2018 Honda GL1800

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Honda GL1800 has 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (15% of all complaints), specifically: the engines stops sometimes when i stop at an intersection and start to take off. many times the transmission makes a loud clunk and the engine stops. it appears like the bike try's to engage both transmissions at the same time. several times i could not get the bike restarted. i took it to two d.

9 crash reports 11 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

7 complaints

15%

• THE ENGINES STOPS SOMETIMES WHEN I STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND START TO TAKE OFF. MANY TIMES THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A LOUD CLUNK AND THE ENGINE STOPS. IT APPEARS LIKE THE BIKE TRY'S TO ENGAGE BOTH TRANSMISSIONS AT THE SAME TIME. SEVERAL TIMES I COULD NOT GET THE BIKE RESTARTED. I TOOK IT TO TWO D
• I AM WRITING YOU REGARDING MY NEW 2018 HONDA GOLDWING TOUR. THE TURN SIGNAL CANCELLATION SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK. IT ONLY WORKS AS A LANE CHANGING PROGRAM, WHICH MAKES IT EXTREMELY UNSAFE. IN THEIR CURRENT IMPLEMENTATION THEY ARE UNPREDICTABLE AND THEY SIMPLY TURN OFF FAR TOO SOON. I OFTEN FIND THAT
• I WAS SEATED ON MY 2018 DCT GOLDWING, HAVING JUST ROLLED BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT, (I DID NOT USE THE REVERSE FUNCTION) IT WAS RUNNING, WHEN I PUSHED "D" FOR DRIVE IT SHOT OUT FORWARD ON IT'S OWN, AS IF THE THROTTLE WAS WIDE OPEN. WITHIN 1 SECOND OR LESS I REAR ENDED ANOTH

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“THE ENGINES STOPS SOMETIMES WHEN I STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND START TO TAKE OFF. MANY TIMES THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A LOUD CLUNK AND THE ENGINE STOPS. IT APPEARS LIKE THE BIKE TRY'S TO ENGAGE BOTH TRANSMISSIONS AT THE SAME TIME. SEVERAL TIMES I COULD NOT GET THE BIKE RESTARTED. I TOOK IT TO TWO D”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SPEED CONTROL

7 complaints

15%

• I WAS SEATED ON MY 2018 DCT GOLDWING, HAVING JUST ROLLED BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT, (I DID NOT USE THE REVERSE FUNCTION) IT WAS RUNNING, WHEN I PUSHED "D" FOR DRIVE IT SHOT OUT FORWARD ON IT'S OWN, AS IF THE THROTTLE WAS WIDE OPEN. WITHIN 1 SECOND OR LESS I REAR ENDED ANOTH
• THROTTLE STICKS OPEN AT SPEEDS. WILL TRAVEL AT 50MPH IF YOU DON'T OVERRIDE THE THE STUCK THROTTLE GRIP. HAPPENS ON ALL ROADS. DEALERSHIP VERIFIED PROBLEM AND SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT HONDA TO GET APPROVAL TO REPLACE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY.
• The contact owns a 2018 Honda Gold Wing motorcycle. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the rpm decreased, and the vehicle decelerated without warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manu

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 4 crashes

“I WAS SEATED ON MY 2018 DCT GOLDWING, HAVING JUST ROLLED BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT, (I DID NOT USE THE REVERSE FUNCTION) IT WAS RUNNING, WHEN I PUSHED "D" FOR DRIVE IT SHOT OUT FORWARD ON IT'S OWN, AS IF THE THROTTLE WAS WIDE OPEN. WITHIN 1 SECOND OR LESS I REAR ENDED ANOTH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

5 complaints

11%

• THE FRONT WHEEL WOBBLES AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH AND GETS WORSE AS SPEED INCREASES. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK, THE DEALER SAID THEY INSPECTED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, STEERING HEAD BEARINGS, AND CHECKED THE BALANCE OF THE TIRE. WOBBLE IS STILL THERE AND FEELS UNSAFE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ABOVE 60 MPH. BRAND NE
• I TRAILERED MY 2018 GOLDWING DCT, IN A TOY HAULER 5TH WHEEL. I SECURED THE BIKE WITH RATCHETING TIE DOWNS AT THE HANDLEBARS, ACROSS THE SEAT AND MORE IN THE BACK OF THE BIKE. THE BIKE WAS FINE AFTER DAY 1 OF TRAVEL. AFTER DAY 2, WHEN WE ARRIVED WE DISCOVERED THAT THE SPINDLE ON WHICH THE HANDLEBARS
• The contact owns a 2018 Honda GL1800. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the handlebars had become extremely loose at the stem. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not

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

“THE FRONT WHEEL WOBBLES AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH AND GETS WORSE AS SPEED INCREASES. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK, THE DEALER SAID THEY INSPECTED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, STEERING HEAD BEARINGS, AND CHECKED THE BALANCE OF THE TIRE. WOBBLE IS STILL THERE AND FEELS UNSAFE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ABOVE 60 MPH. BRAND NE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

5 complaints

11%

• THE ENGINES STOPS SOMETIMES WHEN I STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND START TO TAKE OFF. MANY TIMES THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A LOUD CLUNK AND THE ENGINE STOPS. IT APPEARS LIKE THE BIKE TRY'S TO ENGAGE BOTH TRANSMISSIONS AT THE SAME TIME. SEVERAL TIMES I COULD NOT GET THE BIKE RESTARTED. I TOOK IT TO TWO D
• Took my 2018 Honda Goldwing for replacement of the fuel pump as stated in the recall on April 26 of this year to LeJuene Motorsports. The repairs have not been completed and it is over the 60 days timeline for a reasonable time for repair.
• The BOLT holding the Alternator/Starter or ISG unit BROKE. While this caused no injury as the Alternator stayed together, it could have caused the motorcycle to shut down while riding. The Honda Dealer replaced the Alternator under the Honda Extended Warranty. There were no symptoms, lights, or w

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

5 complaints

11%

• BIKE SURGES UNEXPECTEDLY AT LOW SPEED MOSTLY WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS AND ONCE FROM A DEAD STOP. BIKE SURGE FORWARD CAUSING A CRASH AT INTERSECTION. I WAS SITTIN AT A RED LIGHT BETWEEN TWO CARS WHEN BIKE UNEXPECTEDLY SHOT FORWARD RAPIDLY CAUSE BIKE TO HIT CAR IN FRONT. DAMAGING BOTH VEHICLES.
• 2 INCIDENTS- MAY 26TH 2019 AND NOVEMBER 24TH 2019. AT A STOP ON A STREET - THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS THE HONDA 7 SPEED DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION - TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE, THE GOLD WING TOUR DCT MOTORCYCLE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED WITHOUT OPENING THE THROTTLE CAUSING THE BIKE TO LEAP FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THE
• Veh accelerated on its own into traffic was sitting at a stop sign it just took off i was t-boned in the incident no lights or warning lights were on

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“BIKE SURGES UNEXPECTEDLY AT LOW SPEED MOSTLY WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS AND ONCE FROM A DEAD STOP. BIKE SURGE FORWARD CAUSING A CRASH AT INTERSECTION. I WAS SITTIN AT A RED LIGHT BETWEEN TWO CARS WHEN BIKE UNEXPECTEDLY SHOT FORWARD RAPIDLY CAUSE BIKE TO HIT CAR IN FRONT. DAMAGING BOTH VEHICLES.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 46 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: THE ENGINES STOPS SOMETIMES WHEN I STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND START TO TAKE OFF. MANY TIMES THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A LOUD CLUNK AND THE ENGINE STOPS. IT APPEARS LIKE THE BIKE TRY'S TO ENGAGE BOTH TRANSMISSIONS AT THE SAME TIME. SEVERAL TIMES I COULD NOT GET THE BIKE RESTARTED. I TOOK IT TO TWO D
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: I WAS SEATED ON MY 2018 DCT GOLDWING, HAVING JUST ROLLED BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT, (I DID NOT USE THE REVERSE FUNCTION) IT WAS RUNNING, WHEN I PUSHED "D" FOR DRIVE IT SHOT OUT FORWARD ON IT'S OWN, AS IF THE THROTTLE WAS WIDE OPEN. WITHIN 1 SECOND OR LESS I REAR ENDED ANOTH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: THE FRONT WHEEL WOBBLES AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH AND GETS WORSE AS SPEED INCREASES. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK, THE DEALER SAID THEY INSPECTED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, STEERING HEAD BEARINGS, AND CHECKED THE BALANCE OF THE TIRE. WOBBLE IS STILL THERE AND FEELS UNSAFE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ABOVE 60 MPH. BRAND NE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: THE ENGINES STOPS SOMETIMES WHEN I STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND START TO TAKE OFF. MANY TIMES THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A LOUD CLUNK AND THE ENGINE STOPS. IT APPEARS LIKE THE BIKE TRY'S TO ENGAGE BOTH TRANSMISSIONS AT THE SAME TIME. SEVERAL TIMES I COULD NOT GET THE BIKE RESTARTED. I TOOK IT TO TWO D
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)