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2002 Honda GL1800Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 182 owner complaints about the 2002 Honda GL1800, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-700 the manufacturer reports only 54% of affected cars repaired.

28
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.5× the GL1800 median · #1 of 11 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Lowest repair rate 54%Owner complaints1825 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage5kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 5, 2023. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Honda GL1800 has problems

182 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling1150
Structure300
Tires110
Suspension91
Steering60
Service brakes, hydraulic50
Electrical system41
Power train40
Visibility30
5 other systems51

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

2002 Honda GL1800 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

54%repaired · 2017 Q1

Foundation components: master cylinder

Recall 15V-700 · Oct 23, 2015 · 145,219 vehicles · 78,319 repaired

Risk. A rear brake that drags may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Foundation components: master cylinder

Recall 11V-567 · Dec 1, 2011 · 126,000 vehicles

Risk. UNEXPECTED BRAKING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH, AND RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE WITH THE REAR BRAKE DRAGGING MAY GENERATE ENOUGH HEAT TO CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE TO…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Structure: frame and members

Recall 05V-027 · Jan 31, 2005 · 34,919 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 05V-010 · Jan 24, 2005 · 36,046 vehicles

Risk. IF THE MOTORCYCLE CONTINUES TO BE USED AFTER A LEAK OCCURS, THE REAR BRAKE WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Frame and members: underbody shields

Recall 03V-350 · Sep 26, 2003 · 8,196 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Honda.

Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other GL1800 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the GL1800 median. How we score

'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'12'13'14'15'16'18'19'20'21'22'23'24
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 Honda GL1800, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Southern Honda PowersportsAQ12001 · closed May 13, 2013
    No recall
  2. MOTORCYCLE COOLANT SPRAY ONTO REAR TIREPE02077 · closed Mar 28, 2003
    No recall
  3. REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSEPE03039 · closed Oct 10, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-350
  4. FRAME CROSSMEMEBER WELD FAILURESRQ04009 · closed Feb 2, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-027
In owners' words

What GL1800 owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10276054 · Jul 8, 2009 · 19,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10204727 · Oct 2, 2007 · 4,500 miles
GL1800 2002 OVERHEATING AT LOW SPEED. PAID $1,000.00 PLUS FOR SERVICE BULLETIN FIX AND IT DID NOTHING TO HELP THE PROBLEM. *JB
Complaint 10165375 · Aug 13, 2006

Own a 2002 GL1800?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.