Model year record

2006 Honda GL1800 recalls & problems

The 2006 Honda GL1800 has 6 safety recalls and 22 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is steering (5 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints22filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsJan 10, 2017

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 17V031000882 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2006-2009 and 2012 Honda GL1800 (Goldwing) motorcycles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A," Honda is recalling certain 2006-2009 Honda GL1800 (Goldwing) motorcycles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in Zone A or Zone B above, Honda is recalling certain 2006-2008 Honda GL1800 (Goldwing) motorcycles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the operator resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Honda Motorcycle Customer Support at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KE5.

Air bagsMay 24, 2016

Air bags

Recall 16V3470002,701 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor, Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Honda GL1800 (Gold Wing) motorcycles manufactured February 8, 2006, to May 14, 2009 originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 Honda GL 1800 (Gold Wing) motorcycles manufactured May 10, 2007, to May 14, 2009 originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Motorcycles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These motorcycles are equipped with an air bag inflator assembled as part of the air bag module, used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the rider resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag module containing the inflator, free of charge. Honda distributed an interim notification to owners on July 19, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KA8.

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.

EquipmentJul 26, 2006

Other › Owners/service/other manual

Recall 06V2700001,190,000 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES, THE OWNER'S MANUALS CONTAIN INCORRECT CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S (NHTSA) VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE.
Risk: THE LANGUAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUALS IS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS.
Fix: HONDA WILL SEND A POSTCARD TO DEALERS AND OWNERS WITH THE CORRECT NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE INFORMATION AND WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO INSERT THE CARD INTO THE "REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS" SECTION OF THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 2, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009, ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 OR HONDA MOTORCYCLES AT 1-866-784-1870.

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	Typical mileage*
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Column	5	1,800 mi
Power trainManual transmission	5	47,000 mi
SuspensionFront	4	4,650 mi
TiresTread/belt	3	—
Service brakes	3	65,000 mi
Wheels	2	—
Fuel system, gasoline	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	—
Electrical system	1	—
Unknown or other	1	—
EquipmentElectrical › Navigational system(global positioning system)	1	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Equipment › Electrical › Navigational system(global positioning system)
Honda/Garmin has not provided updates to the integrated navigation system since 2014. As a result, on numerous occasions, the navigation system has given the wrong information to the rider. My motorcycle is a 2006, but I know this problem exists through at least the 2009 model year. Contacted Garmin for updated navigation data. They said there will be none because Honda would not pay Garmin to create updated navigation data for the GPS. The navigation system is now unsafe because can give wrong directions. There are hundreds of Goldwings with built-in GPS that are unsafe. Honda should be required updates or reimburse owners for their purchase of an external GPS.
Jul 20, 2024
Tires
A Shinko SE890 size 180-60-16 prematurely started coming apart at 3850 miles. My wife and I were riding 2 up on a Honda Goldwing. Pressure of the tire was checked the day we went for this 480 mile ride. The temperature was 90 degrees and the road was very good. When we neared the end of the ride, the motorcycle started shaking violently. I kept control, and the others who were riding with me helped me figure out what just happened. The tire was coming apart and there was a big bulge on the left side. The tire was not over any rough road. Granted it was hot, and we had 390 lbs on the bike, which is not overloaded. The pressure was at 44 lbs, which was probaly due to the heat. Chapparal tire…
Jun 8, 2024
Service brakes
BRAKE RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED IN MAY. A COMPLETE BRAKE FLUID REPLACEMENT AND BLEED DON. A BRAKE SHUDDER PROBLEM HAS BEEN EVIDENT SINCE PURCHASE NEW AND AN ABNORMAL NUMBER OF TIRES HAVE FAILED DUE TO BLISTERING OF THE TREAD AND IN ONE CASE THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. I HAVE LONG CONTENDED THIS IS DUE TO A BRAKING ENGINEERING PROBLEM. ROAD BIKE 400 MILES AFTER RECALL SERVICE AND RETURNED TO DEALER. HE THEN STATED THAT MY REAR BRAKES PADS WERE COMPLETELY GONE AND THE REAR ROTOR MARRED. THE BRAKE PADS HAD LESS THAN 3000 MILES ON THEM. AFTER REPLACING THE ROTOR AND BRAKE PADS I WAS CALLED AND TOLD THE CALIPER WAS DRAGGING AND HONDA IN TORRANCE HAD BEEN CONTACTED , THEY ASKED THAT THE…
Jul 2, 2016 · 72,121 miles
Service brakes
I APPLIED THE BRAKES IN A NORMAL NOT A PANIC SITUATION. THE BRAKES APPARENTLY LOCKED UP AND LEFT A 22' SKID MARK ON THE BLACK TOP ROAD. WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS WERE PERFECT AND I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED GOLDWING RIDER HAVING RIDDEN APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MILES. I WAS RIDING WITH MY WIFE ON BOARD AND PULLING MY ESCAPADE TRAILER AS I HAVE DONE FOR APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES FOR 20 YEARS. MY WIFE AND I WERE EJECTED FROM THE BIKE AND SUSTAINED NON LIFE THREATENING INJURIES. WE WERE TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL IN FAYETTEVILLE AR AND WERE TREATED AND RELEASED WITH ROAD RASH AND I HAVE CRACKED RIBS AND A BROKEN FINGER. OUR FULL FACE HELMETS AND OTHER PROTECTIVE GEAR AND LUCK SAVED US FROM MORE…
Oct 5, 2014 · 65,000 miles
Suspension
FRONT END WOBBLES AT A LOW SPEED AN AT HIGH SPEEDS, MAKES THE MOTORCYCLE VERY UNSAFE. *TR
Apr 27, 2014 · 11,000 miles
Service brakes
WHILE SLOWING TO A STOP USING BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES, A VIOLENT SHUDDER WAS NOTED FROM THE REAR BRAKE CAUSING THE ENTIRE MOTORCYCLE TO SHAKE NOTICEABLY. THE SHUDDER HAS RE-OCCURRED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS (APPROX 25). MY GL1800 WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP (NW HONDA-HOUSTON) FOR THE REAR BRAKE RECALL AND THE ISSUE WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE SERVICE WRITER AND DIRECTLY/PERSONALLY TO THE ATTENTION OF THE MECHANIC PERFORMING THE RECALL INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC TEST RODE THE MOTORCYCLE BUT STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO GET A REPEAT OF THE SHUDDER. WHILE 2 UP WITH MY WIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA, THE SHUDDER OCCURRED DURING BRAKING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC CAUSING US TO ALMOST IMPACT THE REAR OF A CAR…
Apr 9, 2012 · 25,100 miles
Power train
I WAS ACCELERATING IN THE ENTRANCE LANE ON THE INTERSTATE. AUTO AND TRUCK TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND AS I MERGED INTO THE TRAFFIC LANE THE MOTORCYCLE SHIFTED FROM 5TH GEAR TO FOURTH AND BACK SURPRISING ME AND CAUSING ME TO QUICKLY SLOW AND TAKE ACTION TO THE RIGHT TO AVERT BEING REAR ENDED BY A SEMI TRUCK. THE TRUCK HAD NOWHERE TO GO AS THE LANE TO HIS SIDE WAS OCCUPIED. I PROCEEDED TO GAIN SPEED AND THE MOTORCYCLE DID THE SAME SHIFTING ACTION EVERY MILE OR SO. I TOOK THE CYCLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I AM AT PRESENT HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AT MY COST. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THIS EPISODE. THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WERE SEVERAL FAILED COMPONENTS IN…
Jun 2, 2012 · 14,100 miles
Steering
I BOUGHT THIS BIKE WITH ONLY 8000 MILES ON IT BACK IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR. AT SPEEDS BELOW OR AROUND 30MPH, THE FRONT END WOBBLES. HONDA DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS AS A WARRANTY ISSUE, YET ALL THE DEALERS TELL ME THAT IT IS A PROBLEM THEY HAVE HEARD ABOUT FROM MANY GOLDWING OWNERS. THE DEALER RECOMMENDS ALLS BALLS TAPERED STEERING BEARINGS FOR CORRECTION BUT I HAVE TO PAY. I HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN AND IT IS NOT COVERED. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE STEERING ON THE GOLDWING AND HONDA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO RECALL AND FIX THIS ISSUE AT THEIR COST. I REMEMBER THE GAS TANKS EXPLODING ON THE FORD PINTO THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS NOT. LIVES WERE…
Jun 15, 2011 · 8,000 miles

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