2003 Honda GL1800A: complaints, problems and recalls

THE GL1800 OVERHEATS TO THE POINT OF SPILLING COOLANT. THE COOLANT OVERFLOW HOSE IS IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRE. HONDA HAS IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AND ATTEMPTED A FIX BY INSTALLING A NEW ECM, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041702 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE RECALL BEING DONE BY AMERICAN HONDA CORP. (AHC) ON THEIR GOLD WING GL1800 TO REPAIR POSSIBLE FRAME AND WELD DAMAGE. MY MOTORCYCLE WAS PURCHASED 4/24/03. IT IS LESS THAN 7 MONTHS OLD. MY MOTORCYCLE WAS REJECTED FOR THEIR 'NORMAL' RECALLS SERVICE BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS TOO HEAVILY DAMAGED FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED IN THE FIELD. AHC WANTS TO SHIP THE BIKE BACK TO THE FACTORY IN OHIO (FROM NJ) AND EITHER REPAIR THE CRACKS THEY DISCOVERED OR REPLACE THE FRAME ON THE BIKE. THEY ARE GIVING ME NO CHOICES EXCEPT TO ALLOW THEM …

Owner-reported narrative. 12,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047328 at NHTSA ↗

UPON REINFORCING THE WELDS ON THE FRAME AS STATED IN RECALL 03V350000 FOR THE FRAME WELD DEALERSHIP NOTICED LARGE CRACK IN THE FRAME. MANUFACTURER INSTRUCTED THE DEALERSHIP TO STUFF CRACKS WITH METAL INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE FRAME. THIS WAS A TEMPORARY FIX, AND THE FRAME COULD CRACK AGAIN AT ANYTIME.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 1,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049800 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS GETTING RECALL WORK PERFORMED ON THE MOTORCYCLE. *PH THE DEALER REFUSE TO PROVE RECALL SERVICE FOR THE CONSUMER MOTORCYCLE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT PURCHASED AT THAT LOCATION. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10056025 at NHTSA ↗

THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE'S FRAME WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. THE FRAME CRACKED MORE THAT THE FRAME WELD RECALL STATED (03V350000). *AK *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 9,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063569 at NHTSA ↗

UNSATISFACTORY SERVICING OF RECALL WORK ON THE 2003 HONDA GOLDWING. *MR THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT IN THE FORM OF A GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE AND WRONGFUL DELAY. *SC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10124678 at NHTSA ↗

NOTICE OF GL1800/A GOLD WING FRAME WELD RECALL WAS RECEIVED FROM NHTSA ABOUT MARCH OF 2005. TOOK NOTICE AND BIKE TO DEALER: BEND RECREATION, OF BEND OREGON. APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO REPAIR WELDS. APPOINTMENT WAS CANCELLED BY BEND RECREATION BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE A "HONDA CERTIFIED WELDER". WHEN CHALLENGED ON THIS MATTER AFTER HONDA SENT OUT ANOTHER NOTICE OF RECALL, BEND RECREATION SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THEY WOULD GET TO ME AS SOON AS THEY HAD THE TIME. THAT WAS THREE MONTHS AGO, AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THEY HAVE ANY INTEREST IN DOING…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10134132 at NHTSA ↗

2003 GL 1800A EXCESSIVE FRONT END WOBBLE BEGINNING SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE MOTORCYCLE OF WHICH HONDA HAS MADE CLEAR IS "NORMAL" WHEN IN REALITY IT'S HIGHLY DANGEROUS. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136020 at NHTSA ↗

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.

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.

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.

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.