2004 Honda GL1800 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 30%of 10 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Honda GL1800, 30% of the 10 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,500 miles.
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.
“The GL1800 motorcycle has a reverse on it. This should only be allowed to engage, when in neutral & never while running. I found a circumstance that allowed it to start engaging, and possibly could have been disastrous had I not acted quickly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10432802, filed 2011-10, 49,500 miles“Transmission locked up and the vehicle will no longer move. Forward or reverse, nothing. The rear wheel will not turn at all. Had just come out of driveway when it started making a chattering noise, then when I got on road the noise got louder and about the time I shifted to second gear the rear wheel locked up completely and skidded to a stop. After numerous tries the motor would run and clutch would work but it would not move in any gear..I had to call a tow truck to bring it back to my house. I cannot see any evidence of why the trans/driveline is locked and why the veh. …”
NHTSA complaint #10983187, filed 2017-05, 7,000 miles“2004 goldwing october 2003 build date. At roughly 12,000 miles spring 2005, third gear engagement, up or down, would occasionally result in a single loud clunk as throttle power was applied. By the time the bike was at 55,000 miles summer 2009, this condition of clunking (skipping a gear dog) was 100% likely. I have in that time been mindful of third gear and generally skip it or only apply moderate throttle when I know I am in third gear; but by 55,000 miles even slight acceleration force would result in the transmission skipping a dog and clunking. …”
NHTSA complaint #10287011, filed 2009-10, 53,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 | 50% |
| 2018 | 5 | 15% |
| 2013 | 1 | 11% |
| 2012 | 5 | 16% |
| 2010 | 4 | 17% |
| 2008 | 9 | 19% |
| 2007 | 4 | 20% |
| 2006 | 5 | 23% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 3 | 30% |
| 2003 | 5 | 5% |
| 2002 | 4 | 2% |
| 2001 | 6 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2004 Honda GL1800
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 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