FaultScore

FaultScore report

2019 Honda GL1800 problems

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2019 Honda GL1800 with NHTSA between 2021 and 2026. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 14 of 14 worst.

B

FaultScore 26/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Honda GL1800.

How this is worked out

The numbers

12

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

34,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

71%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 11 vs 50 Severity 0 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 11
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
71% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2019 compares with every other Honda GL1800

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2019 Honda GL1800

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 6 50.0%

Median failure at 34,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 4 33.3%

Median failure at 17,550 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 1 8.3%

Median failure at 7,000 miles

Electrical System 1 8.3%

Median failure at 98,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 3 42.9%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 2 28.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 2 28.6%

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.

Aug 2021 peak 2 Jun 2026

Recalls on the 2019 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 2024660 2,385 units in Canada

Powertrain

Issue: On certain motorcycles, the primary drive gear bolt may break. If this happens, the engine could stall suddenly and cause the rear wheel to lock up while riding. Safety Risk: A rear wheel that locks up suddenly could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Honda will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your motorcycle to a dealership to replace the primary drive gear bolt.

Recall 2024096 3,811 units in Canada

Fuel System

Issue: On certain motorcycles, the fuel pump could fail. If this happens, the engine could stall while riding and you may not be able to restart it. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Honda will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your motorcycle to a Honda Powersports dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump module.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Calabasas, CA

POWER TRAIN

On XXX, while I was operating my 2019 Honda Gold Wing Tour DCT (GL1800D, VIN [XXX]) on the freeway at approximately ~26k miles, the motorcycle suddenly lost drive and came to a stop and could not be restarted, leaving me stranded on the freeway — the same type of sudden power-loss hazard that Safety Recall 24V-820 was issued to prevent. The motorcycle had to be towed. Approximately 1,000 miles earlier, on 9/30/2026, Tri-County Powersports (Moorpark, CA) had performed NHTSA Safety Recall 24V-820 on this motorcycle, replacing the primary drive gear bolt on the crankshaft as the recall remedy. After the failure, the motorcycle was taken to Tri-County Powersports on April 22, 2026 (Repair Order XXX). The dealer's technician reported unusual engine noise, confirmed the motorcycle would not drive forward, removed the clutch cover, and found it full of metal debris. A large portion of the debris is aluminum, and the failure is located in the primary-drive and dual-clutch area — the same region serviced under Recall 24V-820 about 1,000 miles before the failure. The dealer estimated approximately $7,167 to remove the engine, replace both dual-clutch assemblies and the oil pump, and flush the oil system. Because this catastrophic failure occurred in the same area addressed by Recall 24V-820, only about 1,000 miles after the recall remedy was performed, I believe this is a failure or recurrence of the recalled defect following the remedy. The motorcycle was properly maintained with regular oil changes (records available). Repair orders and photographs of the debris and failed components are available on request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11744535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Calabasas, CA

ENGINE

On XXX, while I was operating my 2019 Honda Gold Wing Tour DCT (GL1800D, VIN [XXX]) on the freeway at approximately ~26k miles, the motorcycle suddenly lost drive and came to a stop and could not be restarted, leaving me stranded on the freeway — the same type of sudden power-loss hazard that Safety Recall 24V-820 was issued to prevent. The motorcycle had to be towed. Approximately 1,000 miles earlier, on 9/30/2026, Tri-County Powersports (Moorpark, CA) had performed NHTSA Safety Recall 24V-820 on this motorcycle, replacing the primary drive gear bolt on the crankshaft as the recall remedy. After the failure, the motorcycle was taken to Tri-County Powersports on April 22, 2026 (Repair Order XXX). The dealer's technician reported unusual engine noise, confirmed the motorcycle would not drive forward, removed the clutch cover, and found it full of metal debris. A large portion of the debris is aluminum, and the failure is located in the primary-drive and dual-clutch area — the same region serviced under Recall 24V-820 about 1,000 miles before the failure. The dealer estimated approximately $7,167 to remove the engine, replace both dual-clutch assemblies and the oil pump, and flush the oil system. Because this catastrophic failure occurred in the same area addressed by Recall 24V-820, only about 1,000 miles after the recall remedy was performed, I believe this is a failure or recurrence of the recalled defect following the remedy. The motorcycle was properly maintained with regular oil changes (records available). Repair orders and photographs of the debris and failed components are available on request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11744535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,000 miles Gold Canyon, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2019 Honda GL 1800. The contact stated that while riding at 50 MPH, the engine shut off without warning. Due to the failure, the motorcycle was towed to an independent mechanic and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided with a case number. The motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA complaint #11717184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,000 miles Gold Canyon, AZ

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2019 Honda GL 1800. The contact stated that while riding at 50 MPH, the engine shut off without warning. Due to the failure, the motorcycle was towed to an independent mechanic and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided with a case number. The motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA complaint #11717184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 34,000 miles Englewood, FL

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2019 Honda GL1800. The contact stated that while attempting to start the motorcycle or while accelerating from a stationary position, the motorcycle occasionally stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The motorcycle was taken to a local dealer, where the motorcycle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that no fault codes were retrieved and the failure was found with the motorcycle. The motorcycle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000.

NHTSA complaint #11656159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 34,000 miles Englewood, FL

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2019 Honda GL1800. The contact stated that while attempting to start the motorcycle or while accelerating from a stationary position, the motorcycle occasionally stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The motorcycle was taken to a local dealer, where the motorcycle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that no fault codes were retrieved and the failure was found with the motorcycle. The motorcycle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000.

NHTSA complaint #11656159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lebanon, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2019 Honda GL1800. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V820000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that upon contacting the dealer for the recall repair, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair had already been performed. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the recall repair history indicated that the recall was completed on January 20th, 2025; however, the contact stated that the motorcycle had not been taken to the dealer since October 2024. The contact suggested taking the motorcycle to another dealer for recall repair inspection, but the manufacturer declined to cover the recall repair in the event another dealer confirmed that the recall repair had not been performed on the motorcycle. The contact stated 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 showed no open recall.

NHTSA complaint #11645955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waynesboro, PA

POWER TRAIN

Motorcycle was bought new in 2023 February. In April of 2024. There is a internal rattling noise at the rear of the engine between the transmission and engine area when the motorcycle. Downshifts. I called the dealer right away and was told to stop riding it. The soonest they could get me on the schedule was the end of May. The bike had just over 1,000 mi. At this time. I dropped the bike off around May 27th to be looked at the following week on my appointment. 2 weeks go by and they still haven't even looked at my bike yet. They finally called me around the 20th of June and told me there's a noise at the back of the engine around the transmission area. Which I already knew that and told them and gave them video of the noise when it was happening. They wanted my okay to tear into it and figure out what was making the noise. They called Honda corporate and told them what was going on and they okayed them to continue with the exploratory tearing apart of my bike to find out what was going on. I called back weeks later to find out what was going on and they still haven't touched my bike. They said they will be able to work on it around the end of June beginning of August. I called last week which was around August 10th and they still have not touched my bike. This is the same dealership that I bought this bike and the same type of bike the year before from and they do not want to help me on just returning this bike and giving me another bike. I am basically going in one entire season with no bike. Mind you it's a $25 to $30,000 bike that I have literally put 700 mi on and now I'm going to be whenever I get my bike back. It's going to be already torn to pieces to figure out what's going on and then hopefully fixed. And now I have to ride a bike that has been torn apart. Put bad together by multiple people is what it sounds like and the warranty will already be one year gone from that. At this point I feel this bike is defective and should be replaced.

NHTSA complaint #11609205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waynesboro, PA

ENGINE

Motorcycle was bought new in 2023 February. In April of 2024. There is a internal rattling noise at the rear of the engine between the transmission and engine area when the motorcycle. Downshifts. I called the dealer right away and was told to stop riding it. The soonest they could get me on the schedule was the end of May. The bike had just over 1,000 mi. At this time. I dropped the bike off around May 27th to be looked at the following week on my appointment. 2 weeks go by and they still haven't even looked at my bike yet. They finally called me around the 20th of June and told me there's a noise at the back of the engine around the transmission area. Which I already knew that and told them and gave them video of the noise when it was happening. They wanted my okay to tear into it and figure out what was making the noise. They called Honda corporate and told them what was going on and they okayed them to continue with the exploratory tearing apart of my bike to find out what was going on. I called back weeks later to find out what was going on and they still haven't touched my bike. They said they will be able to work on it around the end of June beginning of August. I called last week which was around August 10th and they still have not touched my bike. This is the same dealership that I bought this bike and the same type of bike the year before from and they do not want to help me on just returning this bike and giving me another bike. I am basically going in one entire season with no bike. Mind you it's a $25 to $30,000 bike that I have literally put 700 mi on and now I'm going to be whenever I get my bike back. It's going to be already torn to pieces to figure out what's going on and then hopefully fixed. And now I have to ride a bike that has been torn apart. Put bad together by multiple people is what it sounds like and the warranty will already be one year gone from that. At this point I feel this bike is defective and should be replaced.

NHTSA complaint #11609205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 7,000 miles Port Saint Lucie, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2019 Honda GL1800 Motorcycle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V113000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the motorcycle was hesitating and jerking intermittently while riding at various speeds and attempting to accelerate. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA complaint #11592793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,000 miles Kerrville, TX

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2019 Honda GL1800 Motorcycle. The contact stated that on various occasions while riding the motorcycle, the motorcycle lost motive and electrical power. The failure occurred while decelerating or while idling. Additionally, on several occasions, the motorcycle would not immediately start. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred during very warm weather. The motorcycle was taken to the local dealer but no cause of failure was found and no repairs were performed. The contact was concerned that the failure would continue. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000.

NHTSA complaint #11472486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,100 miles Heber Springs, AR

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2019 Honda Gold Wing GL1800. The contact stated the while riding at various speeds, the motorcycle failed to shift correctly to the next gear. The vehicle failed to shift out of first gear. Additionally, while in fourth gear the vehicle shifted to seventh gear independently. The motorcycle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed that the speed monitor needed to be replaced. The motorcycle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 1,100.

NHTSA complaint #11428842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.