NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Honda GL1800 Recalls & Complaints

The 2008 Honda GL1800 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 47 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Honda dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Honda GL1800. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2008 Honda GL1800 owner complaints

Owners have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Honda GL1800, describing incidents dated October 1, 2007 to September 25, 2021.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 11 complaints
Power Train 9 complaints
Steering 8 complaints
Tires 7 complaints
Suspension 6 complaints
Exterior Lighting 4 complaints

Of the 47 complaints on file, 4 report a crash; across all 47 complaints, owners report 4 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11441443 · Filed November 23, 2021
The contact reported on a 2008 Honda Goldwing GL1800 Motorcycle. The contact is an Attorney and stated that the motorcycle was traveling at an undetermined speed and the braking system malfunctioned causing the operator to lose control of the motorcycle and drive off the road, down an embankment…
ODI #11331994 · Filed July 1, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V700000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL…
ODI #11185006 · Filed March 8, 2019
V6 TRANSMISSION STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING STUCK AND POPPING OUT OF 5TH GEAR TOOK TO MOTORCYCLE FACTORY WOODBRIDGE VA WHERE I BOUGHT IT THEY SAID NO PROBLEM LATER IT IS NOW COMPLETELY WASTED TRANSMISSION AND NEEDS WHAT EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT IT WAS A BAD DESIGN AND NEEDS WORK AT LEAST 4-5 K TO…

Read all 47 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2008 Honda GL1800 in 1 investigation. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Audit Query AQ12-001: Southern Honda Powersports
Closed May 13, 2013

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #17V031000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 10, 2017 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 882 vehicles

Repair completion: 65.99% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Honda campaign KE5 · Owners notified February 6, 2017 · Vehicles built May 10, 2007 – August 12, 2008 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2006-2009 and 2012 Honda GL1800 (Goldwing) motorcycles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A," Honda is recalling certain 2006-2009 Honda GL1800 (Goldwing) motorcycles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in Zone A or Zone B above, Honda is recalling certain 2006-2008 Honda GL1800 (Goldwing) motorcycles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the operator resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Honda Motorcycle Customer Support at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KE5.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #16V347000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported May 24, 2016 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 2,701 vehicles

Repair completion: 69.78% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Honda campaign KA8 · Owners notified November 28, 2016 · Vehicles built May 10, 2007 – August 12, 2008 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Honda (American Honda Motor, Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Honda GL1800 (Gold Wing) motorcycles manufactured February 8, 2006, to May 14, 2009 originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 Honda GL 1800 (Gold Wing) motorcycles manufactured May 10, 2007, to May 14, 2009 originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Motorcycles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These motorcycles are equipped with an air bag inflator assembled as part of the air bag module, used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the rider resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag module containing the inflator, free of charge. Honda distributed an interim notification to owners on July 19, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KA8.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Rear Brakes may Drag

NHTSA #15V700000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Master Cylinder · NHTSA notice

Reported October 23, 2015 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 145,219 vehicles

Repair completion: 54.07% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Honda campaign JV6 · Owners notified December 7, 2015 · Vehicles built April 25, 2007 – August 21, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

AFTERMARKET FLOORBOARD

NHTSA #11E054000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported December 12, 2011 · KURYAKYN HOLDINGS, LLC

Potentially affected: 7,446 vehicles

Owners notified January 13, 2012

Defect description

KURYAKYN IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET PASSENGER FLOORBOARD MOUNTS, PART NUMBER 607005, SOLD AND INSTALLED FOR USE ON 2001-2012 HONDA GL 1800 (GOLDWING) MOTORCYCLES. THIS MOUNT WAS SOLD ON KURYAKYN 'TRANSFORMER' PASSENGER FLOORBOARD SETS, PART NUMBER 7005 FROM SEPTEMBER 15, 2008, TO PRESENT. THE FLOORBOARD MOUNT MAY CRACK AND BREAK FREE FROM THE MOUNTING BOLTS THAT SECURE THE MOUNT TO THE MOTORCYCLE.

Safety consequence

THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY OR A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

KURYAKYN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE REPLACEMENT MOUNT KITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 13, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KURYAKYN AT 1-866-296-4728.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER

NHTSA #11V567000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Master Cylinder · NHTSA notice

Reported December 1, 2011 · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Potentially affected: 126,000 vehicles

Honda campaign S03 · Owners notified January 6, 2012 · Vehicles built March 8, 2001 – September 25, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

HONDA'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS S03.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2008 Honda GL1800. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

47 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Honda GL1800.

Service Brakes

ODI #11441443

Crash 2 deaths

Incident: September 25, 2021 · Filed: November 23, 2021

The contact reported on a 2008 Honda Goldwing GL1800 Motorcycle. The contact is an Attorney and stated that the motorcycle was traveling at an undetermined speed and the braking system malfunctioned causing the operator to lose control of the motorcycle and drive off the road, down an embankment, and crash into a tree. During the crash, both the operator and the passenger of the motorcycle suffered fatal injuries. Prior to the crash, a fellow motorcyclist was told that the braking system of the motorcycle was not operating properly. A police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the crash was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The VIN indicated an open recall for NHTSA campaign number 15v700000(service brakes). The failure mileage was unknown.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #11331994

Incident: July 1, 2020 · Filed: July 1, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V700000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HALL'S MOTORSPORTS BIRMINGHAM (2878 US-31, PELHAM, AL 35124, (205) 664-4999) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Power Train

ODI #11185006

Incident: March 1, 2017 · Filed: March 8, 2019

V6 TRANSMISSION STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING STUCK AND POPPING OUT OF 5TH GEAR TOOK TO MOTORCYCLE FACTORY WOODBRIDGE VA WHERE I BOUGHT IT THEY SAID NO PROBLEM LATER IT IS NOW COMPLETELY WASTED TRANSMISSION AND NEEDS WHAT EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT IT WAS A BAD DESIGN AND NEEDS WORK AT LEAST 4-5 K TO FIX THAT MAY SHOW UP AGAIN

Air Bags

ODI #10983373

Incident: May 23, 2016 · Filed: May 3, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V347000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10980209

Incident: April 10, 2017 · Filed: April 24, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC, THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT DOWNSHIFTED TO A STOP. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS DRIVEN HOME. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED TWO YEARS AGO DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,065.

Air Bags

ODI #10920186

Incident: July 5, 2016 · Filed: October 31, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16E042000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Service Brakes

ODI #10915758

Crash 1 injury

Incident: May 11, 2014 · Filed: October 13, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DITCH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIBS, HANDS, AND A PUNCTURED LUNG, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

Service Brakes

ODI #10915391

Incident: February 12, 2016 · Filed: October 11, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A MANUFACTURER RECALL CONCERNING THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE INTERNAL BRAKE FLUID LEAK. A WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT OBTAINED ACCESS TO THE VEHICLE AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL REPAIR FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE RECALL DETAILS AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

Power Train

ODI #10838093

Incident: February 13, 2016 · Filed: February 24, 2016

DROPS IN/OUT OF 5TH GEAR EVERY 1-3 MINUTES. GEARS 1-3 OCCASIONALLY DROP IN/OUT AND CONSISTENTLY MAKE A LIGHT GRINDING SOUND, INCLUDING NEUTRAL. THIS VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT I THINK HONDA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT BECAUSE I CONSIDER IT A SAFETY ISSUE. IF A RIDER SHOULD SUDDENLY LOSE POWER ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF A REAR-END COLLISION DUE TO RAPID AND UNEXPECTED ENGINE DECELERATION.

Power Train

ODI #10809480

Incident: December 10, 2015 · Filed: December 10, 2015

INSUFFICIENT RADIATOR FAN CLEARANCE RESULTS IN A DAMAGED RADIATOR CAUSING A COOLANT LEAK WHICH RESULTS IN AN UNCONTROLLED SLIDE ENDING IN A CRASH. COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR THAT THE FAN DAMAGED CAUSES A LOSS OF TRACTION AT THE REAR WHEEL. I NOTICED MY LEFT FOOT WAS WET AND SMELLED ENGINE COOLANT. I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN OUT OF GALVESTON GETTING ON NORTHBOUND I45. I TURNED THE CORNER AND THE MOTORCYCLE WENT SIDEWAYS. I ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE SLIGHTLY AND RODE OUT OF THE SKID. CHOPPING THE THROTTLE WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A HIGH-SIDE, AND APPLYING MORE THROTTLE WOULD HAVE CAUSED A LOW-SIDE CRASH. IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THEY HAVE SEEN A FEW OF THESE ISSUES AND I FOUND IT TO BE PREVALENT WITH OTHER OWNERS ON THE INTERNET NO MATTER THE MILES, LOCATION, OR CONDITION.

Other Honda GL1800 model years

Check your 2008 Honda GL1800 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Honda GL1800 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Honda VIN