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2008 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

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

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

What owners actually said

47 reports
80 miles · Sep 8, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GL1800 GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND RESUMED. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A FLUTTERING AND KNOCKING NOISE. THE FAILURE OCCURRENCES WERE INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GL1800 GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND RESUMED. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A FLUTTERING AND KNOCKING NOISE. THE FAILURE OCCURRENCES WERE INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES WHICH THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80.

NHTSA ODI #10354523

4,200 miles · May 18, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED WITHOUT WARRANT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE FLUID AND BLED THE BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED WITHOUT WARRANT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE FLUID AND BLED THE BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALER WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS, DRUM, DISC AND MASTER CYLINDER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 4,200. UPDATED 07/19/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/13/10

NHTSA ODI #10330974

3,236 miles · Feb 8, 2010
Steering

STEARING WOBBLE @ 40-45MPH. CAUSES UNEVN TIRE WEAR AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL. *CN

NHTSA ODI #10307636

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2010
TiresCrashInjury

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

NHTSA ODI #10303640

23,000 miles · Aug 28, 2009
Equipment

2008 GL1800 HONDA GOLDWING, 23000 MILES. BOUGHT USED AND WITHIN 2 WEEKS WAS ON THE INTERSTATE CRUISING AT 80MPH IN 5TH GEAR AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN HAD A TERRIBLE CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I NO LONGER HAD 5TH GEAR SO I DOWN SHIFTED TO 4TH AND WAS OK FOR A SHORT DISTANCE AND THEN IT DID IT AGAIN. I PULLED OFF THE INTE…

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2008 GL1800 HONDA GOLDWING, 23000 MILES. BOUGHT USED AND WITHIN 2 WEEKS WAS ON THE INTERSTATE CRUISING AT 80MPH IN 5TH GEAR AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN HAD A TERRIBLE CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I NO LONGER HAD 5TH GEAR SO I DOWN SHIFTED TO 4TH AND WAS OK FOR A SHORT DISTANCE AND THEN IT DID IT AGAIN. I PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE TO A SAFE LOCATION AND TRIED A FEW OTHER THINGS. WITH THE CLUTCH DISENGAGED THE ENGINE REVVED UP FINE, BUT AS SOON AS THE CLUTCH WAS ENGAGED THE LOUD CLANKING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS TEARING UP THE ENGINE WOULD START. THE BIKE WOULD ALSO FAIL TO ROLL FREELY WHEN IN NEUTRAL. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND UNABLE TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE. THE BIKE IS BEING FIXED AT THIS TIME AT PELHAM POWER SPORTS IN PELHAM, AL. THEY HAVE DROPPED THE ENGINE AND CRACKED IT OPEN AND SAID IT WAS FAULTY SHIFT FORKS. THEY HAVE ORDERED PARTS (OVER $1000 WORTH) AND HOPE TO HAVE IT FIXED IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282040

4,600 miles · Apr 6, 2009
Power Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10264248

1,140 miles · Mar 29, 2009
Steering

2008 GL1800 GOLD WING. DELIVERED WITH MISALIGNMENT BETWEEN FRONT AND REAR TIRES MOTORCYCLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT. DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER CONFIRMS PULL AND INDICATES, VERBALLY, THAT ALL PULL AND THE SUBJECT VEHICLE PULLS MORE THAN MOST. MOTORCYCLE WAS DELIVERED BRAND NEW IN THIS CONDITION AND HAS NE…

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2008 GL1800 GOLD WING. DELIVERED WITH MISALIGNMENT BETWEEN FRONT AND REAR TIRES MOTORCYCLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT. DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER CONFIRMS PULL AND INDICATES, VERBALLY, THAT ALL PULL AND THE SUBJECT VEHICLE PULLS MORE THAN MOST. MOTORCYCLE WAS DELIVERED BRAND NEW IN THIS CONDITION AND HAS NEVER BEEN RIDDEN OFF ROAD, CRASHED, LAID DOWN OR OTHER OTHERWISE OPERATED IN A FASHION INCONSISTENT WITH THE INTENDED PURPOSE. DEALER HAS PERFORMED ABSOLUTELY NO SERVICE OTHER THAN TO TEST DRIVE. DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER TEST DRIVES AND CONFIRMS THAT IT PULLS BUT WILL NOT REPAIR. HONDA MOTOR CORPORATION REFUSES, TO DATE, TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263553

100 miles · Mar 3, 2009
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS PRODUCE POOR ILLUMINATION. THE FOCAL POINT OF THE LIGHTS IS TO NARROW TO CLEARLY SEE FRONTAL IMAGES, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH AND SEVERE INJURY. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT HAS NOT DEVELOPED A REMEDY. THE CONTACT IS IN T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS PRODUCE POOR ILLUMINATION. THE FOCAL POINT OF THE LIGHTS IS TO NARROW TO CLEARLY SEE FRONTAL IMAGES, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH AND SEVERE INJURY. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT HAS NOT DEVELOPED A REMEDY. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 3/24/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS CAN NOT BE RAISED TO SATISFACTORY HEIGHT. UPDATED 03/2/709.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10260577

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSeats

2008 HONDA GOLDWING GL1800. TURN INDICATOR CANCELS AFTER 10 FLASHES APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS AND OTHER ISSUES. *NJ THE HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL ONLY FUNCTIONED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ON ACCESSORY. THE SEAT ON THE BIKE WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AFTER RIDING FOR AN HOUR. THE DEALER SUGGESTED PURCHASING AN AFTERMARKET…

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2008 HONDA GOLDWING GL1800. TURN INDICATOR CANCELS AFTER 10 FLASHES APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS AND OTHER ISSUES. *NJ THE HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL ONLY FUNCTIONED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ON ACCESSORY. THE SEAT ON THE BIKE WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AFTER RIDING FOR AN HOUR. THE DEALER SUGGESTED PURCHASING AN AFTERMARKET SEAT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10249253

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2008
Power Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10242228

Official recalls

4

17V031000 · 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

1

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.