2003 Honda GL1800 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 8%of 101 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Honda GL1800, 8% of the 101 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Dt: the contact owns a 2003 Honda goldwing. When applying the back brake there was bad vibration which resulted in extended stopping distances. The contact stated if the brake were pressed harder, at that point, the motorcycle would come to a stop. The dealership recommended to bleed the brakes, and this should take care of the problem. The dealership bled the brakes, but this did not resolve the problem. The dealership contacted the manufacturer and suggested they could change the brake fluid, but that was about all that could be done about this. …”
NHTSA complaint #10134621, filed 2005-08, 7,000 miles“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 09/29/16”
NHTSA complaint #10895396, filed 2016-08, 83,947 miles“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 indicated that during the incident, only the front brakes were applied, and the rear brake did not apply. The failure occurred after the rider descended down a winding road for approximately 15 miles, causing the brakes to be used excessively. …”
NHTSA complaint #11046593, filed 2017-11, 8,000 miles“Nhtsa recalls 04v010000 concerning combined brake system leak/ 05v027000 concerning frame cracks, and 03v350000 regarding frame welds. Dealer refused to honor the recalls because the vehicle was not purchased at that particular dealership. Consumer has had 5 recalls on this bike over the last 2 years.”
NHTSA complaint #10113178, filed 2005-03“2003 Honda goldwing motorcycle. Consumer writes in regards recall 2001-2010 and rear brakes campaign the consumer stated shortly after having his brakes serviced, he heard an unusual grinding noise coming from the rear wheel. When he took the motorcycle to the dealer, he was informed the rotor and brakes were completely destroyed. The dealer indicated the consumer must have ridden the rear brakes even though the brakes were linked and the front brakes were in good condition. The consumer has since traded the motorcycle. The consumer referenced recall# 11v567000.”
NHTSA complaint #10441834, filed 2011-12Related recalls
- 15V700000Oct 23, 2015American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2010 and 2012-2015 GL1800, 2001-2005 GL1800A and 2013-2015 GL1800B motorcycles…Covers: Honda GL1800 2001–2010, 2012–2015, GL1800A 2001–2005, GL1800B 2013–2015
- 11V567000Dec 1, 2011Honda is recalling certain model year 2001-2010, and model year 2012 gl1800 goldwing motorcycles. Under certain conditions, there is a possibility that the…Covers: Honda GL1800 2001–2010, 2012
- 05V010000Jan 24, 2005Certain motorcycles equipped with combined-brake systems have a proportioning control valve (pcv) that mechanically proportions brake force when the rear…Covers: Honda GL1800 2002–2004, GL1800A 2002–2004, VFR800 2002–2004 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 10099350Dec 11, 2015"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…
- 10099957Dec 10, 2015Newsletter - 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…
- 10099874Nov 24, 2015"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…
- 10100549Oct 29, 2015Service 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…
- 10100546Oct 23, 2015"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…
- 10100792Oct 19, 2015Service bulletin - honda is launching a safety recall of 2001-2015 gl1800/a and gl1800b/bd motorcycles. Honda has determined that under conditions where the brake fluid is not…
- 10100782Oct 16, 2015"honda is launching a safety recall on model year 2001 through 2015 gl1800/a and gl1800b/bd motorcycles to replace a potentially defective secondary master cylinder. Under…
- 10127659Aug 20, 2014Dealer message - Honda has determined that, in some cases, the secondary master cylinder repair campaign conducted since 2011 (S/B GL1800 #20) was not sufficient to prevent the…
- 10127662Aug 19, 2014Service bulletin - Honda has determined that, in some cases, the secondary master cylinder repair campaign conducted since 2011 (S/B GL1800 #20) was not sufficient to prevent the…
- 10015346Feb 1, 2005Linked braking system (lbs) proportional control valve (pcv) leakage safety recall.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 29% |
| 2018 | 3 | 9% |
| 2016 | 2 | 40% |
| 2015 | 3 | 38% |
| 2014 | 4 | 57% |
| 2013 | 3 | 33% |
| 2012 | 2 | 6% |
| 2010 | 11 | 46% |
| 2008 | 11 | 23% |
| 2007 | 7 | 35% |
| 2006 | 4 | 18% |
| 2005 | 3 | 17% |
| 2004 | 2 | 20% |
| 2003 | 8 | 8% |
| 2002 | 6 | 3% |
| 2001 | 7 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2003 Honda GL1800
54 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsTires
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Honda GL1800
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology