IllustrationAT SPEEDS BETWEEN 30 AND 35 MPH AND WITH HANDS OFF OR LOOSELY GRIPPING THE HANDLEBAR, THE FRONT WHEEL OF MY HONDA GL 1800 GOLDWING DEVELOPS A SEVERE WOBBLE. I HAVE ADDED A SUPERBRACE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, BUT THIS DID NOT ELIMINATE OR REDUCE THE WOBBLE. *NM
2003 Honda GL1800
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all GL1800 years →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
350–25K
925–50K
350–75K
375–100K
2100–150K
0150K+
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
What owners actually said
101 reportsFRONT FORK WOBBLE/SHAKE. *NM
I OWN A 2003 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW LATE IN MAY OF 2003, VIN#[XXX]. IT IS STILL, AT THIS TIME, WITHIN THE FACTORY WARRANTY PERIOD. SINCE IT WAS NEW, THE FRONT FORK AND HANDLEBARS HAVE HAD A STRONG WOBBLE AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH-45 MPH. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL HONDA MOTORCYCLE DEALERS AND AM TOLD THAT MANY…
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I OWN A 2003 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW LATE IN MAY OF 2003, VIN#[XXX]. IT IS STILL, AT THIS TIME, WITHIN THE FACTORY WARRANTY PERIOD. SINCE IT WAS NEW, THE FRONT FORK AND HANDLEBARS HAVE HAD A STRONG WOBBLE AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH-45 MPH. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL HONDA MOTORCYCLE DEALERS AND AM TOLD THAT MANY GOLDWINGS DO THIS AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. AT MY OWN EXPENSE, I HAVE HAD THE FRONT TIRES RE-BALANCED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, REPLACED THE FRONT TIRE AND REAR TIRE. HAD THE STEERING HEAD BEARINGS READJUSTED TO FACTORY SPECS, AND HAVE ADDED A FORK BRACE, ALL TO NO EFFECT. I HAVE CALLED HONDA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN CALIFORNIA THREE TIMES ABOUT THIS SITUATION, AND EACH TIME I AM TOLD "IT IS A TRAIT OF THE MOTORCYCLE, HONDA WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT, AND THAT I SHOULD KEEP BOTH HANDS FIRMLY ON THE GRIPS AT ALL TIMES TO MINIMIZE THE EFFECT". THIS IS NOT A SOLUTION AT ALL, SINCE EVEN WITH BOTH HANDS FIRMLY ON THE GRIPS, THE FORK STILL WOBBLES STRONG ENOUGH TO NUMB MY WRISTS. AS AN AUTOMOTIVE PROFESSIONAL, I KNOW THAT THIS WOBBLE CAN NOT GO ON AND NOT EFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE RELATED PARTS SUCH AS THE FORK TUBES, FRONT AXLE BEARINGS, STEERING HEAD BEARINGS, FRONT TIRE AND THE REST OF THE MOTORCYCLE FOR THAT MATTER. BY RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ONLINE AT GL1800RIDERS.COM, I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD GREAT RESULTS WITH REPLACING THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT STEERING HEAD BALL TYPE BEARINGS WITH AFTERMARKET PRODUCED TAPERED ROLLER TYPE BEARINGS. I, MYSELF, AM HAVING THIS CHANGE MADE AT MY LOCAL DEALER, AGAIN, AT MY OWN EXPENSE, AS I TYPE THIS REPORT. GIVEN THE NUMBER OF OWNERS WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM, AND THE FACT THAT HONDA WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT, I WOULD RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT LOOK INTO THE SITUATION TO SEE IF ANY CORRECTIVE ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN BY HONDA. I WOULD HATE TO SEE SOMEONE HURT OR KILLED BECAUSE THIS WENT UNRESOLVED. *JB UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA GOLDWING. WHEN APPLYING THE BACK BRAKE THERE WAS BAD VIBRATION WHICH RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. THE CONTACT STATED IF THE BRAKE WERE PRESSED HARDER, AT THAT POINT, THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD COME TO A STOP. THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED TO BLEED THE BRAKES, AND THIS SHOULD TAK…
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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA GOLDWING. WHEN APPLYING THE BACK BRAKE THERE WAS BAD VIBRATION WHICH RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. THE CONTACT STATED IF THE BRAKE WERE PRESSED HARDER, AT THAT POINT, THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD COME TO A STOP. THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED TO BLEED THE BRAKES, AND THIS SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP BLED THE BRAKES, BUT THIS DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND SUGGESTED THEY COULD CHANGE THE BRAKE FLUID, BUT THAT WAS ABOUT ALL THAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THE CONTACT HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES FOR APPROXIMATELY A YEAR, AND THE DEALERSHIP KEPT TELLING HIM THAT HE WAS OVERHEATING THE BRAKE FLUID. THEY DID SUGGEST READING THE OWNER'S MANUAL WHICH RECOMMENDED THE USE OF BOTH FRONT AND BACK BRAKES AT THE SAME TIME. THE CONTACT'S CONCERN WAS THAT IF THE MOTORCYCLE HAD A LINKED BRAKING SYSTEM WHICH ACTUATED THE BACK AND FRONT BRAKES THEN WHY WOULD ONE NEED TO USE BOTH BRAKES AT ONCE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED AFTER REPLACING THE FLUID, IF THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED, THE CONTACT WILL HAVE TO COVER THE COST, BUT IF IT DIDN'T REMEDY THE PROBLEM, HE WOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT.*AK
DT: THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN EARLY MARCH FOR HIS 2003 HONDA GOLDWING. AFTER CONTACTING THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER THE REPAIR WORK WAS NOT DONE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE INSPECTED BEFORE IT COULD BE FIXED, THAT TOOK THREE WEEKS. THEN THEY HAD TO WAIT FOR THE PARTS, AND WERE CURRENTLY WAITING ON HONDA TO …
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DT: THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN EARLY MARCH FOR HIS 2003 HONDA GOLDWING. AFTER CONTACTING THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER THE REPAIR WORK WAS NOT DONE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE INSPECTED BEFORE IT COULD BE FIXED, THAT TOOK THREE WEEKS. THEN THEY HAD TO WAIT FOR THE PARTS, AND WERE CURRENTLY WAITING ON HONDA TO ACCEPT THE NEW WELDS. HONDA HAS TO ACCEPT THE NEW WELDS BEFORE THE MOTORCYCLE CAN BE REASSEMBLED. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN# 05V027000. *SC *JB
I HAVE A HONDA GL1800 GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. ALL THESE BIKES HAVE AN ISSUE WITH FRONT END WOBBLE WHILE DECELERATING BETWEEN 35-45 MPH. MY HONDA DEALER SAYS HONDA KNOWS ABOUT IT BUT HAVEN'T RECALLED IT YET BECAUSE THEY HAVE SO MANY OTHER RECALLS CURRENTLY ACTIVE. A REVIEW OF A WEB SITE OF OWNERS CALLED GL1800.ORG HAS HUNDREDS OF…
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I HAVE A HONDA GL1800 GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. ALL THESE BIKES HAVE AN ISSUE WITH FRONT END WOBBLE WHILE DECELERATING BETWEEN 35-45 MPH. MY HONDA DEALER SAYS HONDA KNOWS ABOUT IT BUT HAVEN'T RECALLED IT YET BECAUSE THEY HAVE SO MANY OTHER RECALLS CURRENTLY ACTIVE. A REVIEW OF A WEB SITE OF OWNERS CALLED GL1800.ORG HAS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HOW TO FIX IT. MY HONDA DEALER SAYS THE BEARING IN THE STEERING COLUMN ISN'T SUFFICIENT AND IT WOULD COST ME ABOUT $300 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. MY BIKE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. HONDA WON'T REPAIR IT. HERE'S THE REAL PROBLEM. LAST NIGHT DURING A LIGHT RAIN I WAS TRAVELING HOME FROM WORK. AS I WAS DECELERATING AROUND A DOWNHILL CORNER, AROUND 40 MPH, THE WOBBLE BECAME SO BAD MY FRONT WHEEL LITERALLY SLIPPED OUT FROM UNDERNEATH ME CAUSING ME TO GO DOWN ON THE RIGHT CRASH BAR FOR A MOMENT. APPARENTLY IT WASN'T MY TIME TO GO BECAUSE AS QUICKLY AS I WENT DOWN I CAME BACK UP AND MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE BIKE. I'M STILL PUZZLED HOW THIS HAPPENED AND HOW I RECOVERED FROM IT. BUT I KNOW THE CAUSE OF IT. IT'S THE FRONT END WOBBLE DUE TO SUB STANDARD BEARINGS BEING USED. THESE DISCUSSIONS ON WEBSITES AND WITH HONDA HAVE BEEN ONGOING FOR WELL OVER TWO YEARS. DOES HONDA HAVE TO HAVE DOCUMENTED DEATHS BEFORE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE? I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW SUCH A SAFETY ISSUE CAN CONTINUE TO GO ON AND ON WITH NO ACTION BY SUCH A REPUTABLE COMPANY. PLEASE HELP TO FIX THIS SAFETY PROBLEM BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM.
CONCERNS REGARDING 2002 GL1800 FRAME INSPECTION SHOWED UNUSUAL WELD PATTERNS BUT NO CRACKS.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER RENTED A 2003 GL1800 AND WHEN HE CROSSED A RAILROAD TRACK AT 35 MPH, THE FRAME IMMEDIATELY COLLAPSED, THE BIKE VEERED INTO THE ONCOMING LANE. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO KEEP THE BIKE UPRIGHT AND…
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CONCERNS REGARDING 2002 GL1800 FRAME INSPECTION SHOWED UNUSUAL WELD PATTERNS BUT NO CRACKS.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER RENTED A 2003 GL1800 AND WHEN HE CROSSED A RAILROAD TRACK AT 35 MPH, THE FRAME IMMEDIATELY COLLAPSED, THE BIKE VEERED INTO THE ONCOMING LANE. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO KEEP THE BIKE UPRIGHT AND FINALLY PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE SERVICE DEALER CHECKED THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, HOWEVER IT WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. THE CONSUMER WANTS THE MANUFACTURER TO REPLACE HIS OWN PERSONAL BIKE WITH A BIKE OF EQUAL VALUE OR A FULL REFUND. *JB
DEALERSHIP CANNOT PERFORM THE BANK ANGLE SENSOR RECALL 02V340000 REPAIRS UNTIL JULY OR AUGUST; PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TILL THEN. MOTORCYCLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL RECALL REPAIRS ARE DONE.*AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03V35000 CONCERNING FRAMES. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *
RECEIVED RECALL 03V35000 FOR DEFECTIVE FRAME. TOOK MOTORCYCLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND INFORMED NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. MANUFACTURER WILL BE SENDING PARTS IN 8-12 WEEKS.*AK
Official recalls
615V700000 · 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
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.