RoadVitals

2005 Honda GL1800

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
18
Latest Nov 25, 2015
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Oct 23, 2015
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Honda GL1800, most frequently naming the steering, engine and body & structure categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 18 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Steering729.2%
  • Engine520.8%
  • Body & structure312.5%
  • Brakes312.5%
  • Suspension28.3%
  • Transmission14.2%
  • Electrical14.2%
  • Powertrain (other)14.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Oct 23, 2015
145,219 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number JV6View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT

Dec 12, 2011
7,446 units potentially affected
The defect: 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. THE FLOORBOARD MOUNT MAY CRACK AND BREAK FREE FROM THE MOUNTING BOLTS THAT SECURE THE MOUNT TO THE MOTORCYCLE.
The risk: THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY OR A CRASH.
The remedy: KURYAKYN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE REPLACEMENT MOUNT KITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 13, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KURYAKYN AT 1-866-296-4728.
KURYAKYN HOLDINGS, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Dec 1, 2011
126,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)Manufacturer number S03View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

AQ12001ClosedAudit Query

Southern Honda Powersports

Opened May 14, 2012
Closed May 13, 2013

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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Nov 25, 2015

I HAVE A 2005 GOLWING GL1800. THE HEATING GAUGE MARKS TO THE RED LINE (HOT) WHEN CLIMBING ROADS. WHEN I STOP THE MOTORCYCLE AND TURNED OFF, I DON'T HEAR THE NOICE OF BOILING WATER AND I DON'T FEEL IT TOO HOT. IN APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES OF TURNED OFF, I START THE MOTOR AGAIN AND THE GAUGE MARK JUST OVER THE CENTER TEMPERATURE MARK. I THINK THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE GAUGE IS NOT INDICATING THE CORRECT TEMPERATURE. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN CHECKED BY HONDA DEALER AND THEY DO NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM. THEY CHANGE THE COOLANT AND MAKE THE CORRESPONDING PROCEDURE TO ELIMINATE AIR BUBBLES, THEY CHANGE THERMOSTAT, CHANGE MOTOR FANS, MAKE PRESSURE TESTING, THE COMPUTER IS OK AND THE GAUGE CONTINUE MARKING THE RED HOT LINE WHEN CLIMB A ROAD. I NEED TO KNOW IF HONDA HAVE ANY SOLUTION TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE, LET ME KNOW TO MY EMAIL [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*CC

NHTSA ID
10806772
Incident
Oct 25, 2015
Mileage
22,500 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 4, 2015

THE FRONT END SHAKES WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE IS AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35 MPH AND 45 MPH. I FEEL THAT HONDA SHOULD CORRECT THIS ISSUE AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER, (OWNER).

NHTSA ID
10746263
Incident
Aug 4, 2015
Mileage
22,789 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 21, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE DRAGGING INTERMITTENTLY. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 14V472000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), AND 11V567000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC ). HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS LATER TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES WHEN THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MOTORCYCLE SLID AND FLIPPED OVER TWICE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.

NHTSA ID
10677018
Incident
Sep 21, 2014
Mileage
200 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 23, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA GL1800 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND LUNGE. A DEALER WAS CALLED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BUT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CONTRIBUTED TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 01/09/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOTORCYCLE JERKED AFTER DECELERATION.

NHTSA ID
10536882
Incident
Aug 23, 2012
Mileage
22,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 21, 2013

I OWN A 2005 HONDA GL1800. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH OR WHAT ITS REFER TO "PARADE" RIDING, THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO OVERHEAT AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASES INTO THE HOT ZONE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO OPERATE. WHEN RUNNING AT IDLES SPEED WITH BIKE PARKED, IT RETURNS TO ITS NORMAL TEMPERATURE. I HAVE TAKEN THE BIKE TO SEVERAL HONDA SERVICE DEALERS AND THEY ALL TELL ME THE BIKE IS FINE. YET I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS OVERHEATING IN THE RED ZONE IN SEVERAL SITUATIONS. I EVEN CALLED HONDA DIRECTLY AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I THINK THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH OLDER MODELS LIKE IN MY 2005. HONDA IN 2006 ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE WITH LARGER FANS AND LARGER RADIATORS. I THINK HONDA SHOULD HAVE THIS CORRECTED BY MAKING THIS AS A RECALL AN UPDATE ALL MODELS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10536474
Incident
Aug 22, 2012
Mileage
30,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 20, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA GOLD WING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COMES EQUIPPED WITH A CALIFORNIA FLIGHT CONVERSION COBRA TRIC. HE STATED THAT THE TRIC BRAKE CALIPER, WHICH WAS BOLTED TO THE SUSPENSION UNIT, SHATTERED AND DETACHED FROM THE BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

NHTSA ID
10269499
Incident
Apr 24, 2009
Mileage
16,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Apr 23, 2009

A FEW SECONDS AFTER SHIFTING INTO 5TH GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION APPEARS TO GO INTO A SORT OF FALSE NEUTRAL WITH A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AND JERKING THE BIKE. SOMETIMES THIS WILL HAPPEN IN 4TH GEAR AS WELL WITH THE SAME LOUD CLUNKING SOUND. IN PARKING LOTS, AFTER RELEASING THE THROTTLE TO SLOW DOWN WHILE IN 1ST GEAR, THE TRANS WILL SOMETIMES SLIP INTO NEUTRAL. THESE ISSUES BEGAN HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER TWICE BUT SINCE THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE ISSUE ON A SHORT TEST RIDE, THEY WOULD NOT CONSIDER A REPAIR. THE DEALER TOLD ME TO RIDE IT UNTIL IT FAILS COMPLETELY AND THEN THEY WILL REPAIR IT. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME FOR SAFETY REASONS AND ALSO I DON'T BELIEVE THEY WILL REPAIR IT NOW UNDER WARRANTY REGARDLESS. THIS VEHICLE STILL ONLY HAS 16,000 MILES ON IT AND THE INCIDENTS ARE INCREASING IN OCCURRENCE. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN AT LEAST ONCE EVERYTIME I RIDE IT. I CONTACTED HONDA WARRANTY DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE IT IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT AND A REPAIR WOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE. FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE ON-LINE, THE ISSUES ARE BEING CAUSED BY INFERIOR SHIFTING FORKS THAT BEND UNDER USE. REPLACEMENT OF THE SHIFTING FORKS HAS SOLVED THE PROBLEM IN ALL CASES. HOWEVER HONDA STILL DOES NOT SEE THIS AS THEIR ISSUE. I KNOW IT ISN'T MY ISSUE AND I DON'T SEE WHY I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A $3,000 REPAIR. IN THE MEANTIME THE VEHICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE A SAFE, SECURE FEELING WHILE RIDING WHEN THESE TRANS PROBLEMS OCCUR. SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL IN PARKING LOTS IS VERY DISCONCERTING WHILE TRYING TO MAINTAIN AWARENESS AND CONTROL OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. I'VE BEEN TURNED AWAY BY THE DEALER AND NOW BY HONDA AND I DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. I FEEL THAT SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED BY ME VERY EARLY ON AND WITH VERY FEW MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THAT HONDA SHOULD REPAIR THIS ISSUE. IT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO ENTER IT IN THE PROPER PLACE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10266459
Incident
Jun 1, 2005
Mileage
2,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 28, 2008

EMAIL RE A DEFECT ON HIS 2005 HONDA GOLDWING GL 1800 MOTORCYCLE, THE RIGHT FOOT PEG BROKE OFF WHEN HE STOOD UP TO DISMOUNT THE BIKE, FEELS THERE MAY BE A CASTING DEFECT. *KB

NHTSA ID
10226228
Incident
Apr 16, 2008

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

GL1800 NO. 23

EQUIPMENT

"DEALER MESSAGE - ON DECEMBER 11, SEVERAL SECTIONS OF S/B GL1800 #23 WERE REVISED TO INCLUDE INFORMATION FOR THE REPAIR OF TRIKE COVERSIONS."

GL1800 SECONDARY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

"SERVICE BULLETIN - HONDA IS LAUNCHING A SAFETY RECALL OF 2012-2015 GL1800/A AND 2013-2015 GL1800B/BD MOTORCYCLES, AND IS IMPLEMENTING A RECALL REMEDY FOR 2001-2010 AND 2012 GL1800/A MOTORCYCLES ALREADY SUBJECT TO SAFETY RECALL “JG6”. HONDA HAS DETERMINED THAT UNDER CONDITIONS WHERE THE BRAKE FLUID IS SUBJECT TO PROLONGED AGING DUE TO A LACK OF MAINTENANCE (I.E., THE BRAKE FLUID IS NOT REPLACED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME DESPITE THE PUBLISHED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE OF REPLACEMENT EVERY 12,000 MILES OR TWO YEARS, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST), DEPOSITS MAY FORM WITHIN THE BRAKE FLUID. IF SUFFICIENT DEPOSITS ARE FORMED, THEY CAN RESULT IN A MALFUNCTION OF THE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE TO DRAG."

MC - THE WRENCH

EQUIPMENT; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

NEWSLETTER - THE REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR THE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER (SMC) RECALL IS VERY INVOLVED, SO MAKE SURE TO READ THROUGH THE ENTIRE BULLETIN BEFORE HAND SO YOU CAN VISUALIZE THE PROCEDURES BEFORE YOU START. NOT ONLY WILL YOU BE INSTALLING AN UPDATED SMC AND A NEW REAR MASTER CYLINDER, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO CAREFULLY FOLLOW EACH STEP IN EXACT ORDER SO THAT THE PEDAL BRAKE LINE IS COMPLETELY FLUSHED OF ANY CONTAMINANTS.

DLR MSG - MC - S

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

"DEALER MESSAGE - EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY THE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER (SMC) KITS FOR THIS RECALL ARE AVAILABLE ON OPEN ORDER. AS INDICATED IN S/B GL1800 #23 AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS ABOUT THIS RECALL, IT IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL THAT ONLY PRO HONDA DOT 4 BRAKE FLUID BE USED DURING THE REPAIR PROCEDURE. TO HELP ENSURE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF BRAKE FLUID IS AVAILABLE FOR RECALL REPAIRS, AN ADDITIONAL ALLOCATION OF PRO HONDA DOT 4 BRAKE FLUID WILL BE SHIPPED TO DEALERS. THE ALLOCATION IS BASED ON YOUR DEALERSHIP’S PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED GL1800 SMC RECALL WARRANTY CLAIMS."

SERVICE BULLETIN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

SERVICE BULLETIN - HONDA IS LAUNCHING A SAFETY RECALL OF 2012-2015 GL1800/A AND 2013-2015 GL1800/B/BD MOTORCYCLES, AND IS IMPLEMENTING A RECALL REMEDY FOR 2001-2010 AND 2012 GL 1800/A MOTORCYCLES ALREADY SUBJECT TO SAFETY RECALL "JG6". HONDA HAS DETERMINED THAT UNDER CONDITIONS WHERE THE BRAKE FLUID IS SUBJECT TO PROLONGED AGING DUE TO A LACK OF MAINTENANCE, DEPOSITS MAY FORM WITHIN THE BRAKE FLUID.

DLR MSG - MC - S

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

"DEALER MESSAGE - THE SERVICE BULLETIN IN SUPPORT OF THE SAFETY RECALL OF 2001-2015 GL1800/A AND GL1800B/BD MOTORCYCLES FOR A POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER IS POSTED ON IN. SERVICEBULLETIN SAFETY RECALL: GL1800 #23 INCLUDES THE AFFECTED MODELS, REPAIR PROCEDURE, PARTS INFORMATION, AS WELL AS WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION."

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Honda GL1800 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024310
2023210
2022120
2021730
2020130
2019820
2018342050.8
2017000
2016510
2015820
2014721
2013921
2012315249.3
2011010
2010245157.0
2009261
2008475152.9
2007205153.5
2006226145.6
2005Viewing183148.3
2004105254.0
20031017456.7
20021827456.9
2001846455.9

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.