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

100 miles · Aug 8, 2008

Suspension

FRONT END WOBBLE AT SLOWS SPEEDS BETWEEN 30 AND 45 MPH. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I RIDE. THE DEALER SAID THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND MANY RIDERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT IT, BUT HONDA WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE IT AS A PROBLEM. AT MY COST (ABOUT $300.00 USD), AFTER MARKET TAPERED FORK BEARINGS WERE INSTALLED TO REPLACE THE HONDA …

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NHTSA ODI #10237466

7,000 miles · Jul 24, 2008

SteeringSuspensionTires

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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

NHTSA ODI #10235608

4,000 miles · Jul 19, 2008

Suspension

MY NEW HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE HAS A WOBBLE AT ABOUT 40MPH. I HAVE CHECKED THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND HAVE FOUND THE FRONT TO REAR WHEEL OFFSET 7MM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10234916

500 miles · Jul 14, 2008

Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GL1800. THE FRONT END SHIMMIED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER FOR WARRANTY SERVICE AND INQUIRED ABOUT THE SHIMMY. HONDA STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,500. UPDATED 07/29/08 *…

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NHTSA ODI #10234212

1 miles · Jun 24, 2008

Tires

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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NHTSA ODI #10232195

60 miles · Jun 3, 2008

Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior LightingCrashInjury

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ON THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2008, I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW HONDA METROPOLITAN SCOOTER FROM LAKE CITY POWER SPORTS AT 12048 LAKE CITY WAY N.E., SEATTLE, WA 98125. IN A MATTER OF FOUR DAYS, A NUMBER OF INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING THE STORE, I NOTICED THE MIRROR WAS LOOSE. MY BOYFRIEND, ANTHONY SHEARS, TOOK THE SCOOTER TO THE SHOP THE NEXT DAY, FRIDAY MAY 9, TO GET IT TIGHTENED. AGAIN, THE MIRROR CAME LOOSE AND ANTHONY HAD TO BRING IT BACK A SECOND TIME FOR TIGHTENING. ON SATURDAY MAY 10, ANTHONY WENT TO THE SHOP AGAIN BECAUSE THE BLINKER WAS STUCK. ALTHOUGH THE BLINKER SWITCH WAS IN THE RIGHT PLACE (IN THE MIDDLE WHICH SHOULD RESULT IN NO BLINKING), THE RIGHT BLINKER WOULDN'T STOP. ALSO ON SATURDAY WE NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER HAD STOPPED WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229785

1,292 miles · Oct 30, 2007

Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING. WHILE DRIVING 25-35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLINKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE SPRING DISENGAGED IN THE CENTER, WHICH CAUSED IT TO FALL TO THE PAVEMENT. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REINSTALLED THE…

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NHTSA ODI #10207403

Official recalls

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

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.