NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
42 reportsClear category filter9,450 miles · Aug 1, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicInjury
OVERHEAT/SPEWING OF COOLANT ON REAR BRAKES AND REAR TIRE OF MY GL 1800/A HONDA MOTORCYCLE. SITUATION WAS ON THE WASHINGTON DC BELTWAY, NO SHOULDER TO PULL OVER ONTO, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. MOTORCYCLE WAS SPEWING COOLANT ON THE THE BRAKES AND REAR WHEEL, CAUSING A VERY HOT STEAM TO RISE ON OUR LEGS AND LOWER TORSO, ALSO CAUSING THE…
Read full complaint
OVERHEAT/SPEWING OF COOLANT ON REAR BRAKES AND REAR TIRE OF MY GL 1800/A HONDA MOTORCYCLE. SITUATION WAS ON THE WASHINGTON DC BELTWAY, NO SHOULDER TO PULL OVER ONTO, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. MOTORCYCLE WAS SPEWING COOLANT ON THE THE BRAKES AND REAR WHEEL, CAUSING A VERY HOT STEAM TO RISE ON OUR LEGS AND LOWER TORSO, ALSO CAUSING THE REAR WHEEL & BRAKES TO BECOME EXTREMELY SLIPPERY, AS WELL AS UNCONTROLLABLE UNDER EXISTING TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. HONDA HAS NOT FULLFILLED IT'S PROMIS TO REPAIR THESE MOTORCYCLES AS OF YET!*AK
NHTSA ODI #10030580
8,000 miles · Feb 25, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
HONDA GOLD WING OVERHEATED AT LOW SPEEDS.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10008090
Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY. DT
NHTSA ODI #770532
Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE OVERHEATS WHEN RIDING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES AT OR ABOVE APPROX. 80 DEG. FAHRENHEIT. COOLANT MAY ESCAPE THE RECOVERY TANK, AND LAND ON THE ROAD JUST AHEAD OF THE REAR TIRE. DT
NHTSA ODI #770515
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE COOLING FANS ARE DESIGNED TO STOP FUNCTIONING AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 15 MPH. WHEN I RIDE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, OR SLOW TRAFFIC. THIS MOTORCYCLE IS CERTAIN TO OVERHEAT (TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS IN THE RED SECTION). I MUST PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO ALLOW THE FANS TO COME ON AND COOL THE MO…
Read full complaint
THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE COOLING FANS ARE DESIGNED TO STOP FUNCTIONING AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 15 MPH. WHEN I RIDE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, OR SLOW TRAFFIC. THIS MOTORCYCLE IS CERTAIN TO OVERHEAT (TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS IN THE RED SECTION). I MUST PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO ALLOW THE FANS TO COME ON AND COOL THE MOTORCYCLE DOWN OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. DT
NHTSA ODI #770029
Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS VEHICLE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF HEATING TEMPERATURES THAT GO INTO THE RED ON TEMP GAUGE FREQUENTLY. TWO TIMES THE MOTORCYCLE HEATED TO A TEMPERATURE THAT CAUSED THE COOLING SYSTEM TO LOOSE COOLANT AND TO CAUSE A VERY DANGEROUS SLICK CONDITION AT THE REAL TIRE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL DEALERS AND A HONDA REP IN CA. THEY AL…
Read full complaint
THIS VEHICLE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF HEATING TEMPERATURES THAT GO INTO THE RED ON TEMP GAUGE FREQUENTLY. TWO TIMES THE MOTORCYCLE HEATED TO A TEMPERATURE THAT CAUSED THE COOLING SYSTEM TO LOOSE COOLANT AND TO CAUSE A VERY DANGEROUS SLICK CONDITION AT THE REAL TIRE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL DEALERS AND A HONDA REP IN CA. THEY ALL SEEM TO QUIETLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS BUT REFUSE TO RECOMMEND A REPAIR OR FIX FOR THIS REAL PROBLEM. IN MY OPINION, IT IS GOING TO TAKE A FATAL ACCIDENT OR SEVERALPERSONAL INJURY LAWSUITS BEFORE HONDA ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY. THE PROBLEM IS REAL, AND WIDE SPREAD. THE FIX IS DISTANT AND NOT ON THE HORIZON. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS BURNED OR WORSE YET KILLED. DT
NHTSA ODI #769960
Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
1-MOTORCYCLE ENGINES REACHES EXTREME TEMPS. WHEN CONDITIONS ARE: ROAD CONSTRUCTION, ACCIDENT, ASSEMBLY/ACTIVITY GATHERING OR RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC LIMITS TRAFFIC SPEED TO BETWEEN 0 AND 20 MPH. WITH FREQUENT CHANGE IN SPEED AND FEW FULL STOPS. THE RADIATOR FANS DO ACTIVATE, BUT ARE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN A 'SAFE" OPERATING TEMP AS IND…
Read full complaint
1-MOTORCYCLE ENGINES REACHES EXTREME TEMPS. WHEN CONDITIONS ARE: ROAD CONSTRUCTION, ACCIDENT, ASSEMBLY/ACTIVITY GATHERING OR RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC LIMITS TRAFFIC SPEED TO BETWEEN 0 AND 20 MPH. WITH FREQUENT CHANGE IN SPEED AND FEW FULL STOPS. THE RADIATOR FANS DO ACTIVATE, BUT ARE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN A 'SAFE" OPERATING TEMP AS INDICATED BY THE ENGINE TEMP. GAUGE GOING FULLY INTO THE RED AND LARGE AMOUNT OF RADIANT HEAT BEING FELT BY THE OPERATOR. THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE OPERATOR TO SEEK A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROADWAY, SOMETIMES ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. THEREBY CUTTING ACROSS OTHER LANES OF TRAFFIC AND BECOMING POTENTIALLY TO UNLAWFUL "SHOULDER RIDERS" (THIS HAS OCCURED RESULTING IN A NEAR MISS WHILE "COOLING DOWN" ON THE SHOULDER OF I-287 IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY ENROUTE HOME FROM LAKE GEORGE, NY FROM AMERICADE 2001) HONDA DEALER WAS ADVISED OF THIS AND TWO ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS, THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SPEEDOMETER: HAS STUCK AT 45MPH ON TWO OCCASIONS WHEN I WAS TRAVELING A BOTH LESSOR AND GREATER SPEEDS. ON BOTH OCCASIONS THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPS WERE HIGH, IN THE MID 90'S. COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH COOPER'S HONDA SERVICE MANAGER. HIS REPLY WAS BRING THE BIKE IN WITH THE SPEEDOMETER STUCK AND WE'LL LOOK AT IT". SPEEDOMETER HAS NOT YET STUCK LONG ENOUGH FOR ME TO SHOW THE DEALER I AM TRUTHFUL ! DT
NHTSA ODI #769796
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATES WHEN VEHICLE IS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC OR IN FIRST OR SECOND GEAR, TEMPERTURE GAUGE WILL BE IN THE RED ZONE, WATER TEMPERTURE WILL BE 265. CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. NLM *JB
NHTSA ODI #8020139
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE OVERHEATS AT SLOW SPEEDS IN ANY GEAR. THIS CAUSES VEHICLE TO HAVE TO BE PULLED OVER IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY. MR
NHTSA ODI #768057
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 HONDA GOLDWING IN CITY TRAFFIC PROCEEDING AT APPROX. 15-20 MPH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ON THE COOLING SYSTEM GOES INTO THE RED ZONE, INDICATING IT IS TOO HOT. THE BIKE HAS TO BE STOPPED AND ALLOWED TO COOL DOWN, TO PROCEED. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROX. 4 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE BIKE AND ALL UNDER THE SAME T…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 HONDA GOLDWING IN CITY TRAFFIC PROCEEDING AT APPROX. 15-20 MPH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ON THE COOLING SYSTEM GOES INTO THE RED ZONE, INDICATING IT IS TOO HOT. THE BIKE HAS TO BE STOPPED AND ALLOWED TO COOL DOWN, TO PROCEED. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROX. 4 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE BIKE AND ALL UNDER THE SAME TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. COOLANT FLUID LEVEL HAS BEEN CHECKED AND IS OKAY,THE COOLING FANS DO COME ON UNDER 15 MPH ONLY. I HAVE BEEN TO FOUR HONDA MOTORCYCLE DEALERS AND BEEN TOLD, THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM AND TO JUST DRIVE IT. NLM
NHTSA ODI #767651
Official recalls
5Oct 23, 2015
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 & remedy
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 recall supercedes recall 14V-472.
Dec 1, 2011
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 THE REAR BRAKE TO DRAG.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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 CATCH FIRE.
Remedy: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 6, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-784-1870.
Jan 31, 2005
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 & remedy
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.
May 9, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ENGINE STOP SWITCH. THE ENGINE STOP SWITCH IS SENSITIVE TO ACCIDENTAL CONTACT OR STRONG JOLTING, SUCH AS HITTING A POTHOLE OR RIDING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS,WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO CUT OUT MOMENTARILY OR EVEN SHUT OFF.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CONTACT PLATE, E-CLIP, AND 2 CONTACT PLATE SPRINGS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-310-532-9811.
Apr 23, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED PULSE ROTOR. THE CRANKSHAFT PULSE ROTOR, A DEVICE USED FOR IGNITION TIMING, COULD FAIL AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED PULSE ROTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4AQ12001 · Southern Honda Powersports
Opened May 14, 2012 · Closed May 13, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
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. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a motor vehicle or equipment manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with federal motor vehicle safety standards.In turn, a dealer may not sell and deliver a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed.(see 49 U.S.C. 30120(i); 49 C.F.R. 573.11)NHTSA issued an information request to Southern Honda on May 14, 2012 to which they responded on July 6, 2012.NHTSA?s inquiry led it to believe that Southern Honda had failed to complete the requirements of five recalls that required inspections and/or repairs of motorcycles prior to their sale or delivery.NHTSA believes that 329 motorcycles affected by recalls had not been inspected and/or repaired prior to their sale and delivery between 2007 and 2012.The agency is unaware of any deaths or injuries involving these vehicles.NHTSA concluded that it had a potential civil penalty claim against Southern Honda for violations of the Safety Act.Southern Honda denied any violations of the Safety Act.In order to settle this matter, Southern Honda agreed to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $125,000, to be paid in five annual installments.This AQ is closed.
RQ04009 · Frame Crossmemeber Weld Failures
Opened Sep 21, 2004 · Closed Feb 2, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:frame And Members
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, THAT ONLY THOSE GL'S BUILT WITH THAT ONE PROCESS WERE AT RISK OF FAILURE.WITH THE ORIGINAL RECALL (IN SEPTEMBER, 2003), HONDA INTRODUCED YET ANOTHER WELD PROCESS.SUBSEQUENTLY, HONDA BECAME AWARE OF INCIDENTS INVOLVING GL'S NOT INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL, BUILT USING ANOTHER EARLY WELDING PROCESS.THUS, HONDA HAS DECIDED TO RECALL ALL GL1800'S BUILT PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 20, 2003 REGARDLESS OF WHAT WELD PROCESS WAS BEING USED AT THE TIME.THIS RECALL EXPANSION AFFECTS THE 2001, 2002, 2003 AND 2004 MODEL YEARS AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AFFECTED U.S. GL1800 MOTORCYCLES INCREASES FROM 8,196 TO 43,115.
PE03039 · Rear Suspension Collapse
Opened Aug 11, 2003 · Closed Oct 10, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:frame And Members
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 GL1800?S WERE EXPERIENCING REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE WHEN THE LOWEST CROSSMEMBER WOULD COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME.IT APPEARED THE CROSSMEMBER WAS SEPARATING DUE TO SUB-STANDARD WELDING OF THE CROSSMEMBER TO THE FRAME. ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2003 HONDA BRIEFED ODI STAFF AND ADVISED THAT THE SUBJECT WELD FAILURES RESULTED FROM A COMBINATION OF PRODUCTION LINE CHANGES THAT TOOK EFFECT ON MARCH 1, 2002.THESE CHANGES WERE:1) FEW, IF ANY, REINFORCING TIG WELDS APPLIED TO THE CROSSMEMBER MIG WELDS; 2) A RELATIVELY INEXPERIENCED WELDER BEGAN WELDING FRAMES AS OF THAT DATE; AND 3) A LESS ROBUST WELD QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTION WAS INTRODUCED.EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 11, 2002 HONDA ADDRESSED THESE ASSEMBLY LINE ISSUES.ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2003 HONDA ADVISED NHTSA/ODI THAT IT WAS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL OF ALL MYR 2002/2003 GL1800?S BUILT FROM MARCH 1, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10, 2002.THIS IS A WORLDWIDERECALL INVOLVING 9,521 MOTORCYCLES, OF WHICH 8,196 ARE IN THE UNITED STATES.FOR MORE INFORMATION CONCERNING BOTH HONDA?S SEPTEMBER 4TH BRIEFING AND THE RECALL, PLEASE REFER TO NHTSA?S OCTOBER 2, 2003 MEMO.BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY HONDA CONCERNING THE PRODUCTION LINE CHANGES; THE FIELD PERFORMANCE OF ALL 2001-2003 GL1800?S; AND NHTSA?S INDEPENDENT INFORMATION GATHERING ACTIVITIES; THE SCOPE OF HONDA?S RECALL APPEARS JUSTIFIED.ODI WILL CLOSELY MONITOR SUBJECT CROSSMEMBER WELD INTEGRITY FOR BIKES BUILT OUTSIDE THE RECALL SCOPE, AS WELL AS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HONDA?S RECALL REMEDY FOR THOSE BIKES WITHIN IT, AND WILL TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION IF WARRANTED BY FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS.
PE02077 · Motorcycle Coolant Spray Onto Rear Tire
Opened Oct 15, 2002 · Closed Mar 28, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT WITH ODI'SFINDINGS.
Illustration