Total Complaints
107 filings
HONDA GL1800 · model year
107 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2003HONDAGL1800 carries 107 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 3 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 GL1800 is structure:frame and members with 30 filings, followed by structure:frame and members:underbody shields (14) and engine and engine cooling:cooling system (11). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2003 GL1800. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
107 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 30 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS | 14 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 11 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 7 |
| STEERING | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| TIRES | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 2 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 2 |
| STRUCTURE | 2 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID | 1 |
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
ON SOME MOTORCYCLES, CERTAIN FRAME WELDS DO NOT MEET MANUFACTURING SPECIFICATIONS. HIGH LOADS CREATED WHEN RIDING ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACES OR THROUGH POTHOLES CAN CAUSE THE AFFECTED WELDS TO CRACK.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
ON SOME MOTORCYCLES, CERTAIN FRAME WELDS DO NOT MEET MANUFACTURING SPECIFICATIONS. HIGH LOADS CREATED WHEN RIDING ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACES OR THROUGH POTHOLES CAN CAUSE THE AFFECTED WELDS TO CRACK.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH COMBINED-BRAKE SYSTEMS HAVE A PROPORTIONING CONTROL VALVE (PCV) THAT MECHANICALLY PROPORTIONS BRAKE FORCE WHEN THE REAR BRAKE IS APPLIED. A SEAL IN SOME PCVS IS IMPROPERLY SHAPED, AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE BANK ANGLE SENSORS DESIGNED TO SHUT OFF THE FUEL PUMP AND THE ENGINE ELECTRICAL POWER IN THE EVENT THE MOTORCYCLE FALLS OVER, WERE INSTALLED USING THE WRONG SIZE SCREWS ALLOWING THE SCREWS TO EVENTUALLY DETACH FROM THEIR MOUNTING POINT.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
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.
EQUIPMENT
KURYAKYN IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET PASSENGER FLOORBOARD MOUNTS, PART NUMBER 607005, SOLD AND INSTALLED FOR USE ON 2001-2012 HONDA GL 1800 (GOLDWING) MOTORCYCLES. THIS MOUNT WAS SOLD ON KURYAKYN 'TRANSFORMER' PASSENGER FLOORBOARD SETS, PART NUMBER 7005 FROM SEPTEMBER 15, 2008, TO PRESENT. TH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
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.
TOLD BY HONDA THE FRAME RECALL WAS DONE IN 2012. IN 2020 I INSPECTED THE FRAME AND THERE ARE CRACKS IN THE FRAME AGAIN WHERE THE RECALL STATED THEY WOULD BE. THE REPLACEMENT FRAME IS CRACKING. BOTH MAJOR CRACKS ARE AT THE WELDS AT THE REAR PASSENGER FOOT PEGS
Mileage: 90,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA GL1800. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FRACTURE WAS LOCATED AT THE MID SECTION OF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER TRIKES BY RODNEY LOCATED AT 1672 LINDEN AVE, ZANESVILLE, OH 4370 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V027000 (STRUCTURE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
Mileage: 138,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA GL1800. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED HOWEVER FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS NO BRAKE FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO CYCLE SHACK NORTH (1101 INTERSTATE 45 S, CONROE, TX 77301 (936) 756-9711) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING AND THE POSITION CONTROL VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V01000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) WAS COMPLETED IN 2005 AND NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Mileage: 42,000
HONDA SAFETY RECALL SERVICE BULLETIN GL1800 #14 REVISED: SEPTEMBER 2008 STATES THAT MY MOTORCYCLE IS ONE OF THE AFFECTED UNITS FOR THE RECALL (I.E. THE FRAME WELDS NEED TO BE REINFORCED). THAT WORK HAS NEVER BEEN DONE. HOWEVER, THE RECORDS FOR DOING A VIN CHECK ONLY GO BACK 15 YEARS, AND A LOCAL HONDA DEALER SAYS NO FIX IS NEEDED.
THE ENGINE RUN HOTTER THAN USUAL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND GOING UP HILL AT HIGHER RPM . ALL FANS ARE RUNNING OK AS EXPECTED BUT STILL WHEN EVER STUCK IN TRAFFIC AT 75 DEGREE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE SEEM TO CREEP UP HIGHER TOWARDS THE RED MARK . THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IF THE ENGINE SPILL COOLANT , I AND MY PASSAGE RISK GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO SLIPPERY SURFACE. HAD IT CHECK BY THE PRO AND THEY ARE POINTING AT THE ECM . THIS SHOULD BE FIX AND IS HONDA'S RESPONSIBILITY . MANY OTHER OWNERS HAD PREVIOUSLY COMPLAINED OF SIMILAR ISSUES.
2003 HONDA GOLDWING. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MOTORCYCLES SUDDEN POWER LOSS AND BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE ACCIDENT. *SMD *CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 HONDA GL1800 MOTORCYCLE. WHILE RIDING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE RIDER LOST CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND CRASHED OFF THE SIDE OF A 25 FOOT HILL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MANEUVER A BLIND HAIRPIN TURN. THE RIDER WAS FATALLY INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS DESTROYED. PHOTOS FROM THE POLICE REPORT INDICATED THAT DURING THE INCIDENT, ONLY THE FRONT BRAKES WERE APPLIED, AND THE REAR BRAKE DID NOT APPLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE RIDER DESCENDED DOWN A WINDING ROAD FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO BE USED EXCESSIVELY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. IN DECEMBER 2015 (AFTER THE INCIDENT), THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V700000 (SERVICE BRAKES), WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. *BF UPDATED 8/15/18*JB
Mileage: 8,000
I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE ON 11/05/16 FROM IMOTORSPORTS IN ELMHURST ILL. FROM DAY ONE IT HAD A VERY BAD WOBBLE IN THE STEERING AND IF I WAS NOT HOLDING STRONGLY ONTO THE BIKE IT WOULD DEFINITELY CRASH. AFTER ASKING FOR A REPAIR TO THIS WOBBLE IMOTORSPORTS MANAGER JASON SAID THEY WOULD INSTALL A NEW SET OF TIRES ON IT AND THIS SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE BIKE ONLY HAD 15,158 MILES ON IT SO I THOUGHT FOR SURE THIS WOULD BE THE ANSWER. JASON TOLD ME THAT AFTER THE BIKE GOT USED TO THE NEW TIRES THAT THE WOBBLE WOULD GO AWAY. THE WOBBLE WOULD OCCUR ANYTIME IT WAS IN MOTION FROM 15-45 MPH. THE WOBBLE NEVER GOT ANY BETTER AND BEING A BIT NAIVE TO PURCHASING A VEHICLE FROM A DEALER THE 30 DAY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND WHEN I RETURNED ON 12/15/16 THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP ME. NOW I HAVE A $13,000 MOTORCYCLE THAT I AM AFRAID TO RIDE. I RODE IT A FEW MILES IN APRIL AND MAY AND JUNE OF 2017 AND BECAUSE OF THE WOBBLE, THE PLASTIC SHROUD THAT IS SURROUNDING THE TIMING CHAIN CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES.
Mileage: 15,180
I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE ON 11/05/16 FROM IMOTORSPORTS IN ELMHURST ILL. FROM DAY ONE IT HAD A VERY BAD WOBBLE IN THE STEERING AND IF I WAS NOT HOLDING STRONGLY ONTO THE BIKE IT WOULD DEFINITELY CRASH. AFTER ASKING FOR A REPAIR TO THIS WOBBLE IMOTORSPORTS MANAGER JASON SAID THEY WOULD INSTALL A NEW SET OF TIRES ON IT AND THIS SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE BIKE ONLY HAD 15,158 MILES ON IT SO I THOUGHT FOR SURE THIS WOULD BE THE ANSWER. JASON TOLD ME THAT AFTER THE BIKE GOT USED TO THE NEW TIRES THAT THE WOBBLE WOULD GO AWAY. THE WOBBLE WOULD OCCUR ANYTIME IT WAS IN MOTION FROM 15-45 MPH. THE WOBBLE NEVER GOT ANY BETTER AND BEING A BIT NAIVE TO PURCHASING A VEHICLE FROM A DEALER THE 30 DAY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND WHEN I RETURNED ON 12/15/16 THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP ME. NOW I HAVE A $13,000 MOTORCYCLE THAT I AM AFRAID TO RIDE. I RODE IT A FEW MILES IN APRIL AND MAY AND JUNE OF 2017 AND BECAUSE OF THE WOBBLE, THE PLASTIC SHROUD THAT IS SURROUNDING THE TIMING CHAIN CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES.
Mileage: 15,180
I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE ON 11/05/16 FROM IMOTORSPORTS IN ELMHURST ILL. FROM DAY ONE IT HAD A VERY BAD WOBBLE IN THE STEERING AND IF I WAS NOT HOLDING STRONGLY ONTO THE BIKE IT WOULD DEFINITELY CRASH. AFTER ASKING FOR A REPAIR TO THIS WOBBLE IMOTORSPORTS MANAGER JASON SAID THEY WOULD INSTALL A NEW SET OF TIRES ON IT AND THIS SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE BIKE ONLY HAD 15,158 MILES ON IT SO I THOUGHT FOR SURE THIS WOULD BE THE ANSWER. JASON TOLD ME THAT AFTER THE BIKE GOT USED TO THE NEW TIRES THAT THE WOBBLE WOULD GO AWAY. THE WOBBLE WOULD OCCUR ANYTIME IT WAS IN MOTION FROM 15-45 MPH. THE WOBBLE NEVER GOT ANY BETTER AND BEING A BIT NAIVE TO PURCHASING A VEHICLE FROM A DEALER THE 30 DAY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND WHEN I RETURNED ON 12/15/16 THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP ME. NOW I HAVE A $13,000 MOTORCYCLE THAT I AM AFRAID TO RIDE. I RODE IT A FEW MILES IN APRIL AND MAY AND JUNE OF 2017 AND BECAUSE OF THE WOBBLE, THE PLASTIC SHROUD THAT IS SURROUNDING THE TIMING CHAIN CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES.
Mileage: 15,180
BACK BRAKE FAILS COMPLETELY
Mileage: 50,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA GOLDWING. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND PREMATURE CRACKS IN TWO PLACES UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS. THE MECHANIC WAS TO FURTHER DIAGNOSE THE MOTORCYCLE TO DETERMINE WHAT PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/29/16*LJ *TR
Mileage: 83,947
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA GOLDWING. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND PREMATURE CRACKS IN TWO PLACES UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS. THE MECHANIC WAS TO FURTHER DIAGNOSE THE MOTORCYCLE TO DETERMINE WHAT PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/29/16*LJ *TR
Mileage: 83,947
TRANS JUMPS OUT OF GEAR AND DOWN SHIFTS. WHILE DRIVING
Mileage: 87,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA GOLDWING. WHILE IDLING WITH THE RPMS UNDER 1,000, THE MOTORCYCLE MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE EXCEEDED 1,000 RPMS, THE NOISE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
Mileage: 66,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA GOLDWING GL 1800 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY THE DEALER, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MOTORCYCLE FRAME WAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103,000.
Mileage: 103,000
2003 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS RECALL 2001-2010 AND REAR BRAKES CAMPAIGN *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHORTLY AFTER HAVING HIS BRAKES SERVICED, HE HEARD AN UNUSUAL GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WHEEL. WHEN HE TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALER, HE WAS INFORMED THE ROTOR AND BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE DEALER INDICATED THE CONSUMER MUST HAVE RIDDEN THE REAR BRAKES EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKES WERE LINKED AND THE FRONT BRAKES WERE IN GOOD CONDITION. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL# 11V567000. *JB
I WAS RIDING MY 2003 GOLDWING GL1800 MOTORCYCLE AND CAME TO AN AREA OF THE ROAD WITH CONSTRUCTION, THERE WHERE SEVERAL SIGNS INDICATING FOR MOTORCYCLES TO USE CAUTION AND BUMPS. AFTER RIDING THRU THIS AREA AND GETTING BACK TO WHAT APPEARED TO BE NORMAL ROAD SURFACES, I CAME ACROSS A CUT OUT IN THE ROAD ABOUT 2 FEET WIDE WITH 3 SMALL WASH BOARDS POTHOLES. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO RIDE THRU THIS CUT-OUT AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE AS TO BE AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE AND WHEN I CAME OUT OF THIS BUMP IT WAS LIKE I HAD A FLAT TIRE. THERE WAS A LOAD BANG AND GRINDING AS I TRIED TO KEEP THE BIKE UPRIGHT AND COME TO A STOP. THE BIKE BEHIND ME NOTED A LOAD NOISE AS WELL AS SPARKS FROM THE BIKES SUSPENSION AND PIPES BOTTOMING OUT. I LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO STOP SAFELY WITHOUT CRASHING AND AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED, THAT IT WAS NOT A FLAT TIRE, NOR A SUSPENSION ISSUE. BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE FRAME HAS BROKEN IN 2 PLACES, ALLOWING THE REAR TIRE TO GO UP INTO THE FENDER WELL OF THE BIKE, WITH
Mileage: 44,328
MY INCIDENT WITH A SPONTANEOUS DOWNSHIFT FROM 5TH GEAR TO 4TH GEAR (GHOST SHIFT) ON MY 2003 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE OCCURRED ON HIGHWAY 89 NORTH OF FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA IN 2007. IT WAS TOTALLY INDEPENDENT OF ANY INPUT BY ME. IT ACTUALLY DOWNSHIFTED AND IMMEDIATELY UPSHIFTED COMPLETELY BY ITSELF. I AM NOT SEEING ANY PATTERN OF THIS ISSUE. IT HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES SINCE THE INITIAL OCCURRENCE WITH NO KNOWN 'TRIGGER' OR CLUE THAT IT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. *TR
Mileage: 42,000
TRANSMISSION ON 2003 HONDA GOLDWING JUMPS FROM 5TH TO 4TH GEAR. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN AND HAS FOR SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT CAUSES THE POTENTIAL OF LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH. *TR
Mileage: 26
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.