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2008 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

36 reports with mileage · 11 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 9 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 →
  • Tires. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2020
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V700000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HALL'S MOTORSPORTS BIRMINGHA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V700000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HALL'S MOTORSPORTS BIRMINGHAM (2878 US-31, PELHAM, AL 35124, (205) 664-4999) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11331994

37,065 miles · Apr 24, 2017
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC, THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT DOWNSHIFTED TO A STOP. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS DRIVEN HOME. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO S…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC, THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT DOWNSHIFTED TO A STOP. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS DRIVEN HOME. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED TWO YEARS AGO DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,065.

NHTSA ODI #10980209

33,000 miles · Jun 21, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING GL1800 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:11V567000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER), THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 70 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING GL1800 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:11V567000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER), THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 70 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER THE FAILURE AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 33,000. UPDATED 7/27/12 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10462587

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2008 HONDA GL 1800/A GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL, STATING DEALER FAILED TO REMEDY THE DEFECT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO THE RECALL, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKES WOULD INTERMITTENTLY DRAG WHILE RIDING. AFTER BRAKING, A LOUD SCRAPING NOISE WAS CLEARLY AUDIBLE OVER THE ENGINE AND ROAD NOISE.…

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2008 HONDA GL 1800/A GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL, STATING DEALER FAILED TO REMEDY THE DEFECT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO THE RECALL, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKES WOULD INTERMITTENTLY DRAG WHILE RIDING. AFTER BRAKING, A LOUD SCRAPING NOISE WAS CLEARLY AUDIBLE OVER THE ENGINE AND ROAD NOISE. A FEW HARD PUMPS ON THE BRAKES WOULD USUALLY CAUSE THE BRAKES TO RELEASE AND THE NOISE TO STOP. THE DEALER CONTINUED TO TELL THE CONSUMER THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE MOTORCYCLE. RECALL# 11V567000.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10447641

4,200 miles · May 18, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED WITHOUT WARRANT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE FLUID AND BLED THE BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED WITHOUT WARRANT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE FLUID AND BLED THE BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALER WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS, DRUM, DISC AND MASTER CYLINDER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 4,200. UPDATED 07/19/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/13/10

NHTSA ODI #10330974

Official recalls

4

17V031000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 10, 2017

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2006-2009 and 2012 Honda GL1800 (Goldwing) motorcycles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A," Honda is recalling certain 2006-2009 Honda GL1800 (Goldwing) motorcycles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in Zone A or Zone B above, Honda is recalling certain 2006-2008 Honda GL1800 (Goldwing) motorcycles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the operator resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Honda Motorcycle Customer Support at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KE5.

16V347000 · Air Bags

May 24, 2016

Honda (American Honda Motor, Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Honda GL1800 (Gold Wing) motorcycles manufactured February 8, 2006, to May 14, 2009 originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 Honda GL 1800 (Gold Wing) motorcycles manufactured May 10, 2007, to May 14, 2009 originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Motorcycles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These motorcycles are equipped with an air bag inflator assembled as part of the air bag module, used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the rider resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag module containing the inflator, free of charge. Honda distributed an interim notification to owners on July 19, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KA8.

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.

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

1

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.