2002 Honda GL1800 Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 16%of 182 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,750miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the body and structure of the 2002 Honda GL1800, 16% of the 182 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,750 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2002 gl1800a has a cracked weld on the frame under the seat area and is not safe to ride. The motorcycle also overheats in slow traffic on warm days, causing me to have to pull over and let it cool down.”
NHTSA complaint #10030967, filed 2003-08, 2,590 miles“Discovered frame crack on my 2002 Honda gl 1800. The crack is located behind the left passenger foot rest and below the battery. The 2002 goldwing has 105,000 miles and is normally ridden two up. The bike has never been in an accident. The bike is currently at the Honda dealer waiting for american Honda to ok replacing the frame.”
NHTSA complaint #10236931, filed 2008-08, 105,000 miles“Upon inspection, the rear frame tubes have cracked on both sides of my '02 Honda GL1800 bike. The tubes have not completely separated yet, but the cracks extend about 1/3 around the tube beginning at the weld area. Bike-handling irregularity has been reported by others with this failure when the cracks have opened further.”
NHTSA complaint #10246770, filed 2008-10, 60,000 miles“2002 Honda goldwing GL1800 frame cracks. Found while servicing at home, the frame cracked on both lower sides near the rear suspension mount. Reported it to the dealer, they picked up the bike for inspection & warranty claim on sat 10/4. I am waiting to hear from Honda on the matter.”
NHTSA complaint #10041251, filed 2003-10, 18,000 miles“2002 goldwing GL1800 broken frame on the bottom or the rear frame tubes can result in separation and the rear of the bike will come off including driver, passenger,saddlebags and rear trunk! Honda will do nothing to fix it! If the damage goes unseen by a tech the owner will never know the frame is broken because it is not in hondas recall of the welded centerstand area. The replacement frames have gussettes welded in the affected areas, so Honda knows there is a problem. Affected frames are in 2001-2004 Honda GL1800 motorcycles and was updated in letter 2004 models! …”
NHTSA complaint #10288800, filed 2009-10, 91,000 milesRelated recalls
- 05V027000Jan 31, 2005On some motorcycles, certain frame welds do not meet manufacturing specifications. High loads created when riding on rough road surfaces or through potholes…Covers: Honda GL1800 2001–2004, GL1800A 2001–2004
- 03V350000Sep 26, 2003On some motorcycles, certain frame welds do not meet manufacturing specifications. High loads created when riding on rough road surfaces or through potholes…Covers: Honda GL1800 2002–2003, GL1800A 2002–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10030268Mar 1, 2009Honda motorcycle: frame weld safety recall. Requires inspection or repair of lower cross member frame welds. The frame weld approval and documentation process is being changed by…
- 10018123Jun 1, 2005Frame welding tip - to ease fuel tank installation into the frame, apply a light coating of silicone spray to the sides and bottom right of the tank.
- 10016289May 1, 2005Frame welding tips.
- 10015341Feb 1, 2005Safety recall for frame weld inspection. Certain frame welds may not have sufficient strength causing the welds to crack. The welded area could break without warning, resulting…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 14% |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2010 | 1 | 4% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 1 | 5% |
| 2005 | 3 | 17% |
| 2004 | 1 | 10% |
| 2003 | 54 | 53% |
| 2002 | 30 | 16% |
| 2001 | 6 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2002 Honda GL1800
115 complaintsTires
11 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Honda GL1800
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology