Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

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Fuel/propulsion System complaints

4 reports

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100 miles · Oct 13, 2015

EngineFuel/propulsion System

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AFTER STARTING ENGINE, 1ST GEAR ENGAGEMENT, RELEASE CLUTCH AND FEED THROTTLE. MOTORCYCLE WILL STALL WHEN IN MOTION BETWEEN 1-10 MPH FORCING YOU TO ENGAGE CLUTCH LEVER AND THEN TWIST THROTTLE TO TRY AND GET ENGINE TO REV BACK UP. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL HAPPEN AND YOU WILL NOT FALL OVER DUE TO LACK OF POWER FROM STALL. THIS HAPPENS USUALLY WHEN ENGINE TEMP IS IN THE LOWER RANGE BUT CAN ALSO HAPPEN WHEN ENGINE IS WARM BUT YOU HAVE STOPPED FOR 10-20 MINUTES AND THEN YOU TRY TO START OFF AGAIN. THIS IS TOTALLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WITH A 900 LB. MOTORCYCLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE PURCHASING IN APRIL 2013.

NHTSA ODI #10781852

8 miles · Jan 5, 2015

Fuel/propulsion System

RIDING WHILE THE ENGINE IS WARMING UP, THE ENGINE GOES INTO A STALL REQUIRING THE RIDER TO PULL THE CLUTCH. IF IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN THE BIKE WILL CRASH. THIS PROBLEM PERSISTS STILL TODAY. HONDA DENIES THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT MANY OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10670092

4,200 miles · Sep 15, 2014

EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

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MOTORCYCLE EXHIBITS A COLD START STUMBLE. AT AROUND 1700-2200 RPM (IN ANY GEAR) THE ENGINE STUMBLES / NEAR-STALLS. THIS LOSS OF POWER IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS ON A MOTORCYCLE WHERE RELIABLE POWER / SPEED IS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN RIDING STABILITY ESPECIALLY IN LOW SPEED MANEUVERING. LOSS OF POWER TWO-UP WITH A PASSENGER, LEANED OVER AT 25 DEGREES, AT ~0-5 MPH, IN SECOND GEAR...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS...HAVE ALMOST CRASHED MORE THAN ONCE. IN MANY GL1800 AND OTHER MOTORCYCLE USER FORUMS THIS IS A KNOWN AND MUCH DISCUSSED DYNAMIC WHICH HONDA HAS TO-DATE IGNORED / DISMISSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633401

200 miles · May 17, 2013

EngineFuel/propulsion System

THE MOTORCYCLE HAS A HESITATION OR STALLING ISSUE WERE AT LOW SPEEDS IT WILL HESITATE TO THE POINT WERE YOU HAVE NO RESPONSES SO YOU ROLL ON THE THROTTLE TO SEE IF YOU CAN GET IT TO REACT THEN THE BIKE WILL CATCH BACK UP AND THEN SURGES FORWARD VERY QUICKLY. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIME ON ME AND I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TO …

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NHTSA ODI #10512486

Official recalls

18V045000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2010 and 2012-2016 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing motorcycles. These motorcycles have air bag inflators assembled as part of the air bag module that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the rider 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 9, 2018. Owners may contact Honda Motorcycle Customer Support at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KJ1.

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.

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

PE15014 · Inconsistent Throttle Control

Opened Apr 20, 2015 · Closed Nov 13, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control

This PE was opened after NHTSA received 10 owner complaints alleging vehicle control was compromised due to inconsistent throttle control in MY 2012-14 Honda GL1800 motorcycles.Typically during the first five minutes of operation (cold engine), riders would experience a pronounced engine stumble when operating the bike at low speeds and minimal throttle applications.Riders were concerned that this scenario would result in a crash if the stumble were to occur while making a sharp turn at low speed.Since opening this investigation we discussed the issue with Honda motorcycle dealers and service personnel and subject vehicle owners / complainants.We test rode one complaint GL1800 and monitored web forum activity.Based on the information gathered, the issue of low speed engine stumble in these motorcycles does not appear to jeopardize safety.The absence of crashes in a population of vehicles with up to 4 years in service indicates riders are able to instinctively correct for any control issue that may accrue from a low speed cold engine stumble.In the absence of a actionable defect trend, we are closing this PE.We continue to monitor complaints and other information sources for any data that may alter this finding.If such information is found, we will respond accordingly.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID using the following complaint identification numbers: 10785837,10783109,10781852,10760402,10670092,10662128,10653041,10643482,10641998,10639635,10639538,10639483,10633401,10633110,10632624,10632569,10631910,10621114,10577493,10572733,10550566,10549745,10548741,10548568,10546436,10532817,10532620,10532347,10532553,10532249,10531538,10523914,10523890,10523515,10523017,10512486