Model year record

2001 Honda GL1800 recalls & problems

The 2001 Honda GL1800 has 6 safety recalls and 84 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (50 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints84filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicOct 23, 2015

Foundation components › Master cylinder

Recall 15V700000145,219 vehicles

Problem: American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2010 and 2012-2015 GL1800, 2001-2005 GL1800A and 2013-2015 GL1800B motorcycles. The rear brakes of the affected motorcycles may drag after the brakes are released.
Risk: A rear brake that drags may increase the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, extended riding with the rear brake dragging could generate enough heat to result in a fire.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary brake master cylinder and the rear brake master cylinder, and flush the brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on December 7, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is JV6. Note: This recall supercedes recall 14V-472.

EquipmentDec 12, 2011

Equipment

Recall 11E0540007,446 vehicles

Problem: KURYAKYN IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET PASSENGER FLOORBOARD MOUNTS, PART NUMBER 607005, SOLD AND INSTALLED FOR USE ON 2001-2012 HONDA GL 1800 (GOLDWING) MOTORCYCLES. THIS MOUNT WAS SOLD ON KURYAKYN 'TRANSFORMER' PASSENGER FLOORBOARD SETS, PART NUMBER 7005 FROM SEPTEMBER 15, 2008, TO PRESENT. THE FLOORBOARD MOUNT MAY CRACK AND BREAK FREE FROM THE MOUNTING BOLTS THAT SECURE THE MOUNT TO THE MOTORCYCLE.
Risk: THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY OR A CRASH.
Fix: KURYAKYN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE REPLACEMENT MOUNT KITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 13, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KURYAKYN AT 1-866-296-4728.

Service brakes, hydraulicDec 1, 2011

Foundation components › Master cylinder

Recall 11V567000126,000 vehicles

Problem: HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2010, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 GL1800 GOLDWING MOTORCYCLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE COMBINED BRAKING SYSTEM'S SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER MAY CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE TO DRAG.
Risk: UNEXPECTED BRAKING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH, AND RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE WITH THE REAR BRAKE DRAGGING MAY GENERATE ENOUGH HEAT TO CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE TO CATCH FIRE.
Fix: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 6, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-784-1870.

StructureJan 31, 2005

Frame and members

Recall 05V02700034,919 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON SOME MOTORCYCLES, CERTAIN FRAME WELDS DO NOT MEET MANUFACTURING SPECIFICATIONS. HIGH LOADS CREATED WHEN RIDING ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACES OR THROUGH POTHOLES CAN CAUSE THE AFFECTED WELDS TO CRACK.
Risk: THE WELDED AREA COULD BREAK, RESULTING IN REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE OR LOWER CROSS MEMBER SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REINFORCE THE WELDS ON 2001-2002 MOTORCYCLES FREE OF CHARGE. ON 2003-2004 MOTORCYCLES, THE UNITS WILL BE REPAIRED, NO INSPECTION WILL BE NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-866-784-1870.

Engine and engine coolingMay 9, 2001

Engine

Recall 01V1620006,662 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ENGINE STOP SWITCH. THE ENGINE STOP SWITCH IS SENSITIVE TO ACCIDENTAL CONTACT OR STRONG JOLTING, SUCH AS HITTING A POTHOLE OR RIDING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS,WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO CUT OUT MOMENTARILY OR EVEN SHUT OFF.
Risk: SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CONTACT PLATE, E-CLIP, AND 2 CONTACT PLATE SPRINGS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-310-532-9811.

Engine and engine coolingApr 23, 2001

Engine

Recall 01V1330008,107 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED PULSE ROTOR. THE CRANKSHAFT PULSE ROTOR, A DEVICE USED FOR IGNITION TIMING, COULD FAIL AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL.
Risk: THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED PULSE ROTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingCooling system; Engine › Gasoline	50	0	1	—
TiresTread/belt; Sidewall	16	1	2	—
Power trainClutch assembly; Manual transmission	6	0	0	—
StructureFrame and members	6	0	0	63,899 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Drum; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	4	0	1	—
SuspensionFront	4	0	0	28,500 mi
Electrical systemWiring › Fuses and circuit breakers	3	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system; Fuel injection system › Injectors	3	0	0	—
Service brakes	3	0	1	—
WheelsRim	2	0	0	—
EquipmentMechanical › Slide-in camper	2	0	0	—
Unknown or other	2	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes
On 06/26/2021, Approx 4pm. Traffic heavy. Speed 20 mph or less. This caused consistent brake use. Rear brakes locked up. I was very close to the right edge of the road and bike stopped. I quickly activated emergency flashers and avoided any incident. This bike has ABS. There was a service recall performed about 4 yrs ago- at Barneys MC shop, St Petersburg- related to brakes. I was able to shut off the bike twice. Pumped/tapped FR/R brakes twice and the brakes finally released. No further incident. Will have bike inspected tomorrow. No warning lamps. This bike has very low mileage at 21,000.
Jun 26, 2021
Suspension
CHAMPION SIDE CAR TRIKE KIT FRAME FAILURE ON A GL1800 WITH ONLY 28.K MILES AND NO ACCIDENTS.
Jun 13, 2017 · 28,500 miles
Service brakes1 injury
I BOUGHT A 1800 HONDA GOLDWING TOURING BIKE 2-3 YEARS AGO HAD A BRAKE RECALL AND STILL DO? MINE WAS WORKED ON TWICE? AFTER I BOUGHT I DROVE IT 54 MILES THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP PULLING ME IN THE DITCH? FLIPPING THE BIKE AND SENDING IT END OVER END TOTAL? THAT WAS ALL DON,T BEFORE I GOT OUT OF THE ER AND HOSPITOL....UPDATED 06/21/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND SOLD. UPDATED 08/04/2017*JS
Jul 21, 2015 · 52 miles
Unknown or other
ON 3/27/17 DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING IN MY GARAGE, I REMOVED THE SIDE COVERS AND FOUND THE FRAME WAS BROKEN COMPLETELY APART ON BOTH SIDES OF THE MOTORCYCLE. FRAME BRAKE WAS IN THE LOWER TUBE SECTION OF THE REAR TRIANGLE OF MAIN FRAME DIRECTLY AFT OF THE WELD. THIS IS A KNOWN WEAK SPOT, SINCE HONDA REINFORCED THIS AREA OF THE ALUMINUM FRAME IN MID-2004. THIS BREAK WAS REPORTED TO HONDA POWERSPORTS CUSTOMER SERVICE IN TORRANCE, CA ON 3/28/17. HAD THE BROKEN FRAME INSPECTED AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY AUTHORIZED HONDA SERVICE MANAGER 3/31/17. NOW WAITING TO HEAR FROM HONDA.
Mar 27, 2017 · 179,971 miles
Service brakes
HAD BRAKE RECALL WORK DONE AT HONDA DEALERSHIP. AFTER THAT & HAS TEMP GOT HOTTER I DEVELOPED A EXTREMELY VIOLENT BRAKE SHUTTER.RETURNED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY NOTIFIED HONDA AND ATTEMPTED TO REWORK THE BRAKES BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET GOLDWING BRAKE SHUDDERING & FOUND OUT I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM & HONDA IS AWARE OF IT.CALLED HONDA CS TOLD THEM WHAT IT WAS DOING. THEY INFORM ME IF I READ MY OWNER MANUAL ON BRAKE OPERATIONS THAT IT'S OPERATOR ERROR .I HAVE OWNED THIS BIKE SINCE IT WAS NEW. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT BRAKE COMBINATION YOU USE FRONT/REAR /SIMULTANEOUSLY IT CREATES THE SHUTTER. THIS STARTS WHEN THE TEMP GETS ABOVE 80…
Jun 11, 2016 · 23,153 miles
Electrical system
ENGINE STOP SWITCH IS OVERLY SENSITIVE. IF MOTORCYCLE HITS A BUMP THE ENGINE MAY SHUT OFF. IF SWITCH IS TOUCHED IT WILL STOP ENGINE.
Jan 20, 2016 · 156,000 miles
Equipment
I PURCHASED MY 2001 GOLDWING 1800 USED FROM A LOCAL DEALER IN PLAINFIELD, CT. THE GOLDWING WAS SOLD TO ME WITH THE STEREO SYSTEM INSTALLED WHICH INCLUDED THE 5 DISC CD CHANGER UNDER THE REAR TRUNK. FROM DAY 1 I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS CD CHANGER NOT WORKING CORRECTLY, BECOMING JAMMED UP WITH ALL 5 DISCS IN ONE SLOT, ETC. I HAD TAKEN OUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM THE DEALERSHIP BUT ALL THEY EVER TOLD ME WAS THAT THEY WERE LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM. THEY DID PROVIDE ME WITH A PRINT OUT OF ALL OF THE WORK DONE FOR THE PREVIOUS OWNER WHICH ALSO SHOWED THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE CD CHANGER BUT THEY REPLACED IT TWICE FOR HIM YET NOTHING WAS EVER DONE TO HELP WITH MY PROBLEM EXCEPT " WE ARE LOOKING…
Apr 15, 2009 · 60,000 miles
Tires
METZELER ME880 MARATHON, 180/60R16, FOR HONDA GL1800 REAR TIRE OUT OF ROUND CAUSING MOTORCYCLE TO SHIMMY. TIRE WAS INSTALLED SUMMER OF 2009. SHIMMY BEGAN AFTER TIRE MILEAGE ABOUT 5,000. THERE WAS NO DETECTABLE DEFLECTION IN TIRE, BUT PROBLEM STEADILY GOT WORSE. TIRE WAS CHECKED FREQUENTLY, PRESSURE CHECKED DAILY (KEPT AT 42PSI). AT ABOUT 9500 MILES ON TIRE, SHIMMY GOT WORSE, AND TIRE FOUND TO HAVE OVER 1/2 IN. RADIAL AND AXIAL RUNOUT. THIS IS THIRD METZELER ON MY GL1800. 1ST ONE, SUMMER OF 2006, HAD SLIGHT SHIMMY FROM START, LASTED ONLY 925 MILES - BLOWOUT FROM ROAD DEBRIS. HAD THAT TIRE REPLACED BY HONDA DEALER IN FERGUS FALLS, MINNESOTA. REPLACEMENT TIRE HAD NO SHIMMY UNTIL ABOUT 800…
Aug 20, 2009

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Southern Honda PowersportsClosed
NHTSA opened Audit Query (AQ) 12-001 to determine whether Southern Honda Powersports (Southern Honda) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, had complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a motor vehicle or equipment manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with federal motor vehicle safety standards.In turn, a dealer may not sell and deliver a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed.(see 49 U.S.C. 30120(i); 49 C.F.R. 573.11)NHTSA issued an information request to Southern Honda on May 14, 2012 to which they responded on July 6, 2012.NHTSA?s inquiry led it to believe that Southern Honda had failed to complete the requirements of five recalls…
AQ12001 · opened May 14, 2012 · closed May 13, 2013
FRAME CROSSMEMEBER WELD FAILURESClosedLed to recall 05V027000
HONDA IS AMENDING THE SCOPE OF 03V-350 TO ADD 34,919 POTENTIALLY AFFECTED GL1800 GOLD WING MOTORCYCLES.THE INITIAL RECALL RANGE INCLUDED FRAMES MANUFACTURED WITH ONE OF A NUMBER OF WELDING PROCESSES.HONDA BELIEVED, ON THE BASIS OF DATA AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME, THAT ONLY THOSE GL'S BUILT WITH THAT ONE PROCESS WERE AT RISK OF FAILURE.WITH THE ORIGINAL RECALL (IN SEPTEMBER, 2003), HONDA INTRODUCED YET ANOTHER WELD PROCESS.SUBSEQUENTLY, HONDA BECAME AWARE OF INCIDENTS INVOLVING GL'S NOT INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL, BUILT USING ANOTHER EARLY WELDING PROCESS.THUS, HONDA HAS DECIDED TO RECALL ALL GL1800'S BUILT PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 20, 2003 REGARDLESS OF WHAT WELD PROCESS WAS BEING USED AT THE TIME.THIS RECALL EXPANSION AFFECTS THE 2001, 2002, 2003 AND 2004 MODEL YEARS AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AFFECTED U.S. GL1800 MOTORCYCLES INCREASES FROM 8,196 TO 43,115.
RQ04009 · opened Sep 21, 2004 · closed Feb 2, 2005
REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSEClosedLed to recall 03V350000
THE SUBJECT MOTORCYCLES, INTRODUCED WITH THE 2001 MODEL YEAR, UTILIZE AN ALUMINUM FRAME INDIVIDUALLY WELDED BY HONDA EMPLOYEES IN THE COMPANY?S MARYSVILLE, OHIO ASSEMBLY PLANT.NHTSA/ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER LEARNING THAT SOME 2002 MODEL YEAR GL1800?S WERE EXPERIENCING REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE WHEN THE LOWEST CROSSMEMBER WOULD COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME.IT APPEARED THE CROSSMEMBER WAS SEPARATING DUE TO SUB-STANDARD WELDING OF THE CROSSMEMBER TO THE FRAME. ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2003 HONDA BRIEFED ODI STAFF AND ADVISED THAT THE SUBJECT WELD FAILURES RESULTED FROM A COMBINATION OF PRODUCTION LINE CHANGES THAT TOOK EFFECT ON MARCH 1, 2002.THESE CHANGES WERE:1) FEW, IF ANY, REINFORCING TIG WELDS APPLIED TO THE CROSSMEMBER MIG WELDS; 2) A RELATIVELY INEXPERIENCED WELDER BEGAN WELDING FRAMES AS OF THAT DATE; AND 3) A LESS ROBUST WELD QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTION WAS…
PE03039 · opened Aug 11, 2003 · closed Oct 10, 2003
MOTORCYCLE COOLANT SPRAY ONTO REAR TIREClosed
SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT WITH ODI'SFINDINGS.
PE02077 · opened Oct 15, 2002 · closed Mar 28, 2003