2008 Honda GL1800

▲ Better than typical
2008 Honda GL1800
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:50:40.131Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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
47
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

23% of complaints

Complaints per year

2001: 84 complaints 2001 2002: 182 complaints 2003: 101 complaints 2004: 10 complaints 2004 2005: 18 complaints 2006: 22 complaints 2007: 20 complaints 2008: 47 complaints 2008 47 2009: 2 complaints 2010: 24 complaints 2011: 0 complaints 2012: 31 complaints 2013: 9 complaints 2013 2014: 7 complaints 2015: 8 complaints 2016: 5 complaints 2016 2018: 34 complaints 2019: 8 complaints 2020: 1 complaint 2020 2021: 7 complaints 2022: 1 complaint 2023: 2 complaints 2023 2024: 3 complaints
2001: 84 complaints 2001 2002: 182 complaints 2003: 101 complaints 2003 2004: 10 complaints 2005: 18 complaints 2005 2006: 22 complaints 2007: 20 complaints 2008: 47 complaints 2008 47 2009: 2 complaints 2010: 24 complaints 2011: 0 complaints 2011 2012: 31 complaints 2013: 9 complaints 2013 2014: 7 complaints 2015: 8 complaints 2015 2016: 5 complaints 2018: 34 complaints 2018 2019: 8 complaints 2020: 1 complaint 2020 2021: 7 complaints 2022: 1 complaint 2022 2023: 2 complaints 2024: 3 complaints 2024
2001: 84 complaints 2001 2002: 182 complaints 2002 2003: 101 complaints 2003 2004: 10 complaints 2004 2005: 18 complaints 2005 2006: 22 complaints 2006 2007: 20 complaints 2007 2008: 47 complaints 2008 47 2009: 2 complaints 2009 2010: 24 complaints 2010 2011: 0 complaints 2011 2012: 31 complaints 2012 2013: 9 complaints 2013 2014: 7 complaints 2014 2015: 8 complaints 2015 2016: 5 complaints 2016 2018: 34 complaints 2018 2019: 8 complaints 2019 2020: 1 complaint 2020 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 1 complaint 2022 2023: 2 complaints 2023 2024: 3 complaints 2024

2008: 47 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
200184
2002182
2003101
200410
200518
200622
200720
200847
20092
201024
20110
201231
20139
20147
20158
20165
201834
20198
20201
20217
20221
20232
20243

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

23% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

The contact reported on a 2008 Honda Goldwing GL1800 Motorcycle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-11-23

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Honda goldwing. While driving various speeds, the brakes failed without warning and the vehicle crashed into a ditch. A police report was filed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-10-13

Power train

19% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing manual transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-03-08

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Honda goldwing motorcycle. The contact was driving 65 MPH when she attempted to put shift into fifth gear but the vehicle lurched forward, began to downshift and exhibiting an abnormal grinding noise.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-11

Steering

17% · 8 reports

Tires

15% · 7 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I own a 2008 Honda GL1800 and I was on a ride on Sunday about 100 miles from home when I noticed the back end of the bike felt rubbery as if I had a tire going flat, I glanced at my tps and noted the tire pressure was 38 psi.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-29

Suspension

13% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing front.

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    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…

  2. 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.

  3. I
    2012-05-14Audit queryClosed 2013-05-13 Southern Honda Powersports
  4. R
    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.

  5. R
    2016-11-28Air bags16V347000 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,...

    Remedy: 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.

  6. R
    2017-02-06Air bags17V031000 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...

    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.

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Honda GL1800 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 11 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 8 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 11V567000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 11E054000 · Equipment
  • Recall 15V700000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 16V347000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V031000 · Air bags

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Honda GL1800 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Honda GL1800 is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Honda GL1800?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Honda GL1800 have?
5 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.