2012 Honda GL1800 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 55%of 31 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 300miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Honda GL1800, 55% of the 31 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 300 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Cold stumble happens when the motorcycle is warmed above the cold ride mark specified by the GL1800 owners manual but before the engine gets to the fully warm temperature mark, when I stop at the end of my driveway and give throttle to the motorcycle it will stumble in the middle of the turn and almost cause the rider to drop the motorcycle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10621114, filed 2014-08, 1,300 miles“There is a hesitation between throttle application and engine response that causes the motorcycle to lunge forward then almost come to a complete stop. I have almost dropped the motorcycle several times because of this problem. I have owned two goldwings previous to this one and neither had this hesitation problem. It is very dangerous when moving out into traffic from a complete stop.”
NHTSA complaint #10532817, filed 2013-07, 27 miles“Every day when I start the motorcycle and proceed to drive, it stumble or stalls almost falling over into the street as if it had carburetors and the choke was not on. To avoid this happening I must turn the throttle several times to increase the engine RPM's and then manage to keep the motorcycle from over compensating and crashing into another vehicle. I have complained to the Honda dealer and their response is they cannot duplicate the problem and or the motorcycle is operating within normal parameters. …”
NHTSA complaint #10631910, filed 2014-09, 40 miles“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 and go down with damage to myself , my wife and the bike. It has happened many times so one date listed down below is not accurate. Bought the bike on dec 12,2015 with only 1685miles on it. Previous owner said it stumbled. …”
NHTSA complaint #10839640, filed 2016-03, 1,685 miles“Motorcycle has a hesitation just off idle, from a cold start, during an engine warm-up, at ambient temperatures of 50*f to 90*f. This engine hesitation can result in an engine stall. An engine stall on a motorcycle, particularly if the motorcycle is engaged in a low speed turn; as a motorcycle is likely to be engaged in after a cold start, will result in a crash. This is a known problem to Honda motor company. This problem exists on most 2012 and 2013 Honda goldwing motorcycles. My motorcycle does this. I consider it a serious safety defect. …”
NHTSA complaint #10523515, filed 2013-07, 9 milesEngine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 14% |
| 2019 | 5 | 63% |
| 2018 | 5 | 15% |
| 2016 | 3 | 60% |
| 2014 | 2 | 29% |
| 2013 | 3 | 33% |
| 2012 | 17 | 55% |
| 2010 | 1 | 4% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 1 | 5% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2003 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2012 Honda GL1800
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Honda GL1800
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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