2012 Honda Gl1800 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (13) · Engine (6) · Power Train (4)
🧭 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
31 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (5)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2018-01-09 · campaign 18V045000 · 960 vehicles
Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2010 and 2012-2016 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing motorcycles. These motorcycles have air bag inflators assembled as part of the air bag module that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the rider 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 9, 2018. Owners may contact Honda Motorcycle Customer Support at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KJ1.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2017-01-10 · campaign 17V031000 · 882 vehicles
Defect: 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 ev
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.
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 (21)
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.
Wheels 2024-08-19 · MCPSP08192024901 · Other
dealer message - honda has sourced a new supplier for the 2009 ~ 2017 gl1800 tire pressure monitoring system (tpms). the new tpms supplier parts are not compatible (will not communicate) with the original equipment parts. therefore, if the original tpms sensor/valve or receiver requires replacement,
Wheels 2024-08-19 · GL1800 #24 - August 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin - honda has sourced a new supplier for the 2009 ~ 2017 gl1800 tire pressure monitoring system (tpms). the new tpms supplier parts are not compatible (will not communicate) with the original equipment parts. therefore, if the original tpms sensor/valve or receiver requires replacemen
Electrical System 2024-07-17 · GL1800 #26 - July 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin - honda has sourced a new supplier for the 2009 ~ 2017 gl1800 tire pressure monitoring system (tpms). the new tpms supplier parts are not compatible (will not communicate) with the original equipment parts. therefore, if the original tpms sensor/valve or receiver requires replacemen
Wheels 2024-06-11 · MCGL1800 - #28 - June 202 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin - honda has sourced a new supplier for the 2009 ~ 2017 gl1800 tire pressure monitoring system (tpms). the new tpms supplier parts are not compatible (will not communicate) with the original equipment parts. therefore, if the original tpms sensor/valve or receiver requires replacemen
Wheels 2024-06-11 · MCMSN06112024 · Other
dealer mesage - honda has sourced a new supplier for the 2009 ~ 2017 gl1800 tire pressure monitoring system (tpms). the new tpms supplier parts are not compatible (will not communicate) with the original equipment parts. therefore, if the original tpms sensor/valve or receiver requires replacement,
Electrical System 2023-11-16 · GL1800 #2 Nov23 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin - honda has sourced a new supplier for the 2009 ~ 2017 gl1800 tire pressure monitoring system (tpms). the new tpms supplier parts are not compatible (will not communicate) with the original equipment parts. therefore, if the original tpms sensor/valve or receiver requires replacemen
Showing the 6 most recent of 21 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2016-09-01 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 14,000 mi“i am having slow speed hesitation with the throttle while riding on the road. when i roll the throttle on the bike sometimes hesitates, does nothing so when i try more fuel the throttle control finally decides to start working and has made for some wild rides especially in turns. it is dangerous to have too much fuel added when not expecting it. th…”
2016-03-03 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 1,685 mi“my goldwing has the hesitation problem like so many others. i have almost dropped the bike a couple of times because of the stumble. it will hesitate and then the engine will suddenly get fuel again and lunge forward dangerously. if i would hit sand or gravel or be on a gravel road or gravel parking lot it would be a bad spin out and lose control a…”
2015-11-27 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 1,000 mi“my honda gold wing 2012 has a dangerous stumble that frequently causes the engine to stutter and nearly stall. many times, i open the throttle to enter an intersection, or to pull away from a stop, and the power drops off to nothing, then, when i open the throttle to compensate, the motorcycle surges forward causing the bike to lunge ahead. in traf…”
2015-10-25 · Power Train · 7,000 mi“on cold start-ups(even in the summer in florida), the motorcycle will stumble or hesitate until warmed up. this causes inconsistent and unpredictable throttle control in slow turns. i have nearly dropped the motorcycle multiple times and also have encountered pulling out in traffic and not having predictable throttle control to get going safely. …”
2015-10-17 · Engine · 7,000 mi“engine has a serious safety issue with severe hesitation to a momentary loss of complete power during cold operating temperatures and same severe problem on hot shut down and restart. also hesitates at all times while driving but not as severe as first two. this is a serious safety issue in traffic and pulling out. this happens when pulling into tr…”
2015-06-20 · Service Brakes · 19,500 mi“i own a motorcycle repair shop. i have documents showing american honda motor co. is not complying with campaign number 14v472000. they state there is no remedy for this issue but in fact they have implemented one. i send customers to dealers and the dealer and honda motor co. customer service deny their claim and either charge them for repairs or …”
2014-12-11 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor · 3,200 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 honda goldwing. while driving approximately 40 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle shook. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear brake rotor needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the secondar…”
2014-10-09 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 200 mi“2012 goldwing gl1800 motorcycle has had a problem while driving off when first started. unless you allow it to warm up completely before trying to drive off, it will try to stall or sputter and not have any power at least momentarily. this situation can cause loss of control and a tip over accident with this 950lb bike. when it occurs while enterin…”
2014-10-07 · Power Train · 8,000 mi“the engine stumbles and loses power at approximately 1500rmp and makes the motorcycle difficult to control. *tr…”
2014-09-30 · Suspension · 900 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 honda goldwing motorcycle. the contact stated that the motorcycle rode roughly at various speeds. the motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 900.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.