THIS MOTORCYCLE CONTINUES TO OVER HEAT UNDER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS WHICH HONDA CORP REFUSES TO ADDRESS AND PRIMARILY BLAMES THE OPERATOR FOR IMPROPER USE.HONDA STATES THAT UNLESS THE MOTORCYCLE COOLANT OVERFLOWS THERE'S NO PROBLEM AND THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT DESIGNED TO BE RIDDEN AT LESS THAN 30MPH.ALUMINUM HEADS ON THE MOTOR …
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THIS MOTORCYCLE CONTINUES TO OVER HEAT UNDER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS WHICH HONDA CORP REFUSES TO ADDRESS AND PRIMARILY BLAMES THE OPERATOR FOR IMPROPER USE.HONDA STATES THAT UNLESS THE MOTORCYCLE COOLANT OVERFLOWS THERE'S NO PROBLEM AND THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT DESIGNED TO BE RIDDEN AT LESS THAN 30MPH.ALUMINUM HEADS ON THE MOTOR WILL NOT TAKE CONSTANT 260DEG HEAT WITHOUT EVENTUALLY FAILING.THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON AN 18K+$ BIKE AND HONDAS RESPONSE HAS BEEN HORRIBLE.HE MOTORCYCLE WILL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #766424
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSTANT OVERHEATING OF THE 2002HONDA GOLDWING GL1800 IF YOU TRAVEL UNDER A CERTAIN SPEED .*AK
NHTSA ODI #766388
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS TRAVELING AT 25MPH OR LESS TEMP GAUGE GOES INTO THE RED ZONE AND IF CONTINUE TO TRAVEL ANTIFREEZE SPEWS OUT OF OVER FLOW HOSE . WHEN THIS HAPPENS REAR WHEEL BECOMES SLIPPERY AND RESULTS IN LOSS OF TRACTION. POTENTIAL CRASH CAN RESULT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #766362
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
BRAND NEW MOTORCYCLE OVERHEATED (GAUGE DEEP IN THE RED) ON OUR FIRST TRIP. IT HAS SINCE OVERHEATED SIXTEEN MORE TIMES. HONDA SAYS TO IGNORE THE GUAGE BUT WILL NOT FIX THE GUAGE. I BELIEVE THE GUAGE IS WORKING BECAUSE I CAN FEEL THE EXCESS HEAT GENERATED ON MY LEGS. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ANYTIME YOU ARE DRIVING BETWEEN 15 AND 3…
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BRAND NEW MOTORCYCLE OVERHEATED (GAUGE DEEP IN THE RED) ON OUR FIRST TRIP. IT HAS SINCE OVERHEATED SIXTEEN MORE TIMES. HONDA SAYS TO IGNORE THE GUAGE BUT WILL NOT FIX THE GUAGE. I BELIEVE THE GUAGE IS WORKING BECAUSE I CAN FEEL THE EXCESS HEAT GENERATED ON MY LEGS. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ANYTIME YOU ARE DRIVING BETWEEN 15 AND 30 MPH. HONDA SAYS TO DRIVE IN 3RD GEAR. I TRIED THIS AND IT DOES NOT PREVENT THE BIKE FROM OVERHEATING. I OVERHEAT ANYTIME I GET STUCK IN TRAFFIC OR WHEN I AM CRUISING RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS OBEYING THE SPEED LIMIT OR SIMPLY ENJOYING A SCENIC DRIVE. I OFTEN NEED TO PULL OVER IN HEAVY TRAFFIC TO LET THE BIKE COOL DOWN CAUSING DISRUPTIONS IN THE TRAFFIC FLOW WHICH I FEEL ARE VERY UNSAFE. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE A LEMON BECAUSE HONDA REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. I WOULD SINCERELY LIKE TO GET MY MONEY BACK. I BOUGHT THIS BIKE THINKING HONDA HAD AN EXCELLENT REPUTATION. THEY ARE TRYING TO TAKE THE EASY WAY (IGNORE THE CONSUMER'S SAFETY PROBLEMS) OUT. PLEASE, CAN YOU PROD THEM INTO RESPONDING TO THIS ISSUE? THANK YOU. [XXX] P.S. I HAVE RIDDEN MOTORCYCLES FOR 33 YEARS. I AM RIDING THIS MOTORCYCLE ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL'S RECCOMENDATIONS. HONDA WANTS ME TO IGNORE THE MANUAL!*AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #766349
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAME UPON ROAD CONSTRUCTION WHERE TRAFFIC WAS STOP AND GO WITH IN ABOUT THREE TO FOUR MINUTES THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAD MOVED INTO THE RED ZONE THE SECOND TIME THE GAUGE WAS COMPLETELY PEGGED. THIS WAS ON 7/26/02 WITH ABOUT 1870 MILES ON THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS JUST HAPPENED AGAIN ON 8/24/02 AND AGAIN IT WAS IN SLOW MOVING CONSTRUC…
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CAME UPON ROAD CONSTRUCTION WHERE TRAFFIC WAS STOP AND GO WITH IN ABOUT THREE TO FOUR MINUTES THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAD MOVED INTO THE RED ZONE THE SECOND TIME THE GAUGE WAS COMPLETELY PEGGED. THIS WAS ON 7/26/02 WITH ABOUT 1870 MILES ON THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS JUST HAPPENED AGAIN ON 8/24/02 AND AGAIN IT WAS IN SLOW MOVING CONSTRUCTOIN AREA THI IS THE THIRD TIME NOW THAT IT HAS OVER HEATED. THE MOTORCYCLE ONLY HAS 3871 MILES ON IT. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE THAT HONDA HAS WITH THE 2002 GOLDWING.
NHTSA ODI #766314
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
I NOW KNOW THAT THE GL 1800 HAS HAD OVER HEATING PROBLEMS SINCE THEY CAME OUT IN 2001. THIS MOTOR CYCLE OVER HEATS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE SHOP PERSONNEL TOLD ME TO, NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE GAUGE...TAKE OFF IN THIRD GEAR...RUN THE MOTOR CYCLE UNTIL IT BOILS OVER. THIS IS FURTHER REFLECTED BY THE HONDA REPRESENTATIVE THAT…
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I NOW KNOW THAT THE GL 1800 HAS HAD OVER HEATING PROBLEMS SINCE THEY CAME OUT IN 2001. THIS MOTOR CYCLE OVER HEATS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE SHOP PERSONNEL TOLD ME TO, NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE GAUGE...TAKE OFF IN THIRD GEAR...RUN THE MOTOR CYCLE UNTIL IT BOILS OVER. THIS IS FURTHER REFLECTED BY THE HONDA REPRESENTATIVE THAT CONTACTED ME. THE SHOP, NOR HONDA WILL PUT ANYTHING IN WRITING. THIS ISSUE IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC AND YOU CAN NOT GET OFF OF THE ROAD.*AK
NHTSA ODI #766299
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
MOTORCYCLE OVERHEATS IN SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC, DEALER TOLD ME THAT EVERYONE THAT BUYS A GL1800 IS BACK WITHIN 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE WITH SAME PROBLEM BUT AS OF NOW THERE IS NO FIX AVAILABLE. I CALLED HONDA CUSTOMER SUPPORT AND COULD NOT GET ADMISSION THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT IT WAS ADMITTED TO ME THAT THERE HAS BEEN COMPLAINT…
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MOTORCYCLE OVERHEATS IN SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC, DEALER TOLD ME THAT EVERYONE THAT BUYS A GL1800 IS BACK WITHIN 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE WITH SAME PROBLEM BUT AS OF NOW THERE IS NO FIX AVAILABLE. I CALLED HONDA CUSTOMER SUPPORT AND COULD NOT GET ADMISSION THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT IT WAS ADMITTED TO ME THAT THERE HAS BEEN COMPLAINTS MADE. PLEASE CHECK WEBSITE GL1800.ORG THERE IS A LINK FOR OVERHEATING ISSUES WITH MANY OF THESE COMPLAINTS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #766165
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
OVERHEATING OF ENGINE IN HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #766115
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
OVERHEATS TO RED LINE BELOW 20 MPH (HEAVY TRAFFIC). MUST PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD TO COOL WHICH HAS LED TO NEAR MISSES BY OTHER VEHICLES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #766111
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS WATER COOLED MOTORCYCLE OVERHEATS EVERY TIME IT IS RIDEN SLOWER THAN 20MPH STOP & GO OVER A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 1 MILE OR IN ABOUT 8 MINUTES. THE RADIATOR OVERFLOWS AND GAUGE READINGS ARE IN THE RED. BOTH TIMES THIS HAS HAPPEN THE AIR TEMPATURE WAS LESS THAN 80 DEGRESS OUTSIDE. I AM CONCERNED WITH HAVING TO STOP IN TRAFFIC…
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THIS WATER COOLED MOTORCYCLE OVERHEATS EVERY TIME IT IS RIDEN SLOWER THAN 20MPH STOP & GO OVER A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 1 MILE OR IN ABOUT 8 MINUTES. THE RADIATOR OVERFLOWS AND GAUGE READINGS ARE IN THE RED. BOTH TIMES THIS HAS HAPPEN THE AIR TEMPATURE WAS LESS THAN 80 DEGRESS OUTSIDE. I AM CONCERNED WITH HAVING TO STOP IN TRAFFIC WITH AN OVERHEATING MOTORCYCLE. DEALER DOES NOT KNOW OF A FIX, WAITING FOR HONDA OF AMERICA TO COME OUT WITH A FIX, WHICH DOE NOT APPEAR TO BE AVIALABLE.*AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
4
AQ12001 · 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.
2002 Honda GL1800 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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