2018 Honda GL1800

34 complaints on file, page 1 of 2.

1. Filed Jun 20, 2025Failure May 28, 2025Flagstaff, AZSteering

   There is a Service Bulletin on the steering handle bars. The dealership I take it to is Go Az Flagstaff, AZ (928)526-7959. On a recall service appointment I was advised by the service manager of the loose handle bar service bulletin. It was addressed at that time. I had my motorcycle in for another recall and told them that the handle bars are still loose and American Honda told them they wouldn't cover it. This seamed illogical to me. It is obvious that their problem that generated the steering SB was not fixed by the direction Honda has given them. I am asking for assistance in raising the issue with American Honda. I don't feel comfortable riding a motorcycle with loose handle bars that Honda has a Service Bulletin generated to the public.

   NHTSA complaint 11668158
2. Filed May 16, 2025Failure May 16, 20239,000 milesSouth River, NJSteering

   The contact owns a 2018 Honda GL1800 Motorcycle. The contact stated that while releasing the accelerator pedal at speeds of 40 MPH or higher, whether on cruise control or not, the motorcycle experienced the death wobble. The motorcycle was taken to the dealer and was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the bearings on the handlebar were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The motorcycle was taken to another dealer, Xtreme Machines (700 NJ-33, Millstone, NJ 08535); who did not diagnose the failure and confirmed that the motorcycle was not safe to ride. The dealer tightened the bolts on the 2nd set of bearings underneath the bearings on the handlebar; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11661403
3. Filed Sep 23, 2024Failure Feb 22, 2024Houston, TXFuel system, Gasoline

   The contact owns a 2018 Honda Gold Wing GL 1800 Motorcycle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V113000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

   NHTSA complaint 11616004
4. Filed Aug 18, 2024Failure Apr 29, 2024Pueblo West, COEngine1 injured

   The UBS bolt broke off ( according to honda mechanics who worked on the bike) causing the motorcycle to lose all power instantly. The engine basically fell apart. I was traveling 55 miles an hour on a two lane curvy mountain road with virtually no shoulder and traffic in both directions. With no power I tried to pull off the road But could not as my first reaction was to grab the brakes, causing traffic to come dangerously close behind me. with on coming traffic I had no choice but to try and get off the road. There was a 6 to 8 inch drop off onto the grass (no shoulder) at this point I lost control of the motorcycle and struggled to keep from falling over- injuring my left leg, right arm, and left neck. Honda dealers and Honda have told me this is a problem they are aware of and have had several other cases of failure in the same way. The vehicle has been with the Honda dealership since April 29, 2024 This is a very serious and life threatening problem of which Honda is aware. My injuries are still on going.

   NHTSA complaint 11609224
5. Filed Aug 9, 2024Failure Jul 4, 2024Galloway, NJElectrical system, Engine, Vehicle speed control

   31300-KVZ-632 1.00 MOTOR, RATIO CONTROL - this is the part that failed. It is not available for inspection as the dealer has replaced the failed part under warranty. The safety risk is, if it breaks under acceleration, you are stuck in that gear so merging onto an interstate you could in fact be run over. Yes, the dealer confirmed and replaced the component. Yes, there were warning lamps including the check engine light. After starting and restarting the bike several times it cleared, and I rode the bike to the hotel (approx. 10 miles) and then it failed again. My assessment is as follows: This motor is mounted to the rear underside of the engine and moisture can infiltrate and cause intermittent or complete failure. Possibly from a bad gasket? I had ridden 260 miles that day in the rain while on a trip. After stopping for an hour then restarting the bike, the failure occurred. It wouldn't go into gear (it's a DCT - automatic) and the warning lamps were flashing (see attachments). I was able to eventually, after several restarts of the engine, to get the bike drivable and get to my hotel where it failed again. Fortunately, it didn't fail while in motion or under acceleration, but it can. In fact, Honda mentions that in the owner's manual, page 181.

   NHTSA complaint 11607446
6. Filed Aug 8, 2024Failure Apr 30, 2024Portland, ORElectrical system, Alternator/generator/regulator, Engine

   The BOLT holding the Alternator/Starter or ISG unit BROKE. While this caused no injury as the Alternator stayed together, it could have caused the motorcycle to shut down while riding. The Honda Dealer replaced the Alternator under the Honda Extended Warranty. There were no symptoms, lights, or warnings.

   NHTSA complaint 11607365
7. Filed Aug 8, 2024Failure Aug 1, 202232,000 milesMilan, ILParking brake1 injured

   The contact owns a 2018 Honda GL1800 Motorcycle. The contact stated that while the motorcycle was parked and the parking brake was activated, the parking brake failed, and the motorcycle rolled backwards. The contact fell off the motorcycle and sustained bruises and was checked out by the office nurse after the failure. The motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11607234
8. Filed Jul 30, 2024Failure Feb 22, 2024Palm Coast, FLFuel system, Gasoline

   The contact owns a 2018 Honda GL1800 Motorcycle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V113000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

   NHTSA complaint 11605460
9. Filed Jul 16, 2024Failure Jul 16, 2024Pelham, ALFuel system, Gasoline

   The contact owns a 2018 Honda GL1800 Motorcycle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V113000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

   NHTSA complaint 11602725
10. Filed Jul 16, 2024Failure Jul 9, 2024Corbin City, NJPower train

    There are quite a few 2018 and 2019 GL1800 that have had a failing UBS bolt that breaks and locks up the engine. I believe this is the case with my motorcycle. I am a [XXX] disabled vet who was riding my motorcycle down [XXX] in NJ going 60mph when I began slowing down for the exit onto [XXX]. Just about as I got to the exit the engine all of the sudden made a noise and locked up and pulling in the clutch made no difference so it cam to an abrupt stop and I fell over. Luckily the traffic was able to negotiate past me. If I had been in the center lane I do not know what would have happened. I have not taken it to a repair shop because I believe with uncertainty what is the failure after reading all of the forums online about these transmissions locking up due to an inferior bolt which has been replaced in the newer bikes with an upgraded part. There were no warnings, symptoms or lights prior to the failure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    NHTSA complaint 11602624
11. Filed Jul 7, 2024Failure Sep 20, 2023Palm Bay, FLPower train

    I was riding over the Commodore Barry Bridge when my transmission "locked" in 4th gear. The display showed 4 asterisks instead what driving mode the bike was in. I limped the bike to the closest dealer where it was determined that the Ratio Control Motor had malfunctioned. The motor along with the associated gaskets were replaced under the extended warranty that I purchased when the bike was new. The mechanic showed me the failed part that had burned contacts due to water intrusion into the housing.

    NHTSA complaint 11599708
12. Filed Jun 27, 2024Failure Apr 26, 2024New Bern, NCEngine

    Took my 2018 Honda Goldwing for replacement of the fuel pump as stated in the recall on April 26 of this year to LeJuene Motorsports. The repairs have not been completed and it is over the 60 days timeline for a reasonable time for repair.

    NHTSA complaint 11597305
13. Filed Mar 28, 2024Failure Mar 14, 202434,000 milesBrighton, MISteering

    The contact owns a 2018 Honda GL1800. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the handlebars had become extremely loose at the stem. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Item Number: 10187553 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 34,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11579982
14. Filed Feb 23, 2024Failure Feb 8, 2024Hagerstown, MDElectrical system, Vehicle speed controlCrash2 injured

    I was pulling into the parking lot of a restaurant and stopped briefly to decide where to park. When lightly applying the throttle to pull into a parking space the engine revved up, the bike surged, and my wife and I crashed into a picnic area. This GL1800 DCT motorcycle has no clutch lever or foot shifter because it has a 7-speed automatic transmission. Therefore it wasn't possible to stop the rapid acceleration by pulling in a clutch lever, and activating the kill switch would have required taking my hand off the right hand grip as we ricocheted off picnic tables. Luckily no one was sitting in the picnic area. My wife and I suffered a broken leg and a broken knee from the crash. The motorcycle was declared totaled by the insurance company at a value of $23,500.

    NHTSA complaint 11573604
15. Filed Dec 21, 2023Failure Jul 2, 2023Theodore, ALFuel/propulsion system

    Failure to restart after a 30 to 40 ride. Honda kept the bike for almost 3 months and said they could no duplicate issues. I rode bike the day after getting bike back and duplicated problem. I traced it to a defective fuel pump. I replaced fuel pump and problem was solved. Honda has refused to repair or to pay for the repair. Bike was still under factory waranty .

    NHTSA complaint 11561297
16. Filed Mar 10, 2023Failure Mar 9, 2023Tucson, AZPower train, Unknown or other, Vehicle speed controlCrash

    Veh accelerated on its own into traffic was sitting at a stop sign it just took off i was t-boned in the incident no lights or warning lights were on

    NHTSA complaint 11511126
17. Filed Mar 29, 2022Failure Mar 25, 2022Largo, FLService brakes

    The front brake calipers have been serviced 2 times in the last 9 months by the same Honda service facility. The vehicle is under Mfg. warranty into 2023. The first service was at about 8,000 miles because the front brake would not release after being applied. The calipers would slowly retract after sitting for some time, but then malfunction again upon next activation. The dealer said that there was debris in the system that caused the problem. They flushed the hydraulic system. I paid out of pocket as the dealer said "This was not covered under the warranty". The second service was on the same components at 9,500 miles. This time the issue was air in the front brake system, causing almost a complete loss of the front brake. It was returned to the same dealer for service. They indicated that it was debris on the outside of caliper pistons. This was also paid out of pocket as is wasn't covered either. I contacted Honda Powersports and they stated that this was not a warranty or safety issue. Stating that "they spoke with the service center and concluded that the solution was to occasionally spray brake cleaner on it. " Also that that I live in Florida and my proximity to salt air was the root cause. I indicated that I live about 1 mile from the coast and rarely go there. The short is that I don't feel confident in the brakes being there when I need the.

    NHTSA complaint 11458775
18. Filed Oct 27, 2021Failure Oct 1, 20211,500 milesCoos BAY, ORSuspension

    The contact owns a 2018 Honda Gold Wing Motorcycle. The contact stated that while riding at various speeds, the motorcycle would pull to the right side. The suspension was replaced, and the failure was remedied. Also, the front tire had experienced uneven wear on both the right and left sides causing the motorcycle to become extremely unstable while riding on wet pavement. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,500.

    NHTSA complaint 11438402
19. Filed Aug 10, 2021Failure Jul 31, 20217,000 milesLanghorne, PAThrottleCrash1 injured

    The contact owns a 2018 Honda Motorcycle Gold Wing Tour. The contact stated that he tapped on the throttle upon parking his motorcycle in a parking lot, which caused the motorcycle to independently accelerate without warning. The motorcycle crashed into two pillars in front of a convenience store which stopped the unintended acceleration by bringing the vehicle to a stop. Police were called to the scene and a police report was filed. The contact was able to drive the motorcycle back to his home, once home, he was taken to a hospital and treated for a bruised right leg. The front end of the motorcycle was damaged due to failure and had remained parked in his garage. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The contact was then referred to a dealer where they requested to have the throttle sent to the manufacturer for an investigation. The motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11428480
20. Filed Aug 3, 2021Failure Jul 31, 2021Freeport, FLService brakes

    Removed the wheels to replace tires at 13000 miles. Noticed the front brake pads are extremely unevenly worn. Inside pads are near the metal while the outside pads are like new. I've begun mentioning this in forums and find that others are saying the same thing.

    NHTSA complaint 11427596