FaultScore

FaultScore report

2013 Honda GL1800A problems

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 2013 Honda GL1800A with NHTSA between 2013 and 2018. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 3 worst.

D

FaultScore 65/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Honda GL1800A.

How this is worked out

The numbers

15

Complaints

1

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

900 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

100%

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 49 vs 50 Severity 69 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 49
Against the median year of the Honda GL1800A. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 69
13.3% 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%.

How 2013 compares with every other Honda GL1800A

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 2013 Honda GL1800A

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

Engine & Cooling 4 26.7%

Median failure at 1,073 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 3 20.0%

Median failure at 500 miles

Electrical System 2 13.3%

Median failure at 2 miles

Equipment & Accessories 1 6.7%

Median failure at 2 miles

Wheels 1 6.7%

Median failure at 5,100 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 6.7%

Median failure at 500 miles

Body & Structure 1 6.7%

Median failure at 12,000 miles

Brakes 1 6.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 1,712 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 6.7%

Median failure at 14,054 miles

When it fails

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

Under 1,000 miles 8 53.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 4 26.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 3 20.0%

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.

Jul 2013 peak 3 May 2018

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 1,712 miles Spring, TX Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

REAR BRAKE DRAGGING. REAR DISKS HEATING UP. DRAGGING BRAKE LED TO TIP OVER AT SLOW SPEED. THERE IS A RECALL ON EARLIER YEAR HONDA GOLDWINGS. THIS MODEL 2013 IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PREVIOUS RECALLS.

NHTSA complaint #10746031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 900 miles Ovilla, TX 1 injured

ENGINE

ON A COLD ENGINE START RELEASING THE CLUTCH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE ENGINE WILL "STUMBLE" OR HESITATE, THEN CATCH AND ACCELERATE ERRATICALLY AND RUN ROUGH FOR A SHORT TIME. ON A MOTORCYCLE, IN A TURN WHERE THE MACHINE MUST BE LEANED OVER, THIS RESULTS IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND DROPPING THE 950 LB. MACHINE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGINE HAS COOLED TO AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OVERNIGHT OR AFTER BEING PARKED FOR AN EXTENDER PERIOD. THIS CONDITION BEGAN AT ABOUT 900 MILES AND CONTINUES TO THE CURRENT MILEAGE OF 2900. THE INJURY MENTIONED WAS TO MY BACK IN TRYING TO PREVENT DROPPING TO MOTORCYCLE AND DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION.

NHTSA complaint #10532347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

at 2 miles Phoenix, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HONDA GOLDWING 1800D (NA). WHILE OPERATING THE MOTORCYCLE AND USING THE GPS, THE VOICE GUIDANCE AUDIO WOULD STOP WORKING, FORCING THE RIDER TO LOOK DOWN TO READ THE NAVIGATION SCREEN. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A SOFTWARE ISSUE; HOWEVER, NO SOLUTION WAS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2.

NHTSA complaint #11093332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2 miles Phoenix, AZ

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HONDA GOLDWING 1800D (NA). WHILE OPERATING THE MOTORCYCLE AND USING THE GPS, THE VOICE GUIDANCE AUDIO WOULD STOP WORKING, FORCING THE RIDER TO LOOK DOWN TO READ THE NAVIGATION SCREEN. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A SOFTWARE ISSUE; HOWEVER, NO SOLUTION WAS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2.

NHTSA complaint #11093332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2 miles Phoenix, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HONDA GOLDWING 1800D (NA). WHILE OPERATING THE MOTORCYCLE AND USING THE GPS, THE VOICE GUIDANCE AUDIO WOULD STOP WORKING, FORCING THE RIDER TO LOOK DOWN TO READ THE NAVIGATION SCREEN. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A SOFTWARE ISSUE; HOWEVER, NO SOLUTION WAS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2.

NHTSA complaint #11093332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,000 miles Henderson, NV

STRUCTURE:BODY

VIBRATION CRACKS MOUNTS ON REAR PORTION OF FRONT FENDER. (THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME AND HAS HAPPENED TO MY SON ALSO) IF LEFT UNNOTICED BOTH SIDES WILL FAIL AND THE FRONT FENDER COULD WEDGE INTO THE FRONT FORK/FAIRING AREA AND JAM STEERING, SEVERE A BRAKE LINE,OR CAUSE A BLOW OUT OF FRONT OR REAR TIRE.( VIBRATION CAUSED BY MOTION OF THE VEHICLE)

NHTSA complaint #11080740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,054 miles Weatherford, TX

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA GOLDWING. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT OIL WAS PRESENT NEAR THE REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, FREEDOM POWER SPORT OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE O-RING IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILED AND CAUSED OIL TO LEAK. THE O-RINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,054.

NHTSA complaint #10992912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,100 miles Roanoke, VA

WHEELS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA GOLDWING. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STUDS ON THE WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE, WHICH CAUSED THE REAR TIRE ON THE MOTORCYCLE TO FAIL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE DETAILS OF THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,100.

NHTSA complaint #10764620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,712 miles Spring, TX Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

REAR BRAKE DRAGGING. REAR DISKS HEATING UP. DRAGGING BRAKE LED TO TIP OVER AT SLOW SPEED. THERE IS A RECALL ON EARLIER YEAR HONDA GOLDWINGS. THIS MODEL 2013 IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PREVIOUS RECALLS.

NHTSA complaint #10746031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200 miles Crosby, TX

ENGINE

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2013 GL1800 IN JUNE 2014, I DON'T DRIVE TOO MUCH, SO FAR JUST 500 MILES. BUT I FOUND THE ENGINE OIL ON THE FLOOR AT DEC 11 2014, AND I TOOK SOME PICTURES FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE, IT WAS WET. I TOOK MY BIKE TO DEALER IMMEDIATELY AND THEY NEVER MET THIS SITUATION BEFORE AND TOLD ME THE GOLDWING ENGINE NEVER LEAKS, JUST THE OIL FILTER LOOSE AFTER INSPECTION. BUT I STILL DOUBT IT BECAUSE THE FILTER IS NOT WET, AND IS LOCATED ON THE LEFT SIDE, BUT THE LEAK AND WET IS IN THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE, HOW DOES THE OIL GO FROM THIS SIDE TO ANOTHER SIDE? IT HAS BEEN A MONTH SINCE THE OIL LEAKED PROBLEM FIXED AT DEC 23, 2014, BECAUSE OF THE OIL FILTER LOOSE. BUT COUPLE DAYS LATER, IT LEAKS AGAIN, IT IS NOT OBVIOUSLY DROP, I CAN SEE THE OIL WITH MY FINGER. THE DRAIN BOLT AND THE CRUSH WASHER SEEMS OK AND DRY. THE LAST TIME FOR OIL CHANGE AND MAINTENANCE WAS JAN 25, 2015. I DO NOT DRIVE MY BIKE SINCE THE OIL LEAK, JUST IN CASE THE ENGINE MAY GET WORST. I FOUND THE OBVIOUSLY OIL LEAK AND OIL DROP ON THE FLOOR AGAIN ON FEB 26, 2015, THIS IS THE THIRD TIME OF THE OIL LEAK AND DROP IN THE SAME POSITION SINCE DEC 2014.

NHTSA complaint #10691893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,247 miles Baton Rouge, LA

ENGINE

BIKE EXHIBITS A LOW SPEED STUMBLE UNDER ACCELERATION WHEN THE ENGINE IS 1) STARTED COLD AND NOT UP TO FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND 2) STARTED WARM AFTER SITTING FOR 30 MINUTES. THE LOW SPEED STUMBLE UNDER ACCELERATION IS A HAZARD BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF STABILITY AT SLOW SPEEDS AND CAN CAUSE LACK OF ACCELERATION WHEN TURNING ONTO A MAIN HIGHWAY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE IN THE 2012 AND UP MODELS THAT HONDA WILL NOT RECOGNIZE AS A WARRANTABLE DEFECT AND OFFERS NO SOLUTION FOR REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. THIS ISSUE IS REPEATABLE AND IT SEEMS LIKE MANY 2012+ GOLDWING OWNERS EXPERIENCE IT SOONER OR LATER.

NHTSA complaint #10632569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,247 miles Baton Rouge, LA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

BIKE EXHIBITS A LOW SPEED STUMBLE UNDER ACCELERATION WHEN THE ENGINE IS 1) STARTED COLD AND NOT UP TO FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND 2) STARTED WARM AFTER SITTING FOR 30 MINUTES. THE LOW SPEED STUMBLE UNDER ACCELERATION IS A HAZARD BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF STABILITY AT SLOW SPEEDS AND CAN CAUSE LACK OF ACCELERATION WHEN TURNING ONTO A MAIN HIGHWAY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE IN THE 2012 AND UP MODELS THAT HONDA WILL NOT RECOGNIZE AS A WARRANTABLE DEFECT AND OFFERS NO SOLUTION FOR REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. THIS ISSUE IS REPEATABLE AND IT SEEMS LIKE MANY 2012+ GOLDWING OWNERS EXPERIENCE IT SOONER OR LATER.

NHTSA complaint #10632569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,000 miles Rancho Cuca Monga, CA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA GOLDWIND MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE HESITATED BUT DID NOT STALL. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING BUT ONLY WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.

NHTSA complaint #10572733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 500 miles Zeeland, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2013 HONDA GOLDWING NAVI PACKAGE THROTTLE RESPONSE STUMBLES WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. AFTER A COLD ENGINE START, REGARDLESS OF OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE, STARTING IN A LOW GEAR (1ST OR 2ND IS NORMAL), UPON THROTTLE ROLL-IN, THE ENGINE WILL NOT RESPOND ENOUGH TO KEEP FORWARD MOMENTUM. YOU HAVE TO SLIP THE CLUTCH AND KEEP THE RPM'S UP TO KEEP THE MOTORCYCLE MOVING WITHOUT HESITATION. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. ONCE THE ENGINE ACHIEVES OPERATING TEMPERATURE, THE HESITATION/STUMBLE IS RESOLVED. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER - HONDA. ASAP.

NHTSA complaint #10546436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 500 miles Zeeland, MI

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2013 HONDA GOLDWING NAVI PACKAGE THROTTLE RESPONSE STUMBLES WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. AFTER A COLD ENGINE START, REGARDLESS OF OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE, STARTING IN A LOW GEAR (1ST OR 2ND IS NORMAL), UPON THROTTLE ROLL-IN, THE ENGINE WILL NOT RESPOND ENOUGH TO KEEP FORWARD MOMENTUM. YOU HAVE TO SLIP THE CLUTCH AND KEEP THE RPM'S UP TO KEEP THE MOTORCYCLE MOVING WITHOUT HESITATION. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. ONCE THE ENGINE ACHIEVES OPERATING TEMPERATURE, THE HESITATION/STUMBLE IS RESOLVED. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER - HONDA. ASAP.

NHTSA complaint #10546436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 900 miles Ovilla, TX 1 injured

ENGINE

ON A COLD ENGINE START RELEASING THE CLUTCH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE ENGINE WILL "STUMBLE" OR HESITATE, THEN CATCH AND ACCELERATE ERRATICALLY AND RUN ROUGH FOR A SHORT TIME. ON A MOTORCYCLE, IN A TURN WHERE THE MACHINE MUST BE LEANED OVER, THIS RESULTS IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND DROPPING THE 950 LB. MACHINE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGINE HAS COOLED TO AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OVERNIGHT OR AFTER BEING PARKED FOR AN EXTENDER PERIOD. THIS CONDITION BEGAN AT ABOUT 900 MILES AND CONTINUES TO THE CURRENT MILEAGE OF 2900. THE INJURY MENTIONED WAS TO MY BACK IN TRYING TO PREVENT DROPPING TO MOTORCYCLE AND DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION.

NHTSA complaint #10532347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 400 miles Long Beach, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MOTORCYCLE HAS A HESITATION AT THROTTLE TIP IN, FROM A COLD START, DURING AN ENGINE WARM-UP, AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES OF 50*F TO 90*F. THIS ENGINE HESITATION CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL. AN ENGINE STALL ON A MOTORCYCLE, PARTICULARLY IF THE MOTORCYCLE IS ENGAGED IN A LOW SPEED TURN; AS A MOTORCYCLE IS LIKELY TO BE ENGAGED IN AFTER A COLD START, WILL RESULT IN A CRASH. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO HONDA MOTOR COMPANY. THIS PROBLEM EXISTS ON MOST 2012 AND 2013 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLES. MY MOTORCYCLE DOES THIS. I CONSIDER IT A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT. MANY ON-LINE BLOGS HAVE MANY COMPLAINTS AND THERE ARE PETITIONS AS WELL. EX: HTTP://WWW.IPETITIONS.COM/PETITION/GL1800HESITATION/

NHTSA complaint #10523017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.