The 2004 Honda Gl1800a has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 216,184 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. 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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
1fires
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1
1fires
ENGINE
1
1fires
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1
SUSPENSION
1
Total complaints5
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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”
“Dt: the consumer stated that when riding the motorcycle at 40 mph and taking both hands off of the handle bars, the motorcycle would shake violently. The consumer also noticed this problem on july 5, 2005. The consumer spoke to the dealer and they were going to charge the consumer for inspecting…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2004 Honda Gl1800a as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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