Honda GL1800A problems and owner complaints

I DISCOVERED FRAME CRACKS ON MY 2001 HONDA GOLDWING GL 1800, ON 16 APRIL, 2008. THE FRAME CRACKS ARE LOCATED BELOW THE PASSENGER FOOT REST ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE. THE CRACK BEGINS IN A WELD AND DESCENDS INTO THE FRAME. I CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA ON 16 APRIL TO SEEK GUIDANCE AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE MOTORCYCLE TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE HONDA DEALER IN SAVANNAH, GA. ON 19 APRIL, 2008. THE SERVICE MANAGER PERFORMED AN INSPECTION AND SENT PHOTOS TO AMERICAN HONDA AND THE DECISION TO REPLACE THE FRAME WAS MADE. …

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I DISCOVERED THE FRAME ON MY 2001 HONDA GL1800A IS CRACKED. ITS LOCATION IS THE LEFT LOWER TUBE THAT IS BELOW THE BATTERY BOX. THIS PARTICULAR CRACK SITUATION HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED BY MANY CQNSUMERS.THIS CRACK WAS NOT DESCRIBED IN THE LAST HONDA MOTORCYCLE FRAME CRACK RECALL.

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I SUBMITTED AN EARLIER COMPLIANT #10237793. THIS DESCRIBED A FRAME CRACK IS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FRAME. TODAY, I FOUND A SECOND FRAME CRACK IN THE EXACT SAME LOCATION BUT, ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE(RIGHT) OF THE FRAME. THE CRACK ORIGINATES IN A WELD AREA & MIGRATES INTO THE FRAME TUBING. BOTH CRACKS, ON EACH SIDE OF THE FRAME LOOK IDENTICAL. THE FRAME PART THAT IS CRACKED IS KNOWN AS THE SUB-FRAME, WHICH IS THE TRIANGLE PORTION AT THE REAR HALF OF THE FRAME. *TR

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MY 2001 HONDA GL1800 HAS A SURGING PROBLEM WHEN ENGINE RPM IS 1400-1500 IN ANY GEAR OR JUST STANDING STILL. AT A STAND STILL IF THE THROTTLE IS HELD AT 1400-1500 RPM THE ENGINE WILL OSCILLATE BETWEEN 1000 AND 1500 RPM UNTIL THE THROTTLE IS RELEASED. WHILE DRIVING AT THIS RPM IN ANY GEAR THIS PROBLEM WILL CAUSE THE SUDDEN LOSE OF ENGINE RPM AND THEN A SURGE BACK CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION ESPECIALLY WHEN RIDING 2 UP. IT ALL STARTED AFTER THE ECM WAS UPDATED (10/01/03) FOR AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM (RECALL). HONDA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THE…

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I HAVE A 2004 HONDA GOLDWING WITH A CALIFORNIA SIDE CAR KIT. I PURCHASED IT FROM THE SECOND OWNER ABOUT 1.5 YRS AGO. ABOUT A YEAR AGO I WAS RIDING A BACK ROAD WHEN THE STARTER ENGAGED. I HADN'T TOUCHED THE START SWITCH? I TRIED THE KILL SWITCH BOTH POSITIONS AS THIS MODEL HAS AN UP AND DOWN FEATURE. I THEN TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, NO AVAIL. FINALLY IT STOPPED ON IT'S OWN. AFTER RETURNING HOME IT WOULD NOT RESTART, I DID A CHECK AND FOUND THE START RELAY WAS FRIED. A FEW WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN SAME SYMPTOMS AND RESPONSE TO WHAT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HONDA GOLDWING 1800D (NA). WHILE OPERATING THE MOTORCYCLE AND USING THE GPS, THE VOICE GUIDANCE AUDIO WOULD STOP WORKING, FORCING THE RIDER TO LOOK DOWN TO READ THE NAVIGATION SCREEN. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A SOFTWARE ISSUE; HOWEVER, NO SOLUTION WAS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2.

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I HAVE A 2004 HONDA GOLDWING WITH A CALIFORNIA SIDE CAR KIT. I PURCHASED IT FROM THE SECOND OWNER ABOUT 1.5 YRS AGO. ABOUT A YEAR AGO I WAS RIDING A BACK ROAD WHEN THE STARTER ENGAGED. I HADN'T TOUCHED THE START SWITCH? I TRIED THE KILL SWITCH BOTH POSITIONS AS THIS MODEL HAS AN UP AND DOWN FEATURE. I THEN TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, NO AVAIL. FINALLY IT STOPPED ON IT'S OWN. AFTER RETURNING HOME IT WOULD NOT RESTART, I DID A CHECK AND FOUND THE START RELAY WAS FRIED. A FEW WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN SAME SYMPTOMS AND RESPONSE TO WHAT …

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ON A COLD ENGINE START RELEASING THE CLUTCH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE ENGINE WILL "STUMBLE" OR HESITATE, THEN CATCH AND ACCELERATE ERRATICALLY AND RUN ROUGH FOR A SHORT TIME. ON A MOTORCYCLE, IN A TURN WHERE THE MACHINE MUST BE LEANED OVER, THIS RESULTS IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND DROPPING THE 950 LB. MACHINE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGINE HAS COOLED TO AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OVERNIGHT OR AFTER BEING PARKED FOR AN EXTENDER PERIOD. THIS CONDITION BEGAN AT ABOUT 900 MILES AND CONTINUES TO THE CURRENT MILEAGE OF 2900. THE INJURY MENTIONED WAS T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA GOLDWIND MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE HESITATED BUT DID NOT STALL. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING BUT ONLY WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.

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FOLLOWING BRAKE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED IN LATE 2016 BY HONDA DEALER, MOTORCYCLE HAS EXPERIENCED SAME FAILURE OF REAR CALIPER/BRAKES HYDRAULICALLY SEIZING TO A COMPLETE STOP OF BIKE. THE HONDA RECALL(S) (2 RECALLS) IS STILL NOT ADEQUATE TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH THE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER AND REAR BRAKES WITH GOLDWINGS.

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THIS CONCERNS AN ONGOING SAFETY RECALL FOR REAR BRAKE LOCKUP ON GL1800 GOLDWING. I OWN A 2002 MODEL. THREE TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH, MY REAR BRAKE HAS LOCKED UP, ONE TIME CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL AND DROP THE BIKE, BEING SLIGHTLY INJURED, WITH A SCRAPE TO THE RIGHT ARM. HONDA HAS THUS FAR NOT REIMBURSED ME FOR REPAIRS THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN UNENDING SAFETY RECALL. DEALER SAID I HAD TO PAY, SINCE HONDA HAS ALLEGEDLY DONE THE RECALL, CLAIMING FLUID CONTAMINATION, EVEN THOUGH THEIR OWN DEALER HAS FLUSHED AND BLED THE SYSTEM TWICE IN THE LAST…

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IF THE REAR FOOT PEDAL BRAKE IS APPLIED WITHOUT ALSO USING THE FRONT HAND BRAKE THE BIKE SHUDDERS, SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY, AND THE BRAKING POWER IS DIMINISHED .APPLYING THE FRONT BRAKE USUALLY ELIMINATES THE SHUDDER. THE GREATER THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE THE WORSE THE PROBLEM GETS. (OVER 105 DEGREES IT BECOMES UNRIDEABLE) ALL BRAKE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN CHECK BY THE DEALER AND FOUND TO BE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. HONDA TECH DENIES THERE IS A PROBLEM AND TELLS THEIR DEALERS TO INSTRUCT RIDERS TO APPLY BOTH BRAKES AT THE SAME TIME. ALL MC RIDERS KN…

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MOTORCYCLE HAS A HESITATION AT THROTTLE TIP IN, 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 LIKELY TO BE ENGAGED IN AFTER A COLD START, WILL RESULT IN A CRASH. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO HONDA MOTOR COMPANY. THIS PROBLEM EXISTS ON MOST 2012 AND 2013 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLES. MY MOTORCYCLE DOES THIS. I CONSIDER IT A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFEC…

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2013 HONDA GOLDWING NAVI PACKAGE THROTTLE RESPONSE STUMBLES WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. AFTER A COLD ENGINE START, REGARDLESS OF OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE, STARTING IN A LOW GEAR (1ST OR 2ND IS NORMAL), UPON THROTTLE ROLL-IN, THE ENGINE WILL NOT RESPOND ENOUGH TO KEEP FORWARD MOMENTUM. YOU HAVE TO SLIP THE CLUTCH AND KEEP THE RPM'S UP TO KEEP THE MOTORCYCLE MOVING WITHOUT HESITATION. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. ONCE THE ENGINE ACHIEVES OPERATING TEMPERATURE, THE HESITATION/STUMBLE IS RESOLVED. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURE…

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BIKE EXHIBITS A LOW SPEED STUMBLE UNDER ACCELERATION WHEN THE ENGINE IS 1) STARTED COLD AND NOT UP TO FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND 2) STARTED WARM AFTER SITTING FOR 30 MINUTES. THE LOW SPEED STUMBLE UNDER ACCELERATION IS A HAZARD BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF STABILITY AT SLOW SPEEDS AND CAN CAUSE LACK OF ACCELERATION WHEN TURNING ONTO A MAIN HIGHWAY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE IN THE 2012 AND UP MODELS THAT HONDA WILL NOT RECOGNIZE AS A WARRANTABLE DEFECT AND OFFERS NO SOLUTION FOR REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. THIS ISSUE IS REPEATABLE AND IT SE…

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I HAVE A 2001 HONDA GOLDWING GL1800A MOTORCYCLE. IN JUNE OF 2004 WHILE RIDING IN THE MOUNTAINS I DOWNSHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR, IT WENT IN FINE BUT AS I ACCELERATED OUT OF A CURVE THE BIKE LURCHED FORWARD. WHEN I GOT BACK TO RENO I REPORTED THIS TO THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER. THEY RODE IT AND COULD NOT GET IT TO ACT UP FOR THEM. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL MONTHS GETTING MORE FREQUENT. FINALLY IT DOES IT FOR THE HONDA SERVICE MANAGER. HE CONTACTS HONDA CORPORATE AND THEY SAY TO BRING IT IN AND OPEN IT UP TO SEE WHAT'S WRONG. T…

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SHIFT SHAFT SEAL DISLODGED FROM ENGINE/TRANSMISSION, CAUSING ENGINE OIL TO BE DUMPED ONTO ROADWAY AHEAD OF REAR TIRE. FIRST OCCURRENCE-SEAL REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. SECOND OCCURRENCE-OWNER CHARGED FOR REPAIR, EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE IS COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY. CAUSE OF PROBLEM NOT CORRECTED, THEREFORE SAFETY HAZARD REMAINS SHOULD PROBLEM RECUR.*JB

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ON 2004 HONDA GL1800A MOTORCYCLE TRANSMISSION WOULD JUMP BACK INTO 4TH GEAR FROM OD GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD ALSO DISENGAGE WHILE IN OD GEAR. *TR

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REAR SUSPENSION NOT SETTING IN FULL RANGE. WAS REPLACED ONCE BY HONDA WARRANTY 2-2-05 AND AM NOW BEING TOLD THAT THE SAME SYMPTOMS ARE NOW CONSIDERED NORMAL. HAVE LOST OVER 25% OF SUSPENSION ADJ RANGE. HONDA NOW REFUSES TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA GOLD WING (GL1800A) MOTORCYCLE. WHILE RIDING 35-42 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION IN THE HANDLE BAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE PERFORMED AS INTENDED ABOVE 43 MPH. TOM CLARK MOTOR SPORTS (LOCATED AT 4588 STATE ROUTE 51 SOUTH, BELLE VERNON, PA 15012, [phone removed]) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE PERFORMED AS INTENDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

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2001 HONDA GL1800 GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. WHILE IN TRAFFIC, APPLIED FRONT BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES AGGRESSIVELY. SPEEDS WERE 20-30 MPH. UN-KNOWING THAT THE LEFT FRONT FORK SHOCK SEAL FAILED, AFTER THE BRAKING IN TRAFFIC, & OIL WAS PUSHED OUT OF THE FORK SHOCK. THE OIL COVERED THE FRONT TIRE & BRAKE. PULLING INTO THE GARAGE, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE THE FRONT TIRE LOST TRACTION, DUE TO THE OIL ON THE TIRE, & THE MOTORCYCLE SLIPPED & LANDED ON IT'S SIDE. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED ONLY THE LEFT FRONT FORK SHOCK SEAL. THEY SHOWED ME THE OLD SEAL & T…

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WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 10 IN TEXAS I DROVE ON A ROUGH AREA OF THE PAVEMENT. I THEN NOTICED OIL COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT FORK SHOCK SEAL. THE OIL WAS BEING "PUMPED OUT" THROUGH THE SHOCK OIL SEAL THAT FAILED. OIL WAS BEING SPRAYED INTO THE RADIATOR, WINDSCREEN, INSTRUMENT PANEL,ENGINE, FRONT BRAKES & TIRES. I EXITED THE INTERSTATE & AS I ATTEMPTED TO STOP I NOTICED THE OIL COVERED BRAKES DID NOT ALLOW THE MOTORCYCLE TO STOP IN A SAFE STOPPING DISTANCE. I USED THE GEAR DOWN SHIFTING TO AID IN STOPPING THE MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE IS…

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THE ANTI-DRIVE SYSTEM IS MAL-FUNCTIONING & HYDRAULICALLY LOCKING THE LEFT FRONT FORK SHOCK. THIS IS ALLOWS THE SHOCK TO OVER PRESSURE & FAIL THE SEALING LIP SEAL. THE OIL THEN IS PUMPED OUT DURING THE SHOCK OPERATION & THE OIL IS COVERING THE FRONT BRAKES & TIRES. THIS CREATES A LOSS OF TRACTION FROM THE OIL COVERED TIRES & LIMITED BRAKING DUE TO THE OIL CONTAMINATED BRAKES. PERSONALLY I HAVE HAD TWO EXACTLY THE SAME LEFT FRONT SHOCK SEAL FAILURES. #1 FAILURE THE MOTORCYCLE SLIPPED & LAID DOWN ON THE GARAGE FLOOR WHEN STOPPING. #2 FAILURE TH…

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