2003 Honda GL1800: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
101 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
11,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 52 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Frame And Members is the most frequently named component, appearing in 30 of 101 complaints (29.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 8.9% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 3.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 30 |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 14 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 11 |
| Structure:Body | 7 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Suspension:Rear | 4 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 3 |
Structure:Frame And Members: 30; Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields: 14; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 11; Structure:Body: 7; Steering: 6; Service Brakes: 5; Suspension:Rear: 4; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 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 | 35 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 35; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (35). 49 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2003 | 33 |
| 2004 | 14 |
| 2005 | 14 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
2002: 11; 2003: 33; 2004: 14; 2005: 14; 2006: 3; 2007: 4; 2008: 2; 2009: 3; 2010: 3; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 3; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 3
Pattern summary
Structure:Frame And Members leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10023360 · 2003-06-19 (June 19, 2003)
ON MY 2003 HONDA GOLDWING WITH 3445 MILES AS I STARTED AROUND A 20 MPH CURVE IN ATLAS MI THE FRAME SEPARATED, THE PART OF THE FRAME THAT HOLDS THE CENTER STAND AND THE REAR SUSPENSION ALLOWING THE BIKE TO DROP ALMOST TO THE PAVEMENT. THE TIRE WAS STOPPED ONLY BY THE PLASTIC INNER FENDER THAT STARTED TO MELT. HONDA'S ONLY EXPLANATION IS THAT THE WELD FAILED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 3,445 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023360 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025092 · 2003-06-27 (June 27, 2003)
AFTER 15 MINUTES IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THE CYCLE OVERHEATED (THE TEMP GAUGE WAS IN THE RED AREA). THE CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SIDE AND THE COOLING FAN COULD NOT BE HEARD. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025092 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028657 · 2003-07-20 (July 20, 2003)
HONDA GOLDWING 2003 ,REAR SUSPENSION CRACKES/BREAKS,CAUSING LOSE OF CONTROL TO TURN
Owner-reported narrative. 11,478 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028657 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028679 · 2003-07-20 (July 20, 2003)
TRUNK WEAR THAT MAY CREATE A HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028679 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029146 · 2003-07-25 (July 25, 2003)
ROUTINE INSPECTION REVEALED A CRACK IN A WELD OF THE MAIN CROSSMEMBER ON THE FRAME OF THE MOTORCYCLE. FAILURE OF THIS WELD COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 21,345 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029146 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030259 · 2003-07-28 (July 28, 2003)
DISCOVERED A 1/4 CRACK IN THE WELD OF THE RIGHT UPPER CROSS MEMBER LOCATED UNDER THE SEAT. MINE IS JUST ONE OF SEVERAL HONDA GOLDWING FRAMES TO CRACK AND/OR FAIL IN THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS. I DO BELIEVE THE CONTINUED STRESS CAUSED BY RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE WILL CAUSE THIS CRACK TO ENLARGE AND THE WELD WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL. I NO LONGER FEEL MY MOTORCYCLE IS SAFE TO RIDE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10030259 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030358 · 2003-07-29 (July 29, 2003)
MOTORCYCLE FRAME BREAKS, ALLOWING REAR SUSPENSION TO DROP TO ROADWAY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030806 · 2003-08-05 (August 5, 2003)
ENGINE OVERHEATING AT SLOW SPEEDS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030806 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V340000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2002-12-23 (December 23, 2002)
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE BANK ANGLE SENSORS DESIGNED TO SHUT OFF THE FUEL PUMP AND THE ENGINE ELECTRICAL POWER IN THE EVENT THE MOTORCYCLE FALLS OVER, WERE INSTALLED USING THE WRONG SIZE SCREWS ALLOWING THE SCREWS TO EVENTUALLY DETACH FROM THEIR MOUNTING POINT.
Consequence: IF THE SENSOR DETACHES, THE ENGINE WILL STOP UNEXPECTEDLY. SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, ESPECIALLY WHILE TURNING, COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MOUNTING SCREW SIZE AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL SCREWS OF THE CORRECT SIZE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-289-8226.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V350000 · Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
Reported: 2003-09-26 (September 26, 2003)
ON SOME MOTORCYCLES, CERTAIN FRAME WELDS DO NOT MEET MANUFACTURING SPECIFICATIONS. HIGH LOADS CREATED WHEN RIDING ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACES OR THROUGH POTHOLES CAN CAUSE THE AFFECTED WELDS TO CRACK.
Consequence: THE WELDED AREA COULD BREAK, RESULTING IN REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE OR LOWER CROSS MEMBER SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REINFORCE THE WELDS ON ALL FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DURING OCTOBER 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-866-784-1870.
NHTSA campaign record ↗05V010000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Reported: 2005-01-24 (January 24, 2005)
CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH COMBINED-BRAKE SYSTEMS HAVE A PROPORTIONING CONTROL VALVE (PCV) THAT MECHANICALLY PROPORTIONS BRAKE FORCE WHEN THE REAR BRAKE IS APPLIED. A SEAL IN SOME PCVS IS IMPROPERLY SHAPED, AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR.
Consequence: IF THE MOTORCYCLE CONTINUES TO BE USED AFTER A LEAK OCCURS, THE REAR BRAKE WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE. A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE FORCE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE FORLEAKAGE. IF LEAKAGE IS CONFIRMED, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PCV FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 31, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 866-784-1870.
NHTSA campaign record ↗05V027000 · Structure:Frame And Members
Reported: 2005-01-31 (January 31, 2005)
ON SOME MOTORCYCLES, CERTAIN FRAME WELDS DO NOT MEET MANUFACTURING SPECIFICATIONS. HIGH LOADS CREATED WHEN RIDING ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACES OR THROUGH POTHOLES CAN CAUSE THE AFFECTED WELDS TO CRACK.
Consequence: THE WELDED AREA COULD BREAK, RESULTING IN REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE OR LOWER CROSS MEMBER SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REINFORCE THE WELDS ON 2001-2002 MOTORCYCLES FREE OF CHARGE. ON 2003-2004 MOTORCYCLES, THE UNITS WILL BE REPAIRED, NO INSPECTION WILL BE NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-866-784-1870.
NHTSA campaign record ↗11V567000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
Reported: 2011-12-01 (December 1, 2011)
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2010, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 GL1800 GOLDWING MOTORCYCLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE COMBINED BRAKING SYSTEM'S SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER MAY CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE TO DRAG.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V700000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
Reported: 2015-10-23 (October 23, 2015)
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2010 and 2012-2015 GL1800, 2001-2005 GL1800A and 2013-2015 GL1800B motorcycles. The rear brakes of the affected motorcycles may drag after the brakes are released.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗