2008 Honda GL1800 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 23%of 47 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 33,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Honda GL1800, 23% of the 47 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 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.
“The contact owns a 2008 Honda goldwing. While attempting to stop the vehicle in traffic, the front and rear brakes did not work. The contact downshifted to a stop. The motorcycle was driven home. The following day, the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the master cylinder failed. The contact also stated that the motorcycle was repaired two years ago due to the same failure. This was the third time the master cylinder was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The motorcycle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 37,065.”
NHTSA complaint #10980209, filed 2017-04, 37,065 miles“The contact owns a 2008 Honda gold wing GL1800 motorcycle. The contact stated that after having repairs performed on the vehicle under NHTSA campaign id number:11v567000(service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder), the contact was traveling 70 MPH when the steering wheel seized and the engine stalled. The vehicle restarted after the failure and was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 33,000. Updated 7/27/12”
NHTSA complaint #10462587, filed 2012-06, 33,000 miles“The contact owns a 2008 Honda gold wing motorcycle. The contact stated while driving at speeds of 70 MPH, the rear brakes locked without warrant. The dealer replaced the brake fluid and bled the brakes but to no avail. The manufacturer was contacted but they would not provide any assistance. The contact experienced the failure two additional times. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer who replaced the brake pads, drum, disc and master cylinder. The failure and current mileages were 4,200. Updated 07/19/10. Updated 09/13/10”
NHTSA complaint #10330974, filed 2010-05, 4,200 miles“2008 Honda gl 1800/a goldwing motorcycle. Consumer writes in regards to recall, stating dealer failed to remedy the defect the consumer stated prior to the recall, he noticed that the rear brakes would intermittently drag while riding. After braking, a loud scraping noise was clearly audible over the engine and road noise. A few hard pumps on the brakes would usually cause the brakes to release and the noise to stop. The dealer continued to tell the consumer there was nothing wrong with the motorcycle. Recall# 11v567000.”
NHTSA complaint #10447641, filed 2012-02“The contact owned a 2008 Honda goldwing. While driving various speeds, the brakes failed without warning and the vehicle crashed into a ditch. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the ribs, hands, and a punctured lung, which required medical attention. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.”
NHTSA complaint #10915758, filed 2016-10Related 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
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…
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 2008 Honda GL1800
9 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsTires
7 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 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