Honda GL1800 transmission problems

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.

POWER TRAIN

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.

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.

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.

POWER TRAIN

There are quite a few 2018 and 2019 GL1800 that have had a failing UBS bolt that breaks and locks up the engine. I believe this is the case with my motorcycle. I am a [XXX] disabled vet who was riding my motorcycle down [XXX] in NJ going 60mph when I began slowing down for the exit onto [XXX]. Just about as I got to the exit the engine all of the sudden made a noise and locked up and pulling in the clutch made no difference so it cam to an abrupt stop and I fell over. Luckily the traffic was able to negotiate past me. If I had been in the center lane I do not know what would have happened. I have not taken it to a repair shop because I believe with uncertainty what is the failure after reading all of the forums online about these transmissions locking up due to an inferior bolt which has been replaced in the newer bikes with an upgraded part. There were no warnings, symptoms or lights prior to the failure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11602624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I was riding over the Commodore Barry Bridge when my transmission "locked" in 4th gear. The display showed 4 asterisks instead what driving mode the bike was in. I limped the bike to the closest dealer where it was determined that the Ratio Control Motor had malfunctioned. The motor along with the associated gaskets were replaced under the extended warranty that I purchased when the bike was new. The mechanic showed me the failed part that had burned contacts due to water intrusion into the housing.

NHTSA complaint #11599708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I have a 2023 Honda Goldwing/DCT which is a 7 speed motorcycle. On the highway traveling around 70 miles per hour in heavy traffic the bike just dies and it will just coast to a stop. You can not restart the bike because it is locked in 7th gear. Twice I had to have the biked towed to a Honda dealer. I called Honda and they said they have not heard of this problem. If they go on You tube they can see where other riders are having the same problem. I left my bike in at Honda dealer 2 weeks ago and they are waiting for some guidance from Honda. I will not ride this bike again until I am sure the problem is solved by Honda. I came within inches of getting killed on the highway with everyone passing me at 70 to 80 MPH as I coasted to a stop First time this happened bike had 50 miles on it

NHTSA complaint #11524145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

POWER TRAIN

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.

POWER TRAIN

2 INCIDENTS- MAY 26TH 2019 AND NOVEMBER 24TH 2019. AT A STOP ON A STREET - THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS THE HONDA 7 SPEED DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION - TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE, THE GOLD WING TOUR DCT MOTORCYCLE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED WITHOUT OPENING THE THROTTLE CAUSING THE BIKE TO LEAP FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE IN MAY HAPPENED WHILE THE FRONT BRAKE WAS APPLIED WHICH WAS NOT SUFFICIENT AS THE ENGINE POWER OVERCAME THE BRAKES AND JUMPED FORWARD ABOUT 6 FEET - THE BIKE WAS STOPPED BY ENGAGING THE KILL SWITCH. THE SECOND TIME IN NOVEMBER MY HAND WAS NOT ON THE RIGHT HANDLE - THROTTLE - WHEN THE ENGINE SURGED UNEXPECTEDLY AND CAUSED THE BIKE TO GO FORWARD ABOUT 4 FEET BEFORE I COULD GRAB THE BRAKES AND STOP FORWARD MOTION. FORTUNATELY IN BOTH CASES THERE WAS NOT A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME......

NHTSA complaint #11286673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

V6 TRANSMISSION STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING STUCK AND POPPING OUT OF 5TH GEAR TOOK TO MOTORCYCLE FACTORY WOODBRIDGE VA WHERE I BOUGHT IT THEY SAID NO PROBLEM LATER IT IS NOW COMPLETELY WASTED TRANSMISSION AND NEEDS WHAT EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT IT WAS A BAD DESIGN AND NEEDS WORK AT LEAST 4-5 K TO FIX THAT MAY SHOW UP AGAIN

NHTSA complaint #11185006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION "LOCKED UP" AND THE VEHICLE WILL NO LONGER MOVE. FORWARD OR REVERSE, NOTHING. THE REAR WHEEL WILL NOT TURN AT ALL. HAD JUST COME OUT OF DRIVEWAY WHEN IT STARTED MAKING A CHATTERING NOISE, THEN WHEN I GOT ON ROAD THE NOISE GOT LOUDER AND ABOUT THE TIME I SHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP COMPLETELY AND SKIDDED TO A STOP. AFTER NUMEROUS TRIES THE MOTOR WOULD RUN AND CLUTCH WOULD WORK BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR..I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO BRING IT BACK TO MY HOUSE. I CANNOT SEE ANY EVIDENCE OF WHY THE TRANS/DRIVELINE IS LOCKED AND WHY THE VEH. WILL NO LONGER MOVE. FORTUNATELY I WAS GOING VERY SLOW ON A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET. DISENGAGING THE CLUTCH WILL NOT ALLOW IT TO MOVE. IT IS JUST TOTALLY LOCKED UP. THIS IS A 2004 VEH. I PURCHASED NEW AND IT ONLY HAS 7K MILES ON IT. ALL MAINT. HAS BEEN PERFORMED AS SPECIFIED BY FACTORY. SEARCHING THE INTERNET SHOWED A FEW OTHER CASES OF THIS HAPPENING TO ALL YEARS FROM 2002-2011 BUT HONDA APPARENTLY DOES NOT WANT TO MAKE THIS PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE. IT ONLY HAPPENS TO A SELECT FEW AND I BELIEVE MINE HAS THE LOWEST MILES ON IT OF ALL OF THEM. I HAVE NOT YET CONTACTED HONDA MOTOR CO. BUT WILL AS SOON AS I GET A CHANCE. I AM 73 YRS. OLD AND THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE THE LAST MOTORCYCLE I WOULD PURCHASE AS I INTEND TO STILL RIDE FOR ANOTHER 10-15 YRS. AT LEAST AND THEY USUALLY LAST WELL OVER 100,000 MI.

NHTSA complaint #10983187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THREE MONTHS AGO I BOUGHT A 2010 GOLDWING WITH ONLY 11,000 MILES ON IT. RODE IT FOR A MONTH AND THE TRANSMMISON GOING INTO 5TH GEAR IS SLIPPING. TAKING IT TO HONDA AND THEY HAVE DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THEY HAVE AGREED TO PAY FOR THE PARTS. WHICH THE LABOR IS CRAZY AND COST MORE THAN THE PARTS. WHICH I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT THEY HAVE DONE THAT. BUT IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A KNOW DEFECT WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION? IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW THESE DEFECTS BEFORE NOT AFTER HAVING TO DISH OUT A LOT OF OF MONEY ON A PRETTY MUCH NEW GOLDWING. IF THEY COULD AT LEAST HONOR A PART OF THE LABOR COST IT WOULD HELP. I HAVE READ A LOT ON THE INTERNET AND IT APPEARS TO BE A ON GOING PROBLEM. WOULD BE NICE IF GOLDWING WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE AND OFFER TO FIX THE ISSUE INSTEAD OF COSTING THEIR LOYAL COSTUMES LOTS OF MONEY. I'M A LADY RIDER AND RIDE ALONE A LOT. DO NOT NEED TO GET STRANDED OUT ON THE HIGHTWAY ON A BROKEN GOLDWING. IF THERE IS A ISSUE WITH THIS PLEASE LET US GOLDWING RIDERS KNOW. LOTS OF MY FRIENDS RIDE GOLDWING A AND NOW WE ARE A LITTLE CONCERNED OF WHAT GOLDWING IS NOT TELLING US ABOUT THEIR PRODUCT. IS THERE A RECALL WE HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT? MY GOLDWING CLUTCH STARTED MAKING A RATTLING SOUND IN THE CLUTCH WHEN OUT OF GEAR. THEN WHEN PUT IN GEAR IT STOPPED. THEN WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD IT SLIPS OUT OF 5TH GEAR. WHEN PUT BACK IN GEAR IT TRIES TO SLIP BACK OUT. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WHY HAS GOLDWING NOT MADE IT AWARE TO THE PUBLIC.

NHTSA complaint #10851545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HONDA GOLD WING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED GEARS INDEPENDENTLY, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT TRANSMISSION HAD BENT SHIFTER FORK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000.

NHTSA complaint #10839912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

DROPS IN/OUT OF 5TH GEAR EVERY 1-3 MINUTES. GEARS 1-3 OCCASIONALLY DROP IN/OUT AND CONSISTENTLY MAKE A LIGHT GRINDING SOUND, INCLUDING NEUTRAL. THIS VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT I THINK HONDA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT BECAUSE I CONSIDER IT A SAFETY ISSUE. IF A RIDER SHOULD SUDDENLY LOSE POWER ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF A REAR-END COLLISION DUE TO RAPID AND UNEXPECTED ENGINE DECELERATION.

NHTSA complaint #10838093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

INSUFFICIENT RADIATOR FAN CLEARANCE RESULTS IN A DAMAGED RADIATOR CAUSING A COOLANT LEAK WHICH RESULTS IN AN UNCONTROLLED SLIDE ENDING IN A CRASH. COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR THAT THE FAN DAMAGED CAUSES A LOSS OF TRACTION AT THE REAR WHEEL. I NOTICED MY LEFT FOOT WAS WET AND SMELLED ENGINE COOLANT. I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN OUT OF GALVESTON GETTING ON NORTHBOUND I45. I TURNED THE CORNER AND THE MOTORCYCLE WENT SIDEWAYS. I ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE SLIGHTLY AND RODE OUT OF THE SKID. CHOPPING THE THROTTLE WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A HIGH-SIDE, AND APPLYING MORE THROTTLE WOULD HAVE CAUSED A LOW-SIDE CRASH. IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THEY HAVE SEEN A FEW OF THESE ISSUES AND I FOUND IT TO BE PREVALENT WITH OTHER OWNERS ON THE INTERNET NO MATTER THE MILES, LOCATION, OR CONDITION.

NHTSA complaint #10809480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

ON COLD START-UPS(EVEN IN THE SUMMER IN FLORIDA), THE MOTORCYCLE WILL STUMBLE OR HESITATE UNTIL WARMED UP. THIS CAUSES INCONSISTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE THROTTLE CONTROL IN SLOW TURNS. I HAVE NEARLY DROPPED THE MOTORCYCLE MULTIPLE TIMES AND ALSO HAVE ENCOUNTERED PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC AND NOT HAVING PREDICTABLE THROTTLE CONTROL TO GET GOING SAFELY. VERY DANGEROUS!

NHTSA complaint #10785837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.