103 of the
773 complaints filed about the Honda GL1800
are about the body and structure —
13% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2003.
2024 Honda Gold Wing GL1800DR Tour fails to detect the keyfob intermittently. The vehicle does not require a standard key to start, unlock or closing/opening the paniers, except for emergency situation and requires at that time a sequence to be followed. For this, it requires that you have the fob in your person while operating the motorcycle. The concerns around the fob/remote is that it looses communication with the vehicle intermittently, inhibiting access, say, to ignition start button or properly closing paniers/top case. The case of the storage containers not properly locking, resulted on highway opening of the paniers, releasing its contents. The vehicle also not starting the ignition sequence, have also affected access to the vehicle, where the rider is left stranded. Fresh lithium batteries, with confirmed voltage levels, has been installed. Motorcycle is shipped with 2 fobs, same issue with both. Warranty claims appointments (3), haven't been able to isolate or reproduce the issue, supporting 360° video evidence showing the issue happening during road use and pre-ride, has been provided to Honda and to the service departments. Honda refuses to replace any parts without the issue being reproduced by the service appointment. Symptoms: missing keyfob dashboard ligh and notification, unable to close/open storage, unable to open gas door, unable to start ignition, unable start any accessories. Actions: replaced fob batteries, main motorcycle battery, turned off both fob, tested 1 at the time at different distances, disconnected all aftermarket accessories, one at the time, more.
NHTSA complaint #11662714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shortly after purchasing brand new in July of 2021, this motorcycle developed a violent shake and wobble at 40mph, which could be felt between 35mph and 45mph, but was much worse at 40mph. It also developed at the same time a constant, uncommanded pull to the right. I have tried for three years to get this problem fixed and addressed under warranty. I have not been successful thus far. I have spent thousands of dollars myself because I have not gotten resolution from the manufacturer or dealer, and to this date, April 19, 2024, it is unresolved. You should know that there are many riders that own the 2018+ model of the Honda Gold Wing GL1800 that have the same issues. Not all, but enough that it is a common finding online, with professionals saying that they believe 1 out of every 1000 of these bikes have a bent or twisted frame, to a very well documented (by Traxxion Dynamics) defect in the right tie rod due to inferior components. I feel like I a being ignored until my warranty expires. I can provide extension high quality footage of these issues. I have included my letter to Honda Corporation, as well as a timeline of events since purchase. Please help.
NHTSA complaint #11584058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
I WAS SEATED ON MY 2018 DCT GOLDWING, HAVING JUST ROLLED BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT, (I DID NOT USE THE REVERSE FUNCTION) IT WAS RUNNING, WHEN I PUSHED "D" FOR DRIVE IT SHOT OUT FORWARD ON IT'S OWN, AS IF THE THROTTLE WAS WIDE OPEN. WITHIN 1 SECOND OR LESS I REAR ENDED ANOTHER 2018 GOLDWING ABOUT 1 CAR LENGTH IN FRONT OF ME. WE BOTH CRASHED. NO SIGNIFICANT BODILY INJURY TO US. BUT THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY OF DEATH TO BYSTANDERS IN THE PARKING LOT IF WE HAD HIT THEM. I WAS NOT TWISTING THE THROTTLE, AS THE PARKING LOT WAS CROWDED. THE ENGINE DID NOT SLOW TILL IT HIT THE GROUND WHEN THE AUTO KILL ENGAGED. I FEAR THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION IN EITHER THE THROTTLE BY WIRE, OR COMPUTER CONTROLS. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF OTHER 2018 DCTS THAT LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT TWISTING THE THROTTLE.
NHTSA complaint #11338896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA GL1800 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE EXHIBITED FRACTURES ALONG THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE LOWER FRAME, LOCATED AT THE PASSENGER SIDE FOOT REST. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
NHTSA complaint #11299930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA GL1800 (GOLDWING) MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRAME WHERE AN ALUMINUM TUBE ENTERED INTO THE MAINFRAME. THE DEALER (FRED CUMMINGS MOTORSPORTS, 2211 CHESTER AVE, BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301, (661) 324-9695) STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE MANUFACTURER HAD A RECORDED MESSAGE STATING THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CONTACT EMAILED THE MANUFACTURER'S WEBSITE AND WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.
NHTSA complaint #11203989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA GOLDWING. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONSUMER STRUCK A SMALL OBJECT IN THE ROAD AND A POP WAS HEARD. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE WELDS FRACTURED IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT PLACES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V027000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,950. UPDATED 01/04/17*LJ UPDATED 01/05/17.
NHTSA complaint #10926526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA GOLDWING. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONSUMER STRUCK A SMALL OBJECT IN THE ROAD AND A POP WAS HEARD. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE WELDS FRACTURED IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT PLACES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V027000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,950. UPDATED 01/04/17*LJ UPDATED 01/05/17.
NHTSA complaint #10926526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
FRONT BRAKE LOCKED UP. I MERELY TOUCHED THE FRONT LEVER LIGHTLY TO SLOW EVEN MORE TO LOOK AT THE TERRAIN, AND IT JUST LOCKED UP TIGHT THROWING ME OVER THE HANDLEBAR AND CAUSING THE BIKE TO FLIP OVER WITH MY WIFE ON IT. I HAD A DEALER/MANUFACTURER MAINTENANCE PROGROM ON THE BIKE. I HAD JSUT TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALER FOR THE 42000 MILE CHECK UP, AND EVEN HAD THEM WRITE ON THE WORK ORDER TO SPECIFICALLY CHECK THE BRAKES, AS I WAS GOING ON A 2750 MILE, 9 DAY TRIP TO THE SMOKEY MOUNTAINS.
NHTSA complaint #10582946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2010 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE WITH 5,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE RIDING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS HE HEARD A STRANGE NOISE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED SEVERAL TIMES BY THE DEALER BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SWAY BAR NEEDED TO BE GREASED.
NHTSA complaint #10550497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A HUGE CRACK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MOTORCYCLE UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE FOOT REST. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IF DRIVING OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE CRACK WOULD PROCEED TO SPREAD AND CAUSE A SEVERE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE SUB-FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 04/11/12 *BF UPDATED 05/10/12
NHTSA complaint #10450510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
MOTORCYCLE, HONDA GOLDWING, 2001 LEFT FRAME CRACK: THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF FRAMES BEING CRACKED AND UPON INSPECTION OF MY MOTORCYCLE FRAME I NOTICED THAT I HAVE THE IDENTICAL CRACK IN MY FRAME. THE CRACK IS LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE LEFT PASSENGER FOOTREST AND IS VISIBLE BY REMOVING THE REAR TIRE AND VIEWING IT FROM UNDER THE BIKE. THE CRACK EXTENDS DOWN FROM A WELD THAT ATTACHES THE LOWER LEFT REAR SUPPORT TUBE TO THE CENTER SECTION OF THE FRAME.
NHTSA complaint #10325068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2002 GOLDWING GL1800 BROKEN FRAME ON THE BOTTOM OR THE REAR FRAME TUBES CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION AND THE REAR OF THE BIKE WILL COME OFF INCLUDING DRIVER, PASSENGER,SADDLEBAGS AND REAR TRUNK! HONDA WILL DO NOTHING TO FIX IT! IF THE DAMAGE GOES UNSEEN BY A TECH THE OWNER WILL NEVER KNOW THE FRAME IS BROKEN BECAUSE IT IS NOT IN HONDAS RECALL OF THE WELDED CENTERSTAND AREA. THE REPLACEMENT FRAMES HAVE GUSSETTES WELDED IN THE AFFECTED AREAS, SO HONDA KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM. AFFECTED FRAMES ARE IN 2001-2004 HONDA GL1800 MOTORCYCLES AND WAS UPDATED IN LETTER 2004 MODELS! HONDA SERVICE REP VIRTUALLA SAYS TOO BAD!
NHTSA complaint #10288800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.