VehicleVerdict

2001 Honda Gl1800 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 103 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.9 times the median Gl1800 year — the 2001 model ranks #3 of 23 Gl1800 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 49% of all reports (50 of 103), far ahead of tires & wheels at 18.

103

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

4

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Gl1800 years?

Gl1800 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted210 complaints2001: 103 complaints2002: 210 complaints2003: 107 complaints2004: 11 complaints2005: 25 complaints2006: 27 complaints2007: 28 complaints2008: 60 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 28 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 49 complaints2013: 16 complaints2014: 9 complaints2015: 8 complaints2016: 7 complaints2018: 46 complaints2019: 12 complaints2020: 3 complaints2021: 13 complaints2022: 1 complaints2023: 2 complaints2024: 6 complaints
Gl1800 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Gl1800 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Honda Gl1800 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine5049%
Tires & Wheels1817%
Brakes77%
Transmission66%
Body & Structure66%
Suspension44%
Other44%
Electrical System33%
Fuel System33%
Speed Control11%
Steering11%

Does the 2001 Honda Gl1800 have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V700000BrakesOctober 23, 2015 · 145,219 units

Defect

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.

11E054000OtherDecember 12, 2011 · 7,446 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

11V567000BrakesDecember 1, 2011 · 126,000 units

Defect

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.

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.

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.

05V027000Body & StructureJanuary 31, 2005 · 34,919 units

Defect

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.

01V162000EngineMay 9, 2001 · 6,662 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ENGINE STOP SWITCH. THE ENGINE STOP SWITCH IS SENSITIVE TO ACCIDENTAL CONTACT OR STRONG JOLTING, SUCH AS HITTING A POTHOLE OR RIDING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS,WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO CUT OUT MOMENTARILY OR EVEN SHUT OFF.

Consequence

SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CONTACT PLATE, E-CLIP, AND 2 CONTACT PLATE SPRINGS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-310-532-9811.

01V133000EngineApril 23, 2001 · 8,107 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED PULSE ROTOR. THE CRANKSHAFT PULSE ROTOR, A DEVICE USED FOR IGNITION TIMING, COULD FAIL AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL.

Consequence

THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED PULSE ROTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“COOLING FANS ARE DESIGNED TO CUT OFF AT 15 MPH NO MATTER WHAT THE ENGINE TEMP IS THIS CAN GET REAL SERIOUS WHEN ON A 3 OR 4 LANE ROAD IN HEAVY TRAFIC AND YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE THE COMPUTER CUT OFF THE FANS THIS WAS BROUGHT TO HONDA ATTENTION WITH NOT RESPONCE I LISTED THE SELLING DEALER BUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 9, 2001

“THIS MOTORCYCLE RADIAL TIRE HAS DEVELOPED "SQUIRM" ( THE FRONT END WOBBLES LEFT/RIGHT) AS THOUGH THE RADIAL PLIES HAVE SEPARATED. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THIS ON ANY VEHICLE SINCE THE VERY FIRST RADIALS APPEARED ON CARS. I PREVIOUSLY HAD RADIAL MICHELINS ON ANOTHER MACHINE AND HAD NO SUCH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels

“I BOUGHT A 1800 HONDA GOLDWING TOURING BIKE 2-3 YEARS AGO HAD A BRAKE RECALL AND STILL DO? MINE WAS WORKED ON TWICE? AFTER I BOUGHT I DROVE IT 54 MILES THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP PULLING ME IN THE DITCH? FLIPPING THE BIKE AND SENDING IT END OVER END TOTAL? THAT WAS ALL DON,T BEFORE I GOT OUT OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 21, 2015

“WHILE WAITING AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT SPEEDOMETER WOULD BECOME STUCK AT A CERTAIN SPEED, EVEN IF MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT MOVING OR DOING THAT PARTICULAR SPEED. WOULD SUDDENLY JUMP BACK TO NORMAL SPEED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED PARTS FOR SPEEDOMETER WERE ON BACK ORDER. ANOTHER DEALERSHIP…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission

“FRAME TUBBING FRACTURE IN THE REAR TRIANGLE OF THE MAIN FRAME ON THE EDGE OF A WELD. NOTE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN FAILURE POINT ON THIS MODEL OF HONDA GOLDWING WHICH OCCURS IN THE TUBING AT THE EDGE OF THE WELD TO A FRAME CASTING.*AK NO REPAIR IS RECOMENDED ON THIS 7003 TYPE OF ALUMINUM WHEN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 11, 2005

2001 Honda Gl1800 — common questions

Is the 2001 Honda Gl1800 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 103 complaints put the 2001 model at #3 of 23 Gl1800 years. It is one of the Gl1800 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Gl1800 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (50 complaints), tires & wheels (18 complaints), brakes (7 complaints).

Does the 2001 Honda Gl1800 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Honda Gl1800. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Honda Gl1800 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Honda Gl1800 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Gl1800 years to avoid are 2002, 2003, 2001, 2008, 2012, 2018. The cleanest record among Gl1800 years belongs to 2011.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.