2013 Honda Gl1800 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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.
What could happen: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the rider resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2013 GL1800.
- Book a repair at any authorized Honda dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V045000 (manufacturer code KJ1).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-784-1870.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the rider resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 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.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2013 GL1800.
- Book a repair at any authorized Honda dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 15V700000 (manufacturer code JV6).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-784-1870.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
Summary: 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 recall supercedes recall 14V-472.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2013 Honda Gl1800 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (5), Engine (4), Brakes (3), Suspension (1), Transmission / drivetrain (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
07/30/2023 · Suspension
2013 gl 1800 anti dive device failure causing bumps while riding.
08/05/2016 · Brakes
MY BIKE WAS BROUGHT INTO MY LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP IN NOVEMBER 2015 FOR REAR BRAKE RECALL SERVICE. MY BIKE WAS OPERATING FINE PRIOR TO THE RECALL WORK BEING DONE. IN JULY 1, 2016 AFTER NOT RIDDEN MY BIKE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MY REAR BRAKE LOCKED UP ON ME AS I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY - I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BECAUSE THE BIKE IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO SLOW DOWN…
10/13/2015 · Engine
AFTER STARTING ENGINE, 1ST GEAR ENGAGEMENT, RELEASE CLUTCH AND FEED THROTTLE. MOTORCYCLE WILL STALL WHEN IN MOTION BETWEEN 1-10 MPH FORCING YOU TO ENGAGE CLUTCH LEVER AND THEN TWIST THROTTLE TO TRY AND GET ENGINE TO REV BACK UP. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL HAPPEN AND YOU WILL NOT FALL OVER DUE TO LACK OF POWER FROM STALL. THIS HAPPENS USUALLY WHEN ENGINE TEMP IS…
01/11/2015 · Engine
THE ENGINE STUTTERS AND STALLS AT LOW SPEEDS RESULTING IN AN INABILITY TO MAINTAIN FORWARD MOMENTUM, CAUSING A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN UPRIGHT POSITION WITHOUT EMERGENCY ACTION TO DISABLE DRIVE TRAIN, SUCH AS QUICKLY DISENGAGING CLUTCH IN ORDER TO ALLOW A SMOOTH COAST UNTIL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAN BE SAFELY RESTORED. THIS CONDITION PERSISTS UNTIL THE ENG…
01/05/2015 · Fuel system
RIDING WHILE THE ENGINE IS WARMING UP, THE ENGINE GOES INTO A STALL REQUIRING THE RIDER TO PULL THE CLUTCH. IF IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN THE BIKE WILL CRASH. THIS PROBLEM PERSISTS STILL TODAY. HONDA DENIES THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT MANY OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING. *TR
09/15/2014 · Vehicle Speed Control
MOTORCYCLE EXHIBITS A COLD START STUMBLE. AT AROUND 1700-2200 RPM (IN ANY GEAR) THE ENGINE STUMBLES / NEAR-STALLS. THIS LOSS OF POWER IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS ON A MOTORCYCLE WHERE RELIABLE POWER / SPEED IS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN RIDING STABILITY ESPECIALLY IN LOW SPEED MANEUVERING. LOSS OF POWER TWO-UP WITH A PASSENGER, LEANED OVER AT 25 DEGREES, AT ~0-5…
09/01/2014 · Electrical system
ONLY WHILE THE ENGINE IS STILL WARMING UP, AT ABOUT 1800 RPM I HAVE A VERY NOTICABLE HESITATION. *TR
10/30/2013 · Brakes
2013 HONDA GL1800G. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BAD GAS MILEAGE AND BRAKE PAD ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE ONLY GETS 28 MPG. ALSO, THE BAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 02/04/14 THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED TWICE, IN ONE YEAR. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ON THE BRAKE PADS AND WHEELS, CAUSING THE BR…