VehicleVerdict

2012 Honda Gl1800 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 49 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.8 times the median Gl1800 year — the 2012 model ranks #5 of 23 Gl1800 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 17 reports (35% of the total).

49

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Gl1800 years?

See all Gl1800 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Honda Gl1800 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System1735%
Engine1735%
Transmission510%
Speed Control36%
Brakes24%
Suspension24%
Electrical System24%
Tires & Wheels12%

Does the 2012 Honda Gl1800 have recalls?

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

18V045000AirbagsJanuary 9, 2018 · 960 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the rider resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

17V031000AirbagsJanuary 10, 2017 · 882 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the operator resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 18, 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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 18, 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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 18, 2015

THERE IS A PRONOUNCED HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. MOST OFTEN WHEN FIRST STARTING THE ENGINE AT THE START OF A RIDE, OR AFTER SITTING WITH THE ENGINE OFF FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE HESITATION 'CLEARS UP' AFTER THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN RIDDEN FOR A FEW MILES. ADDITIONALLY, THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 2, 2013

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 30, 2015

2012 Honda Gl1800 — common questions

Is the 2012 Honda Gl1800 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 49 complaints put the 2012 model at #5 of 23 Gl1800 years. It is one of the Gl1800 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 Gl1800 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (17 complaints), engine (17 complaints), transmission (5 complaints).

Does the 2012 Honda Gl1800 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Honda Gl1800. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 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.