The 2003 Honda Gl1800a has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 224,380 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC15V7000002015-10-23145,219 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
A rear brake that drags may increase the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, extended riding with the rear brake dragging could generate enough heat to result in a fire.
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. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is JV6. Note: This…
STRUCTURE05V0270002005-01-3134,919 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
THE WELDED AREA COULD BREAK, RESULTING IN REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE OR LOWER CROSS MEMBER SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-866-784-1870.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC05V0100002005-01-2436,046 affected
Defect
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 IMPROPERLY SHAPED, AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR.
Consequence
IF THE MOTORCYCLE CONTINUES TO BE USED AFTER A LEAK OCCURS, THE REAR BRAKE WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE. A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE FORCE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 866-784-1870.
STRUCTURE03V3500002003-09-268,196 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
THE WELDED AREA COULD BREAK, RESULTING IN REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE OR LOWER CROSS MEMBER SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Complaints by component
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
6
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1
SERVICE BRAKES
1
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
1
STRUCTURE
1
STRUCTURE:BODY
1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1
Total complaints16
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“In :march, 2016, I purchased a 2003 honda goldwing 1800a from the original owner, a private party. I took the motorcycle in repairs, as it was damaged. The mechanic found a crack in the rear frame near a weld, and referred me to redlands honda. I spoke to wes in service who inspected the frame and…”
“Bought the bike july 9. Private party. I was going thru the bike checking everything out and found the frame is broke behind the passenger floorboards on both sides. I have done some research and this is very common. *tr”
“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…”
“A friend on mine also riding a gl1800 found a frame tube cracked on his motorcycle. After checking many bulletin boards on the internet he found this to be an ongoing problem in the same model years of bikes that honda put out a recall on in 2005 because of defective welds. His entire frame was…”
“Cracked subframe. *tr”
“Located cracked frame (2)tubes on rear triangular area of the aluminum frame. The tube on each side of the bike is cracked. The left side is approximately half way through. The area supports the rear of the motorcycle and passenger. *tr”
“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,…”
“Notice of gl1800/a gold wing frame weld recall was received from nhtsa about march of 2005. Took notice and bike to dealer: bend recreation, of bend oregon. Appointment was made to repair welds. Appointment was cancelled by bend recreation because they did not have a "honda certified welder". When…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Honda Gl1800a as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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