FaultScore

Honda GL1800 engine problems

243 of the 773 complaints filed about the Honda GL1800 are about the engine — 31% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2002.

243

Complaints

31%

Share of all complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

Engine & Cooling complaints by model year

2001 GL1800 50 20.6%

Median failure at 8,725 miles

2002 GL1800 127 52.3%

Median failure at 4,500 miles

2003 GL1800 16 6.6%

Median failure at 4,000 miles

2004 GL1800 2 0.8%

Median failure at 8,189 miles

2005 GL1800 5 2.1%

Median failure at 22,500 miles

2007 GL1800 1 0.4%

Median failure at 69,000 miles

2008 GL1800 2 0.8%

Median failure at 31,540 miles

2010 GL1800 1 0.4%
2012 GL1800 17 7.0%

Median failure at 300 miles

2013 GL1800 4 1.6%

Median failure at 2,200 miles

2014 GL1800 2 0.8%

Median failure at 600 miles

2016 GL1800 3 1.2%

Median failure at 10,000 miles

2018 GL1800 5 2.1%

Median failure at 1,000 miles

2019 GL1800 6 2.5%

Median failure at 34,000 miles

2020 GL1800 1 0.4%

Median failure at 2 miles

2021 GL1800 1 0.4%

What owners said

2019 Honda GL1800 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.

2019 Honda GL1800 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.

2019 Honda GL1800 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.

2019 Honda GL1800 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.

2018 Honda GL1800 Pueblo West, CO 1 injured

ENGINE

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 complaint #11609224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Honda GL1800 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.

2018 Honda GL1800 Galloway, NJ

ENGINE

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 complaint #11607446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Honda GL1800 Portland, OR

ENGINE

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 complaint #11607365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Honda GL1800 New Bern, NC

ENGINE

Took my 2018 Honda Goldwing for replacement of the fuel pump as stated in the recall on April 26 of this year to LeJuene Motorsports. The repairs have not been completed and it is over the 60 days timeline for a reasonable time for repair.

NHTSA complaint #11597305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Honda GL1800 Lakeland, FL

ENGINE

Many Honda Goldwings are known to have what owners call a stumble in engine performance which happens as the engine temperature is warming up. This does not happen when the engine is still cold, or once the engine reaches normal operating temperature. This stumble becomes a safety problem when operating the vehicle at slow engine speed and making a turn. On a motorcycle the operator depends on engine response to help control the vehicle. If the engine stumbles while making a turn it increases the chance of the operator losing their balance and the bike and operator being in an accident. I have not taken my motorcycle to a dealer to have it examined. This is a well known fault in many, if not most GL1800's produced between the years 2005 and 2010 and possibly other year models as well. Dealers always respond with, Mother Honda won't do anything to correct this. This is normal and not a defect. As far as approximate date of this incident I will list today's date because this is a problem everytime I ride and the conditions to produce the stumble are met. Two aftermarket manufactures have solutions that partially work to eliminate this situation. Guhl Motors in Ephrata Pa and Electrical Connections in Knoxville Tn. However, it's not the owners responsibility to fix safety issues that Honda has created. Just for my personal information can you please inform me as to how many complaints you have received about this situation and what Honda says about fixing it?

NHTSA complaint #11549329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Honda GL1800 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.

2016 Honda GL1800 Charlevoix, MI

ENGINE

Motorcycle stumbles and hesitates during engine warmup. Problem creates a hazard situation if this happens in traffic. If you apply throttle before engine is at operating temperature while leaving a street light, stop sign or in traffic the motorcycle stumbles and hesitates. This situation can cause the vehicle behind the motorcycle to overrun the motorcycle cause an accident resulting in injury or even death.

NHTSA complaint #11437937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Honda GL1800 Brooksville, FL

ENGINE

when just starting out using foot brake and handbrake , handbrake came in towards grip real far and throttle cut out but not off for a few seconds. Then abs and traction control lights came on along with mode selector lights until bike was shut down and restarted. Upon restarting all would be ok for a few miles or even the whole day or would just do it all over again. It did this from june until now where it is presently at the honda dealer while honda tries to figure it out. So far they have not.

NHTSA complaint #11425731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Honda GL1800 at 2 miles Joliet, IL

ENGINE

ENGINE IS STALLING FROM UNKNOWN CAUSE. ONLY CONSISTENT CONDITION IS THAT IT HAS OCCURRED DURING SOME FORM OF BRAKING AND ONCE CLUTCH IS DISENGAGED. OCCURS AT ALL SPEEDS. MOTORCYCLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND STALLING OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING DEALERSHIP. STALLING IS INTERMITTENT, BUT FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE HAS INCREASED. STALLING OCCURS WHILE IN MOTION. STALLING HAS OCCURRED FROM 3-65 MPH. STALLING HAS OCCURRED WHILE BIKE IS MOVING UPRIGHT AND STRAIGHT. STALLING HAS ALSO OCCURRED WHILE BIKE HAS BEEN LEANED OVER AND TURNING. IN ADDITION, DISENGAGING THE CLUTCH CAUSES A FLUCTUATION IN RPM DEPENDING ON CLUTCH LEVER POSITION. WITH ABSOLUTELY NO THROTTLE INPUT AND WITH CLUTCH LEVER TOUCHING THE GRIP, TRANSMISSION IDLES AT SAME LEVEL IN GEAR AS IT DOES WHEN IN NEUTRAL (APPROXIMATELY 750). HOWEVER, ONCE LEVER MOVES A MERE ⅛ INCH FROM GRIP, THE RPMS INCREASE BY APPROXIMATELY 500 RPM. THIS OCCURS WHEN LEVER STILL HAS AT LEAST ANOTHER 1 INCH OF TRAVEL TO GO UNTIL FRICTION ZONE (ENGAGEMENT). THIS CONDITION IS ALWAYS PRESENT.

NHTSA complaint #11359812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Honda GL1800 at 1,000 miles Rockford, IL

ENGINE

THE ENGINES STOPS SOMETIMES WHEN I STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND START TO TAKE OFF. MANY TIMES THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A LOUD CLUNK AND THE ENGINE STOPS. IT APPEARS LIKE THE BIKE TRY'S TO ENGAGE BOTH TRANSMISSIONS AT THE SAME TIME. SEVERAL TIMES I COULD NOT GET THE BIKE RESTARTED. I TOOK IT TO TWO DIFFERENT HONDA DEALERS BUT THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND OTHER 2018 HONDA GOLDWING DCT OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THEM AND HONDA TELLS ALL OF US THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. IT IS A SAFELY ISSUE BECAUSE I GO TO MOVE AND THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME STARTS TO MOVE AND HAS TO JAM ON THERE BRAKES AND THEN THEY HONK AT ME BECAUSE I AM STALLED AT THE INTERSECTION.

NHTSA complaint #11205522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Honda GL1800 at 20,000 miles Woodcliff Lake, NJ Crash

ENGINE

WITH BIKE IN GEAR, SIDE STAND DOWN, KILL SWITCH IN KILL POSITION, AND NO KEY IN IGNITION, WHILE REPLACING THE BATTERY THE ENGINE STARTED AND THE BIKE ENGINE ENGAGED AND ROLLED FORWARD CAUSING IT TO FALL ON TOP OF ME, AND DAMAGING THE SADDLE BAG WHICH WAS LEFT OPEN BECAUSE THE COVER TO THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT NOW IS ATTACHED INSIDE THE SADDLE BAG. HONDA IS BLAMING LIGHTS INSTALLED BY THE DEALER FOR BURNING OUT THE RELAY TO THE IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION. THUS, BYPASSING THE NORMAL MECHANISM TO PREVENT THE BIKE FROM ENGAGING . THIS CONSTITUTES A SYSTEM DESIGN FLAW IF THE BIKE CAN START AND ENGAGE A GEAR WITH ALL OF THE SAFETY FEATURES DESIGNED TO PREVENT THIS IN PLACE. DURING THIS PROCEDURE THE BIKE WAS STATIONARY ON A LEVEL GARAGE FLOOR

NHTSA complaint #11152576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Honda GL1800 Ballston Lake, NY

ENGINE

THE ENGINE RUN HOTTER THAN USUAL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND GOING UP HILL AT HIGHER RPM . ALL FANS ARE RUNNING OK AS EXPECTED BUT STILL WHEN EVER STUCK IN TRAFFIC AT 75 DEGREE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE SEEM TO CREEP UP HIGHER TOWARDS THE RED MARK . THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IF THE ENGINE SPILL COOLANT , I AND MY PASSAGE RISK GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO SLIPPERY SURFACE. HAD IT CHECK BY THE PRO AND THEY ARE POINTING AT THE ECM . THIS SHOULD BE FIX AND IS HONDA'S RESPONSIBILITY . MANY OTHER OWNERS HAD PREVIOUSLY COMPLAINED OF SIMILAR ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #11090454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Honda GL1800 at 69,000 miles Chula Vista, CA

ENGINE

EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING AT SLOW SPEEDS WITHIN 5-10 MILES. HAD TO STOP SEVEAL TIMES TO LET MOTORCYCLE COOL.

NHTSA complaint #11002403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Honda GL1800 at 1 miles ELK Grove Village, IL

ENGINE

I WAS JUST STARTING FROM MY HOUSE AND HAD SOME HESITATION IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. I MADE A RIGHT TURN ABOUT A 1/4 MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND AGAIN I HAD HESITATION IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. NOTE, I DO LET THE BIKE IDLE DOWN BEFORE TAKEN OFF. THIS 2016 WITH FUEL INJECTION THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. HONDA NEEDS TO SOMETHING AND MAKE A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10897457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Honda GL1800 at 200 miles Sierra Vista, AZ 1 injured

ENGINE

SINCE THE BIKE WAS NEW IT HAS A SEVERE STUMBLE AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT AT FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. THE MOTORCYCLE ACTS AS IF IT'S NOT GETTING ENOUGH AIR OR FUEL OR BOTH AND WILL LOSE POWER. IF YOU ATTEMPT TO COMPENSATE BY ADDING MORE THROTTLE IT WILL TAKE OFF SUDDENLY, SOMETIMES WITH NEAR DISASTROUS RESULTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE NEW AND THREE TIMES I WAS IN MORTAL DANGER, ONCE WITH MY WIFE ON THE BACK OF THE BIKE. (SHE WILL NOT RIDE ON THIS BIKE ANY MORE AND I WILL BE GETTING A NEW ONE.) THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED MANY THINGS AT THE DIRECTION OF HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE, INCLUDING NEW PLUGS, NOW FUEL INJECTION, AND REFLASHING THE ECU. NOTHING HAS RESOLVED THE ISSUE. HONDA CS FIRST SUGGESTED LETTING THE MOTORCYCLE WARM UP TO FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE...NEAR 20 MINUTES EVEN IN WARM WEATHER. THEY THEN ADVISED ME TO GET COUPLES COUNSELING IF MY WIFE WON'T RIDE WITH ME DUE TO THE ISSUE. LAST, THEY SUGGESTED THAT I NOT DRIVE IN LOCATIONS WHERE I HAVE TO MAINTAIN LESS THAN 10MPH. (I WORK AT A HOSPITAL THAT IS WITHIN A SCHOOL ZONE ON A MILITARY BASE.) IN THE END HONDA HAS DENIED THAT THERE IS ANY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10883150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Honda GL1800 problems