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 reports

16,675 miles · Oct 18, 2003

Structure

FRAME CRACKED AT THE WELDS ON MY 2003 GL1800 GOLDWING. HONDA DEALER, & REP. ARE TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT THEY'LL DO. VIN.#[XXX]. *LA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10043179

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2003

Structure

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I HAVE A 2003 HONDA GOLDWING GL1800 MOTORCYCLE WITH ABS, VIN NUMBER [XXX]. ON 9/6/03 I TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO MY DEALER, HINSHAW'S MOTORCYCLE STORE, 1611 WEST VALLEY HWY, AUBURN, WA 98001, FOR SERVICE. ON 9/9/03 I RECEIVED A MESSAGE FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER AT HINSHAW'S. WHEN I RETURNED HIS CALL ON 9/10/03 I WAS TOLD THAT MY MOTORCYCLE WAS AN AFFECTED UNIT IN A RECALL BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR A CRACK IN A CROSS MEMBER OF THE FRAME. I WENT TO THE DEALER ON 9/10/03 AND LOOKED AT THE FRAME AND TOOK SEVERAL PHOTOS OF THE CRACK. I WAS TOLD BY A MEMBER OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT A MEETING WAS HELD WITH A HONDA REPRESENTATIVE CONCERNING MY MOTORCYCLE. I WAS SHOWN THE "REPAIR" THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE FRAME UNDER THE TERMS OF THE RECALL HAD THERE BEEN NO CRACK BUT THAT NO DETERMINATION HAD YET BEEN MADE AS TO WHAT WOULD BE DONE WITH MY MOTORCYCLE. ON 9/13/03 I WAS TOLD THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD BE SHIPPED TO HONDA'S MANUFACTURING PLANT IN MARYSVILLE, OHIO, THE NEXT MORNING. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT AS FAR AS HE KNEW THE FRAME WOULD EITHER BE REPLACED OR PLACED IN A JIG FOR REWELDING. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM A REPRESENTATIVE OF HONDA, AS YET, CONCERNING THIS MATTER NOR HAVE I GIVEN ANY AUTHORIZATION THAT I AM AWARE OF FOR THESE SO-CALLED REPAIRS TO BE MADE. I HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT THE QUALITY OF ANY REPAIRS THAT MAY BE MADE TO THE FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE AND WONDER WHAT OTHER OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE IN THIS MATTER. I'VE HEARD THAT SOME GOLDWING OWNERS RECEIVED NEW REPLACEMENT MOTORCYCLES, OTHERS HAVE HAD JUST THE FRAMES REPLACES, AND STILL OTHERS HAVE HAD NOTHING DONE BY HONDA BECAUSE THEIR VIN NUMBERS WERE OUTSIDE THE RANGE STATED BY THE MANUFACTURER EVEN THOUGH THE SAME SIGNS OF CRACKING/FAILURE IN THE FRAME WERE EVIDENT. MY CONFIDENCE IN THE QUALITY OF THIS VEHICLE, AND IN THE CUSTOMER SERVICE OF THE MANUFACTURER (HONDA) TO THIS POINT, HAS SEVERELY DIMINISHED. I HOPE THAT A SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION CAN AND WILL BE ACHIEVED. *LA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA)

NHTSA ODI #10041807

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2003

Structure

RECALL 03V350000 HAS NO QUALITY CONTROL OF THE WELDS BEING MADE TO REPAIR THIS LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE DEALERS CAN NOT PRODUCE CERTIFICATION FOR THE WELDERS THEY WILL USE. ALUMINUM IS NOT EASY TO WELD AND YOU MUST KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10041743

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2003

Structure

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I OWN A HONDA GL1800 AND I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM HONDA AMERICA IN REFERENCE TO POSSIBLE CRACKS IN MY GL1800 FRAME. I CONTACTED MY DEALER (RICK CASE) AND THE SERVICE WRITER INFORMED ME THAT THEY WERE GOING TO EMPLOY A CUSTOMERS MACHINE SHOP TO WELD MY FRAME AND THAT THEY WILL NEED MY BIKE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THIS IS NOT SATISFACTORY SOLUTION TO ME BECAUSE I FEEL IF THE WELDS ARE CRACKING IN THE FIRST PLACE THERE MUST BE A PROBLEM WITH THE METAL OF THE FRAME.I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT NHTSA FINDINGS OR SUGGESTIONS ARE AND WHO WILL CERTIFY THE WELDER OR THE PROCESS TO WHICH THE REPAIRS ARE MADE? DO I HAVE AN OPTION TO REFUSE REPAIR AND EXPECT REPLACEMENT? *LA

NHTSA ODI #10041671

8,000 miles · Oct 10, 2003

Structure

FRAME CRACKED ON EITHER SIDE OF LOWER FRAME. DEALER STATED THEY WILL RESTORE THE FRAME. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT A RESTORED FRAME WILL CRACK AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10042766

12,492 miles · Sep 28, 2003

Structure

I HAVE A 2003 HONDA GL1800 VIN# [XXX] THE FRAME IS CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE WELD ON THE CENTER SECTION NEXT TO THE CENTER STAND, RIGHT SIDE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10040845

6,700 miles · Sep 26, 2003

Structure

HONDA MOTOTCYCLE 2003 GL1800 WITH A CRACKED FRAME. VIN NUMBER IDENTIFIED IN A RECENT RECALL NOTICE FROM HONDA.

NHTSA ODI #10039581

6,352 miles · Aug 27, 2003

Structure

HONDA GL 1800A MOTORCYCLE, FRAME FAILURE IN TWO LOCATIONS AT WELD JOINT. YIELDING MY MOTORCYCLE IN AN UNSATIFACTORY CONDITION AND UNSAFE TO UTILIZE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10036724

25,000 miles · Aug 26, 2003

Structure

FRAME CRACKS ON EITHER SIDE OF LOWER FRAME CROSSOVER MEMBER. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10033511

30,064 miles · Aug 25, 2003

Structure

FRAME CROSSMEMBER AT THE SHOCK/CENTER STAND IS CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CORSS MEMBER AT THE LOCATION OF THE WELDS. THESE CRACKS ARE ALMOST ENTIRELY AROUND THE WELDED AREA.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10033483

Official recalls

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.

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

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.

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.