Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Our database holds 101 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Honda GL1800. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Showing 1–25 of 101 · page 1 of 5
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
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.
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.
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
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. I AM AT A STAND STILL NOW AND DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO. I ALSO DONT KNOW IF THE SEVERAL RECALLS ON THIS PARTICULAR YEAR GOLDWING HAVE BEEN ATTENDED TO. I FEEL SO BAD ABOUT THIS AND I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO. I SAVED EVERY PENNY I COULD FOR 6 YEARS TO PURCHASE THIS MOTORCYCLE AND NOW I CANT AND AM AFRAID TO RIDE IT.
BACK BRAKE FAILS COMPLETELY
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
TRANS JUMPS OUT OF GEAR AND DOWN SHIFTS. WHILE DRIVING
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.
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.
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 THE CENTER STAND AND EXHAUST PIPES DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT A PLACE OTHER THAN WHERE I WAS GOING PERFECTLY STRAIGHT, THIS WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A TERRIBLE CRASH. I AM THANKFUL THAT I AM UNHURT BUT LEFT WITH A BIKE THAT IN MY ESTIMATION IS JUNK AND I WONDER HOW I COULD EVER FEEL SAFE RIDING THIS BIKE AGAIN. I PURCHASED THIS BIKE FROM A PRIVATE PARTY WHO HAD INDICATED TO ME THAT THIS BIKE HAD BEEN IN FOR THE FRAME RECALL AS WELL AS THE BIKE BEING OWNED AND MAINTAINED BY A HONDA EMPLOYED AND TRAINED TECHNICIAN. I CURRENTLY HAVE THE MOTORCYCLE AT A HONDA DEALER AND AM AWAITING THE ANSWER FROM HONDA ABOUT IF THEY WILL FIX. I HAVE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THIS BIKE HAD NEVER BEEN RECALLED OR INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AND WONDER WHY I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT THIS MOTORCYCLE HAD NEVER BEEN FIXED. I HAVE OWNED IT FOR 3 YEARS NOW. I AM LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT HURT SERIOUSLY AND HONDA DOES RIGHT AND FIXES THIS BIKE WITHOUT ANY COST TO ME. HOW CAN I KNOW IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
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
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
THE FRAME OF MY 2003 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE FRAME TUBE BEHIND THE LEFT PASSENGER FOOT BOARD. *TR
MY 2002 HONDA GOLDWING 1800 TRANSMISSION FAILED ALMOST CAUSING A WRECK. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JUMP OUT OF 5TH GEAR ON OCCASION AND GRADUALLY GOT WORSE UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY. I HAD TO HAVE IT HAULED HOME AND THEN LATER ON HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP AND HAVE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED OUT OF MY POCKET. $3200 WORTH. IT IS A VERY UNSAFE ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED.THERE ARE SEVERAL CASES OF THIS FROM VARIOUS PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO AND HONDA HAS DECIDED TO IGNORE THE COMPLAINTS SO WE HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO FILE A SAFETY COMPLAINT. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED IF THIS ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED!!! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS DEFECTIVE AND CRACKED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 32,000.
THE FRAME IN MY 2003 HONDA GOLD WING HAS CRACKED. THE BIKE HAS BEEN RIDDEN NORMALLY TWO UP MOST OF THE TIME AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT. THE 2003 HONDA GOLD WING HAS ONLY 45,000 MILES OR SO. THIS MOTORCYCLE WAS ALREADY INVOLVED IN A SAFELY FRAME RECALL ORDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN LATE 2003. THIS FRAME CRACK IS IN A SPOT ON THE MOTORCYCLES FRAME THAT REQUIRES THAT YOU LAY UNDER THE BIKE TO INSPECT. IT'S VERY TIGHT AND HARD TO VIEW WITHOUT A MAGNIFYING GLASS AND GOOD LIGHT SOURCE. THIS DEFECT WILL BE MISSED BY MOST OWNERS UNLESS YOU HAVE SOME KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THIS POSSIBLE FRAME DEFECT. LEFT ALONE IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME AND MILES BEFORE THIS CRACK WILL SPREAD AROUND THE ENTIRE FRAME TUBE AND CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE FRAME MEMBER. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY REPORTS OF THIS TYPE OF FRAME FAILURE ON THE HONDA GOLD WING MESSAGE BOARDS ON THE INTERNET. *TR
THE FRAME ON MY 2003 HONDA GOLDWING CRACKED APRIL OF 2008. THE FRAME TUBING BROKE COMPLETELY ON THE LEFT SIDE, AND THE TUBING ON THE RIGHT SIDE WAS CRACKED 3/4 OF THE WAY AROUND. I HAD A TRIKE KIT ON THE BIKE, AND AT FIRST THOUGHT WAS THE PROBLEM BUT AFTER CHECKING AROUND, I FOUND THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE TO OTHER BIKES. SO ANYWAY THE FRAME WAS REPLACED, AND UPON INSPECTING THE NEW FRAME I FOUND A NICE GOOD SIZE GUSSET ON THE TUBE THAT WAS BROKEN ON MY ORIGINAL FRAME. I ALSO NOTICE THE PART NUMBER OF THE FRAME HAD BEEN CHANGED FROM THE ORIGINAL PART NUMBER. I HAVE PICTURES OF BOTH FRAMES. *TR
I WANT TO SHARE A VERY DISTURBING, DANGEROUS, AGGRAVATING AND DISGUSTING EXPERIENCE I HAVE JUST RECENTLY HAD WITH A BRAND NEW DUNLOP ELITE 3 TIRE I PURCHASED FROM HONDA OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2007 (INVOICE # 042179). SEPTEMBER 8, 2007 NEW DUNLOP ELITE 3 TIRES, FRONT AND REAR. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK I NOTICED THE FRONT TIRE SEEMED TO BE SHOWING SIGNS OF WEAR. SEPTEMBER 29TH I NOTICED A SECTION OF THE TIRE WAS COMING APART. OCTOBER 2, 2007 I TOOK IT BACK TO HONDA OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, THE DUNLOP TIRE DISTRIBUTOR. I ONLY HAD 1,000 MILES ON IT. THERE WAS NO WAY THE TIRE SHOULD BE SHOWING SIGNS OF WEAR LIKE I WAS EXPERIENCING. WHEN I ARRIVED AT HONDA OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, THE SERVICEMAN AND THE PARTS MANAGER LOOKED AT THE TIRE AND SAID THE TIRE WAS DEFINITELY DEFECTIVE AND WROTE UP A TICKET (# 14411) AND WROTE ON IT FRONT TIRE HAS FAILED AFTER 1000 MILES, IS GOING TO BE REPLACEMENT WORK AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER, - REPLACE FRONT TIRE.) THEY TOLD ME THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY MORE TO WORK ON AND IT WOULD BE CHANGED THAT MORNING. WHEN I CALLED RIGHT BEFORE LUNCH THEY CHANGED THEIR STORY COMPLETELY AND SAID THEY ASKED A CUSTOMER WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE TO THEM AND THEY SAID IT LOOKED LIKE THE TIRE HAD BEEN CUT WITH A KNIFE AND THEY COULDN'T REPLACE IT UNTIL THEY HEARD FROM DUNLOP TIRE AND EXPECTED TO HEAR FROM THEM THAT DAY. I CALLED THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD HIM I FELT HE SHOULD STAND BEHIND THE TIRE BECAUSE IT WAS ONLY 3 WEEKS OLD AND HE SOLD ME A DEFECTIVE TIRE. HE SAID I SHOULD GO AHEAD AND PAY FOR ANOTHER TIRE AND WAIT TO HEAR FROM DUNLOP TIRE. I TOLD HIM IF DUNLOP DIDN'T STAND BEHIND THE TIRE I SURE DIDN'T WANT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE AND I DIDN?T WANT THAT DEALERSHIP TO INSTALL IT. THEN I GOT TO THINKING - I WAS AT WORK WITH NO WAY HOME AND AN UNSAFE TIRE ON MY BIKE? SO I CALLED THE OWNER UP AND SAID I WOULD PAY FOR ANOTHER TIRE. THE TIRE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH AND I FEEL IT WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE START. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA GOLDWING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SHAKES VERY BADLY WHEN RIDING BETWEEN 30 AND 45 MPH. HONDA STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED TO OPERATE IN THAT MANNER. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSPECTED THE TIRES, HOWEVER, THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5.
HONDA GOLDWINGS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A DECELERATION FRONT END WOBBLE. AS YOU DECELERATE FROM AROUND 35 MPH WITH YOUR HANDS LIGHTLY RESTING ON THE HANDLE BARS, THE FRONT END GOES INTO A VIOLENT WOBBLE. HONDA OF AMERICA CLAIMS IT IS JUST A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE 1800 GOLDWING, HOWEVER IT POSES A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. THERE ARE SEVERAL BLOGS ON THE INTERNET OF PEOPLE EXPRESSING THEIR CONCERN OF THIS PROBLEM...APPARENTLY THERE IS A FIX BY REPLACING THE BEARING IN THE FRONT WHEEL WITH A TAPERED BEARING, HOWEVER THIS SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER...THOUSANDS OF HONDA GOLDWING 1800CC BIKES HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *JB
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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