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: 12 of 14 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.
Structure. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 3 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 reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
14 reports
36,180 miles · Jul 1, 2010
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA GL1800A MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT INCREASE BEYOND 40 MPH UNTIL HE TOUCHED THE SCREEN. THE DEALER WAS STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE PART WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM HONDA. HE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK SINCE HE HAD TO USE ONE H…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA GL1800A MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT INCREASE BEYOND 40 MPH UNTIL HE TOUCHED THE SCREEN. THE DEALER WAS STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE PART WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM HONDA. HE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK SINCE HE HAD TO USE ONE HAND TO TOUCH THE SPEEDOMETER WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,180 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,442. UPDATED 08/31/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD TO TAP ON THE PLASTIC COVER WITH HIS FIST TO GET IT TO MOVE. UPDATED 08/31/10*JB
NHTSA ODI #10340988
94,700 miles · Jun 5, 2009
Power Train
I HAVE A 2001 HONDA GOLDWING GL1800A MOTORCYCLE. IN JUNE OF 2004 WHILE RIDING IN THE MOUNTAINS I DOWNSHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR, IT WENT IN FINE BUT AS I ACCELERATED OUT OF A CURVE THE BIKE LURCHED FORWARD. WHEN I GOT BACK TO RENO I REPORTED THIS TO THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER. THEY RODE IT AND COULD NOT GET IT TO ACT UP FOR THEM. THIS …
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2001 HONDA GOLDWING GL1800A MOTORCYCLE. IN JUNE OF 2004 WHILE RIDING IN THE MOUNTAINS I DOWNSHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR, IT WENT IN FINE BUT AS I ACCELERATED OUT OF A CURVE THE BIKE LURCHED FORWARD. WHEN I GOT BACK TO RENO I REPORTED THIS TO THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER. THEY RODE IT AND COULD NOT GET IT TO ACT UP FOR THEM. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL MONTHS GETTING MORE FREQUENT. FINALLY IT DOES IT FOR THE HONDA SERVICE MANAGER. HE CONTACTS HONDA CORPORATE AND THEY SAY TO BRING IT IN AND OPEN IT UP TO SEE WHAT'S WRONG. THE ENGINE HAS TO COME OUT OF THE BIKE AND THE CASE SPLIT TO GET TO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS AT 94,700 MILES. I HAD RIDDEN THE BIKE OVER 12,000 MILES SINCE THE FIRST LURCHING INCIDENT BECAUSE THE HONDA DEALER COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM RIGHT AWAY AND THEY SAID TO KEEP RIDING IT. THEY FOUND A BENT SHIFTING FORK BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. THEY REPLACED THE SHIFTING DRUM, FORK AND OTHER TRANSMISSION PARTS. HONDA COVERED IT UNDER A "GOOD WILL" WARRANTY. THE BIKE WAS STILL COVER UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. IN MAY OF 2008 AT 154,313 MILES, THE SAME THING HAPPENS AGAIN, AGAIN I BRING IT TO THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER THEY RIDE IT AND IT WON'T DO IT FOR THEM. FINALLY IT IS RECREATED FOR HONDA IN APPROX. SEPT OF '08. THEY SAY THAT THEY CAN NOT GET TO IT UNTIL DECEMBER OR JANUARY. I BRING IT IN ON JAN 7,2009 AT 164,000 MILES. THEY TEAR IT APART-SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND THE ENGINE CYLINDERS ARE OUT OF ROUND. I HAVE THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION REBUILT AGAIN. HONDA CORP. WILL NOT COVER ANY COSTS. BIKE RUNS FINE NOW BUT I FEAR IT WILL DO IT AGAIN. THANKS YOU.................. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10272961
61,800 miles · Sep 3, 2008
Structure
I SUBMITTED AN EARLIER COMPLIANT #10237793. THIS DESCRIBED A FRAME CRACK IS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FRAME. TODAY, I FOUND A SECOND FRAME CRACK IN THE EXACT SAME LOCATION BUT, ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE(RIGHT) OF THE FRAME. THE CRACK ORIGINATES IN A WELD AREA & MIGRATES INTO THE FRAME TUBING. BOTH CRACKS, ON EACH SIDE OF THE FRAME L…
Read full complaint
I SUBMITTED AN EARLIER COMPLIANT #10237793. THIS DESCRIBED A FRAME CRACK IS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FRAME. TODAY, I FOUND A SECOND FRAME CRACK IN THE EXACT SAME LOCATION BUT, ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE(RIGHT) OF THE FRAME. THE CRACK ORIGINATES IN A WELD AREA & MIGRATES INTO THE FRAME TUBING. BOTH CRACKS, ON EACH SIDE OF THE FRAME LOOK IDENTICAL. THE FRAME PART THAT IS CRACKED IS KNOWN AS THE SUB-FRAME, WHICH IS THE TRIANGLE PORTION AT THE REAR HALF OF THE FRAME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10240721
61,000 miles · Aug 12, 2008
Structure
I DISCOVERED THE FRAME ON MY 2001 HONDA GL1800A IS CRACKED. ITS LOCATION IS THE LEFT LOWER TUBE THAT IS BELOW THE BATTERY BOX. THIS PARTICULAR CRACK SITUATION HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED BY MANY CQNSUMERS.THIS CRACK WAS NOT DESCRIBED IN THE LAST HONDA MOTORCYCLE FRAME CRACK RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #10237793
51,000 miles · Jun 17, 2008
Structure
I DISCOVERED FRAME CRACKS ON MY 2001 HONDA GOLDWING GL 1800, ON 16 APRIL, 2008. THE FRAME CRACKS ARE LOCATED BELOW THE PASSENGER FOOT REST ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE. THE CRACK BEGINS IN A WELD AND DESCENDS INTO THE FRAME. I CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA ON 16 APRIL TO SEEK GUIDANCE AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE MOTORCYCLE TO MY LO…
Read full complaint
I DISCOVERED FRAME CRACKS ON MY 2001 HONDA GOLDWING GL 1800, ON 16 APRIL, 2008. THE FRAME CRACKS ARE LOCATED BELOW THE PASSENGER FOOT REST ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE. THE CRACK BEGINS IN A WELD AND DESCENDS INTO THE FRAME. I CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA ON 16 APRIL TO SEEK GUIDANCE AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE MOTORCYCLE TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE HONDA DEALER IN SAVANNAH, GA. ON 19 APRIL, 2008. THE SERVICE MANAGER PERFORMED AN INSPECTION AND SENT PHOTOS TO AMERICAN HONDA AND THE DECISION TO REPLACE THE FRAME WAS MADE. I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER ON 17 JUNE, THAT THE FRAME HAS BEEN REPLACED. I WILL PICK UP THE MOTORCYCLE ON 18 JUNE, 2008. HONDA HAS TAKEN FULL RESPONSIBILITY. I JUST WANTED TO ENSURE THAT THIS DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED. MY FRAME IS NOT THE FIRST THAT HAS EXPERIENCED CRACKS IN THE SAME LOCATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231356
8,235 miles · Mar 7, 2007
Tires
TIRE LOSING AIR BETWEEN TIRE AND RIM. 6 TO 8 PSI IN A DAY. MULTIPLE LEAKS AROUND TIRE AND WHEEL ON BOTH SIDES OF TIRE. CHECKED FOR PROPER SEATING ON RIM. OK. RESET TIRE ON RIM. STILL LEAKS. RIM IS IN GOOD CONDITION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10184417
21,000 miles · Sep 21, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER STICKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10168900
Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
2001 GL1800 GOLDWING ENGINE SURGES FROM 1500 RPM TO 1000 RPM AND CONTINUES TO OSCILLATE UP AND DOWN UNTIL THE THROTTLE IS RELEASED OR RPM IS RAISED ABOVE 1500. *TS THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM STARTED AFTER SERVICE BULLETIN 1800A13 WAS COMPLETED. THE SB WAS FOR AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM THAT THE EARLIER GL1800'S HAD. …
Read full complaint
2001 GL1800 GOLDWING ENGINE SURGES FROM 1500 RPM TO 1000 RPM AND CONTINUES TO OSCILLATE UP AND DOWN UNTIL THE THROTTLE IS RELEASED OR RPM IS RAISED ABOVE 1500. *TS THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM STARTED AFTER SERVICE BULLETIN 1800A13 WAS COMPLETED. THE SB WAS FOR AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM THAT THE EARLIER GL1800'S HAD. *NM UPDATED 04/21/06.
NHTSA ODI #10155196
47,500 miles · Feb 11, 2006
Electrical System
MY 2001 HONDA GL1800 HAS A SURGING PROBLEM WHEN ENGINE RPM IS 1400-1500 IN ANY GEAR OR JUST STANDING STILL. AT A STAND STILL IF THE THROTTLE IS HELD AT 1400-1500 RPM THE ENGINE WILL OSCILLATE BETWEEN 1000 AND 1500 RPM UNTIL THE THROTTLE IS RELEASED. WHILE DRIVING AT THIS RPM IN ANY GEAR THIS PROBLEM WILL CAUSE THE SUDDEN LOSE OF…
Read full complaint
MY 2001 HONDA GL1800 HAS A SURGING PROBLEM WHEN ENGINE RPM IS 1400-1500 IN ANY GEAR OR JUST STANDING STILL. AT A STAND STILL IF THE THROTTLE IS HELD AT 1400-1500 RPM THE ENGINE WILL OSCILLATE BETWEEN 1000 AND 1500 RPM UNTIL THE THROTTLE IS RELEASED. WHILE DRIVING AT THIS RPM IN ANY GEAR THIS PROBLEM WILL CAUSE THE SUDDEN LOSE OF ENGINE RPM AND THEN A SURGE BACK CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION ESPECIALLY WHEN RIDING 2 UP. IT ALL STARTED AFTER THE ECM WAS UPDATED (10/01/03) FOR AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM (RECALL). HONDA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THEY ARE DRAGGING THEIR FEET JUST AS THEY DID WITH THE OVERHEATING PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10150023
86,000 miles · Nov 16, 2005
Suspension
REAR SUSPENSION NOT SETTING IN FULL RANGE. WAS REPLACED ONCE BY HONDA WARRANTY 2-2-05 AND AM NOW BEING TOLD THAT THE SAME SYMPTOMS ARE NOW CONSIDERED NORMAL. HAVE LOST OVER 25% OF SUSPENSION ADJ RANGE. HONDA NOW REFUSES TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY. *JB
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.
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.
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.
2001 Honda GL1800A Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year