2021 Honda Gl1800 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (3) · Service Brakes (2) · Suspension (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Honda Gl1800 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (3)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/Mechanical 2024-10-31 · campaign 24V820000 · 18,196 vehicles
Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021 GL1800 Goldwing motorcycles. The primary drive gear bolt on the crankshaft may break, which can result in an engine stall and lock up the rear wheel.
Risk: An engine stall and rear wheel lockup can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the primary drive gear bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KQ9.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2024-02-15 · campaign 24V113000 · 29,301 vehicles
Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2024 GL1800 (Goldwing), CBR600RR, and 2018-2019 CBR1000RR motorcycles. The fuel pump impellers may have been improperly molded, which can cause them to deform and result in fuel pump failure.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pump module as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's numbers for this recall are KP8, KP9, KQ0, and KQ1.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm):software 2022-06-23 · campaign 22V449000 · 1,740 vehicles
Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2022 GL1800 Gold Wing motorcycles equipped with manual transmissions. An ignition timing software error for the engine control unit (ECU) may reduce engine performance, which can result in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2022. Owners may contact American Honda Motor Co customer service at 1-866-784-1870.
Service bulletins (4)
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 2022-05-19 · The Wrench - May · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"newsletter - if the lcd screen is blank/inoperative and asterisks appear in place of the riding modes, perform the following test. ⢠inspect the number five (15 amp) audio fuse next to the battery in the main fuse box. ⢠if failed, replace the fuse and disconnect the main multi pin connecto
Steering 2021-02-19 · TheWrench1Feb.21 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the wrench - when performing the service bulletin gl1800 #1- loose handlebar repair on 2018 gl 1800, or removing the steering bridge to adjust the upper steering stem nut on any 2018 and newer gl1800, the left rear tie rod bolt needs to be held by a 14 mm open wrench to prevent the bolt from turning
Equipment 2020-05-11 · AMV200501 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
video message - it concerns how to replace a leaky front rocker arm oil control valve. due to a deteriorated lower gasket or an out-of-spec gasket groove, the front rocker arm oil control valve can leak in certain v6 models with variable cylinder management. to fix this issue service bulletin a20-02
Equipment 2020-05-08 · AMV200502 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
video message - it concerns how to replace a leaky front rocker arm oil control valve. due to a deteriorated lower gasket or an out-of-spec gasket groove, the front rocker arm oil control valve can leak in certain v6 models with variable cylinder management. to fix this issue service bulletin a20-02
What owners report
2025-06-18 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar · 22,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 honda gl1800 motorcycle. the contact stated that while operating the motorcycle, the handlebars had become loose and were wobbly. upon inspection, the contact discovered that the nut used to secure the handlebars was loose. the contact tightened the steering nut, but eventually the failure reoccurred. the local dealer was no…”
2024-04-19 · Suspension“shortly after purchasing brand new in july of 2021, this motorcycle developed a violent shake and wobble at 40mph, which could be felt between 35mph and 45mph, but was much worse at 40mph. it also developed at the same time a constant, uncommanded pull to the right. i have tried for three years to get this problem fixed and addressed under warran…”
2022-11-04 · Service Brakes“found that the front brake rotors were on the wrong side. honda specifies different part numbers for each rotor. went to dealer to resolve this issue and express my concern about it being a safety issue. the dealer contacted honda, and they agreed to pay to have the rotors installed the right way and replace the brake pads. but not replace the roto…”
2022-01-30 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“i was pulling into a parking spot to turn the bike around and back into the spot. while sitting sideways in a parking spot, i increased the throttle slightly to pull forward. the throttle acted as if it was stuck and the bike lurched forward after i released the throttle. i applied the front brake but the bike continued moving forward pushing the f…”
2021-09-10 · Vehicle Speed Control“at approximately 800 miles, the throttle became sticky. the return spring will close the throttle; however, there is excessive friction that developed while riding. temperatures were approximately 85-95 degrees. the problem is that fine feathering of the throttle is not possible. by the time enough hand control pressure is released to ease off th…”
2021-08-11 · Vehicle Speed Control“the throttle is sticking open at low speeds that makes for a dangerous situation dealer could not duplicate at time of visit the throttle is sticky will not operate smooth no accident has happened at this time…”
2021-07-20 · Service Brakes“when just starting out using foot brake and handbrake , handbrake came in towards grip real far and throttle cut out but not off for a few seconds. then abs and traction control lights came on along with mode selector lights until bike was shut down and restarted. upon restarting all would be ok for a few miles or even the whole day or would just d…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.