VehicleVerdict

2003 Honda Gl1800 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 107 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.2 times the median Gl1800 year — the 2003 model ranks #2 of 23 Gl1800 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 1 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: body & structure issues account for 51% of all reports (54 of 107), far ahead of engine at 16.

107

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

4

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Gl1800 years?

Gl1800 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 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, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Gl1800 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Honda Gl1800 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure5450%
Engine1615%
Steering87%
Brakes87%
Suspension66%
Transmission55%
Tires & Wheels55%
Electrical System22%
Latches & Locks11%
Fuel System11%
Speed Control11%

Does the 2003 Honda Gl1800 have recalls?

7 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.

05V010000BrakesJanuary 24, 2005 · 36,046 units

Defect

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.

03V350000Body & StructureSeptember 26, 2003 · 8,196 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 REINFORCE THE WELDS ON ALL FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DURING OCTOBER 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-866-784-1870.

02V340000Fuel SystemDecember 23, 2002 · 660 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE BANK ANGLE SENSORS DESIGNED TO SHUT OFF THE FUEL PUMP AND THE ENGINE ELECTRICAL POWER IN THE EVENT THE MOTORCYCLE FALLS OVER, WERE INSTALLED USING THE WRONG SIZE SCREWS ALLOWING THE SCREWS TO EVENTUALLY DETACH FROM THEIR MOUNTING POINT.

Consequence

IF THE SENSOR DETACHES, THE ENGINE WILL STOP UNEXPECTEDLY. SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, ESPECIALLY WHILE TURNING, COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MOUNTING SCREW SIZE AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL SCREWS OF THE CORRECT SIZE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 23, 2002. 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 1-800-289-8226.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“RECALL REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN PERFORMED ON VEHICLE DUE TO REPAIR KITS NOT BEING AVAILABLE.*MR AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE FRAME REPAIR, THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT WAS TOLD THE PARTS HAD NOT ARRIVED BECAUSE IT WAS A SMALL DEALERSHIP AND ONLY THREE MOTORCYCLE'S…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA GOLDWING. WHILE IDLING WITH THE RPMS UNDER 1,000, THE MOTORCYCLE MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE EXCEEDED 1,000 RPMS, THE NOISE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 9, 2015

“I HAVE A HONDA GL1800 GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. ALL THESE BIKES HAVE AN ISSUE WITH FRONT END WOBBLE WHILE DECELERATING BETWEEN 35-45 MPH. MY HONDA DEALER SAYS HONDA KNOWS ABOUT IT BUT HAVEN'T RECALLED IT YET BECAUSE THEY HAVE SO MANY OTHER RECALLS CURRENTLY ACTIVE. A REVIEW OF A WEB SITE OF OWNERS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 28, 2005 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 HONDA GL1800 MOTORCYCLE. WHILE RIDING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE RIDER LOST CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND CRASHED OFF THE SIDE OF A 25 FOOT HILL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MANEUVER A BLIND HAIRPIN TURN. THE RIDER WAS FATALLY INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MOTORCYCLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 7, 2015 · crash

“ON MY 2003 HONDA GOLDWING WITH 3445 MILES AS I STARTED AROUND A 20 MPH CURVE IN ATLAS MI THE FRAME SEPARATED, THE PART OF THE FRAME THAT HOLDS THE CENTER STAND AND THE REAR SUSPENSION ALLOWING THE BIKE TO DROP ALMOST TO THE PAVEMENT. THE TIRE WAS STOPPED ONLY BY THE PLASTIC INNER FENDER THAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 1, 2003

2003 Honda Gl1800 — common questions

Is the 2003 Honda Gl1800 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 107 complaints put the 2003 model at #2 of 23 Gl1800 years. It is one of the Gl1800 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 Gl1800 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (54 complaints), engine (16 complaints), brakes (8 complaints).

Does the 2003 Honda Gl1800 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Honda Gl1800. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 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.