2003 Honda Gl1800 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:frame And Members (29) · Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields (14) · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System (11)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Honda Gl1800 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
52 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder 2015-10-23 · campaign 15V700000 · 145,219 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Equipment 2011-12-12 · campaign 11E054000 · 7,446 vehicles
Defect: 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, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder 2011-12-01 · campaign 11V567000 · 126,000 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (52)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment 2015-12-11 · GL1800 NO. 23 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"dealer message - on december 11, several sections of s/b gl1800 #23 were revised to include information for the repair of trike coversions."
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid 2015-12-11 · GL1800 SECONDARY · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"service bulletin - honda is launching a safety recall of 2012-2015 gl1800/a and 2013-2015 gl1800b/bd motorcycles, and is implementing a recall remedy for 2001-2010 and 2012 gl1800/a motorcycles already subject to safety recall jg6. honda has determined that under conditions where the brake fluid
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder 2015-12-10 · MC - THE WRENCH · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
newsletter - the repair procedure for the secondary master cylinder (smc) recall is very involved, so make sure to read through the entire bulletin before hand so you can visualize the procedures before you start. not only will you be installing an updated smc and a new rear master cylinder, but it
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder 2015-11-24 · DLR MSG - MC - S · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"dealer message - effective immediately the secondary master cylinder (smc) kits for this recall are available on open order. as indicated in s/b gl1800 #23 and other communications about this recall, it is absolutely critical that only pro honda dot 4 brake fluid be used during the repair procedur
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid 2015-10-29 · SERVICE BULLETIN · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin - honda is launching a safety recall of 2012-2015 gl1800/a and 2013-2015 gl1800/b/bd motorcycles, and is implementing a recall remedy for 2001-2010 and 2012 gl 1800/a motorcycles already subject to safety recall "jg6". honda has determined that under conditions where the brake fluid
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder 2015-10-23 · DLR MSG - MC - S · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"dealer message - the service bulletin in support of the safety recall of 2001-2015 gl1800/a and gl1800b/bd motorcycles for a potentially defective secondary master cylinder is posted on in. servicebulletin safety recall: gl1800 #23 includes the affected models, repair procedure, parts informatio
Showing the 6 most recent of 52 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2020-09-13 · Structure:body · 90,000 mi“told by honda the frame recall was done in 2012. in 2020 i inspected the frame and there are cracks in the frame again where the recall stated they would be. the replacement frame is cracking. both major cracks are at the welds at the rear passenger foot pegs…”
2020-07-17 · Structure:body · 138,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda gl1800. the contact stated that upon inspection it was discovered that the frame was fractured. the contact indicated that the fracture was located at the mid section of the left side of the motorcycle. the cause of the failure was not determined. the local dealer trikes by rodney located at 1672 linden ave, zanes…”
2020-01-17 · Service Brakes · 42,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda gl1800. while driving at 65 mph, the brake pedal was applied however failed to respond. the contact noticed there was no brake fluid in the reservoir. the motorcycle was taken to cycle shack north (1101 interstate 45 s, conroe, tx 77301 (936) 756-9711) where it was diagnosed that brake fluid was leaking and the pos…”
2019-07-18 · Structure:body“honda safety recall service bulletin gl1800 #14 revised: september 2008 states that my motorcycle is one of the affected units for the recall (i.e. the frame welds need to be reinforced). that work has never been done. however, the records for doing a vin check only go back 15 years, and a local honda dealer says no fix is needed.…”
2018-04-27 · Engine“the engine run hotter than usual in heavy traffic and going up hill at higher rpm . all fans are running ok as expected but still when ever stuck in traffic at 75 degree temperature outside the engine temperature seem to creep up higher towards the red mark . this is a safety issue as if the engine spill coolant , i and my passage risk getting i…”
2018-04-12 · Service Brakes“2003 honda goldwing. consumer writes in regards to motorcycles sudden power loss and brake system failure accident. *smd *cn…”
2017-11-16 · Service Brakes · 8,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owned a 2003 honda gl1800 motorcycle. while riding approximately 35 mph, the rider lost control of the motorcycle and crashed off the side of a 25 foot hill while attempting to maneuver a blind hairpin turn. the rider was fatally injured. a police report was filed. the motorcycle was destroyed. photos from the police report indicate…”
2017-07-22 · Wheels · 15,180 mi“i purchased the motorcycle on 11/05/16 from imotorsports in elmhurst ill. from day one it had a very bad wobble in the steering and if i was not holding strongly onto the bike it would definitely crash. after asking for a repair to this wobble imotorsports manager jason said they would install a new set of tires on it and this should solve the pro…”
2016-08-12 · Structure:body · 83,947 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda goldwing. the dealer inspected the vehicle and found premature cracks in two places under the passenger side floorboards. the mechanic was to further diagnose the motorcycle to determine what parts needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was not available. updated 0…”
2015-11-27 · Power Train · 87,000 mi“trans jumps out of gear and down shifts. while driving…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.