Engine. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

31 reports

14,000 miles · Sep 1, 2016

Fuel/propulsion System

I AM HAVING SLOW SPEED HESITATION WITH THE THROTTLE WHILE RIDING ON THE ROAD. WHEN I ROLL THE THROTTLE ON THE BIKE SOMETIMES HESITATES, DOES NOTHING SO WHEN I TRY MORE FUEL THE THROTTLE CONTROL FINALLY DECIDES TO START WORKING AND HAS MADE FOR SOME WILD RIDES ESPECIALLY IN TURNS. IT IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE TOO MUCH FUEL ADDED WHEN …

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NHTSA ODI #10903036

1,685 miles · Mar 3, 2016

EngineFuel/propulsion System

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MY GOLDWING HAS THE HESITATION PROBLEM LIKE SO MANY OTHERS. I HAVE ALMOST DROPPED THE BIKE A COUPLE OF TIMES BECAUSE OF THE STUMBLE. IT WILL HESITATE AND THEN THE ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY GET FUEL AGAIN AND LUNGE FORWARD DANGEROUSLY. IF I WOULD HIT SAND OR GRAVEL OR BE ON A GRAVEL ROAD OR GRAVEL PARKING LOT IT WOULD BE A BAD SPIN OUT AND LOSE CONTROL AND GO DOWN WITH DAMAGE TO MYSELF , MY WIFE AND THE BIKE. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SO ONE DATE LISTED DOWN BELOW IS NOT ACCURATE. BOUGHT THE BIKE ON DEC 12,2015 WITH ONLY 1685MILES ON IT. PREVIOUS OWNER SAID IT STUMBLED. MY 1988 HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD A SAFETY RECALL TO FIX IT. WHY NOT THESE NEWER GOLDWINGS?

NHTSA ODI #10839640

1,000 miles · Nov 27, 2015

Fuel/propulsion System

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MY HONDA GOLD WING 2012 HAS A DANGEROUS STUMBLE THAT FREQUENTLY CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STUTTER AND NEARLY STALL. MANY TIMES, I OPEN THE THROTTLE TO ENTER AN INTERSECTION, OR TO PULL AWAY FROM A STOP, AND THE POWER DROPS OFF TO NOTHING, THEN, WHEN I OPEN THE THROTTLE TO COMPENSATE, THE MOTORCYCLE SURGES FORWARD CAUSING THE BIKE TO LUNGE AHEAD. IN TRAFFIC, IT LUNGES TOWARD THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. AT A STOP SIGN IN THE COUNTRY, IT LUNGES TOWARD THE OUTSIDE OF THE TURN. THIS HAPPENS AFTER THE MOTORCYCLE IS STARTED. IT DOES NOT HELP TO WARM UP THE ENGINE. LET ME SAY THAT AGAIN AS NO ONE BELIEVES ME EVEN THOUGH IT IS TRUE: WARMING UP THE ENGINE DOES NOT HELP!!! ONLY TRAVELLING A MILE OR TWO DOWN THE ROAD, OR REVVING THE ENGINE REPEATEDLY BEFORE STARTING OFF, WILL TEMPORARILY "FIX" THE PROBLEM. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES TO HAVE TIS FIXED. THEY "RESET THE ECM." THIS KINDA SORTA WORKED A LITTLE AND FOR A VERY SHORT TOME, THEN THE PROBLEM COMES RIGHT BACK. ONCE THE BIKE HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR SEVERAL MILES (NOT JUST WARMED UP), THE STUMBLE WILL GO AWAY. IN ADDITION, IF THE ENGINE IS WARM FROM RIDING, BUT I STOP FOR AS LITTLE AS 20 MINUTES, THE STUMBLE OFTEN COMES BACK EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE IS WARM. BY THE WAY, MODERN FUEL INJECTED ENGINES SHOULD NOT NEED ANY WARM UP. THIS FUEL SYSTEM ERROR IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE HURT OR KILLED WHEN THEIR BIKE STUMBLES AND FALLS IN A BUSY INTERSECTION, OR LUNGES OFF THE ROAD OR INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS FAULT IS WELL KNOWN BY GOLD WING RIDERS AND HAS BEEN WIDELY DISCUSSED ON GOLD WING FORUMS. THERE IS EVEN A $125.00 AFTERMARKET PART THAT TRICKS THE FUELING SYSTEM INTO PERFORMING PROPERLY. I WILL BE BUYING THIS PART IN THE SPRING. WITHOUT YOUR HELP, HONDA WILL CONTINUE TO IGNORE THIS SERIOUS, POTENTIALLY FATAL DEFECT. PLEASE HELP ME KEEP RIDERS SAFE BY MAKING THEM FIX THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10807146

7,000 miles · Oct 25, 2015

EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

ON COLD START-UPS(EVEN IN THE SUMMER IN FLORIDA), THE MOTORCYCLE WILL STUMBLE OR HESITATE UNTIL WARMED UP. THIS CAUSES INCONSISTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE THROTTLE CONTROL IN SLOW TURNS. I HAVE NEARLY DROPPED THE MOTORCYCLE MULTIPLE TIMES AND ALSO HAVE ENCOUNTERED PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC AND NOT HAVING PREDICTABLE THROTTLE CONTROL T…

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NHTSA ODI #10785837

7,000 miles · Oct 17, 2015

Engine

ENGINE HAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH SEVERE HESITATION TO A MOMENTARY LOSS OF COMPLETE POWER DURING COLD OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND SAME SEVERE PROBLEM ON HOT SHUT DOWN AND RESTART. ALSO HESITATES AT ALL TIMES WHILE DRIVING BUT NOT AS SEVERE AS FIRST TWO. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IN TRAFFIC AND PULLING OUT. THIS HAPPENS …

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NHTSA ODI #10783109

19,500 miles · Jun 20, 2015

Service Brakes

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I OWN A MOTORCYCLE REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE DOCUMENTS SHOWING AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. IS NOT COMPLYING WITH CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V472000. THEY STATE THERE IS NO REMEDY FOR THIS ISSUE BUT IN FACT THEY HAVE IMPLEMENTED ONE. I SEND CUSTOMERS TO DEALERS AND THE DEALER AND HONDA MOTOR CO. CUSTOMER SERVICE DENY THEIR CLAIM AND EITHER CHARGE THEM FOR REPAIRS OR I DO THE REPAIR. WHAT GOOD IS A RECALL IF YOU DON'T ENFORCE IT? SOMEONE WILL HAVE A BAD CRASH AND DIE. I WANT TO KNOW WHERE TO SEND MY PAPER WORK AND GET SOMEONE TO ACT ON THIS RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10726390

3,200 miles · Dec 11, 2014

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA GOLDWING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKE ROTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200. UPDATED 1/23/15*CN UPDATED 9/8/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10663709

200 miles · Oct 9, 2014

Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

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2012 GOLDWING GL1800 MOTORCYCLE HAS HAD A PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING OFF WHEN FIRST STARTED. UNLESS YOU ALLOW IT TO WARM UP COMPLETELY BEFORE TRYING TO DRIVE OFF, IT WILL TRY TO STALL OR SPUTTER AND NOT HAVE ANY POWER AT LEAST MOMENTARILY. THIS SITUATION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND A TIP OVER ACCIDENT WITH THIS 950LB BIKE. WHEN IT OCCURS WHILE ENTERING TRAFFIC FLOW, IT CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR DEATH. THIS CONDITION HAS EXISTED SINCE I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE NEW IN JUNE 2012. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH MANY OTHER GOLDWING OWNERS AND FOUND THAT THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT HAS CAUSED MANY OF THEM TO DROP THEIR BIKE WHILE TRYING TO DRIVE OFF. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO HONDA DEALERS WITH NO POSITIVE RESULTS. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. MANY HAVE COMPLAINED DIRECTLY TO HONDA TO NO AVAIL. THIS PROBLEM WILL EVENTUALLY RESULT IN DEATHS IF NOT RESOLVED. THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO A HUGE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION ON GOLDWING ONLINE FORUMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10643482

8,000 miles · Oct 7, 2014

Power Train

THE ENGINE STUMBLES AND LOSES POWER AT APPROXIMATELY 1500RMP AND MAKES THE MOTORCYCLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641998

900 miles · Sep 30, 2014

Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE RODE ROUGHLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900.

NHTSA ODI #10640285

Official recalls

18V045000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2010 and 2012-2016 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing motorcycles. These motorcycles have air bag inflators assembled as part of the air bag module that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the rider 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 9, 2018. Owners may contact Honda Motorcycle Customer Support at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KJ1.

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.

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

PE15014 · Inconsistent Throttle Control

Opened Apr 20, 2015 · Closed Nov 13, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control

This PE was opened after NHTSA received 10 owner complaints alleging vehicle control was compromised due to inconsistent throttle control in MY 2012-14 Honda GL1800 motorcycles.Typically during the first five minutes of operation (cold engine), riders would experience a pronounced engine stumble when operating the bike at low speeds and minimal throttle applications.Riders were concerned that this scenario would result in a crash if the stumble were to occur while making a sharp turn at low speed.Since opening this investigation we discussed the issue with Honda motorcycle dealers and service personnel and subject vehicle owners / complainants.We test rode one complaint GL1800 and monitored web forum activity.Based on the information gathered, the issue of low speed engine stumble in these motorcycles does not appear to jeopardize safety.The absence of crashes in a population of vehicles with up to 4 years in service indicates riders are able to instinctively correct for any control issue that may accrue from a low speed cold engine stumble.In the absence of a actionable defect trend, we are closing this PE.We continue to monitor complaints and other information sources for any data that may alter this finding.If such information is found, we will respond accordingly.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID using the following complaint identification numbers: 10785837,10783109,10781852,10760402,10670092,10662128,10653041,10643482,10641998,10639635,10639538,10639483,10633401,10633110,10632624,10632569,10631910,10621114,10577493,10572733,10550566,10549745,10548741,10548568,10546436,10532817,10532620,10532347,10532553,10532249,10531538,10523914,10523890,10523515,10523017,10512486

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.