Federal complaints
101
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 91 of 101 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 50 of 101 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Body & structure
54 complaint records
"THE FRAME OF MY 2003 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE FRAME TUBE BEHIND THE LEFT PASSENGER FOOT BOARD. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse body & structure parts in the directory →
Engine & cooling
16 complaint records
"VEHICLE OVERHEATS AT LOW SPEED OPERATION, CONCERN OF BOILING OVER, ENGINE FAILURE WHICH WHILE MANUEVERING ON A MOTORCYCLE COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Steering
8 complaint records1 crash report
"AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 30 AND 35 MPH AND WITH HANDS OFF OR LOOSELY GRIPPING THE HANDLEBAR, THE FRONT WHEEL OF MY HONDA GL 1800 GOLDWING DEVELOPS A SEVERE WOBBLE. I HAVE ADDED A SUPERBRACE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, BUT THIS DID NOT ELIMINATE OR REDUCE THE WOBBLE. *NM..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse steering parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQ12001 opened May 2012 | closed May 2013 | Unknown Or Other | Southern Honda Powersports NHTSA opened Audit Query (AQ) 12-001 to determine whether Southern Honda Powersports (Southern Honda) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, had complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, 49 U.S.C. |
| RQ04009 opened Sep 2004 | closed Feb 2005 | Structure | FRAME CROSSMEMEBER WELD FAILURES - led to recall 05V027000 HONDA IS AMENDING THE SCOPE OF 03V-350 TO ADD 34,919 POTENTIALLY AFFECTED GL1800 GOLD WING MOTORCYCLES.THE INITIAL RECALL RANGE INCLUDED FRAMES MANUFACTURED WITH ONE OF A NUMBER OF WELDING PROCESSES.HONDA BELIEVED, ON THE BASIS OF DATA AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME,... |
| PE03039 opened Aug 2003 | closed Oct 2003 | Structure | REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE - led to recall 03V350000 THE SUBJECT MOTORCYCLES, INTRODUCED WITH THE 2001 MODEL YEAR, UTILIZE AN ALUMINUM FRAME INDIVIDUALLY WELDED BY HONDA EMPLOYEES IN THE COMPANY?S MARYSVILLE, OHIO ASSEMBLY PLANT.NHTSA/ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER LEARNING THAT SOME 2002 MODEL YEAR... |
| PE02077 opened Oct 2002 | closed Mar 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | MOTORCYCLE COOLANT SPRAY ONTO REAR TIRE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT WITH ODI'SFINDINGS. |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15V700000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 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. | Normally free |
| 11V567000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2010, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 GL1800 GOLDWING MOTORCYCLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE COMBINED BRAKING SYSTEM'S SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER MAY CAUSE... | Normally free |
| 05V027000 | Structure | 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. | Normally free |
| 05V010000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH COMBINED-BRAKE SYSTEMS HAVE A PROPORTIONING CONTROL VALVE (PCV) THAT MECHANICALLY PROPORTIONS BRAKE FORCE WHEN THE REAR BRAKE IS APPLIED. | Normally free |
| 03V350000 | Structure | 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. | Normally free |
| 02V340000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE BANK ANGLE SENSORS DESIGNED TO SHUT OFF THE FUEL PUMP AND THE ENGINE ELECTRICAL POWER IN THE EVENT THE MOTORCYCLE FALLS OVER, WERE INSTALLED USING THE WRONG SIZE SCREWS ALLOWING THE SCREWS TO... | Normally free |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL1800 SECONDARY Dec 2015 | Service Brakes | "SERVICE BULLETIN - HONDA IS LAUNCHING A SAFETY RECALL OF 2012-2015 GL1800/A AND 2013-2015 GL1800B/BD MOTORCYCLES, AND IS IMPLEMENTING A RECALL REMEDY FOR 2001-2010 AND 2012 GL1800/A MOTORCYCLES ALREADY SUBJECT TO SAFETY RECALL JG6. | |
| GL1800 NO. 23 Dec 2015 | Equipment | "DEALER MESSAGE - ON DECEMBER 11, SEVERAL SECTIONS OF S/B GL1800 #23 WERE REVISED TO INCLUDE INFORMATION FOR THE REPAIR OF TRIKE COVERSIONS." | |
| MC - THE WRENCH Dec 2015 | Equipment | NEWSLETTER - THE REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR THE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER (SMC) RECALL IS VERY INVOLVED, SO MAKE SURE TO READ THROUGH THE ENTIRE BULLETIN BEFORE HAND SO YOU CAN VISUALIZE THE PROCEDURES BEFORE YOU START. | |
| DLR MSG - MC - S Nov 2015 | Service Brakes | "DEALER MESSAGE - EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY THE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER (SMC) KITS FOR THIS RECALL ARE AVAILABLE ON OPEN ORDER. AS INDICATED IN S/B GL1800 #23 AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS ABOUT THIS RECALL, IT IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL THAT ONLY PRO HONDA DOT 4 BRAKE FLUID BE USED DURING... | |
| SERVICE BULLETIN Oct 2015 | Service Brakes | SERVICE BULLETIN - HONDA IS LAUNCHING A SAFETY RECALL OF 2012-2015 GL1800/A AND 2013-2015 GL1800/B/BD MOTORCYCLES, AND IS IMPLEMENTING A RECALL REMEDY FOR 2001-2010 AND 2012 GL 1800/A MOTORCYCLES ALREADY SUBJECT TO SAFETY RECALL "JG6". |
Show 33 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLR MSG - MC - S Oct 2015 | Service Brakes | "DEALER MESSAGE - THE SERVICE BULLETIN IN SUPPORT OF THE SAFETY RECALL OF 2001-2015 GL1800/A AND GL1800B/BD MOTORCYCLES FOR A POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER IS POSTED ON IN. | |
| INTERIM SERVICE Oct 2015 | Service Brakes | SERVICE BULLETIN - HONDA IS LAUNCHING A SAFETY RECALL OF 2001-2015 GL1800/A AND GL1800B/BD MOTORCYCLES. HONDA HAS DETERMINED THAT UNDER CONDITIONS WHERE THE BRAKE FLUID IS NOT REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (EVERY 12,000 MILES OR TWO YEARS, WHICHEVER COMES... | |
| DLR MSG - MC - S Aug 2014 | Service Brakes | Dealer message - Honda has determined that, in some cases, the secondary master cylinder repair campaign conducted since 2011 (S/B GL1800 #20) was not sufficient to prevent the rear brake from dragging | |
| MC - SB - Safety Aug 2014 | Service Brakes | Service bulletin - Honda has determined that, in some cases, the secondary master cylinder repair campaign conducted since 2011 (S/B GL1800 #20) was not sufficient to prevent the rear brake from dragging. | |
| DLR MSG - Honda Aug 2014 | Air Bags | Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of August 4, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and VIN status inquiry has been updated. | |
| DLR MSG - Stop S Jul 2014 | Air Bags | Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of July 23, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and service bulletins 14-040, Safety Recall: Accord, Civic, and Others ? | |
| TSB-03V350 Mar 2009 | Structure | HONDA 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 THE MANUFACTURER. *PE | |
| 08-040 May 2008 | Equipment | LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY REDUCED LABEL FOR ALL HONDA VEHICLES. *PE | |
| SB-06-085 May 2008 | Electrical System | HONDA: WARRANTY EXTENSION-VEHICLE WARRANTY MILEAGE. CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ALLEGING THAT THE ODOMETERS ON CERTAIN 2002-2006 HONDA MODELS WERE OVERSTATING MILEAGE. FEDERAL COURT PROVIDED FINAL APPROVAL OF SETTLEMENT ON 12/29/07. NO MODELS LISTED. *PE | |
| GL1800 Oct 2007 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | TRUNK OPENER UNIT, OPENER ROD AND SNAP. *PE | |
| 06012005 Jun 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CAMSHAFT TIMING - GEAR NOISE AFTER COMPLETING VALVE ADJUSTMENT MAY BE INCORRECT CAMSHAFT TIMING. *NM | |
| 05012005 May 2005 | Structure | FRAME WELDING TIPS. *TT | |
| 02012005 Feb 2005 | Electrical System | ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) REPLACEMENT AND INITIALIZATION. HONDA. GL 1800/A 2001-2005. *TT | |
| 18 Feb 2005 | Structure | FRAME WELD SAFETY RECALL. CERTAIN FRAME WELDS MAY NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT STRENGTH RESULTING IN LOWER CROSS MEMBER SEPARATION AND REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE. *TT | |
| 10957 Feb 2005 | Service Brakes | LINKED BRAKING SYSTEM (LBS) PROPORTIONAL CONTROL VALVE (PCV) LEAKAGE SAFETY RECALL. *TT | |
| 08012004 Aug 2004 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | TRUNK OPENER UNIT. THE WRENCH. HONDA TECH NEWSLETTER. *TT | |
| 10535 May 2004 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | TRUNK OR SADDLEBAG NOT OPENING WHEN THE CORRESPONDING LATCH LEVER IS PULLED. *MJ | |
| 05012004 May 2004 | Fuel System | FUEL TANK INSTALLATION TIP. *JB | |
| 04012004 Apr 2004 | Unknown Or Other | CLASS ACTION SUIT REMINDER. THE WRENCH. HONDA TECHNICIAN NEWSLETTER. APRIL 2004. *TT | |
| 01012004 Jan 2004 | Power Train | MELTING SHAFT BOOT FIX. THE WRENCH. HONDA. *TT | |
| 0516 Nov 2003 | Structure | FRAME WELD INSPECTION CHART. REVISED. *TT | |
| 11012003 Nov 2003 | Equipment | RADIO AND OPENING CEREMONY PRESET LOG. *JB | |
| 100103 Oct 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | PROPERLY BLEEDING THE AIR FROM THE COOLING SYSTEM AFTER ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) REPLACEMENT. HONDA TECHNICIAN NEWSLETTER. *TT | |
| 070103 Jul 2003 | Equipment | CD CHANGER MOUNTING BRACKET INSPECTION. *TT | |
| 180011 Jun 2003 | Equipment | CD CHANGER REPLACEMENT FOR JAMMING AND/OR SKIPPING IN THE OPTIONAL HONDALINE CD CHANGER. *TT | |
| 1800A13 Jun 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT / COOLING SYSTEM PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN. *TT | |
| 040103 Apr 2003 | Electrical System | ACCESSORY TRUNK LAMP HARNESS ROUTING. *TT | |
| 030103 Mar 2003 | Structure | WIND SCREEN MECHANISM. *TT | |
| 010203 Feb 2003 | Power Train | REVERSE SPRING INSTALL TIP. *TT *JB | |
| 120102 Dec 2002 | Equipment | CD CHANGER HARNESS ROUTING. *TT *JB | |
| 110102 Nov 2002 | Visibility | WINDSHIELD FACT. HONDA TECHNICIAN NEWSLETTER. *TT | |
| 10012002 Oct 2002 | Steering | HEATED HANDGRIPS. THE WRENCH. HONDA TECH NEWSLETTER. *TT | |
| 010802 Aug 2002 | Structure | SUBUECT REGARDING TRUNK LID DIMPLES. *TT |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Walk the body slowly in daylight.Panel gaps, rust at the rockers and wheel arches, and cracked trim are this vehicle's structure complaints. Open and close the liftgate or trunk and look at the latch area.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Drive one straight highway stretch and one slow parking lot.Wander or a shimmy over bumps at speed, and heavy or dropped assist at low speed, are the two faces of this vehicle's steering cluster. A clunk on turn-in points at the linkage.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 6 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Honda Gl1800 →