Honda GL1800A Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 49 consumer complaints across the 4 model years of the Honda GL1800A (2001–2013) that have at least 5 complaints. 2003 has the most, with 16. Across all years, the part named most often is body and structure (18 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All GL1800A model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 11 | 1,247 | 0 | 8 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 16 | 32,000 | 4 | 25 | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 8 | 47,400 | 4 | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 14 | 45,650 | 2 | 21 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Body and structure18 39%
- Electrical system5 11%
- Brakes5 11%
- Suspension4 8.7%
- Engine cooling4 8.7%
- Engine4 8.7%
- Transmission and drivetrain3 6.5%
- Fuel system3 6.5%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2013: “Vibration cracks mounts on rear portion of front fender. (this is the second time it has happened to me and has happened to my son also) if left unnoticed both sides will fail and the front fender could wedge into the front fork/fairing area and jam steering, severe a brake line,or cause a blow out of front or rear tire.( vibration caused by motion of the vehicle)”
NHTSA complaint #11080740, filed 2018-03, 12,000 miles2002: “This concerns an ongoing safety recall for rear brake lockup on gl1800 goldwing. I own a 2002 model. Three times in the last month, my rear brake has locked up, one time causing me to loose control and drop the bike, being slightly injured, with a scrape to the right arm. Honda has thus far not reimbursed me for repairs that is supposed to be an unending safety recall. Dealer said I had to pay, since Honda has allegedly done the recall, claiming fluid contamination, even though their own dealer has flushed and bled the system twice in the last month. …”
NHTSA complaint #11206622, filed 2019-05, 47,400 miles2003: “Bought the bike july 9. Private party. I was going thru the bike checking everything out and found the frame is broke behind the passenger floorboards on both sides. I have done some research and this is very common.”
NHTSA complaint #10610240, filed 2014-07, 89,600 milesOther Honda models
24,627 complaintsHonda Civic
16,250 complaintsHonda CR-V
16,065 complaintsHonda Odyssey
12,886 complaintsHonda Pilot
9,409 complaintsHonda Ridgeline
2,224 complaintsHonda Fit
2,202 complaintsHonda HR-V
1,877 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology