FaultScore

2003 Honda GL1800 body problems

54 of the 107 complaints about the 2003 Honda GL1800 are about the body and structure — 50% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 19,010 miles.

F

54

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Frame AND Members 30 55.6%
Underbody Shields 14 25.9%
Body 7 13.0%
Structure 2 3.7%
Trunk LID 1 1.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 90,000 miles Plum, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

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

NHTSA complaint #11354733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,000 miles Punxsutawney, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

NHTSA complaint #11339911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alachua, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

NHTSA complaint #11233116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 83,947 miles Waverly, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY

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

NHTSA complaint #10895396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 103,000 miles Canton, MI

STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

NHTSA complaint #10444377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,328 miles Attleboro, MA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10342495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,700 miles Hamilton, NJ

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

THE FRAME OF MY 2003 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE FRAME TUBE BEHIND THE LEFT PASSENGER FOOT BOARD.

NHTSA complaint #10294649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Smyrna, DE

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10282064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,200 miles Bear, DE

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10233190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 46,622 miles Houghton Lake, MI

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10230284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,400 miles Smock, PA

STRUCTURE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT TIRE HAD EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FORK WAS UNEVEN. THE FORK AND WHEEL BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10167222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,153 miles Chicago, IL

STRUCTURE

I OWN A HONDA MOTORCYCLE, GOLDWING 1800, WITH 8,153 MILES ON IT. PRIOR TO TODAY'S DATE 1 FEB 06, I NOTICED THAT THE INSIDE OF THE TRUNK LID WAS BEING WORN AWAY, THE INSIDE OF THE TRUNK LID IS SUSTAINING NOTICEABLE INDENTATIONS WHERE THIS WEARING AWAY IS OCCURRING, BY PLASTIC TIPS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TRUNK EDGE, WHICH WERE ALSO BEING WORN AWAY. IF THIS CONTINUES THERE WILL BE A HOLE IN THE TRUNK LID WHERE THIS WEARING IS OCCURRING. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP INSISTS THAT THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A FACTORY PART THAT IS DESTROYING ANOTHER FACTORY PART, BODY PANELS, CAN BE CONSIDERED WEAR AND TEAR.

NHTSA complaint #10149226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Whittier, NC

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

DT: THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN EARLY MARCH FOR HIS 2003 HONDA GOLDWING. AFTER CONTACTING THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER THE REPAIR WORK WAS NOT DONE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE INSPECTED BEFORE IT COULD BE FIXED, THAT TOOK THREE WEEKS. THEN THEY HAD TO WAIT FOR THE PARTS, AND WERE CURRENTLY WAITING ON HONDA TO ACCEPT THE NEW WELDS. HONDA HAS TO ACCEPT THE NEW WELDS BEFORE THE MOTORCYCLE CAN BE REASSEMBLED. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN# 05V027000. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10126670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pinehurst, NC

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

CONCERNS REGARDING 2002 GL1800 FRAME INSPECTION SHOWED UNUSUAL WELD PATTERNS BUT NO CRACKS.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER RENTED A 2003 GL1800 AND WHEN HE CROSSED A RAILROAD TRACK AT 35 MPH, THE FRAME IMMEDIATELY COLLAPSED, THE BIKE VEERED INTO THE ONCOMING LANE. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO KEEP THE BIKE UPRIGHT AND FINALLY PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE SERVICE DEALER CHECKED THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, HOWEVER IT WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. THE CONSUMER WANTS THE MANUFACTURER TO REPLACE HIS OWN PERSONAL BIKE WITH A BIKE OF EQUAL VALUE OR A FULL REFUND.

NHTSA complaint #10119172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Griffin, GA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

RECEIVED RECALL 03V35000 FOR DEFECTIVE FRAME. TOOK MOTORCYCLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND INFORMED NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. MANUFACTURER WILL BE SENDING PARTS IN 8-12 WEEKS.

NHTSA complaint #10117636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rocklin, CA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03V35000 CONCERNING FRAMES. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *

NHTSA complaint #10117672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Long Beach, CA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

NHTSA RECALLS 04V010000 CONCERNING COMBINED BRAKE SYSTEM LEAK/ 05V027000 CONCERNING FRAME CRACKS, AND 03V350000 REGARDING FRAME WELDS. DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALLS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PURCHASED AT THAT PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP. *AK CONSUMER HAS HAD 5 RECALLS ON THIS BIKE OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS. *BF

NHTSA complaint #10113178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Torrington, CT

STRUCTURE:BODY

WHILE INSPECTING THE MOTORCYCLE NOTICED THAT FRAME HAD SEPARATED FROM THE CROSS MEMBER. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO MOVE OR DRIVE THE MOTOR CYCLE TO THE DEALER. THE DRIVER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR APPOINTMENT. *NM THE CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF NHTSA CAN HELP SOLVE THIS PROBLEM OF HONDA SELLING DEFECTIVE MOTORCYCLES TO THE PEOPLE OF CONNECTICUT UNTIL THEY SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, SO THEY AREN'T PUTTING THEIR LIVES IN DANGER. *BF

NHTSA complaint #10113064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 610 miles Tucson, AZ

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

CONSUMER HAD PROBLEM GETTING FRAME WELD RECALL PERFORMED. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS SENT TO SEVERAL REPAIR FACILITIES BUT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET.

NHTSA complaint #10056027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sebring, FL

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

MOTORCYCLE DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF MISHANDLING BY HONDA AND POOR WORKMANSHIP WHILE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. (NAR) *PH PROBLEMS OCCURRED WITH FRAME, SEATS, TRUNK, AND RADIO ANTENNA. *CB (FRONT FENDER HAD A SEVERE SCRATCH, RUBBER AROUND BOTTOM OF THE RIGHT MIRROR WAS TORN, HEAT SHIELD ON THE LEFT SIDE SCRATCHED, STORAGE POUCHES UNDER ARM REST WAS DAMAGED, THE SEAT WAS INSTALLED WRONG, A NUT WAS MISSING ON AIR VENT ON THE WINDSHIELD, AND TRUNK ORGANIZERS HAD BROKEN) THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE WELD ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FRAME. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10067473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tucson, AZ

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

MOTORCYCLE FRAME HAD TO WELDED THREE TIMES. *PH IT TOOK THE DEALER EIGHT WEEKS TO COMPLETE THE RECALL BECAUSE THE WELDS WOULD NOT HOLD. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER FEELS SAFE RIDING THIS MOTORCYCLE BUT DOESN'T WANT TO SELL IT TO A PRIVATE OWNER FOR FEAR OF LEGAL PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER REQUEST THAT THE MANUFACTURER REPURCHASE THE BAKE FROM HIM.

NHTSA complaint #10057172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sterling, VA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03V35000 CONCERNING FRAME WELD. CONSUMER TRIED TO HAVE RECALL REPAIRS DONE SINCE APRIL OF 2004. HOWEVER, TWO DEALERS FLATLY REFUSED TO DO RECALL REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10080167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greer, SC

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03 V 350 000 CONCERNING MOTORCYCLE FRAME WELDS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING A LIABILITY. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10076006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warrenton, VA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF FRAMES CRACKING NOT INCLUDED IN EXISTING RECALL. NEW CRACKS ARE NOT A RESULT OF WEAK WELDS BUT ACTUAL FRAMES CRACKING. I AM CONCERNED THAT THESE ARE BEING OVERLOOKED AS A RESULT OF CURRENT RECALL FOR DIFFERENT AREA OF THE BIKE.

NHTSA complaint #10065914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lexington, TN

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (03B350000) FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FRAME. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE FIX FOR THE FRAME IS NOT CORRECT. THE MECHANIC WELDED THE FRAME ON ANOTHER PART OF THE MOTOR CYCLE. CREASYS HONDA SHOP 231 EAST CHURCH STREET LEXINGTON TN 38351, SERVICE MANAGER BART (731 968 3348).

NHTSA complaint #10064836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sebring, FL

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE WELD ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FRAME. *LA THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR BUT THE MANUFACTURER WANTED THE BIKE SHIPPED TO THEM FOR REPAIR. THE BIKE HAS BEEN AT THE MANUFACTURER FOR 28 DAYS AND IS NOT CLOSE TO HAVING IT REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. *PH

NHTSA complaint #10053596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Millport, PA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

RECALL REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN PERFORMED ON VEHICLE DUE TO REPAIR KITS NOT BEING AVAILABLE.*MR AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE FRAME REPAIR, THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT WAS TOLD THE PARTS HAD NOT ARRIVED BECAUSE IT WAS A SMALL DEALERSHIP AND ONLY THREE MOTORCYCLE'S WERE SOLD THERE WHICH INCLUDED THE CONSUMERS BIKE. *CB

NHTSA complaint #10051760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mount GAY, WV

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

RECALL NOTICE ON THE FRAME WELD OF MOTORCYCLE. DEALERSHIP WELDED ONLY ABOUT 45 PERCENT OF THE FRAME INSTEAD OF 100 PERCENT. *LA RECALL#03V350000 *SC THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE DEALER SOLD HIM THE MOTORCYCLE KNOWING THAT IT HAD AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM AND EVENTUALLY A RECALL WAS ISSUED.

NHTSA complaint #10051661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oostburg, WI

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

LTR FM [XXX] (WI) OWNER OF A HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE HONDA REFUSED TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE'S DEFECTIVE FRAME. THE OWNER INSTALLED A TRIKE KIT ON THE MOTORCYCLE WHICH VOIDED THE WARRANTY. *MR *SCC *JB *CB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10052016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 610 miles Tucson, AZ

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

THE MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE WELDING OF THE FRAME. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN FROM TUCSON, AZ TO PHOENIX FOR WELDING. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL INDICATING THAT WELDING DID NOT HOLD. THE CONSUMER WAS FURIOUS DUE TO GETTING THE RUN AROUND. *AK THE CONSUMER REQUESTED MONEY BACK.

NHTSA complaint #10050202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2003 Honda GL1800 problems

← Full 2003 Honda GL1800 report