NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Honda GL1800 Recalls & Complaints

The 2012 Honda GL1800 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 31 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 2012 Honda GL1800. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2012 Honda GL1800 owner complaints

Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Honda GL1800, describing incidents dated September 24, 2011 to August 30, 2016.

Most-cited components

Engine 17 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 17 complaints
Power Train 5 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 3 complaints
Electrical System 2 complaints
Service Brakes 2 complaints

Newest complaints

ODI #10903036 · Filed September 1, 2016
I AM HAVING SLOW SPEED HESITATION WITH THE THROTTLE WHILE RIDING ON THE ROAD. WHEN I ROLL THE THROTTLE ON THE BIKE SOMETIMES HESITATES, DOES NOTHING SO WHEN I TRY MORE FUEL THE THROTTLE CONTROL FINALLY DECIDES TO START WORKING AND HAS MADE FOR SOME WILD RIDES ESPECIALLY IN TURNS. IT IS DANGEROUS TO…
ODI #10839640 · Filed March 3, 2016
MY GOLDWING HAS THE HESITATION PROBLEM LIKE SO MANY OTHERS. I HAVE ALMOST DROPPED THE BIKE A COUPLE OF TIMES BECAUSE OF THE STUMBLE. IT WILL HESITATE AND THEN THE ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY GET FUEL AGAIN AND LUNGE FORWARD DANGEROUSLY. IF I WOULD HIT SAND OR GRAVEL OR BE ON A GRAVEL ROAD OR GRAVEL PARKING…
ODI #10807146 · Filed November 27, 2015
MY HONDA GOLD WING 2012 HAS A DANGEROUS STUMBLE THAT FREQUENTLY CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STUTTER AND NEARLY STALL. MANY TIMES, I OPEN THE THROTTLE TO ENTER AN INTERSECTION, OR TO PULL AWAY FROM A STOP, AND THE POWER DROPS OFF TO NOTHING, THEN, WHEN I OPEN THE THROTTLE TO COMPENSATE, THE MOTORCYCLE…

Read all 31 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2012 Honda GL1800 in 2 investigations. 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.

Preliminary Evaluation PE15-014: Inconsistent Throttle Control
Closed November 13, 2015
Audit Query AQ12-001: Southern Honda Powersports
Closed May 13, 2013

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #18V045000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 9, 2018 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 960 vehicles

Repair completion: 58.34% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Honda campaign KJ1 · Owners notified February 9, 2018 · Vehicles built May 6, 2011 – March 15, 2012 (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 2009-2010 and 2012-2016 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing motorcycles. These motorcycles have air bag inflators assembled as part of the air bag module that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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, free of charge. The recall began February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Honda Motorcycle Customer Support at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KJ1.

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 #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 March 11, 2011 – March 15, 2012 (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.

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 February 10, 2011 – June 18, 2012 (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 2012 Honda GL1800. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

31 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Honda GL1800.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10903036

Incident: August 30, 2016 · Filed: September 1, 2016

I AM HAVING SLOW SPEED HESITATION WITH THE THROTTLE WHILE RIDING ON THE ROAD. WHEN I ROLL THE THROTTLE ON THE BIKE SOMETIMES HESITATES, DOES NOTHING SO WHEN I TRY MORE FUEL THE THROTTLE CONTROL FINALLY DECIDES TO START WORKING AND HAS MADE FOR SOME WILD RIDES ESPECIALLY IN TURNS. IT IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE TOO MUCH FUEL ADDED WHEN NOT EXPECTING IT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW.

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10839640

Incident: December 12, 2015 · Filed: March 3, 2016

MY GOLDWING HAS THE HESITATION PROBLEM LIKE SO MANY OTHERS. I HAVE ALMOST DROPPED THE BIKE A COUPLE OF TIMES BECAUSE OF THE STUMBLE. IT WILL HESITATE AND THEN THE ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY GET FUEL AGAIN AND LUNGE FORWARD DANGEROUSLY. IF I WOULD HIT SAND OR GRAVEL OR BE ON A GRAVEL ROAD OR GRAVEL PARKING LOT IT WOULD BE A BAD SPIN OUT AND LOSE CONTROL AND GO DOWN WITH DAMAGE TO MYSELF , MY WIFE AND THE BIKE. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SO ONE DATE LISTED DOWN BELOW IS NOT ACCURATE. BOUGHT THE BIKE ON DEC 12,2015 WITH ONLY 1685MILES ON IT. PREVIOUS OWNER SAID IT STUMBLED. MY 1988 HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD A SAFETY RECALL TO FIX IT. WHY NOT THESE NEWER GOLDWINGS?

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10807146

Incident: October 1, 2012 · Filed: November 27, 2015

MY HONDA GOLD WING 2012 HAS A DANGEROUS STUMBLE THAT FREQUENTLY CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STUTTER AND NEARLY STALL. MANY TIMES, I OPEN THE THROTTLE TO ENTER AN INTERSECTION, OR TO PULL AWAY FROM A STOP, AND THE POWER DROPS OFF TO NOTHING, THEN, WHEN I OPEN THE THROTTLE TO COMPENSATE, THE MOTORCYCLE SURGES FORWARD CAUSING THE BIKE TO LUNGE AHEAD. IN TRAFFIC, IT LUNGES TOWARD THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. AT A STOP SIGN IN THE COUNTRY, IT LUNGES TOWARD THE OUTSIDE OF THE TURN. THIS HAPPENS AFTER THE MOTORCYCLE IS STARTED. IT DOES NOT HELP TO WARM UP THE ENGINE. LET ME SAY THAT AGAIN AS NO ONE BELIEVES ME EVEN THOUGH IT IS TRUE: WARMING UP THE ENGINE DOES NOT HELP!!! ONLY TRAVELLING A MILE OR TWO DOWN THE ROAD, OR REVVING THE ENGINE REPEATEDLY BEFORE STARTING OFF, WILL TEMPORARILY "FIX" THE PROBLEM. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES TO HAVE TIS FIXED. THEY "RESET THE ECM." THIS KINDA SORTA WORKED A LITTLE AND FOR A VERY SHORT TOME, THEN THE PROBLEM COMES RIGHT BACK. ONCE THE BIKE HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR SEVERAL MILES (NOT JUST WARMED UP), THE STUMBLE WILL GO AWAY. IN ADDITION, IF THE ENGINE IS WARM FROM RIDING, BUT I STOP FOR AS LITTLE AS 20 MINUTES, THE STUMBLE OFTEN COMES BACK EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE IS WARM. BY THE WAY, MODERN FUEL INJECTED ENGINES SHOULD NOT NEED ANY WARM UP. THIS FUEL SYSTEM ERROR IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE HURT OR KILLED WHEN THEIR BIKE STUMBLES AND FALLS IN A BUSY INTERSECTION, OR LUNGES OFF THE ROAD OR INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS FAULT IS WELL KNOWN BY GOLD WING RIDERS AND HAS BEEN WIDELY DISCUSSED ON GOLD WING FORUMS. THERE IS EVEN A $125.00 AFTERMARKET PART THAT TRICKS THE FUELING SYSTEM INTO PERFORMING PROPERLY. I WILL BE BUYING THIS PART IN THE SPRING. WITHOUT YOUR HELP, HONDA WILL CONTINUE TO IGNORE THIS SERIOUS, POTENTIALLY FATAL DEFECT. PLEASE HELP ME KEEP RIDERS SAFE BY MAKING THEM FIX THIS PROBLEM.

Power Train; Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10785837

Incident: October 18, 2015 · Filed: October 25, 2015

ON COLD START-UPS(EVEN IN THE SUMMER IN FLORIDA), THE MOTORCYCLE WILL STUMBLE OR HESITATE UNTIL WARMED UP. THIS CAUSES INCONSISTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE THROTTLE CONTROL IN SLOW TURNS. I HAVE NEARLY DROPPED THE MOTORCYCLE MULTIPLE TIMES AND ALSO HAVE ENCOUNTERED PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC AND NOT HAVING PREDICTABLE THROTTLE CONTROL TO GET GOING SAFELY. VERY DANGEROUS!

Engine

ODI #10783109

Incident: October 10, 2015 · Filed: October 17, 2015

ENGINE HAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH SEVERE HESITATION TO A MOMENTARY LOSS OF COMPLETE POWER DURING COLD OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND SAME SEVERE PROBLEM ON HOT SHUT DOWN AND RESTART. ALSO HESITATES AT ALL TIMES WHILE DRIVING BUT NOT AS SEVERE AS FIRST TWO. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IN TRAFFIC AND PULLING OUT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC IN CITY STREET AND HIGHWAY WHILE TURNING AND GOING STRAIGHT.

Service Brakes

ODI #10726390

Incident: April 30, 2015 · Filed: June 20, 2015

I OWN A MOTORCYCLE REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE DOCUMENTS SHOWING AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. IS NOT COMPLYING WITH CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V472000. THEY STATE THERE IS NO REMEDY FOR THIS ISSUE BUT IN FACT THEY HAVE IMPLEMENTED ONE. I SEND CUSTOMERS TO DEALERS AND THE DEALER AND HONDA MOTOR CO. CUSTOMER SERVICE DENY THEIR CLAIM AND EITHER CHARGE THEM FOR REPAIRS OR I DO THE REPAIR. WHAT GOOD IS A RECALL IF YOU DON'T ENFORCE IT? SOMEONE WILL HAVE A BAD CRASH AND DIE. I WANT TO KNOW WHERE TO SEND MY PAPER WORK AND GET SOMEONE TO ACT ON THIS RECALL.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10663709

Incident: May 14, 2012 · Filed: December 11, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA GOLDWING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKE ROTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200. UPDATED 1/23/15*CN UPDATED 9/8/2017*CN

Electrical System; Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10643482

Incident: July 30, 2012 · Filed: October 9, 2014

2012 GOLDWING GL1800 MOTORCYCLE HAS HAD A PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING OFF WHEN FIRST STARTED. UNLESS YOU ALLOW IT TO WARM UP COMPLETELY BEFORE TRYING TO DRIVE OFF, IT WILL TRY TO STALL OR SPUTTER AND NOT HAVE ANY POWER AT LEAST MOMENTARILY. THIS SITUATION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND A TIP OVER ACCIDENT WITH THIS 950LB BIKE. WHEN IT OCCURS WHILE ENTERING TRAFFIC FLOW, IT CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR DEATH. THIS CONDITION HAS EXISTED SINCE I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE NEW IN JUNE 2012. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH MANY OTHER GOLDWING OWNERS AND FOUND THAT THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT HAS CAUSED MANY OF THEM TO DROP THEIR BIKE WHILE TRYING TO DRIVE OFF. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO HONDA DEALERS WITH NO POSITIVE RESULTS. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. MANY HAVE COMPLAINED DIRECTLY TO HONDA TO NO AVAIL. THIS PROBLEM WILL EVENTUALLY RESULT IN DEATHS IF NOT RESOLVED. THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO A HUGE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION ON GOLDWING ONLINE FORUMS. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10641998

Incident: August 8, 2012 · Filed: October 7, 2014

THE ENGINE STUMBLES AND LOSES POWER AT APPROXIMATELY 1500RMP AND MAKES THE MOTORCYCLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10640285

Incident: June 27, 2013 · Filed: September 30, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE RODE ROUGHLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900.

Other Honda GL1800 model years

Check your 2012 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.

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