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2016 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

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 4 of 5 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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. 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 →
  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

1 reports
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20,000 miles · Nov 19, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineCrash

WITH BIKE IN GEAR, SIDE STAND DOWN, KILL SWITCH IN KILL POSITION, AND NO KEY IN IGNITION, WHILE REPLACING THE BATTERY THE ENGINE STARTED AND THE BIKE ENGINE ENGAGED AND ROLLED FORWARD CAUSING IT TO FALL ON TOP OF ME, AND DAMAGING THE SADDLE BAG WHICH WAS LEFT OPEN BECAUSE THE COVER TO THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT NOW IS ATTACHED INSI…

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WITH BIKE IN GEAR, SIDE STAND DOWN, KILL SWITCH IN KILL POSITION, AND NO KEY IN IGNITION, WHILE REPLACING THE BATTERY THE ENGINE STARTED AND THE BIKE ENGINE ENGAGED AND ROLLED FORWARD CAUSING IT TO FALL ON TOP OF ME, AND DAMAGING THE SADDLE BAG WHICH WAS LEFT OPEN BECAUSE THE COVER TO THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT NOW IS ATTACHED INSIDE THE SADDLE BAG. HONDA IS BLAMING LIGHTS INSTALLED BY THE DEALER FOR BURNING OUT THE RELAY TO THE IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION. THUS, BYPASSING THE NORMAL MECHANISM TO PREVENT THE BIKE FROM ENGAGING . THIS CONSTITUTES A SYSTEM DESIGN FLAW IF THE BIKE CAN START AND ENGAGE A GEAR WITH ALL OF THE SAFETY FEATURES DESIGNED TO PREVENT THIS IN PLACE. DURING THIS PROCEDURE THE BIKE WAS STATIONARY ON A LEVEL GARAGE FLOOR

NHTSA ODI #11152576

Official recalls

1

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.