Owners have filed 16 complaints
about the 2013 Honda GL1800 with NHTSA between 2013 and 2023.
The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion.
Across this model's run it ranks 13 of 14 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 15
Against the median year of the Honda GL1800. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
100% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2013 Honda GL1800
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
531.3%
Median failure at 150 miles
Engine & Cooling
425.0%
Median failure at 2,200 miles
Brakes
318.8%
Median failure at 10,750 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
16.3%
Median failure at 4,200 miles
Suspension
16.3%
Electrical System
16.3%
Median failure at 1,250 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
16.3%
Median failure at 5,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
541.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
650.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
18.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 2013peak 4Jul 2023
NHTSA investigations into the 2013 Honda GL1800
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE15014Opened 20 Apr 2015Closed 13 Nov 2015VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Inconsistent Throttle Control
This PE was opened after NHTSA received 10 owner complaints alleging vehicle control was compromised due to inconsistent throttle control in MY 2012-14 Honda GL1800 motorcycles.Typically during the first five minutes of operation (cold engine), riders would experience a pronounced engine stumble when operating the bike at low speeds and minimal throttle applications.Riders were concerned that this scenario would result in a crash if the stumble were to occur while making a sharp turn at low speed.Since opening this investigation we discussed the issue with Honda motorcycle dealers and service...
Recalls on the 2013 Honda GL1800
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2018001129,348 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger frontal airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. As a result, if the vehicle were involved in a collision that warrants airbag deployment, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants, and the airbag assembly could be damaged, preventing proper function. These issues could increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator. For the GL1800 model, dealers will replace the airbag module. Note: Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. The recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk, and is expected to replace airbag inflators before their function would be affected.
Recall 201548810,663 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain motorcycles, the combined brake system's secondary master cylinder may cause the rear brakes to drag. Continued riding with the rear brake engaged/dragging may generate enough heat to cause the rear brake to catch fire. These issues could result in injury and/or property damage. Unexpected braking may also adversely affect vehicle stability, which could result in a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the secondary master cylinder with one that has a modified check valve. In addition to replacing the secondary master cylinder, dealers will also replace the rear master cylinder and flush the brake fluid. Note: This recall supersedes recall 2014-326. All vehicles having been inspected and/or serviced under the previous recall will require re-inspection and repair.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Hilliard, FL
SUSPENSION
2013 gl 1800 anti dive device failure causing bumps while riding.
NHTSA complaint #11535313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hilliard, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
2013 gl 1800 anti dive device failure causing bumps while riding.
NHTSA complaint #11535313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,750 milesSlidell, LA
SERVICE BRAKES
MY BIKE WAS BROUGHT INTO MY LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP IN NOVEMBER 2015 FOR REAR BRAKE RECALL SERVICE. MY BIKE WAS OPERATING FINE PRIOR TO THE RECALL WORK BEING DONE. IN JULY 1, 2016 AFTER NOT RIDDEN MY BIKE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MY REAR BRAKE LOCKED UP ON ME AS I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY - I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BECAUSE THE BIKE IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO SLOW DOWN WHEN I DEPRESSED MY CLUTCH; SINCE MY I DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO USE MY BRAKES LEVER THAT WOULD HAVE TRIGGERED MY REAR BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE A CAR ALMOST REAR ENDED ME! SO I BRING MY BIKE INTO MY LOCAL DEALER (FRIENDLY HONDA OF SLIDELL, LA) ON JULY 6, 2016 AND THE INSPECTED MY BIKE AND WORKED WITH AMERICAN HONDA TO ADDRESS MY ISSUE. I WAS ADVISED BY MY LOCAL DEALER WHEN I PICKED UP MY AUGUST 3, 2016 THAT MY REAR BRAKE ROTOR WAS WARPED AND DAMAGED. THEY REQUESTED AMERICAN HONDA REPLACE THE ROTOR SINCE IT WAS CAUSED BY THEIR BRAKE RECALL . AMERICAN HONDA DENIED THEIR REQUEST. I CALLED AMERICAN HONDA TWICE TO PROTEST THE WAY MY BIKE IS NOW OPERATING WHEN I USE MY REAR BRAKES - THE BIKE SHUTTERS AND VIBRATES WHENEVER I USE MY REAR BRAKES WHICH IN MY OPINION OF BEING A VERY EXPERIENCED MOTORCYCLE RIDER OF 15+ YEARS. I FEEL THAT AMERICAN HONDA HAS PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER OF POSSIBLY LOSING CONTROL OF MY BIKE WHEN I'M RIDING ON THE ROAD. I SPOKE WITH TWO FOLKS AT AMERICAN HONDA (FELIX AND MATT WHO IS THE SUPERVISOR - EMPLOYEE ID MT98) AND I'VE RECEIVED ZERO RELIEF FOR THE UNSAFE CONDITION MY BIKE IS IN NOW. I PURCHASED MY BIKE BRAND NEW IN NOVEMBER 2014 AND THE BIKE ONLY HAS 10,784 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10893351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesWahiawa, HI
ENGINE
AFTER STARTING ENGINE, 1ST GEAR ENGAGEMENT, RELEASE CLUTCH AND FEED THROTTLE. MOTORCYCLE WILL STALL WHEN IN MOTION BETWEEN 1-10 MPH FORCING YOU TO ENGAGE CLUTCH LEVER AND THEN TWIST THROTTLE TO TRY AND GET ENGINE TO REV BACK UP. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL HAPPEN AND YOU WILL NOT FALL OVER DUE TO LACK OF POWER FROM STALL. THIS HAPPENS USUALLY WHEN ENGINE TEMP IS IN THE LOWER RANGE BUT CAN ALSO HAPPEN WHEN ENGINE IS WARM BUT YOU HAVE STOPPED FOR 10-20 MINUTES AND THEN YOU TRY TO START OFF AGAIN. THIS IS TOTALLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WITH A 900 LB. MOTORCYCLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE PURCHASING IN APRIL 2013.
NHTSA complaint #10781852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesWahiawa, HI
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AFTER STARTING ENGINE, 1ST GEAR ENGAGEMENT, RELEASE CLUTCH AND FEED THROTTLE. MOTORCYCLE WILL STALL WHEN IN MOTION BETWEEN 1-10 MPH FORCING YOU TO ENGAGE CLUTCH LEVER AND THEN TWIST THROTTLE TO TRY AND GET ENGINE TO REV BACK UP. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL HAPPEN AND YOU WILL NOT FALL OVER DUE TO LACK OF POWER FROM STALL. THIS HAPPENS USUALLY WHEN ENGINE TEMP IS IN THE LOWER RANGE BUT CAN ALSO HAPPEN WHEN ENGINE IS WARM BUT YOU HAVE STOPPED FOR 10-20 MINUTES AND THEN YOU TRY TO START OFF AGAIN. THIS IS TOTALLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WITH A 900 LB. MOTORCYCLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE PURCHASING IN APRIL 2013.
NHTSA complaint #10781852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesHouston, TX
POWER TRAIN
THE ENGINE STUTTERS AND STALLS AT LOW SPEEDS RESULTING IN AN INABILITY TO MAINTAIN FORWARD MOMENTUM, CAUSING A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN UPRIGHT POSITION WITHOUT EMERGENCY ACTION TO DISABLE DRIVE TRAIN, SUCH AS QUICKLY DISENGAGING CLUTCH IN ORDER TO ALLOW A SMOOTH COAST UNTIL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAN BE SAFELY RESTORED. THIS CONDITION PERSISTS UNTIL THE ENGINE IS AT FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE OR FOR ABOUT 15-30 MINUTES DEPENDING ON RIDING CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10681256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesHouston, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE ENGINE STUTTERS AND STALLS AT LOW SPEEDS RESULTING IN AN INABILITY TO MAINTAIN FORWARD MOMENTUM, CAUSING A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN UPRIGHT POSITION WITHOUT EMERGENCY ACTION TO DISABLE DRIVE TRAIN, SUCH AS QUICKLY DISENGAGING CLUTCH IN ORDER TO ALLOW A SMOOTH COAST UNTIL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAN BE SAFELY RESTORED. THIS CONDITION PERSISTS UNTIL THE ENGINE IS AT FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE OR FOR ABOUT 15-30 MINUTES DEPENDING ON RIDING CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10681256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8 milesRidgecrest, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
RIDING WHILE THE ENGINE IS WARMING UP, THE ENGINE GOES INTO A STALL REQUIRING THE RIDER TO PULL THE CLUTCH. IF IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN THE BIKE WILL CRASH. THIS PROBLEM PERSISTS STILL TODAY. HONDA DENIES THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT MANY OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING.
NHTSA complaint #10670092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,200 milesMilan, OH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MOTORCYCLE EXHIBITS A COLD START STUMBLE. AT AROUND 1700-2200 RPM (IN ANY GEAR) THE ENGINE STUMBLES / NEAR-STALLS. THIS LOSS OF POWER IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS ON A MOTORCYCLE WHERE RELIABLE POWER / SPEED IS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN RIDING STABILITY ESPECIALLY IN LOW SPEED MANEUVERING. LOSS OF POWER TWO-UP WITH A PASSENGER, LEANED OVER AT 25 DEGREES, AT ~0-5 MPH, IN SECOND GEAR...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS...HAVE ALMOST CRASHED MORE THAN ONCE. IN MANY GL1800 AND OTHER MOTORCYCLE USER FORUMS THIS IS A KNOWN AND MUCH DISCUSSED DYNAMIC WHICH HONDA HAS TO-DATE IGNORED / DISMISSED.
NHTSA complaint #10633401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,200 milesMilan, OH
ENGINE
MOTORCYCLE EXHIBITS A COLD START STUMBLE. AT AROUND 1700-2200 RPM (IN ANY GEAR) THE ENGINE STUMBLES / NEAR-STALLS. THIS LOSS OF POWER IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS ON A MOTORCYCLE WHERE RELIABLE POWER / SPEED IS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN RIDING STABILITY ESPECIALLY IN LOW SPEED MANEUVERING. LOSS OF POWER TWO-UP WITH A PASSENGER, LEANED OVER AT 25 DEGREES, AT ~0-5 MPH, IN SECOND GEAR...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS...HAVE ALMOST CRASHED MORE THAN ONCE. IN MANY GL1800 AND OTHER MOTORCYCLE USER FORUMS THIS IS A KNOWN AND MUCH DISCUSSED DYNAMIC WHICH HONDA HAS TO-DATE IGNORED / DISMISSED.
NHTSA complaint #10633401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,200 milesMilan, OH
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MOTORCYCLE EXHIBITS A COLD START STUMBLE. AT AROUND 1700-2200 RPM (IN ANY GEAR) THE ENGINE STUMBLES / NEAR-STALLS. THIS LOSS OF POWER IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS ON A MOTORCYCLE WHERE RELIABLE POWER / SPEED IS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN RIDING STABILITY ESPECIALLY IN LOW SPEED MANEUVERING. LOSS OF POWER TWO-UP WITH A PASSENGER, LEANED OVER AT 25 DEGREES, AT ~0-5 MPH, IN SECOND GEAR...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS...HAVE ALMOST CRASHED MORE THAN ONCE. IN MANY GL1800 AND OTHER MOTORCYCLE USER FORUMS THIS IS A KNOWN AND MUCH DISCUSSED DYNAMIC WHICH HONDA HAS TO-DATE IGNORED / DISMISSED.
NHTSA complaint #10633401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,250 milesSimpsonville, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ONLY WHILE THE ENGINE IS STILL WARMING UP, AT ABOUT 1800 RPM I HAVE A VERY NOTICABLE HESITATION.
NHTSA complaint #10629924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jefferson City, MO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2013 HONDA GL1800G. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BAD GAS MILEAGE AND BRAKE PAD ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE ONLY GETS 28 MPG. ALSO, THE BAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 02/04/14 THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED TWICE, IN ONE YEAR. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ON THE BRAKE PADS AND WHEELS, CAUSING THE BRAKE PADS TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. UPDATED 07/31/14
NHTSA complaint #10550202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jefferson City, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2013 HONDA GL1800G. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BAD GAS MILEAGE AND BRAKE PAD ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE ONLY GETS 28 MPG. ALSO, THE BAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 02/04/14 THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED TWICE, IN ONE YEAR. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ON THE BRAKE PADS AND WHEELS, CAUSING THE BRAKE PADS TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. UPDATED 07/31/14
NHTSA complaint #10550202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200 milesWaynesville, MO
ENGINE
THE MOTORCYCLE HAS A HESITATION OR STALLING ISSUE WERE AT LOW SPEEDS IT WILL HESITATE TO THE POINT WERE YOU HAVE NO RESPONSES SO YOU ROLL ON THE THROTTLE TO SEE IF YOU CAN GET IT TO REACT THEN THE BIKE WILL CATCH BACK UP AND THEN SURGES FORWARD VERY QUICKLY. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIME ON ME AND I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. IT DID IT TO ME AS I RODE THE BIKE OUT OF THEIR PARKING LOT.
NHTSA complaint #10512486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200 milesWaynesville, MO
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE MOTORCYCLE HAS A HESITATION OR STALLING ISSUE WERE AT LOW SPEEDS IT WILL HESITATE TO THE POINT WERE YOU HAVE NO RESPONSES SO YOU ROLL ON THE THROTTLE TO SEE IF YOU CAN GET IT TO REACT THEN THE BIKE WILL CATCH BACK UP AND THEN SURGES FORWARD VERY QUICKLY. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIME ON ME AND I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. IT DID IT TO ME AS I RODE THE BIKE OUT OF THEIR PARKING LOT.
NHTSA complaint #10512486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.