IllustrationTREAD SPLICE FAILURE ON A DUNLOP ELITE 3 MOTORCYCLE TIRE. DEFECT IN TIRE WAS NOTICED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE OCCURRED, AND WAS REMOVED FROM SERVICE. SINCE THERE'S NO WAY TO ENTER THIS INFORMATION PROPERLY ON THIS POORLY DESIGNED WEBSITE, THE SIZE OF THE TIRE IS 180/60R-16. *TR
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
Tires complaints
7 reportsI OWN A 2008 HONDA GL1800 AND I WAS ON A RIDE ON SUNDAY ABOUT 100 MILES FROM HOME WHEN I NOTICED THE BACK END OF THE BIKE FELT RUBBERY AS IF I HAD A TIRE GOING FLAT, I GLANCED AT MY TPS AND NOTED THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS 38 PSI. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DISCOVERED TWO RIPS IN THE BACK TIRE TREAD. THE DUNLOP E3 IS ABOU…
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I OWN A 2008 HONDA GL1800 AND I WAS ON A RIDE ON SUNDAY ABOUT 100 MILES FROM HOME WHEN I NOTICED THE BACK END OF THE BIKE FELT RUBBERY AS IF I HAD A TIRE GOING FLAT, I GLANCED AT MY TPS AND NOTED THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS 38 PSI. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DISCOVERED TWO RIPS IN THE BACK TIRE TREAD. THE DUNLOP E3 IS ABOUT 10 MONTHS OLD AND ABOUT 10K MILES ON IT. LOOKS LIKE THE CORDS BROKE AND THE RUBBER IS RIPPING FROM THE INSIDE. LUCKY I WAS AT LOW SPEED WHEN I FELT THIS CONDITION AND STOPPED MY RIDE. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT AT HIGHWAY SPEED OR IN A CURVE THAT THIS TIRE COULD HAVE BLOWN AND CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. AS IT WAS SUNDAY AND ALL SHOPS WERE CLOSED IT TOOK A LOT OF EFFORT BY MY RIDING CLUB TO GET ME AND THE BIKE HOME. TIRE SIZE IS 180/60R/16. *TR
I PURCHASED A METZLER ME880 MARATHON GL FRONT TIRE IN APRIL OF 2011. AFTER RIDING 5000+ MILES IN TWO MONTHS I NOTICED CRACKING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED ON WARRANTY IN JULY OF 2011. THE SECOND METZLER ME880 MARATHON GL FRONT TIRE, MADE IN GERMANY, DOT EB OK H799 (0911), 130/70 R 18 M7C 63H, WHICH WAS INS…
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I PURCHASED A METZLER ME880 MARATHON GL FRONT TIRE IN APRIL OF 2011. AFTER RIDING 5000+ MILES IN TWO MONTHS I NOTICED CRACKING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED ON WARRANTY IN JULY OF 2011. THE SECOND METZLER ME880 MARATHON GL FRONT TIRE, MADE IN GERMANY, DOT EB OK H799 (0911), 130/70 R 18 M7C 63H, WHICH WAS INSTALLED IN MID JULY OF 2011 STARTED THE SAME CRACKING AFTER RIDING 5000+ MILES. IN ONE MONTH. THE TIRE SIDEWALLS ARE CRACKING ON BOTH SIDES. IT IS NOW AUGUST 28TH 2011; ONE AND A HALF MONTHS. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS 40 PSI AT THE START OF THE TRIP AND IS 38 PSI TODAY WITH NO AIR ADDED DURING THE TRIP. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING MOTORCYCLES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE HANDLE BARS WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 700. UPDATED 8/…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING MOTORCYCLES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE HANDLE BARS WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 700. UPDATED 8/30/11 *CN THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE TIRES WERE CUPPING, BUT NOT OUT OF BALANCE. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THERE WAS NO GREASE ON THE FRONT AXLE. UPDATED 09/26/11
WHILE RIDING A NEW 2008 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE IN THE RAIN AT 30 MPH IN A STRAIGHT LINE , NOT ACCELERATING THE DUNLOP 250 REAR TIRE SLID OUT FROM UNDER ME CAUSING ME TO CRASH.. THE TIRE CAME STOCK ON A BRAND NEW BIKE PURCHASED SEPF 09,, I COMPLAINED TO HONDA AND THE DEALER REGARDING TRACTION ISSUES, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS T…
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WHILE RIDING A NEW 2008 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE IN THE RAIN AT 30 MPH IN A STRAIGHT LINE , NOT ACCELERATING THE DUNLOP 250 REAR TIRE SLID OUT FROM UNDER ME CAUSING ME TO CRASH.. THE TIRE CAME STOCK ON A BRAND NEW BIKE PURCHASED SEPF 09,, I COMPLAINED TO HONDA AND THE DEALER REGARDING TRACTION ISSUES, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE TIRES, IF I SWITCHED THEM THINGS WOULD BE BETTER,, I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND THERE IS A PENDING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST HONDA WITH THE DUNLOP TIRES, FRONT END WOBBLES..I HAD THAT AS WELL, BUT MY MAIN CONCERN WAS REAR TRACTION ISSUES,, THE BIKE NEVER SHOULD HAVE SLID OUT AT SLOW SPEEDS IN A STRAIGHT LINE, MANY GOLDWING RIDERS COMPLAINED ABOUT THEM AND HAD TO PAY FOR NEW TIRES ON NEW BIKES, IT IS RIDICULOUS.. DUNLOP CAME OUT WITH THE E-3 TIRE WHICH THEY ADMIT CORRECTS THE WET PAVEMENT TRACTION ISSUES.... SO THEY KNOW ABOUT IT !! IN MY OPINION THE STOCK 250'S ARE HAZARDOUS AND CAUSE ACCIDENTS OR NEAR ACCIDENTS.. WHEN TIRED TO INPUT THE TIRE INFO ON THE COMPLAINT FORM HERE , THEY DID NOT HAVE MY TIRE SIZE AVAIL,, IT SHOULD BE DUNLOP 250 RADIAL 180/60/R16. *TR
IN MAY 2008 I PURCHASED A NEW HONDA GOLDWING. AT APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES. I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT FORK SEAL WAS LEAKING AND THE TIRES WERE WEARING ABNORMALLY. SPECIFICALLY, THE TIRES BOTH FRONT AND REAR WERE CUPPING OR SCALLOPING AND STARTED MAKING EXCESSIVE ROAD NOISE OR "HOWLING". DURING THE NEXT 4000 MILES THE T…
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IN MAY 2008 I PURCHASED A NEW HONDA GOLDWING. AT APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES. I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT FORK SEAL WAS LEAKING AND THE TIRES WERE WEARING ABNORMALLY. SPECIFICALLY, THE TIRES BOTH FRONT AND REAR WERE CUPPING OR SCALLOPING AND STARTED MAKING EXCESSIVE ROAD NOISE OR "HOWLING". DURING THE NEXT 4000 MILES THE TIRE ABNORMALITIES BECAME MORE PRONOUNCED TO THE POINT THAT THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A "SHIMMY" OR "WOBBLE" AT CERTAIN SPEEDS AND THROTTLE POSITION IN ADDITION TO FEELING UNSAFE ON ANY SURFACE OTHER THAN DRY SMOOTH PAVEMENT. THE "UNSAFE FEELING" CAN BEST BE DESCRIBED AS DRIVING ON ICE AND OCCURS ON ANY UNEVEN SURFACE SUCH AS RAIN GROOVES, TAR STRIPS, BUMPY HIGHWAYS AND WHENEVER MOISTURE IS PRESENT ON THE ROAD. UPON COMPLETION OF A 7000 MILE TRIP ON THE VEHICLE, I RETURNED IT TO THE PURCHASING DEALER WITH THE ABOVE COMPLAINT. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT FORK SEAL WAS "BLOWN OUT" AND HONDA CONSIDERS FORK SEALS A "NORMAL WEAR ITEM" EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 7,000 MILES AND THE PROBLEM STARTED AT 3,000 MILES, LESS THAN 45 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE. HONDA SAYS THE TIRE ISSUE IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND IS "NORMAL" I CONTACTED DUNLOP TIRE AND DESCRIBED THE ABOVE COMPLAINT. DUNLOP ACKNOWLEDGED THAT WHAT I DESCRIBED IS "NOT NORMAL" AND PROVIDED ME AN EMAIL WITH CONTACT INFORMATION FOR MY DEALER IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT OR ADJUSTMENT UNDER THE TERMS OF THE NEW VEHICLE LIMITED TIRE WARRANTY, BUT AS OF NOW THE ISSUES REMAINS UNRESOLVED. THE TIRES ARE DUNLOP D250F, 130/70R18M/C 63H ON THE FRONT AND D250 180/60R 16M/C 74H ON THE REAR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 30 MPH AND THE HANDLE BARS BEGAN TO SHAKE. HE WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND THAT THE TIRES MIGHT BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FIRST DEALER ALSO TOLD HIM THAT THEY HAD TWO OTHER OWNERS THAT WEEK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. NONE OF THE T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 30 MPH AND THE HANDLE BARS BEGAN TO SHAKE. HE WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND THAT THE TIRES MIGHT BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FIRST DEALER ALSO TOLD HIM THAT THEY HAD TWO OTHER OWNERS THAT WEEK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. NONE OF THE TIRE INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 800 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1.
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.