2001 Honda GL1800A: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
45,650 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Frame And Members is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 14 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 21.4% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 21.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 4 |
| Suspension:Front:Shock Absorber | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Tires:Bead | 1 |
Structure:Frame And Members: 4; Suspension:Front:Shock Absorber: 3; Electrical System: 2; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 1; Suspension: 1; Tires:Bead: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
2005: 5; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Frame And Members leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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 10124708 · 2005-05-31 (May 31, 2005)
CONSUMER TOOK 2001 HONDA GL1800 TO THE DEALER FOR THE FRAME INSPECTION AND THE KILL SWITCH RECALL. CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS HAVING THE RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED.*MR THE VEHICLE RAN FINE PRIOR TO THE CONSUMER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10124708 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10132597 · 2005-08-12 (August 12, 2005)
2001 HONDA GL1800 GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. WHILE IN TRAFFIC, APPLIED FRONT BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES AGGRESSIVELY. SPEEDS WERE 20-30 MPH. UN-KNOWING THAT THE LEFT FRONT FORK SHOCK SEAL FAILED, AFTER THE BRAKING IN TRAFFIC, & OIL WAS PUSHED OUT OF THE FORK SHOCK. THE OIL COVERED THE FRONT TIRE & BRAKE. PULLING INTO THE GARAGE, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE THE FRONT TIRE LOST TRACTION, DUE TO THE OIL ON THE TIRE, & THE MOTORCYCLE SLIPPED & LANDED ON IT'S SIDE. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED ONLY THE LEFT FRONT FORK SHOCK SEAL. THEY SHOWED ME THE OLD SEAL & T…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10132597 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10132632 · 2005-08-12 (August 12, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 10 IN TEXAS I DROVE ON A ROUGH AREA OF THE PAVEMENT. I THEN NOTICED OIL COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT FORK SHOCK SEAL. THE OIL WAS BEING "PUMPED OUT" THROUGH THE SHOCK OIL SEAL THAT FAILED. OIL WAS BEING SPRAYED INTO THE RADIATOR, WINDSCREEN, INSTRUMENT PANEL,ENGINE, FRONT BRAKES & TIRES. I EXITED THE INTERSTATE & AS I ATTEMPTED TO STOP I NOTICED THE OIL COVERED BRAKES DID NOT ALLOW THE MOTORCYCLE TO STOP IN A SAFE STOPPING DISTANCE. I USED THE GEAR DOWN SHIFTING TO AID IN STOPPING THE MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE IS…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,995 miles reported. Look up ODI 10132632 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10133516 · 2005-08-19 (August 19, 2005)
THE ANTI-DRIVE SYSTEM IS MAL-FUNCTIONING & HYDRAULICALLY LOCKING THE LEFT FRONT FORK SHOCK. THIS IS ALLOWS THE SHOCK TO OVER PRESSURE & FAIL THE SEALING LIP SEAL. THE OIL THEN IS PUMPED OUT DURING THE SHOCK OPERATION & THE OIL IS COVERING THE FRONT BRAKES & TIRES. THIS CREATES A LOSS OF TRACTION FROM THE OIL COVERED TIRES & LIMITED BRAKING DUE TO THE OIL CONTAMINATED BRAKES. PERSONALLY I HAVE HAD TWO EXACTLY THE SAME LEFT FRONT SHOCK SEAL FAILURES. #1 FAILURE THE MOTORCYCLE SLIPPED & LAID DOWN ON THE GARAGE FLOOR WHEN STOPPING. #2 FAILURE TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 43,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10133516 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10142928 · 2005-11-16 (November 16, 2005)
REAR SUSPENSION NOT SETTING IN FULL RANGE. WAS REPLACED ONCE BY HONDA WARRANTY 2-2-05 AND AM NOW BEING TOLD THAT THE SAME SYMPTOMS ARE NOW CONSIDERED NORMAL. HAVE LOST OVER 25% OF SUSPENSION ADJ RANGE. HONDA NOW REFUSES TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10142928 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150023 · 2006-02-11 (February 11, 2006)
MY 2001 HONDA GL1800 HAS A SURGING PROBLEM WHEN ENGINE RPM IS 1400-1500 IN ANY GEAR OR JUST STANDING STILL. AT A STAND STILL IF THE THROTTLE IS HELD AT 1400-1500 RPM THE ENGINE WILL OSCILLATE BETWEEN 1000 AND 1500 RPM UNTIL THE THROTTLE IS RELEASED. WHILE DRIVING AT THIS RPM IN ANY GEAR THIS PROBLEM WILL CAUSE THE SUDDEN LOSE OF ENGINE RPM AND THEN A SURGE BACK CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION ESPECIALLY WHEN RIDING 2 UP. IT ALL STARTED AFTER THE ECM WAS UPDATED (10/01/03) FOR AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM (RECALL). HONDA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 47,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10150023 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10155196 · 2006-04-04 (April 4, 2006)
2001 GL1800 GOLDWING ENGINE SURGES FROM 1500 RPM TO 1000 RPM AND CONTINUES TO OSCILLATE UP AND DOWN UNTIL THE THROTTLE IS RELEASED OR RPM IS RAISED ABOVE 1500. *TS THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM STARTED AFTER SERVICE BULLETIN 1800A13 WAS COMPLETED. THE SB WAS FOR AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM THAT THE EARLIER GL1800'S HAD. *NM UPDATED 04/21/06.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10155196 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10168900 · 2006-09-21 (September 21, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER STICKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10168900 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗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 ↗