2008 Honda GL1800 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
47 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
8,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 36 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 47 complaints (17.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 11 | 23.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 12.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 8 |
| Tires | 7 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
Steering: 8; Tires: 7; Power Train: 6; Service Brakes: 6; Exterior Lighting: 3; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 3; Suspension: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 26 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 26; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (26). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2007: 1; 2008: 8; 2009: 4; 2010: 4; 2011: 6; 2012: 6; 2013: 2; 2014: 4; 2015: 3; 2016: 4; 2017: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10330974 · 2010-05-18 (May 18, 2010)
TL* 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. *LJ UPDATED 09/13/10
Owner-reported narrative. 4,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10330974 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10447641 · 2012-02-14 (February 14, 2012)
2008 HONDA GL 1800/A GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL, STATING DEALER FAILED TO REMEDY THE DEFECT *TGW 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.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10447641 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10242228 · 2008-09-15 (September 15, 2008)
THERE IS AN INCREASING NUMBER OF CURRENT GENERATION HONDA GL1800 GOLD WING MOTORCYCLES THAT HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHICH, CAUSE TRANSMISSION FAILURE, RANDOM DOWN SHIFTING, AND MISSED SHIFTS. HONDA ONLY WILL DEAL WITH THESE ON A WARRANTY BASIS IF THERE IS TOTAL FAILURE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10242228 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10264248 · 2009-04-06 (April 6, 2009)
MY 2008 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCED A BENT SHIFT FORK IN THE TRANSMISSION AT 4,600 MILES. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO A LARGE NUMBER OF LATE MODEL HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLES. THIS ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT COULD RESULT IN TOTAL FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 4,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10264248 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10354523 · 2010-09-08 (September 8, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GL1800 GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND RESUMED. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A FLUTTERING AND KNOCKING NOISE. THE FAILURE OCCURRENCES WERE INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES WHICH THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80.
Owner-reported narrative. 80 miles reported. Look up ODI 10354523 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10462587 · 2012-06-21 (June 21, 2012)
TL* 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 *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10462587 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10441159 · 2011-12-24 (December 24, 2011)
I HAVE A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING GL1800 AND DEVELOPED A REAL BAD FRONTEND WOBLE AT 6000 MILES BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 30-45 MPH. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME NOT TO EVEN BRING IT BACK TO THEM BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME. I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WON'T HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM EITHER. I NOW HAVE 14000 MILES ON IT, 2 SET OF TIRES WORN OUT THE THIRD SET GOING ON AND THE WOBBLE IS GETTING WORSE AS TIME GOES ON. I HAVE ONCE AGAIN TALKED TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY HONDA RECOMMENDS PUTTING TAPPERED …
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10441159 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10444041 · 2012-01-17 (January 17, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRANSPORTING THE VEHICLE IN A TRAILER, FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE TRAILER. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE AUXILIARY FUEL TANK DEVELOPED CRACKS IN SEVERAL PLACES AND AS A RESULT, WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000. ..UPDATED 05/23/12 *BF CONSUMER WA…
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10444041 at NHTSA ↗