VehicleVerdict

2004 Honda Gl1800 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 2004 Honda Gl1800 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

11

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Gl1800 years?

Gl1800 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 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, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Gl1800 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Honda Gl1800 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission327%
Brakes218%
Engine218%
Other218%
Electrical System19%
Body & Structure19%

Does the 2004 Honda Gl1800 have recalls?

5 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“2004 GOLDWING OCTOBER 2003 BUILD DATE. AT ROUGHLY 12,000 MILES SPRING 2005, THIRD GEAR ENGAGEMENT, UP OR DOWN, WOULD OCCASIONALLY RESULT IN A SINGLE LOUD CLUNK AS THROTTLE POWER WAS APPLIED. BY THE TIME THE BIKE WAS AT 55,000 MILES SUMMER 2009, THIS CONDITION OF CLUNKING (SKIPPING A GEAR DOG) WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 1, 2009

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE FINALLY COMING TO A STOP. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BRAKES AND BRAKE PADS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 1, 2013

“THE RADIATOR OVERFLOW TANK ON THE HONDA GL1800 IS UNDER THE BIKE AND IS LOWER THEN THE FRAME. THE FRONT TIRE CAN KICK UP ROAD DEBREE AND IT WILL KNOCK A HOLE IN THE TANK. THIS HAPPENED TO MY BROTHER-IN-LAW AND TO MY BIKE. WHEN THE TANK HAS A HOLE IN IT, THE ANTIFREEZE RUNS OUT ON TO THE GROUND AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 14, 2005

“HJC SYMAX II MODULAR HELMET COMPLAINT BOTH MY FRIEND AND I, [XXX] (WITNESS), BOTH RIDING 30 YEARS, WERE TRAVELING.ON THE BLUE RIDGE PKWY ENTERING THE PARKWAY AT WAYNESBORO, VA TO AVOID THE SKYLINE DRIVE. AROUND 7:15 WE DECIDED TO HEAD TO ROANOKE WHERE WE WOULD HAVE CELL AND INTERNET. HEADED SOUTH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 9, 2012 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA GL1800 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE EXHIBITED FRACTURES ALONG THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE LOWER FRAME, LOCATED AT THE PASSENGER SIDE FOOT REST. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 5, 2020

2004 Honda Gl1800 — common questions

Is the 2004 Honda Gl1800 reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2004 Gl1800 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (3 complaints), brakes (2 complaints), engine (2 complaints).

Does the 2004 Honda Gl1800 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Honda Gl1800. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Honda Gl1800 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 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.