2012 Honda GL1800 recalls and problems

4 recalls and 31 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Honda GL1800.

4
recalls
31
owner complaints
0
complaints mentioning a crash
0
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2012 Honda GL1800 recalls

Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 18V045000 · reported January 9, 2018 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · 960 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
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.

Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 17V031000 · reported January 10, 2017 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · 882 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2006-2009 and 2012 Honda GL1800 (Goldwing) motorcycles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A," Honda is recalling certain 2006-2009 Honda GL1800 (Goldwing) motorcycles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in Zone A or Zone B above, Honda is recalling certain 2006-2008 Honda GL1800 (Goldwing) motorcycles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the operator 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 2017. Owners may contact Honda Motorcycle Customer Support at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KE5.

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components, master cylinder

NHTSA campaign 15V700000 · reported October 23, 2015 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · 145,219 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
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 recall supercedes recall 14V-472.

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components, master cylinder

NHTSA campaign 11V567000 · reported December 1, 2011 · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) · 126,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Honda is recalling certain model year 2001-2010, and model year 2012 gl1800 goldwing motorcycles. Under certain conditions, there is a possibility that the combined braking system's secondary master cylinder may cause the rear brake to drag.
The risk
Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash, and riding the motorcycle with the rear brake dragging may generate enough heat to cause the rear brake to catch fire.
The fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the secondary master cylinder and if necessary, replace it, free of charge. The safety recall began on january 6, 2012. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Sep 1, 2016 · Fuel/propulsion system · 14,000 miles

I AM HAVING SLOW SPEED HESITATION WITH THE THROTTLE WHILE RIDING ON THE ROAD. WHEN I ROLL THE THROTTLE ON THE BIKE SOMETIMES HESITATES, DOES NOTHING SO WHEN I TRY MORE FUEL THE THROTTLE CONTROL FINALLY DECIDES TO START WORKING AND HAS MADE FOR SOME WILD RIDES ESPECIALLY IN TURNS. IT IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE TOO MUCH FUEL…

Mar 3, 2016 · Engine · 1,685 miles

MY GOLDWING HAS THE HESITATION PROBLEM LIKE SO MANY OTHERS. I HAVE ALMOST DROPPED THE BIKE A COUPLE OF TIMES BECAUSE OF THE STUMBLE. IT WILL HESITATE AND THEN THE ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY GET FUEL AGAIN AND LUNGE FORWARD DANGEROUSLY. IF I WOULD HIT SAND OR GRAVEL OR BE ON A GRAVEL ROAD OR GRAVEL PARKING LOT IT WOULD BE A…

Nov 27, 2015 · Fuel/propulsion system · 1,000 miles

MY HONDA GOLD WING 2012 HAS A DANGEROUS STUMBLE THAT FREQUENTLY CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STUTTER AND NEARLY STALL. MANY TIMES, I OPEN THE THROTTLE TO ENTER AN INTERSECTION, OR TO PULL AWAY FROM A STOP, AND THE POWER DROPS OFF TO NOTHING, THEN, WHEN I OPEN THE THROTTLE TO COMPENSATE, THE MOTORCYCLE SURGES FORWARD CAUSING…

Oct 25, 2015 · Engine · 7,000 miles

ON COLD START-UPS(EVEN IN THE SUMMER IN FLORIDA), THE MOTORCYCLE WILL STUMBLE OR HESITATE UNTIL WARMED UP. THIS CAUSES INCONSISTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE THROTTLE CONTROL IN SLOW TURNS. I HAVE NEARLY DROPPED THE MOTORCYCLE MULTIPLE TIMES AND ALSO HAVE ENCOUNTERED PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC AND NOT HAVING PREDICTABLE THROTTLE…

Oct 17, 2015 · Engine · 7,000 miles

ENGINE HAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH SEVERE HESITATION TO A MOMENTARY LOSS OF COMPLETE POWER DURING COLD OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND SAME SEVERE PROBLEM ON HOT SHUT DOWN AND RESTART. ALSO HESITATES AT ALL TIMES WHILE DRIVING BUT NOT AS SEVERE AS FIRST TWO. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IN TRAFFIC AND PULLING OUT…

GL1800 model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2009 5200
2010 42430
2012 43100
2013 2900
2014 2700
2015 2800

Across all years, the 2002 GL1800 has the most complaints (182). All Honda GL1800 years →

Questions

Does the 2012 Honda GL1800 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2012 Honda GL1800, the most recent reported on January 9, 2018 (Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Honda GL1800?
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (17 complaints), followed by fuel/propulsion system (17).
How many 2012 Honda GL1800 complaints mention a crash or fire?
0 of 31 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 1, 2016.