2003 Honda Gl1800a problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:frame And Members (6) · Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields (2) · Structure:body (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Honda Gl1800a model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
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.
Service bulletins (26)
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.
Structure:body:trunk Lid 2017-05-30 · The Wrench - Jun · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technician newsletter - when troubleshooting it is good to have all of the tools at your disposal. if you are diagnosing a power trunk lock remote control issue on a gl1800, there is a honda tool that you may not know is capable of testing the trunk lock remote.
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 26 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2016-07-07 · Structure:body · 77,450 mi“in :march, 2016, i purchased a 2003 honda goldwing 1800a from the original owner, a private party. i took the motorcycle in repairs, as it was damaged. the mechanic found a crack in the rear frame near a weld, and referred me to redlands honda. i spoke to wes in service who inspected the frame and called honda. honda sent redlands honda a frame…”
2014-07-14 · Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields · 89,600 mi“bought the bike july 9. private party. i was going thru the bike checking everything out and found the frame is broke behind the passenger floorboards on both sides. i have done some research and this is very common. *tr…”
2013-06-13 · Service Brakes · 131,000 mi“if the rear foot pedal brake is applied without also using the front hand brake the bike shudders, sometimes violently, and the braking power is diminished .applying the front brake usually eliminates the shudder. the greater the ambient temperature the worse the problem gets. (over 105 degrees it becomes unrideable) all brake components have b…”
2009-08-28 · Structure:frame And Members · 32,000 mi“a friend on mine also riding a gl1800 found a frame tube cracked on his motorcycle. after checking many bulletin boards on the internet he found this to be an ongoing problem in the same model years of bikes that honda put out a recall on in 2005 because of defective welds. his entire frame was replace by honda. my motorcycle was one of the ones re…”
2008-07-18 · Structure:frame And Members · 106,954 mi“located cracked frame (2)tubes on rear triangular area of the aluminum frame. the tube on each side of the bike is cracked. the left side is approximately half way through. the area supports the rear of the motorcycle and passenger. *tr…”
2007-01-27 · Power Train:manual Transmission · 55,749 mi“shift shaft seal dislodged from engine/transmission, causing engine oil to be dumped onto roadway ahead of rear tire. first occurrence-seal replaced under warranty. second occurrence-owner charged for repair, even though vehicle is covered by extended warranty. cause of problem not corrected, therefore safety hazard remains should problem recur.…”
2006-08-04 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System · 2,000 mi“engine appears to be overheating during slow speed operation. temperature gauge enters the red danger zone during "parade mode riding" (heavy traffic). cooling fan operation and brake (light) operation have dramatic impact on gauge indication when the engine is warm. according to honda's records the heating system recall has been performed on thi…”
2005-09-09 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar · 700 mi“2003 gl 1800a excessive front end wobble beginning shortly after the purchase of the motorcycle of which honda has made clear is "normal" when in reality it's highly dangerous. *jb…”
2005-08-24 · Structure:frame And Members“notice of gl1800/a gold wing frame weld recall was received from nhtsa about march of 2005. took notice and bike to dealer: bend recreation, of bend oregon. appointment was made to repair welds. appointment was cancelled by bend recreation because they did not have a "honda certified welder". when challenged on this matter after honda sent out ano…”
2005-05-25 · Unknown Or Other“unsatisfactory servicing of recall work on the 2003 honda goldwing. *mr the consumer requested reimbursement in the form of a gift certificate for the inconvenience and wrongful delay. *sc *jb…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.