2018 Honda GL1800 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
34 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
7,266 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 34 complaints (17.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 17.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 14.7% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 11.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 5.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
Electrical System: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Engine: 5; Power Train: 5; Steering: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 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 (14). 16 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 |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2018: 3; 2019: 3; 2020: 6; 2021: 5; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 12; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 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 11205522 · 2019-05-03 (May 3, 2019)
THE ENGINES STOPS SOMETIMES WHEN I STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND START TO TAKE OFF. MANY TIMES THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A LOUD CLUNK AND THE ENGINE STOPS. IT APPEARS LIKE THE BIKE TRY'S TO ENGAGE BOTH TRANSMISSIONS AT THE SAME TIME. SEVERAL TIMES I COULD NOT GET THE BIKE RESTARTED. I TOOK IT TO TWO DIFFERENT HONDA DEALERS BUT THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND OTHER 2018 HONDA GOLDWING DCT OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THEM AND HONDA TELLS ALL OF US THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. IT IS A SAFELY ISSUE BECAUSE I GO TO MO…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11205522 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11286673 · 2019-12-03 (December 3, 2019)
2 INCIDENTS- MAY 26TH 2019 AND NOVEMBER 24TH 2019. AT A STOP ON A STREET - THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS THE HONDA 7 SPEED DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION - TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE, THE GOLD WING TOUR DCT MOTORCYCLE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED WITHOUT OPENING THE THROTTLE CAUSING THE BIKE TO LEAP FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE IN MAY HAPPENED WHILE THE FRONT BRAKE WAS APPLIED WHICH WAS NOT SUFFICIENT AS THE ENGINE POWER OVERCAME THE BRAKES AND JUMPED FORWARD ABOUT 6 FEET - THE BIKE WAS STOPPED BY ENGAGING THE KILL SWITCH. THE SECOND TIME IN NOVEMBER MY H…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11286673 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11093628 · 2018-05-14 (May 14, 2018)
THE FRONT WHEEL WOBBLES AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH AND GETS WORSE AS SPEED INCREASES. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK, THE DEALER SAID THEY INSPECTED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, STEERING HEAD BEARINGS, AND CHECKED THE BALANCE OF THE TIRE. WOBBLE IS STILL THERE AND FEELS UNSAFE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ABOVE 60 MPH. BRAND NEW MOTORCYCLE, DELIVERED MAY 3, 2018.
Owner-reported narrative. 2 miles reported. Look up ODI 11093628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11353462 · 2020-09-06 (September 6, 2020)
I TRAILERED MY 2018 GOLDWING DCT, IN A TOY HAULER 5TH WHEEL. I SECURED THE BIKE WITH RATCHETING TIE DOWNS AT THE HANDLEBARS, ACROSS THE SEAT AND MORE IN THE BACK OF THE BIKE. THE BIKE WAS FINE AFTER DAY 1 OF TRAVEL. AFTER DAY 2, WHEN WE ARRIVED WE DISCOVERED THAT THE SPINDLE ON WHICH THE HANDLEBARS PIVOT, HAD COMPLETELY SHEARED OFF, AND THE HANDLEBARS WERE NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE STEERING SYSTEM. HONDA DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMED THE OWNER'S MANUAL SPECIFICALLY WARNED NOT TO ANCHOR AT THE HANDLEBARS; MY OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT STATE A…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11353462 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11561297 · 2023-12-21 (December 21, 2023)
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 .
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11561297 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11597305 · 2024-06-27 (June 27, 2024)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11597305 at NHTSA ↗