Is the 2012 Honda GL1800 reliable?

The 2012 Honda GL1800 has 49 complaints filed with NHTSA (3.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Honda GL1800?

Top problems: ENGINE (17 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (17 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (5 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Honda GL1800?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, EQUIPMENT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Contact any Honda dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Honda GL1800?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Honda GL1800 is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Honda GL1800

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Honda GL1800 has 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.8x the segment average of 13. The most common issue is engine problems (35% of all complaints), specifically: motorcycle has a hesitation just off idle, from a cold start, during an engine warm-up, at ambient temperatures of 50*f to 90*f. this engine hesitation can result in an engine stall. an engine stall on a motorcycle, particularly if the motorcycle is engaged in a low speed turn; as a motorcycle is li. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

3.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

17 complaints

35%

• MOTORCYCLE HAS A HESITATION JUST OFF IDLE, FROM A COLD START, DURING AN ENGINE WARM-UP, AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES OF 50*F TO 90*F. THIS ENGINE HESITATION CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL. AN ENGINE STALL ON A MOTORCYCLE, PARTICULARLY IF THE MOTORCYCLE IS ENGAGED IN A LOW SPEED TURN; AS A MOTORCYCLE IS LI
• MOTORCYCLE HAS A HESITATION WHEN APPLYING THROTTLE. THIS HAPPENS FROM A COLD START AS WELL AS DURING ENGINE WARM-UP AND OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS AT NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. THIS ENGINE HESITATION CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH IF THE MOTORCYCLE IS IN A LOW SPEE
• 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 MIL

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“MOTORCYCLE HAS A HESITATION JUST OFF IDLE, FROM A COLD START, DURING AN ENGINE WARM-UP, AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES OF 50*F TO 90*F. THIS ENGINE HESITATION CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL. AN ENGINE STALL ON A MOTORCYCLE, PARTICULARLY IF THE MOTORCYCLE IS ENGAGED IN A LOW SPEED TURN; AS A MOTORCYCLE IS LI”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Honda GL1800

Based on 49 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 1K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 300 mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 1K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (5)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE09/01/2018

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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the rider 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 9, 2018. Owners may contact Honda Motorcycle Customer Support at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KJ1.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Honda GL1800

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Honda GL1800 Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Maintenance Minder shows exact intervals based on your driving. CVT-equipped models (Civic, HR-V, Accord Hybrid) need CVT fluid service, not conventional ATF.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Honda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Honda. If you're buying a used 2012 GL1800, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Honda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 49 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: MOTORCYCLE HAS A HESITATION JUST OFF IDLE, FROM A COLD START, DURING AN ENGINE WARM-UP, AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES OF 50*F TO 90*F. THIS ENGINE HESITATION CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL. AN ENGINE STALL ON A MOTORCYCLE, PARTICULARLY IF THE MOTORCYCLE IS ENGAGED IN A LOW SPEED TURN; AS A MOTORCYCLE IS LI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: VEHICLE APPEARS TO LOSE POWER BETWEEN 1500 AND 2000 RPM'S. BIKE WAS WARM. BIKE HESITATES UNDER ACCELERATION BETWEEN 1500 AND 2000 RPM'S POTENTIALLY CONTRIBUTING TO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LOSS OF POWER UNDER NORMAL ACCELERATION. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: MOTORCYCLE HAS A HESITATION WHEN APPLYING THROTTLE. THIS HAPPENS FROM A COLD START AS WELL AS DURING ENGINE WARM-UP AND OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS AT NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. THIS ENGINE HESITATION CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH IF THE MOTORCYCLE IS IN A LOW SPEE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: MOTORCYCLE HAS A HESITATION WHEN APPLYING THROTTLE. THIS HAPPENS FROM A COLD START AS WELL AS DURING ENGINE WARM-UP AND OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS AT NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. I HAVE NOTICED THE HESITATION AT FROM TEMPERATURES STARTING AT 40 F AND UP. AT FIRST I WAS THINKING IT MAY BE RELAT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Honda dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)