Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
290–25K
725–50K
450–75K
175–100K
1100–150K
4150K+
46 reports with mileage · 136 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 115 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Tires. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
182 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2002
TiresVisibility
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT WILL HEAVILY VIBRATE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE TIRES ARE BADLY WORN. SIZE#13070R18, 63H DOT#707EXDERA. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD FIRST NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE HANDLEBARS EARLY JULY 2002. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VIBRATION WORSENED WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS AND ON CURVES, T…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT WILL HEAVILY VIBRATE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE TIRES ARE BADLY WORN. SIZE#13070R18, 63H DOT#707EXDERA. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD FIRST NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE HANDLEBARS EARLY JULY 2002. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VIBRATION WORSENED WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS AND ON CURVES, THE MIRRORS STARTED TO VIBRATE AS WELL. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT EVERYONE HE HAD TALKED WITH THAT HAD AN 1800 GOLDWING, HAS EXPERIENCED FRONT TIRE PROBLEMS WITH CUPPING AND EXTENSIVE WEAR PATTERNS, UNTIL THEY CHANGE THE BRIDGESTONE TIRES THAT HONDA SUPPLIED. CONSUMER HAD THE FRONT TIRE REPLACED WITH A MUCH MORE RELIABLE BRAND AND WISHES FOR HONDA TO REFUND HIM FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND THE COST OF LABOR. *SCC
NHTSA ODI #8015854
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED TO THE POINT OF RED LINING ON THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE. THE ENGINE WAS VERY HOT. CONSUMER REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO FAIRWAY CYCLE AND WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE. THE HEAD MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE GAUGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER CHECK…
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WHILE IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED TO THE POINT OF RED LINING ON THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE. THE ENGINE WAS VERY HOT. CONSUMER REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO FAIRWAY CYCLE AND WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE. THE HEAD MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE GAUGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER CHECKED FOR OVER HEATING. IT WAS SAID SINCE THE VEHICLE DID NOT SPILL COOLANT IT WASN'T OVERHEATING. CONSUMER REQUESTS A FIX FOR THE VEHICLE BY HONDA. *JG
NHTSA ODI #566906
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS IS A MOTORCYCLE RELATED PROBLEM. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OWNERS OF 2001-2002 GOLDWINGS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING OVERHEATING PROBLEMS. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS PROBLEM. SPEWED COOLANT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. A SEIZED ENGINE ON THE EXPRESSWAY COULD SPELL DISASTER. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THIS M/C. THE COOLING FANS BL…
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THIS IS A MOTORCYCLE RELATED PROBLEM. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OWNERS OF 2001-2002 GOLDWINGS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING OVERHEATING PROBLEMS. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS PROBLEM. SPEWED COOLANT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. A SEIZED ENGINE ON THE EXPRESSWAY COULD SPELL DISASTER. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THIS M/C. THE COOLING FANS BLOW FORWARD AT SPEEDS AROUND 10 OR 15 MILES PER HOUR. IF THESE SPEEDS ARE SUSTAINED (TRAFFIC PROBLEMS RELATED TO DOT OR ACCIDENT), THE BIKE OVERHEATS BECAUSE THE INCOMING AIR IS CANCELLED OUT BY THE FORWARD BLOWING FANS CAUSING STAGNANT AIR AROUND AROUND THE RADIATORS. HONDA BASICALLY REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A DESIGN FLAW AND BLAMES IT ON THE GAUGE. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO GO BEYOND HONDA'S STONEWALLING AND CHECK THIS SITUATION OUT BEFORE SOMEONE RIDING THIS M/C IS HURT AS A RESULT OF THE OVERHEATING ENGINE AND COOLING SYSTEM. THANKS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #765020
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
MOTORCYCLE RUNS HOT WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 12 TO 15 MPH.*AK
NHTSA ODI #765008
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE BIKE PEGS THE WATER TEMP GAUGE WHEN YOU TRAVEL BETWEEN 10 AND 30 MPH IN LOW GEAR. REPORTED TO HONDA AND MY DEALER. THEY STATE THEY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE NO FIX. THEY SAY THE BIKE WAS NOT MADE TO BE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE TO FORCE HONDA TO FIX THE PROBLEM
NHTSA ODI #764997
Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2002
Exterior Lighting
LIGHT INDICATOR IS ILLUMINATEING ON DASH OF MOTORCYCLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, HOWEVER MECHANIC IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8014550
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
MOTORCYCLE OVERHEATS WHEN DRIVEN AT SPEEDS BELOW 15-25MPH. CONSUMER COMPLAINED TO MANUFACTURER, WHO ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF ISSUE. CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING IN SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC. *AK CONSUMER SPECULATES DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE TWO SIDED-MOUNTED RADIATORS, THERE IS LITTLE OR NO AIRFLOW OR AIR CONDUC…
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MOTORCYCLE OVERHEATS WHEN DRIVEN AT SPEEDS BELOW 15-25MPH. CONSUMER COMPLAINED TO MANUFACTURER, WHO ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF ISSUE. CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING IN SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC. *AK CONSUMER SPECULATES DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE TWO SIDED-MOUNTED RADIATORS, THERE IS LITTLE OR NO AIRFLOW OR AIR CONDUCTION ACROSS THE RADIATOR CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT. DEALERSHIP ADVISED TO CHECK THE LEVEL OF RADIATOR ANTIFREEZE BUT COULD NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THERE ARE NO SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED REGARDING THIS CONDITION. *TT
NHTSA ODI #8014473
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2002
Tires
FRONT AND REAR TIRES ARE PREMATURELY WEARING OUT. UNEVEN WEAR ON BOTH TIRES., CAUSING VIBRATION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8014456
120 miles · Jul 16, 2002
Power Train
TRANSMISSION POPS IN AND OUT OF GEAR WHILE DOWN SHIFTING SOMETIMES, LOCKING REAR TIRE USUALLY ENTERING A TURN. PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN CONTINUALLY WORSE. TOOK TO DEALER WHERE WARRANTY MANAGER FOUND SAME PROBLEMS WHILE RIDING. THIS MOTORCYCLE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 4 WEEKS ON 7/21/02. THERE HAS BEEN WORK DONE TO THE BIKE AS O…
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TRANSMISSION POPS IN AND OUT OF GEAR WHILE DOWN SHIFTING SOMETIMES, LOCKING REAR TIRE USUALLY ENTERING A TURN. PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN CONTINUALLY WORSE. TOOK TO DEALER WHERE WARRANTY MANAGER FOUND SAME PROBLEMS WHILE RIDING. THIS MOTORCYCLE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 4 WEEKS ON 7/21/02. THERE HAS BEEN WORK DONE TO THE BIKE AS OF 7/16/02. VERY DISAPPOINTING SERVICE. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**764307
NHTSA ODI #10006921
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2002
Suspension
MORTORCYCLE WILL START TO VIBRATE WITH SPEEDS STARTING 38 MPH. OWNER HAS TAKEN MOTORCYCLE TO DEALERSHIP, BUT NO CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS PERFORMED. CAUSE STILL UNKNOWN, AND DEALERS ASKED CONSUMERTO PICK MOTORCYCLE IN SAME CONDITION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*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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