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2003 Honda GL1800

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

52 reports with mileage · 49 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.

  • Structure. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 8 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 reports1 injury reports

Tires complaints

3 reports
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37,343 miles · Oct 14, 2007
Tires

I WANT TO SHARE A VERY DISTURBING, DANGEROUS, AGGRAVATING AND DISGUSTING EXPERIENCE I HAVE JUST RECENTLY HAD WITH A BRAND NEW DUNLOP ELITE 3 TIRE I PURCHASED FROM HONDA OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2007 (INVOICE # 042179). SEPTEMBER 8, 2007 NEW DUNLOP ELITE 3 TIRES, FRONT AND REAR. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK I NOTICED…

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I WANT TO SHARE A VERY DISTURBING, DANGEROUS, AGGRAVATING AND DISGUSTING EXPERIENCE I HAVE JUST RECENTLY HAD WITH A BRAND NEW DUNLOP ELITE 3 TIRE I PURCHASED FROM HONDA OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2007 (INVOICE # 042179). SEPTEMBER 8, 2007 NEW DUNLOP ELITE 3 TIRES, FRONT AND REAR. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK I NOTICED THE FRONT TIRE SEEMED TO BE SHOWING SIGNS OF WEAR. SEPTEMBER 29TH I NOTICED A SECTION OF THE TIRE WAS COMING APART. OCTOBER 2, 2007 I TOOK IT BACK TO HONDA OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, THE DUNLOP TIRE DISTRIBUTOR. I ONLY HAD 1,000 MILES ON IT. THERE WAS NO WAY THE TIRE SHOULD BE SHOWING SIGNS OF WEAR LIKE I WAS EXPERIENCING. WHEN I ARRIVED AT HONDA OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, THE SERVICEMAN AND THE PARTS MANAGER LOOKED AT THE TIRE AND SAID THE TIRE WAS DEFINITELY DEFECTIVE AND WROTE UP A TICKET (# 14411) AND WROTE ON IT FRONT TIRE HAS FAILED AFTER 1000 MILES, IS GOING TO BE REPLACEMENT WORK AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER, - REPLACE FRONT TIRE.) THEY TOLD ME THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY MORE TO WORK ON AND IT WOULD BE CHANGED THAT MORNING. WHEN I CALLED RIGHT BEFORE LUNCH THEY CHANGED THEIR STORY COMPLETELY AND SAID THEY ASKED A CUSTOMER WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE TO THEM AND THEY SAID IT LOOKED LIKE THE TIRE HAD BEEN CUT WITH A KNIFE AND THEY COULDN'T REPLACE IT UNTIL THEY HEARD FROM DUNLOP TIRE AND EXPECTED TO HEAR FROM THEM THAT DAY. I CALLED THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD HIM I FELT HE SHOULD STAND BEHIND THE TIRE BECAUSE IT WAS ONLY 3 WEEKS OLD AND HE SOLD ME A DEFECTIVE TIRE. HE SAID I SHOULD GO AHEAD AND PAY FOR ANOTHER TIRE AND WAIT TO HEAR FROM DUNLOP TIRE. I TOLD HIM IF DUNLOP DIDN'T STAND BEHIND THE TIRE I SURE DIDN'T WANT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE AND I DIDN?T WANT THAT DEALERSHIP TO INSTALL IT. THEN I GOT TO THINKING - I WAS AT WORK WITH NO WAY HOME AND AN UNSAFE TIRE ON MY BIKE? SO I CALLED THE OWNER UP AND SAID I WOULD PAY FOR ANOTHER TIRE. THE TIRE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH AND I FEEL IT WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE START. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10205609

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2004
Tires

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE MOTOR CYCLE TREAD FOR THE FRONT TIRE DOES NOT HAVE A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE TIRE. THE FRONT TIRE LOOKED WORN AND HAD STRESS MARKS LOCATED ON THE INNER SIDE OF THE TIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE MOTOR CYCLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONS…

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WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE MOTOR CYCLE TREAD FOR THE FRONT TIRE DOES NOT HAVE A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE TIRE. THE FRONT TIRE LOOKED WORN AND HAD STRESS MARKS LOCATED ON THE INNER SIDE OF THE TIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE MOTOR CYCLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE MOTOR CYCLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AND CAUSE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED AT THIS TIME FOR THE TIRES. THE TIRE IS A DUNLOP. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE TIRE SIZE AND DOT NUMBER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10094242

4,650 miles · Jul 1, 2004
Tires

THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES ON THE MOTORCYCLE WERE ROUGH. THE TIRES VIBRATED WHEN TURNING THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT IN TIME THE TIRES MAY EXPERIENCE TREAD SEPARATION. THE OWNER HAD CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE TIRES. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *J…

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THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES ON THE MOTORCYCLE WERE ROUGH. THE TIRES VIBRATED WHEN TURNING THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT IN TIME THE TIRES MAY EXPERIENCE TREAD SEPARATION. THE OWNER HAD CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE TIRES. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10080301

Official recalls

6

15V700000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Oct 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.

11V567000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

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.

05V027000 · Structure:frame And Members

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.

05V010000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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.

03V350000 · Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields

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.

02V340000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

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

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.