2018 Honda GL1800

There is a Service Bulletin on the steering handle bars. The dealership I take it to is Go Az Flagstaff, AZ (928)526-7959. On a recall service appointment I was advised by the service manager of the loose handle bar service bulletin. It was addressed at that time. I had my motorcycle in for another recall and told them that the handle bars are still loose and American Honda told them they wouldn't cover it. This seamed illogical to me. It is obvious that their problem that generated the steering SB was not fixed by the direction Honda has given them. I am asking for assistance in raising the issue with American Honda. I don't feel comfortable riding a motorcycle with loose handle bars that Honda has a Service Bulletin generated to the public.

NHTSA ID

11668158

Incident

May 28, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Honda GL1800 Motorcycle. The contact stated that while releasing the accelerator pedal at speeds of 40 MPH or higher, whether on cruise control or not, the motorcycle experienced the death wobble. The motorcycle was taken to the dealer and was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the bearings on the handlebar were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The motorcycle was taken to another dealer, Xtreme Machines (700 NJ-33, Millstone, NJ 08535); who did not diagnose the failure and confirmed that the motorcycle was not safe to ride. The dealer tightened the bolts on the 2nd set of bearings underneath the bearings on the handlebar; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.

NHTSA ID

11661403

Incident

May 16, 2023

Mileage

9,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Gold Wing GL 1800 Motorcycle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V113000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11616004

Incident

Feb 22, 2024

The UBS bolt broke off ( according to honda mechanics who worked on the bike) causing the motorcycle to lose all power instantly. The engine basically fell apart. I was traveling 55 miles an hour on a two lane curvy mountain road with virtually no shoulder and traffic in both directions. With no power I tried to pull off the road But could not as my first reaction was to grab the brakes, causing traffic to come dangerously close behind me. with on coming traffic I had no choice but to try and get off the road. There was a 6 to 8 inch drop off onto the grass (no shoulder) at this point I lost control of the motorcycle and struggled to keep from falling over- injuring my left leg, right arm, and left neck. Honda dealers and Honda have told me this is a problem they are aware of and have had several other cases of failure in the same way. The vehicle has been with the Honda dealership since April 29, 2024 This is a very serious and life threatening problem of which Honda is aware. My injuries are still on going.

NHTSA ID

11609224

Incident

Apr 29, 2024

31300-KVZ-632 1.00 MOTOR, RATIO CONTROL - this is the part that failed. It is not available for inspection as the dealer has replaced the failed part under warranty. The safety risk is, if it breaks under acceleration, you are stuck in that gear so merging onto an interstate you could in fact be run over. Yes, the dealer confirmed and replaced the component. Yes, there were warning lamps including the check engine light. After starting and restarting the bike several times it cleared, and I rode the bike to the hotel (approx. 10 miles) and then it failed again. My assessment is as follows: This motor is mounted to the rear underside of the engine and moisture can infiltrate and cause intermittent or complete failure. Possibly from a bad gasket? I had ridden 260 miles that day in the rain while on a trip. After stopping for an hour then restarting the bike, the failure occurred. It wouldn't go into gear (it's a DCT - automatic) and the warning lamps were flashing (see attachments). I was able to eventually, after several restarts of the engine, to get the bike drivable and get to my hotel where it failed again. Fortunately, it didn't fail while in motion or under acceleration, but it can. In fact, Honda mentions that in the owner's manual, page 181.

NHTSA ID

11607446

Incident

Jul 4, 2024

The BOLT holding the Alternator/Starter or ISG unit BROKE. While this caused no injury as the Alternator stayed together, it could have caused the motorcycle to shut down while riding. The Honda Dealer replaced the Alternator under the Honda Extended Warranty. There were no symptoms, lights, or warnings.

NHTSA ID

11607365

Incident

Apr 30, 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Honda GL1800 Motorcycle. The contact stated that while the motorcycle was parked and the parking brake was activated, the parking brake failed, and the motorcycle rolled backwards. The contact fell off the motorcycle and sustained bruises and was checked out by the office nurse after the failure. The motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.

NHTSA ID

11607234

Incident

Aug 1, 2022

Mileage

32,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Honda GL1800 Motorcycle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V113000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had 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

11605460

Incident

Feb 22, 2024

"Newsletter - If the LCD screen is blank/inoperative and asterisks appear in place of the riding modes, perform the following test. • Inspect the number five (15 amp) audio fuse next to the battery in the main fuse box. • If failed, replace the fuse and disconnect the main multi pin connector from the Navi/audio unit. Power up the unit, and the fuse should not blow. You can also test with a known good Navi/audio unit. TechLine may be able to loan a known good Navi/audio unit if one is not available. • If the fuse does not fail, the original Navi/audio unit is internally shorted and will need to be replaced. " Newsletter - We have heard of customers riding with the cruise “ON” with no intention of actually using the cruise control function. These customers have noticed an issue where the cruise “ON” light in the dash will intermittently turn off on its own and not turn on again until the ignition key is turned off and back on. This will cause a P0504 error code to be stored for a brake switch malfunction. However, there is no actual malfunction of the switch. The rear brake pedal has a brake light switch and a cruise cancel switch. The problem is when both switches are activated for longer than 30 seconds while riding. Newsletter - When installing the NC750X/D accessory light bar (p/n 08A70-MJL-D30 or p/n 08A70-MGS-D30), ensure the front cowl stay holes are drilled in the correct position. The distance between the two mounting holes should be 37mm. If the mounting holes are less than 37mm, the front cowl stay (p/n 08A70-MJL-D30 or p/n 08A70-MGS-D30) will need to be replaced to install the accessory light bar. Newsletter - If the indicator warning light is on at all times and the motorcycle functions normally, you could have a DTC code P170D (shift sensor ground fault) due to the unit not having the quick shift option installed.

The Wrench - When performing the Service Bulletin GL1800 #1- Loose Handlebar Repair on 2018 GL 1800, or removing the Steering Bridge to adjust the upper steering stem nut on any 2018 and newer GL1800, the left rear tie rod bolt needs to be held by a 14 mm open wrench to prevent the bolt from turning when loosening the 17 mm upper nut. If the bolt is not supported, the rubber bushing will be damaged, which will then need to be replaced. Bushing damage will not be covered by warranty.

The Wrench - If DTCs appear on a new 2018 and newer GL1800, these are likely ABS related and are generated when the factory runs the freshly built unit on a dyno to verify proper engine and transmission operation. These stored codes are easily cleared using MCS, and will not return unless there is a problem related to the front (1-1) or rear (1-3) wheel speed sensors, or there is a CAN communication error (8-7) related to the ABS system.

"Dealer Message - The December 2020 edition of The Wrench publication is now available on iN. If DTCs appear on a new 2018 and newer GL1800, these are likely ABS related and are generated when the factory runs the freshly built unit on a dyno to verify proper engine and transmission operation. These stored codes are easily cleared using MCS, and will not return unless there is a problem related to the front (1-1) or rear (1-3) wheel speed sensors, or there is a CAN communication error (8-7) related to the ABS system."

The Wrench - If a customer complains of loose handlebars on a 2018 GL1800, the problem may be due to improper torquing of the steering stem nut at the factory. First, verify the complaint with the proper inspection outlined in the Service Bulletin GL1800 #1, then if the handlebars are loose continue to follow the instructions to perform the repair. Service Bulletin GL1800 #1 (Feb. 21, 2019) can be viewed by following the path below then searching for GL1800 #1.

The Wrench - If a customer complains of loose handlebars on a 2018 GL1800, the problem may be due to improper torquing of the steering stem nut at the factory. First, verify the complaint with the proper inspection outlined in the Service Bulletin GL1800 #1, then if the handlebars are loose continue to follow the instructions to perform the repair. Service Bulletin GL1800 #1 (Feb. 21, 2019) can be viewed by following the path below then searching for GL1800 #1.