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.
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.
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%.
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
426.7%
Median failure at 1,073 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
320.0%
Median failure at 500 miles
Electrical System
213.3%
Median failure at 2 miles
Equipment & Accessories
16.7%
Median failure at 2 miles
Wheels
16.7%
Median failure at 5,100 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
16.7%
Median failure at 500 miles
Body & Structure
16.7%
Median failure at 12,000 miles
Brakes
16.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 1,712 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
16.7%
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
853.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
426.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
320.0%
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 2013peak 3May 2018
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 1,712 milesSpring, TXCrash
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 milesOvilla, TX1 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 milesPhoenix, 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.
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 milesPhoenix, 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 milesHenderson, 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 milesWeatherford, 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 milesRoanoke, 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 milesSpring, TXCrash
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 milesCrosby, 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 milesBaton 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 milesBaton 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 milesRancho 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 milesZeeland, 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 milesZeeland, 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 milesOvilla, TX1 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 milesLong 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.