Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Airbags recall
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the rider resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Honda Motorcycle Customer Support at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KJ1.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Airbags recall
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the rider resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag module containing the inflator, free of charge. Honda distributed an interim notification to owners on July 19, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KA8.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Brakes recall
A rear brake that drags may increase the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, extended riding with the rear brake dragging could generate enough heat to result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary brake master cylinder and the rear brake master cylinder, and flush the brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on December 7, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is JV6. Note: This recall supercedes recall 14V-472.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Safety recall
THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY OR A CRASH.
- Remedy
- KURYAKYN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE REPLACEMENT MOUNT KITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 13, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KURYAKYN AT 1-866-296-4728.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Brakes recall
UNEXPECTED BRAKING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH, AND RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE WITH THE REAR BRAKE DRAGGING MAY GENERATE ENOUGH HEAT TO CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE TO CATCH FIRE.
- Remedy
- HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 6, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-784-1870.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
5
Most reports here involve transmission slipping.
Read full complaint
Many Honda Goldwings are known to have what owners call a stumble in engine performance which happens as the engine temperature is warming up. This does not happen when the engine is still cold, or once the engine reaches normal operating temperature. This stumble becomes a safety problem when operating the vehicle at slow engine speed and making a turn. On a motorcycle the operator depends on engine response to help control the vehicle. If the engine stumbles while making a turn it increases the chance of the operator losing their balance and the bike and operator being in an accident. I have not taken my motorcycle to a dealer to have it examined. This is a well known fault in many, if not most GL1800's produced between the years 2005 and 2010 and possibly other year models as well. Dealers always respond with, Mother Honda won't do anything to correct this. This is normal and not a defect. As far as approximate date of this incident I will list today's date because this is a problem everytime I ride and the conditions to produce the stumble are met. Two aftermarket manufactures have solutions that partially work to eliminate this situation. Guhl Motors in Ephrata Pa and Electrical Connections in Knoxville Tn. However, it's not the owners responsibility to fix safety issues that Honda has created. Just for my personal information can you please inform me as to how many complaints you have received about this situation and what Honda says about fixing it?
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11549329 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
2
Most reports here involve software faults.
Read full complaint
WITHIN THE FIRST MONTHS OF RIDING, I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE MULTI FUNCTIONING DISPLAY (MFD) THE DISPLAY GOES BLANK AT START UP AND AT TRAVELING SPEEDS. LOSING ALL DATA OF MILEAGE, GPS DIRECTIONS, RADIO FUNCTION. I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEMS SEVERAL TIMES, TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. THEY HELD ONTO MY BIKE FOR SEVERAL DAYS, NOTHING WAS DONE, AND THE PROBLEMS PERSISTED. I WAS TOLD, 'WE LOOKED AT YOUR BIKE AND WE CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.' I CONTINUED MY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH MY MULTI FUNCTIONING DISPLAY. I CALLED HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE, WITH NO RESULTS. THIS PROBLEMS HAPPENS SINCE NEW AND I LEARNED THAT SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. WHAT WAS MOST HORRIFIC, IN JUNE OF 2013, I ATTEMPTED TO PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY BIKE'S WARRANTY EXPIRED IN MAY OF 2013. ALTHOUGH I PURCHASED MY BIKE IN AUGUST 2010, THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY EXPIRED MAY OF 2013; A FULL THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE ORIGINAL DATE OF MY PURCHASE. NOW I MUST PAY $2,500 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10599032 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
11
Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HONDA GOLDWING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ATLANTIC CYCLE & POWER DEALER (4580 CRAIN HWY, WHITE PLAINS, MD 20695, (301) 392-1770) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR MASTER CYLINDER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11143673 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
6
Most reports here involve loss of steering.
Read full complaint
Avon Cobra Chrome motorcycle tire 130/70R18. While driving on a California highway at 70 mph, I experienced a noticeable vibration in my handlebars. Thinking I may have a tire anomaly, I reduced speed and looked for a roadside area where I could stop the motorcycle and inspect the wheels and tires for damage. It took considerable effort to maintain control of the motorcycle as the front end felt as though it would “slide out” to one side or the other. After inspecting the front tire I observed a noticeable “bulb” or “blister” on the tread cap approximately 10” long. This blister was very hot in contrast to the remaining lukewarm tire. After the tire cooled, I could press my thumb against the blister, now receding, and feel the tread cap had separated from the inner core of the tire by approximately 1/2”. Because of the remote location where this tire failure occurred, I had no other choice but to ride the motorcycle 22 miles back to the last town I had passed, Wilets California, at 10-15 mph. In Wilets I was able to locate a motel and performed a tire swap the next day. This Avon tire failure occurred without warning. This same tire in a different size is now the subject of a recall for basically the same thing I experienced. I propose the aforementioned tire recall be expanded to include all Avon Cobra Chrome motorcycle tires regardless of size. Note: I also replaced the Avon Cobra Chrome on the rear of the motorcycle at the same time because we felt that it too could fail without warning.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11471289 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 24 complaints on file, fewer than the 2012 (31). Of the 3 model years of the Honda GL1800 we cover, the 2018 has the most (34). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.