2003 Honda GL1800
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 101
- Recalls
- 7
- Investigations
- 4
- Top problem
- Structure
Campaigns on file for 2003
Opened by NHTSA
53% of complaints
Complaints per year
2003: 101 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 84 |
| 2002 | 182 |
| 2003 | 101 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 18 |
| 2006 | 22 |
| 2007 | 20 |
| 2008 | 47 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 24 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 31 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2018 | 34 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Structure
53% · 54 reportsMost commonly citing frame and members and underbody shields.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda goldwing. The dealer inspected the vehicle and found premature cracks in two places under the passenger side floorboards.
NHTSA ODI report, 2016-08-12
Engine and engine cooling
14% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing cooling system and gasoline.
Show complaint excerpts
Engine overheats at low speeds, coolant spews onto roadway and rear tire slips in the coolant. Must pull to side of road to avoid engine damage, very hazardous.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-11
The design of the Honda Goldwing cooling system fails miserably in heavy, slow moving traffic conditions found at construction sites, metro areas, parades, etc.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-20
Vehicle overheats at low speed operation, concern of boiling over, engine failure which while manuevering on a motorcycle could be very dangerous.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-12
Steering
8% · 8 reportsMost commonly citing steering wheel/handle bar.
Show complaint excerpts
I have a Honda GL1800 goldwing motorcycle. All these bikes have an issue with front end wobble while decelerating between 35-45 MPH.
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-04-28
Service brakes
8% · 8 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-16
2003 Honda goldwing. Consumer writes in regards to motorcycles sudden power loss and brake system failure accident.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-12
Suspension
6% · 6 reportsMost commonly citing rear and front.
Show complaint excerpts
Honda Goldwing 2003 ,rear suspension crackes/breaks,causing lose of control to turn
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-07-20
Safety timeline
7 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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I
2002-10-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-03-28 Motorcycle coolant spray onto rear tire
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R
2002-12-23Fuel system, gasoline02V340000 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…
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…
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2003Complaint volume 101 complaints filed for this model year.
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I
2003-08-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-10-10 Rear suspension collapse
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R
2003-10-03Structure03V350000 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.
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.
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I
2004-09-21Recall queryClosed 2005-02-02 Frame crossmemeber weld failures
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R
2005-01-31Service brakes, hydraulic05V010000 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…
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…
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2005-02-09Structure05V027000 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.
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…
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2012-01-06Service brakes, hydraulic11V567000 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…
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…
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R
2012-01-13Equipment11E054000 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…
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.
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2012-05-14Audit queryClosed 2013-05-13 Southern Honda Powersports
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2015-12-07Service brakes, hydraulic15V700000 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.
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2003 Honda GL1800 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Structure: 54 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 14 reports on file for this year.
- Steering: 8 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 02V340000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 03V350000 · Structure
- Recall 05V010000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 05V027000 · Structure
- Recall 11V567000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 11E054000 · Equipment
- Recall 15V700000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2003 Honda GL1800 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Honda GL1800 is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Honda GL1800?
- The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 53% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 Honda GL1800 have?
- 7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.