The 2002 Honda Gl1800a has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 224,380 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC15V7000002015-10-23145,219 affected
Defect
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
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…
STRUCTURE05V0270002005-01-3134,919 affected
Defect
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
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC05V0100002005-01-2436,046 affected
Defect
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
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.
STRUCTURE03V3500002003-09-268,196 affected
Defect
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
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.
Complaints by component
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
3
SERVICE BRAKES
2
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1
Total complaints8
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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,…”
“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”
“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.…”
“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”
“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”
“Crack in 2002 abs honda gold wing motorcycle frame on left lower frame. *ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Honda Gl1800a as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.