IllustrationV6 TRANSMISSION STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING STUCK AND POPPING OUT OF 5TH GEAR TOOK TO MOTORCYCLE FACTORY WOODBRIDGE VA WHERE I BOUGHT IT THEY SAID NO PROBLEM LATER IT IS NOW COMPLETELY WASTED TRANSMISSION AND NEEDS WHAT EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT IT WAS A BAD DESIGN AND NEEDS WORK AT LEAST 4-5 K TO FIX THAT MAY SHOW UP AGAIN
2008 Honda GL1800
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all GL1800 years →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
260–25K
725–50K
350–75K
075–100K
0100–150K
0150K+
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
Power Train complaints
9 reportsDROPS IN/OUT OF 5TH GEAR EVERY 1-3 MINUTES. GEARS 1-3 OCCASIONALLY DROP IN/OUT AND CONSISTENTLY MAKE A LIGHT GRINDING SOUND, INCLUDING NEUTRAL. THIS VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT I THINK HONDA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT BECAUSE I CONSIDER IT A SAFETY ISSUE. IF A RIDER SHOULD SUDDENLY LOSE POWER ON A BUSY INTERSTATE,…
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DROPS IN/OUT OF 5TH GEAR EVERY 1-3 MINUTES. GEARS 1-3 OCCASIONALLY DROP IN/OUT AND CONSISTENTLY MAKE A LIGHT GRINDING SOUND, INCLUDING NEUTRAL. THIS VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT I THINK HONDA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT BECAUSE I CONSIDER IT A SAFETY ISSUE. IF A RIDER SHOULD SUDDENLY LOSE POWER ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF A REAR-END COLLISION DUE TO RAPID AND UNEXPECTED ENGINE DECELERATION.
INSUFFICIENT RADIATOR FAN CLEARANCE RESULTS IN A DAMAGED RADIATOR CAUSING A COOLANT LEAK WHICH RESULTS IN AN UNCONTROLLED SLIDE ENDING IN A CRASH. COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR THAT THE FAN DAMAGED CAUSES A LOSS OF TRACTION AT THE REAR WHEEL. I NOTICED MY LEFT FOOT WAS WET AND SMELLED ENGINE COOLANT. I WAS MAKING A LEFT T…
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INSUFFICIENT RADIATOR FAN CLEARANCE RESULTS IN A DAMAGED RADIATOR CAUSING A COOLANT LEAK WHICH RESULTS IN AN UNCONTROLLED SLIDE ENDING IN A CRASH. COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR THAT THE FAN DAMAGED CAUSES A LOSS OF TRACTION AT THE REAR WHEEL. I NOTICED MY LEFT FOOT WAS WET AND SMELLED ENGINE COOLANT. I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN OUT OF GALVESTON GETTING ON NORTHBOUND I45. I TURNED THE CORNER AND THE MOTORCYCLE WENT SIDEWAYS. I ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE SLIGHTLY AND RODE OUT OF THE SKID. CHOPPING THE THROTTLE WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A HIGH-SIDE, AND APPLYING MORE THROTTLE WOULD HAVE CAUSED A LOW-SIDE CRASH. IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THEY HAVE SEEN A FEW OF THESE ISSUES AND I FOUND IT TO BE PREVALENT WITH OTHER OWNERS ON THE INTERNET NO MATTER THE MILES, LOCATION, OR CONDITION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RIDING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR WHILE SHIFTING FROM FOURTH TO FIFTH GEAR. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RIDING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR WHILE SHIFTING FROM FOURTH TO FIFTH GEAR. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,400. UPDATED 04/21/14*LJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO PUT SHIFT INTO FIFTH GEAR BUT THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, BEGAN TO DOWNSHIFT AND EXHIBITING AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF POSSIBLY BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE DEAL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO PUT SHIFT INTO FIFTH GEAR BUT THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, BEGAN TO DOWNSHIFT AND EXHIBITING AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF POSSIBLY BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE VEHICLE WAS 21,000. UPDATED 07/13/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE RIDING THE BIKE, ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT SOUNDED AS THOUGH THE BIKE WAS TRYING TO SHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SOLIDLY IN 5TH. IT DID NOT DOWN SHIFT TO 4TH, NOR DID IT COME OUT OF 5TH. IT WAS JUST A SLIP AND A CATCH. UPDATED 07/19/12 THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS OBVIOUS T HAT THE GEAR WAS MILLED FROM SUB-STANDARD STEAL OR THE HIGH-LOW GEAR DID NOT PERFORM AS THE ENGINEERS THOUGHT THEY WOULD. A MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE 5TH GEAR HAS HIGH AND LOW DOGS ON THE GEAR THAT FOR SOME REASON WOULD ROUND OFF, WHICH CAUSED THE FORK TO GET THINNER AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE GEAR TO STAY ENGAGED. UPDATED EVOQ 10/24/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN DOWNSHIFTING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE SHIFTED INTO FIFTH GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN DOWNSHIFTING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE SHIFTED INTO FIFTH GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
MY 2008 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCED A BENT SHIFT FORK IN THE TRANSMISSION AT 4,600 MILES. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO A LARGE NUMBER OF LATE MODEL HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLES. THIS ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT COULD RESULT IN TOTAL FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
THERE IS AN INCREASING NUMBER OF CURRENT GENERATION HONDA GL1800 GOLD WING MOTORCYCLES THAT HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHICH, CAUSE TRANSMISSION FAILURE, RANDOM DOWN SHIFTING, AND MISSED SHIFTS. HONDA ONLY WILL DEAL WITH THESE ON A WARRANTY BASIS IF THERE IS TOTAL FAILURE. *TR
Official recalls
417V031000 · 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
1AQ12001 · 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.