NHTSA Complaint #10277668 — 2002 HONDA GL1800A

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