2008 Honda GL1800 Owner Complaints

The contact reported on a 2008 Honda Goldwing GL1800 Motorcycle. The contact is an Attorney and stated that the motorcycle was traveling at an undetermined speed and the braking system malfunctioned causing the operator to lose control of the motorcycle and drive off the road, down an embankment, and crash into a tree. During the crash, both the operator and the passenger of the motorcycle suffered fatal injuries. Prior to the crash, a fellow motorcyclist was told that the braking system of the motorcycle was not operating properly. A police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the crash was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The VIN indicated an open recall for NHTSA campaign number 15v700000(service brakes). The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11441443

Incident

Sep 25, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V700000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HALL'S MOTORSPORTS BIRMINGHAM (2878 US-31, PELHAM, AL 35124, (205) 664-4999) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11331994

Incident

Jul 1, 2020

V6 TRANSMISSION STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING STUCK AND POPPING OUT OF 5TH GEAR TOOK TO MOTORCYCLE FACTORY WOODBRIDGE VA WHERE I BOUGHT IT THEY SAID NO PROBLEM LATER IT IS NOW COMPLETELY WASTED TRANSMISSION AND NEEDS WHAT EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT IT WAS A BAD DESIGN AND NEEDS WORK AT LEAST 4-5 K TO FIX THAT MAY SHOW UP AGAIN

NHTSA ID

11185006

Incident

Mar 1, 2017

Mileage

20,000 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V347000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10983373

Incident

May 23, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC, THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT DOWNSHIFTED TO A STOP. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS DRIVEN HOME. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED TWO YEARS AGO DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,065.

NHTSA ID

10980209

Incident

Apr 10, 2017

Mileage

37,065 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16E042000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10920186

Incident

Jul 5, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DITCH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIBS, HANDS, AND A PUNCTURED LUNG, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10915758

Incident

May 11, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A MANUFACTURER RECALL CONCERNING THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE INTERNAL BRAKE FLUID LEAK. A WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT OBTAINED ACCESS TO THE VEHICLE AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL REPAIR FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE RECALL DETAILS AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10915391

Incident

Feb 12, 2016

DROPS IN/OUT OF 5TH GEAR EVERY 1-3 MINUTES. GEARS 1-3 OCCASIONALLY DROP IN/OUT AND CONSISTENTLY MAKE A LIGHT GRINDING SOUND, INCLUDING NEUTRAL. THIS VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT I THINK HONDA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT BECAUSE I CONSIDER IT A SAFETY ISSUE. IF A RIDER SHOULD SUDDENLY LOSE POWER ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF A REAR-END COLLISION DUE TO RAPID AND UNEXPECTED ENGINE DECELERATION.

NHTSA ID

10838093

Incident

Feb 13, 2016

Mileage

51,000 mi

INSUFFICIENT RADIATOR FAN CLEARANCE RESULTS IN A DAMAGED RADIATOR CAUSING A COOLANT LEAK WHICH RESULTS IN AN UNCONTROLLED SLIDE ENDING IN A CRASH. COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR THAT THE FAN DAMAGED CAUSES A LOSS OF TRACTION AT THE REAR WHEEL. I NOTICED MY LEFT FOOT WAS WET AND SMELLED ENGINE COOLANT. I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN OUT OF GALVESTON GETTING ON NORTHBOUND I45. I TURNED THE CORNER AND THE MOTORCYCLE WENT SIDEWAYS. I ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE SLIGHTLY AND RODE OUT OF THE SKID. CHOPPING THE THROTTLE WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A HIGH-SIDE, AND APPLYING MORE THROTTLE WOULD HAVE CAUSED A LOW-SIDE CRASH. IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THEY HAVE SEEN A FEW OF THESE ISSUES AND I FOUND IT TO BE PREVALENT WITH OTHER OWNERS ON THE INTERNET NO MATTER THE MILES, LOCATION, OR CONDITION.

NHTSA ID

10809480

Incident

Dec 10, 2015

Mileage

4,400 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V472000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10788841

Incident

Sep 14, 2014

REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP WHILE STARTING FORWARD THEN RELEASED THEN LOCKED WHILE I WAS PULLING ONTO HWY 25 NORTH IN RATON NM.

NHTSA ID

10788162

Incident

Sep 12, 2015

Mileage

24,000 mi

ON COLD START MOTORCYCLE HESITATES OR MOTOR STUMBLES CAUSING RIDER TO ALMOST LOSE THE BIKE( FALL OVER) WHILE EXCITING DRIVEWAY . SEAMES TO ONLY STUMBLE WHEN COLD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10653041

Incident

Aug 4, 2012

Mileage

63,000 mi

I TOOK MY MOTORCYCLE TO RIDE NOW 3333 N. ARIZONA AVE CHANDLER AZ 85225 480 503-3333 FOR A BRAKE RECALL AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR HONDA TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? *TR

NHTSA ID

10639187

Incident

Sep 17, 2014

Mileage

38,000 mi

TREAD SPLICE FAILURE ON A DUNLOP ELITE 3 MOTORCYCLE TIRE. DEFECT IN TIRE WAS NOTICED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE OCCURRED, AND WAS REMOVED FROM SERVICE. SINCE THERE'S NO WAY TO ENTER THIS INFORMATION PROPERLY ON THIS POORLY DESIGNED WEBSITE, THE SIZE OF THE TIRE IS 180/60R-16. *TR

NHTSA ID

10616477

Incident

Jun 30, 2014

Mileage

36,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RIDING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR WHILE SHIFTING FROM FOURTH TO FIFTH GEAR. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,400. UPDATED 04/21/14*LJ

NHTSA ID

10572899

Incident

Mar 19, 2012

Mileage

27,400 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

NHTSA ID

10534539

Incident

May 15, 2013

Mileage

7,000 mi

SLIGHT HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10532553

Incident

Sep 1, 2011

Mileage

27,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE AND THE HANDLEBARS VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10487654

Incident

Oct 1, 2012

Mileage

9,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING GL1800 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:11V567000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER), THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 70 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER THE FAILURE AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 33,000. UPDATED 7/27/12 *CN

NHTSA ID

10462587

Incident

May 24, 2012

Mileage

33,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO PUT SHIFT INTO FIFTH GEAR BUT THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, BEGAN TO DOWNSHIFT AND EXHIBITING AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF POSSIBLY BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE VEHICLE WAS 21,000. UPDATED 07/13/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE RIDING THE BIKE, ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT SOUNDED AS THOUGH THE BIKE WAS TRYING TO SHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SOLIDLY IN 5TH. IT DID NOT DOWN SHIFT TO 4TH, NOR DID IT COME OUT OF 5TH. IT WAS JUST A SLIP AND A CATCH. UPDATED 07/19/12 THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS OBVIOUS T HAT THE GEAR WAS MILLED FROM SUB-STANDARD STEAL OR THE HIGH-LOW GEAR DID NOT PERFORM AS THE ENGINEERS THOUGHT THEY WOULD. A MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE 5TH GEAR HAS HIGH AND LOW DOGS ON THE GEAR THAT FOR SOME REASON WOULD ROUND OFF, WHICH CAUSED THE FORK TO GET THINNER AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE GEAR TO STAY ENGAGED. UPDATED EVOQ 10/24/12

NHTSA ID

10461186

Incident

May 27, 2012

Mileage

21,000 mi

I OWN A 2008 HONDA GL1800 AND I WAS ON A RIDE ON SUNDAY ABOUT 100 MILES FROM HOME WHEN I NOTICED THE BACK END OF THE BIKE FELT RUBBERY AS IF I HAD A TIRE GOING FLAT, I GLANCED AT MY TPS AND NOTED THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS 38 PSI. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DISCOVERED TWO RIPS IN THE BACK TIRE TREAD. THE DUNLOP E3 IS ABOUT 10 MONTHS OLD AND ABOUT 10K MILES ON IT. LOOKS LIKE THE CORDS BROKE AND THE RUBBER IS RIPPING FROM THE INSIDE. LUCKY I WAS AT LOW SPEED WHEN I FELT THIS CONDITION AND STOPPED MY RIDE. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT AT HIGHWAY SPEED OR IN A CURVE THAT THIS TIRE COULD HAVE BLOWN AND CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. AS IT WAS SUNDAY AND ALL SHOPS WERE CLOSED IT TOOK A LOT OF EFFORT BY MY RIDING CLUB TO GET ME AND THE BIKE HOME. TIRE SIZE IS 180/60R/16. *TR

NHTSA ID

10459891

Incident

May 27, 2012

Mileage

42,000 mi

2008 HONDA GL 1800/A GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL, STATING DEALER FAILED TO REMEDY THE DEFECT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO THE RECALL, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKES WOULD INTERMITTENTLY DRAG WHILE RIDING. AFTER BRAKING, A LOUD SCRAPING NOISE WAS CLEARLY AUDIBLE OVER THE ENGINE AND ROAD NOISE. A FEW HARD PUMPS ON THE BRAKES WOULD USUALLY CAUSE THE BRAKES TO RELEASE AND THE NOISE TO STOP. THE DEALER CONTINUED TO TELL THE CONSUMER THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE MOTORCYCLE. RECALL# 11V567000.*JB

NHTSA ID

10447641

Incident

Jul 1, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRANSPORTING THE VEHICLE IN A TRAILER, FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE TRAILER. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE AUXILIARY FUEL TANK DEVELOPED CRACKS IN SEVERAL PLACES AND AS A RESULT, WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000. ..UPDATED 05/23/12 *BF CONSUMER WANTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE LABOR COST OF THE AUXILIARY TANK. UPDATED 6/6/12 *SD

NHTSA ID

10444041

Incident

Jul 1, 2011

Mileage

24,000 mi

I HAVE A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING GL1800 AND DEVELOPED A REAL BAD FRONTEND WOBLE AT 6000 MILES BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 30-45 MPH. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME NOT TO EVEN BRING IT BACK TO THEM BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME. I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WON'T HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM EITHER. I NOW HAVE 14000 MILES ON IT, 2 SET OF TIRES WORN OUT THE THIRD SET GOING ON AND THE WOBBLE IS GETTING WORSE AS TIME GOES ON. I HAVE ONCE AGAIN TALKED TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY HONDA RECOMMENDS PUTTING TAPPERED BEARINGS IN THE STEERING, BUT WHEN I CHECKED 2 OTHER DEALERS THEY SAY HONDA DOESN'T RECOMMEND THEM BECAUSE NEITHER OF THE DEALERS HAVE HEARD ANYTHING LIKE THAT FROM HONDA. I HAVE BEEN DOING ALOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM IN THE DIFFERENT GOLDWING FORUMS AND THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE 2003. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE IS MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM DATING BACK TO 2003. THE HONDA GOLDWING GL1800 IS THE SAME FROM 2002 TO PRESENT. HONDA SHOULD BE MADE FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR KILLED. HERE IS AN ARTICLE I THOUGHT YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT TOO, JUST ONE OF MANY. I NOTICED THE FOLLOWING AS I WAS REMOVING THE OEM TRIPLE TREE: 1) THE STEERING STEM NUT ON THE UPPER BRIDGE COULDN'T HAVE HAD MORE THAN 20 FT/LBS OF TORQUE. CAME OFF VERY EASILY. SHOULD HAVE BEEN 76 FT/LBS OF TORQUE ON THE NUT. 2) THE LOCK NUT BELOW THE TOP BRIDGE WAS LOCKED IN PLACE BUT WAS AT LEAST A FULL REVOLUTION FROM EVEN TOUCHING THE STEERING BEARING ADJUSTMENT NUT. 3) THE STEERING BEARING ADJUSTMENT NUT WAS JUST A BIT BEYOND FINGER TIGHT. SHOULD HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO 20 FT/LBS. 4) THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY LUBRICANT ON THE STEERING BEARING ADJUSTMENT NUT THREADS AS CALLED FOR IN THE SHOP MANUAL. I WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE POOR ASSEMBLY BY THE FACTORY OTHERWISE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10441159

Incident

Jul 5, 2010

Mileage

6,000 mi