NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 Honda GL1800 Recalls & Complaints

The 2013 Honda GL1800 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 9 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 2013 Honda GL1800. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2013 Honda GL1800 owner complaints

Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Honda GL1800, describing incidents dated April 30, 2012 to July 29, 2023.

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System 5 complaints
Engine 4 complaints
Service Brakes 3 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint
Suspension 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11535313 · Filed July 30, 2023
2013 gl 1800 anti dive device failure causing bumps while riding.
ODI #10893351 · Filed August 5, 2016
MY BIKE WAS BROUGHT INTO MY LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP IN NOVEMBER 2015 FOR REAR BRAKE RECALL SERVICE. MY BIKE WAS OPERATING FINE PRIOR TO THE RECALL WORK BEING DONE. IN JULY 1, 2016 AFTER NOT RIDDEN MY BIKE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MY REAR BRAKE LOCKED UP ON ME AS I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY - I WAS ALMOST…
ODI #10781852 · Filed October 13, 2015
AFTER STARTING ENGINE, 1ST GEAR ENGAGEMENT, RELEASE CLUTCH AND FEED THROTTLE. MOTORCYCLE WILL STALL WHEN IN MOTION BETWEEN 1-10 MPH FORCING YOU TO ENGAGE CLUTCH LEVER AND THEN TWIST THROTTLE TO TRY AND GET ENGINE TO REV BACK UP. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL HAPPEN AND YOU WILL NOT FALL OVER DUE TO LACK OF…

Read all 9 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2013 Honda GL1800 in 1 investigation. 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

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 October 16, 2012 – December 7, 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.

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 September 4, 2012 – December 7, 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.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2013 Honda GL1800. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

9 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Honda GL1800.

Suspension; Service Brakes

ODI #11535313

Incident: July 29, 2023 · Filed: July 30, 2023

2013 gl 1800 anti dive device failure causing bumps while riding.

Service Brakes

ODI #10893351

Incident: August 3, 2016 · Filed: August 5, 2016

MY BIKE WAS BROUGHT INTO MY LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP IN NOVEMBER 2015 FOR REAR BRAKE RECALL SERVICE. MY BIKE WAS OPERATING FINE PRIOR TO THE RECALL WORK BEING DONE. IN JULY 1, 2016 AFTER NOT RIDDEN MY BIKE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MY REAR BRAKE LOCKED UP ON ME AS I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY - I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BECAUSE THE BIKE IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO SLOW DOWN WHEN I DEPRESSED MY CLUTCH; SINCE MY I DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO USE MY BRAKES LEVER THAT WOULD HAVE TRIGGERED MY REAR BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE A CAR ALMOST REAR ENDED ME! SO I BRING MY BIKE INTO MY LOCAL DEALER (FRIENDLY HONDA OF SLIDELL, LA) ON JULY 6, 2016 AND THE INSPECTED MY BIKE AND WORKED WITH AMERICAN HONDA TO ADDRESS MY ISSUE. I WAS ADVISED BY MY LOCAL DEALER WHEN I PICKED UP MY AUGUST 3, 2016 THAT MY REAR BRAKE ROTOR WAS WARPED AND DAMAGED. THEY REQUESTED AMERICAN HONDA REPLACE THE ROTOR SINCE IT WAS CAUSED BY THEIR BRAKE RECALL . AMERICAN HONDA DENIED THEIR REQUEST. I CALLED AMERICAN HONDA TWICE TO PROTEST THE WAY MY BIKE IS NOW OPERATING WHEN I USE MY REAR BRAKES - THE BIKE SHUTTERS AND VIBRATES WHENEVER I USE MY REAR BRAKES WHICH IN MY OPINION OF BEING A VERY EXPERIENCED MOTORCYCLE RIDER OF 15+ YEARS. I FEEL THAT AMERICAN HONDA HAS PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER OF POSSIBLY LOSING CONTROL OF MY BIKE WHEN I'M RIDING ON THE ROAD. I SPOKE WITH TWO FOLKS AT AMERICAN HONDA (FELIX AND MATT WHO IS THE SUPERVISOR - EMPLOYEE ID MT98) AND I'VE RECEIVED ZERO RELIEF FOR THE UNSAFE CONDITION MY BIKE IS IN NOW. I PURCHASED MY BIKE BRAND NEW IN NOVEMBER 2014 AND THE BIKE ONLY HAS 10,784 MILES ON IT.

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10781852

Incident: August 19, 2015 · Filed: October 13, 2015

AFTER STARTING ENGINE, 1ST GEAR ENGAGEMENT, RELEASE CLUTCH AND FEED THROTTLE. MOTORCYCLE WILL STALL WHEN IN MOTION BETWEEN 1-10 MPH FORCING YOU TO ENGAGE CLUTCH LEVER AND THEN TWIST THROTTLE TO TRY AND GET ENGINE TO REV BACK UP. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL HAPPEN AND YOU WILL NOT FALL OVER DUE TO LACK OF POWER FROM STALL. THIS HAPPENS USUALLY WHEN ENGINE TEMP IS IN THE LOWER RANGE BUT CAN ALSO HAPPEN WHEN ENGINE IS WARM BUT YOU HAVE STOPPED FOR 10-20 MINUTES AND THEN YOU TRY TO START OFF AGAIN. THIS IS TOTALLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WITH A 900 LB. MOTORCYCLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE PURCHASING IN APRIL 2013.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Power Train

ODI #10681256

Incident: June 1, 2013 · Filed: January 11, 2015

THE ENGINE STUTTERS AND STALLS AT LOW SPEEDS RESULTING IN AN INABILITY TO MAINTAIN FORWARD MOMENTUM, CAUSING A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN UPRIGHT POSITION WITHOUT EMERGENCY ACTION TO DISABLE DRIVE TRAIN, SUCH AS QUICKLY DISENGAGING CLUTCH IN ORDER TO ALLOW A SMOOTH COAST UNTIL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAN BE SAFELY RESTORED. THIS CONDITION PERSISTS UNTIL THE ENGINE IS AT FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE OR FOR ABOUT 15-30 MINUTES DEPENDING ON RIDING CONDITIONS.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10670092

Incident: February 23, 2013 · Filed: January 5, 2015

RIDING WHILE THE ENGINE IS WARMING UP, THE ENGINE GOES INTO A STALL REQUIRING THE RIDER TO PULL THE CLUTCH. IF IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN THE BIKE WILL CRASH. THIS PROBLEM PERSISTS STILL TODAY. HONDA DENIES THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT MANY OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control; Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10633401

Incident: June 16, 2014 · Filed: September 15, 2014

MOTORCYCLE EXHIBITS A COLD START STUMBLE. AT AROUND 1700-2200 RPM (IN ANY GEAR) THE ENGINE STUMBLES / NEAR-STALLS. THIS LOSS OF POWER IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS ON A MOTORCYCLE WHERE RELIABLE POWER / SPEED IS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN RIDING STABILITY ESPECIALLY IN LOW SPEED MANEUVERING. LOSS OF POWER TWO-UP WITH A PASSENGER, LEANED OVER AT 25 DEGREES, AT ~0-5 MPH, IN SECOND GEAR...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS...HAVE ALMOST CRASHED MORE THAN ONCE. IN MANY GL1800 AND OTHER MOTORCYCLE USER FORUMS THIS IS A KNOWN AND MUCH DISCUSSED DYNAMIC WHICH HONDA HAS TO-DATE IGNORED / DISMISSED. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10629924

Incident: April 3, 2014 · Filed: September 1, 2014

ONLY WHILE THE ENGINE IS STILL WARMING UP, AT ABOUT 1800 RPM I HAVE A VERY NOTICABLE HESITATION. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10550202

Incident: October 1, 2013 · Filed: October 30, 2013

2013 HONDA GL1800G. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BAD GAS MILEAGE AND BRAKE PAD ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE ONLY GETS 28 MPG. ALSO, THE BAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 02/04/14 THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED TWICE, IN ONE YEAR. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ON THE BRAKE PADS AND WHEELS, CAUSING THE BRAKE PADS TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. UPDATED 07/31/14

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10512486

Incident: April 30, 2012 · Filed: May 17, 2013

THE MOTORCYCLE HAS A HESITATION OR STALLING ISSUE WERE AT LOW SPEEDS IT WILL HESITATE TO THE POINT WERE YOU HAVE NO RESPONSES SO YOU ROLL ON THE THROTTLE TO SEE IF YOU CAN GET IT TO REACT THEN THE BIKE WILL CATCH BACK UP AND THEN SURGES FORWARD VERY QUICKLY. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIME ON ME AND I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. IT DID IT TO ME AS I RODE THE BIKE OUT OF THEIR PARKING LOT. *TR

Other Honda GL1800 model years

Check your 2013 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