31, 2005 · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Potentially affected: 34,919 vehicles

Honda campaign P66 · Owners notified February 9, 2005 · Vehicles built May 25, 2001 – February 28, 2002 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THE WELDED AREA COULD BREAK, RESULTING IN REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE OR LOWER CROSS MEMBER SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

HONDA RECALL NO. P66.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

MOTORCYCLES/COMBINED BRAKE SYSTEM LEAK

NHTSA #05V010000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA notice

Reported January 24, 2005 · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Potentially affected: 36,046 vehicles

Honda campaign P65 · Owners notified January 31, 2005 · Vehicles built February 25, 2002 – April 16, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

HONDA RECALL NO.P65.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

HONDA/FRAME WELDS

NHTSA #03V350000 · Structure — Frame and Members — Underbody Shields · NHTSA notice

Reported September 26, 2003 · AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.

Potentially affected: 8,196 vehicles

Owners notified October 3, 2003 · Vehicles built March 1, 2002 – September 10, 2002 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THE WELDED AREA COULD BREAK, RESULTING IN REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE OR LOWER CROSS MEMBER SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2002 Honda GL1800A. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

8 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Honda GL1800A.

Service Brakes

ODI #11206622

Crash 1 injury

Incident: April 11, 2019 · Filed: May 9, 2019

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 NHTSA 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!

Service Brakes

ODI #11010305

Incident: July 1, 2017 · Filed: July 24, 2017

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.

Structure

ODI #10277668

Incident: June 16, 2009 · Filed: July 21, 2009

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. *TR

Structure

ODI #10248011

Incident: November 2, 2008 · Filed: November 8, 2008

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10123893

Incident: June 1, 2005 · Filed: June 2, 2005

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10090667

Incident: September 4, 2004 · Filed: September 8, 2004

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.*AK

Electrical System

ODI #10072167

Incident: May 5, 2004 · Filed: May 5, 2004

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. *AK

Structure

ODI #10062781

Incident: March 17, 2004 · Filed: March 22, 2004

CRACK IN 2002 ABS HONDA GOLD WING MOTORCYCLE FRAME ON LEFT LOWER FRAME. *AK

Other Honda GL1800A model years

Check your 2002 Honda GL1800A VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Honda GL1800A at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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