NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
115 reportsClear category filter19,000 miles · Jul 8, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
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 COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVI…
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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 COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,000.
NHTSA ODI #10276054
4,500 miles · Oct 2, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
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 RIDING, OR IF THE BIKE IS STATIONA…
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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 RIDING, OR IF THE BIKE IS STATIONARY, WHEN I OPEN THE THROTTLE TO 1500 RPM, THE ENGINE SPEED DROPS TO 1000 RPM AND THEN JUMPS BACK TO 1500 RPM. THIS WILL GO ON FOR AS LONG AS I HOLD THE THROTTLE AT 1500 RPM. WHILE THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM WHEN THE BIKE IS STATIONARY, IT IS A BIG PROBLEM WHEN RIDING. WHEN RIDING IN PARKING LOTS, IN TRAFFIC OR WHEN MAKING LOW SPEED TURNS, I FREQUENTLY RUN THE ENGINE AROUND 1500 RPM AND WHEN I HIT THAT RPM, THE ENGINE SPEED DROPS WITHOUT WARNING. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE ALMOST DROPPED THE BIKE IN A SHARP TURN WHEN THE ENGINE SPEED DROPPED. SINCE I CANNOT SAFELY WATCH THE TACHOMETER AND THE ROAD AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S VERY HARD TO DRIVE AROUND THAT ENGINE SPEED. NOT ONLY IS THIS BEHAVIOR ANNOYING WHILE RIDING, IT'S ALSO DANGEROUS AS I COULD BE INJURED IF THE BIKE FELL WHEN THE ENGINE SPEED DROPPED. I TOOK THE BIKE BACK TO HONDA OF MILPITAS IN JUNE 2004 TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. BOTH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM BUT SAID IT WAS AN ECM MAPPING PROBLEM AND THAT AMERICAN HONDA WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE THEM ANY TIME TO TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM (R/O 94034826). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10204727
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
GL1800 2002 OVERHEATING AT LOW SPEED. PAID $1,000.00 PLUS FOR SERVICE BULLETIN FIX AND IT DID NOTHING TO HELP THE PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10165375
8,000 miles · Jul 14, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE MOTORCYCLE OVERHEATS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. CONSUMER HAS TO PULL OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE MOTORCYCLE OFF TO LET THE ENGINE COOL OFF. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE SWITCH THAT TURNS THE FANS ON ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THEY ARE FAULTY, AND DON'T COME ON WHEN THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO BECAUSE OF A FACTORY DEFECT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10081961
Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureTires
VEHICLE'S FRONT END WOBBLES BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH.* MR WHEN THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT END WOBBLED BECAUSE OF THE TIRES USED. HOWEVER THEY DID NOT PAY TO HAVE TIRES REPLACED ON BIKE BECAUSE THEY CLAIMED THAT THE CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE LEFT THE ORIGINALS ON. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE BIKE IS UNSAFE TO RI…
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VEHICLE'S FRONT END WOBBLES BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH.* MR WHEN THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT END WOBBLED BECAUSE OF THE TIRES USED. HOWEVER THEY DID NOT PAY TO HAVE TIRES REPLACED ON BIKE BECAUSE THEY CLAIMED THAT THE CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE LEFT THE ORIGINALS ON. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE BIKE IS UNSAFE TO RIDE AND IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF NOT REPAIRED. (WHEN THE CRUISE WAS SET AND IF THE VEHICLE WAS GOING 40 MPH WITHOUT A FIRM GRIP ON THE HANDLE BARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE) *CB THE BIKE ALSO HAD AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT WAS HOW THE BIKE WAS DESIGNED.*JB *CB
NHTSA ODI #10040233
400 miles · Feb 26, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2002 HONDA GL1800 HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER 6 TIMES FOR REPAIR OF ENGINE OVERHEATING. I HAVE HAD THE ENGINE OVERHEATING RECALL WORK CONDUCTED TWICE ON THE BIKE. THE FIRST REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL ACTUALLY ACTUALLY ACERBATED THE OVERHEATING PROBLEM. THE SECOND RECALL REPAIR ONLY SLIGHTLY IMPROVED THE BIKE OVER ITS ORIGINAL DE…
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MY 2002 HONDA GL1800 HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER 6 TIMES FOR REPAIR OF ENGINE OVERHEATING. I HAVE HAD THE ENGINE OVERHEATING RECALL WORK CONDUCTED TWICE ON THE BIKE. THE FIRST REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL ACTUALLY ACTUALLY ACERBATED THE OVERHEATING PROBLEM. THE SECOND RECALL REPAIR ONLY SLIGHTLY IMPROVED THE BIKE OVER ITS ORIGINAL DELIVERED STATE. AMERICAN HONDA REFUSES TO DO ANY FURTHER REPAIRS THAT COULD RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THAT SOME OF THE GL1800 MOTORCYCLES HAVE THIS INHERENT DEFECT AND OTHERS DO NOT. HONDA APPARENT REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM WHICH IS NOT RECTIFIED BY THEIR ECM RECALL. THE OVERHEATING MAKES THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE IN HEAVY, CONGESTED TRAFFIC AT LOW SPEEDS. HONDA SAYS TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN IT OVERHEATS. SITTING ON THE SHOULDER OF THE L.A. FREEWAY ON A MOTORCYCLE ADJACENT TO CONGESTED TRAFFIC AND SCREACHING AUTO AND TRUCK BRAKES IS UNNERVING AND QUITE UNSAFE. AMERICAN HONDA'S V.P OF THE MOTORCYCLE DIVISION, RAY BLANK, HAS REFUSED TO RESPOND TO MY TWO COMPLAINT LETTERS APPEALING FOR HONDA TO CORRECT THE OVERHEATING PROBLEM. THE RECALL REPAIR THAT HONDA IS UTILIZING DOESN'T WORK AND CORRET THE DEFECT FOR MANY GL1800 OWNERS. I ASK THE NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10059069
Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2002 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE.*MR CONSUMER'S WIFE BURNED THE LEG ON THE EXHAUST DUE TO A POOR LOCATION OF THE EXHAUST. SHE SUSTAINED 2ND DEGREE BURNS. THEY DECIDED TO SELL THE BIKE FOR SAFETY REASONS. OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDE: WOBBLY HANDLEBAR, THE REPEATED CUPPING OF THE FRONT TIRE, OVERHEATING, A…
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VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2002 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE.*MR CONSUMER'S WIFE BURNED THE LEG ON THE EXHAUST DUE TO A POOR LOCATION OF THE EXHAUST. SHE SUSTAINED 2ND DEGREE BURNS. THEY DECIDED TO SELL THE BIKE FOR SAFETY REASONS. OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDE: WOBBLY HANDLEBAR, THE REPEATED CUPPING OF THE FRONT TIRE, OVERHEATING, AND THE BREAKING OF SWING ARM FRAMES WITHOUT NOTICE. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10049892
Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
I HAVE A 2002 HONDA GOLDWING. IT HAS A RECALL FOR A OVER HEATING PROBLEM AND A FRAME BREAKING PROBLEM. I DO NOT AT ALL FEEL SAFE ON THIS MOTORCYCLE OR WOULD I IF SOMEONE WERE TO WELD ON AN ALUMINUM FRAME. THIS FRAME BREAKAGE IS MORE THAN JUST SOMETHING THAT WILL LEAVE YOU STANDING BESIDE THE ROAD. HONDA NEEDS TO BE MADE TO REPL…
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I HAVE A 2002 HONDA GOLDWING. IT HAS A RECALL FOR A OVER HEATING PROBLEM AND A FRAME BREAKING PROBLEM. I DO NOT AT ALL FEEL SAFE ON THIS MOTORCYCLE OR WOULD I IF SOMEONE WERE TO WELD ON AN ALUMINUM FRAME. THIS FRAME BREAKAGE IS MORE THAN JUST SOMETHING THAT WILL LEAVE YOU STANDING BESIDE THE ROAD. HONDA NEEDS TO BE MADE TO REPLACE THESE BIKES, NOT MODIFY THEM. MY FRAME IS NOT BROKEN BUT IS UNDER RECALL AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH OR WITH OUT THE FIX. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10047634
9,000 miles · Oct 11, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE OVERHEATING - I PURCHASED THE BIKE IN JULY OF 2002. I EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER IN TEMECULA CALIFORNIA AND HAD IT CHECKED OUT. THEY KEPT IT FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. I THEN CONTACTED THE HONDA COOPERATION AND WAS TOLD TO TAK…
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ENGINE OVERHEATING - I PURCHASED THE BIKE IN JULY OF 2002. I EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER IN TEMECULA CALIFORNIA AND HAD IT CHECKED OUT. THEY KEPT IT FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. I THEN CONTACTED THE HONDA COOPERATION AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT BACK IN. I DID. AGAIN NOTHING. I AM NOT OVERSEAS AND HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE OCT 2002. I HAVEN'T RIDDEN THE BIKE AND WON'T RIDE AGAIN AS I AM IN THE MARINE CORPS STATIONED ABROAD UNTIL 2005. I FINALLY DISCOVERED THIS SITE AND REALIZED THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SELF-SAME PROBLEMS AS I AM HAVING. I HAVEN'T RIDDEN IT ENOUGH TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE WRONG WITH IT AS OTHERS HAVE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICES OR ANYTHING. HONDA HAS MY ADDRESS STATESIDE AND OVERSEAS AS I DO RECEIVE MY BILL HERE. WHAT IS BEING DONE TO REMEDY THESE MATTERS/CONCERNS OF US WHO HAVE PAID IN EXCESS OF $15,000.00? WHEN ONE SPENDS HIS/HER HARD EARNED MONEY ON "TOYS," WE EXPECT MUCH BETTER THAN THIS. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10041622
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
HONDA GL1800 GOLD WING MOTORCYCLE FRAME FAILURE. *MR FRAME FAILURES OCCURRED WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS IN MOTION. THE ENGINE DROPPED TO THE HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING WAS DANGEROUSLY AFFECTED. HONDA HAD BEEN SECRETLY REPLACING THESE. THE ENGINE ALSO OVERHEATED AND CAUSED COOLANT TO SPILL ON THE HIGHWAY JUST AHEAD OF THE REA…
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HONDA GL1800 GOLD WING MOTORCYCLE FRAME FAILURE. *MR FRAME FAILURES OCCURRED WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS IN MOTION. THE ENGINE DROPPED TO THE HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING WAS DANGEROUSLY AFFECTED. HONDA HAD BEEN SECRETLY REPLACING THESE. THE ENGINE ALSO OVERHEATED AND CAUSED COOLANT TO SPILL ON THE HIGHWAY JUST AHEAD OF THE REAR TIRE. *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10034006
Official recalls
6Oct 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.
Jan 24, 2005
CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH COMBINED-BRAKE SYSTEMS HAVE A PROPORTIONING CONTROL VALVE (PCV) THAT MECHANICALLY PROPORTIONS BRAKE FORCE WHEN THE REAR BRAKE IS APPLIED. A SEAL IN SOME PCVS IS IMPROPERLY SHAPED, AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE MOTORCYCLE CONTINUES TO BE USED AFTER A LEAK OCCURS, THE REAR BRAKE WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE. A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE FORCE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE FORLEAKAGE. IF LEAKAGE IS CONFIRMED, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PCV FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 31, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 866-784-1870.
Sep 26, 2003
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 REINFORCE THE WELDS ON ALL FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DURING OCTOBER 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-866-784-1870.
Dec 23, 2002
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 EVENTUALLY DETACH FROM THEIR MOUNTING POINT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SENSOR DETACHES, THE ENGINE WILL STOP UNEXPECTEDLY. SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, ESPECIALLY WHILE TURNING, COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MOUNTING SCREW SIZE AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL SCREWS OF THE CORRECT SIZE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 23, 2002. 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 1-800-289-8226.
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.
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