2008 Honda GL1800 recalls and problems

The 2008 Honda GL1800 has 4 safety recalls and 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Honda dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
47
Crashes / fires
4 / 0
Injuries / deaths
4 / 2

Recalls may cover only some 2008 Honda GL1800 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2008 Honda GL1800 recalls

Recall 17V-031: Air Bags

Reported Jan 10, 2017 · 882 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Recall 16V-347: Air Bags

Reported May 24, 2016 · 2,701 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor, Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Honda GL1800 (Gold Wing) motorcycles manufactured February 8, 2006, to May 14, 2009 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, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 Honda GL 1800 (Gold Wing) motorcycles manufactured May 10, 2007, to May 14, 2009 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." Motorcycles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These motorcycles are equipped with an air bag inflator assembled as part of the air bag module, used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

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

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag module containing the inflator, free of charge. Honda distributed an interim notification to owners on July 19, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KA8.

Recall 15V-700: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Oct 23, 2015 · 145,219 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 11V-567: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Dec 1, 2011 · 126,000 vehicles affected · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

2008 Honda GL1800 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train9
Steering8
Tires7
Suspension6
Service Brakes6
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
Exterior Lighting4
Equipment3
Electrical System2
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Air Bags2
Structure1

Most reported parts

  • Suspension › Front — 3
  • Power Train › Manual Transmission — 3
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder — 3
  • Structure › Body — 1
  • Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer — 1
  • Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices — 1
  • Seats › Motorcycle — 1
  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 9,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2008 Honda GL1800 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Service Brakes · reported Nov 23, 2021
The contact reported on a 2008 Honda Goldwing GL1800 Motorcycle. The contact is an Attorney and stated that the motorcycle was traveling at an undetermined speed and the braking system malfunctioned causing the operator to lose control of the motorcycle and drive off the road, down an embankment, and crash into a tree. During the crash, both the operator and the passenger of the motorcycle suffered fatal injuries. Prior to the crash, a fellow motorcyclist was told that the braking system of the motorcycle was not operating properly. A police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the…
Power Train · at 20,000 miles · reported Mar 8, 2019
V6 transmission started having problems getting stuck and popping out of 5th gear took to motorcycle factory woodbridge va where I bought it they said no problem later it is now completely wasted transmission and needs what everybody knows that it was a bad design and needs work at least 4-5 k to fix that may show up again
Air Bags · reported May 3, 2017
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 honda goldwing. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v347000 (Air bags). The part for the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was unable to confirm when the parts would be available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available. Parts distribution disconnect.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · at 37,065 miles · reported Apr 24, 2017
The contact owns a 2008 honda goldwing. While attempting to stop the vehicle in traffic, the front and rear brakes did not work. The contact downshifted to a stop. The motorcycle was driven home. The following day, the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the master cylinder failed. The contact also stated that the motorcycle was repaired two years ago due to the same failure. This was the third time the master cylinder was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The motorcycle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 37,065.
Air Bags · reported Oct 31, 2016
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 honda goldwing motorcycle. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16e042000 (Air bags). The part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Other Honda GL1800 years

Compare all Honda GL1800 years · All Honda models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Honda GL1800 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2008 Honda GL1800: 17V-031 (air bags), 16V-347 (air bags), 15V-700 (service brakes, hydraulic), 11V-567 (service brakes, hydraulic). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Honda GL1800?

Owners report power train problems most often (9 reports), followed by steering (8). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 9,000 miles.

Are Honda recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Honda dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.