2004 Honda GL1800 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jan 16, 2020 · 10 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other GL1800 years
About as many complaints as other years 11th of 22 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Honda GL1800. That ranks 11th out of 22 GL1800 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (3 complaints, 30%), typically at around 49,500 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 injury. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2004 Honda GL1800 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Power Train3 · ~49,500 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling2 · ~8,190 mi
Electrical System1 · ~14,000 mi
Equipment1 · ~74,000 mi
Service Brakes1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Structure1 · ~46,000 mi
Unknown or Other1 · ~49,500 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Power Train330%49,500——
Engine and Engine Cooling220%8,190——
Electrical System110%14,000——
Equipment110%74,000——
Service Brakes110%———
Service Brakes, Hydraulic110%———
Structure110%46,000——
Unknown or Other110%49,500——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2005, with 2 complaints
2005: 2200522006: 1200612009: 1200912011: 1201112012: 1201212014: 2201422017: 1201712020: 120201

n = 10 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2004 Honda GL1800 recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinderOct 23, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V700000 · 145,219 vehicles

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.

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.

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 cylinderDec 1, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V567000 · 126,000 vehicles

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.

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.

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.

Structure:frame and membersJan 31, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V027000 · 34,919 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: The welded area could break, resulting in rear suspension collapse or lower cross member separation, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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, hydraulicJan 24, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V010000 · 36,046 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Southern Honda Powersports (AQ12001) — opened May 14, 2012, closed May 13, 2013.
  • Frame crossmemeber weld failures (RQ04009) — opened Sep 21, 2004, closed Feb 2, 2005, led to recall 05V027000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 honda gl1800 motorcycle. The contact stated that the motorcycle exhibited fractures along the passenger and driver side lower frame, located at the passenger side foot rest. The motorcycle was not taken to a dealer to be inspected. The manufacturer was not contacted. The…

Structure · received Jan 16, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11299930

Transmission "locked up" and the vehicle will no longer move. Forward or reverse, nothing. The rear wheel will not turn at all. Had just come out of driveway when it started making a chattering noise, then when i got on road the noise got louder and about the time i shifted to second gear the rear…

Power Train · received May 2, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 10983187

As you are driving when engine gets warm kills on you .found out its the computer honda is having issues with them and know they are trying to update has not made recall. *tr

Electrical System · received Dec 4, 2014 · NHTSA complaint 10662128

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 honda goldwing motorcycle. While attempting to stop, the vehicle hesitated before finally coming to a stop. The contact replaced the brakes and brake pads; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified…

Service Brakes · received Oct 17, 2014 · NHTSA complaint 10648369

Hjc symax ii modular helmet complaint both my friend and i, [xxx] (witness), both riding 30 years, were traveling.on the blue ridge pkwy entering the parkway at waynesboro, va to avoid the skyline drive. Around 7:15 we decided to head to roanoke where we would have cell and internet. Headed south…

Equipment · received Nov 14, 2012 · NHTSA complaint 10484671

Other Honda GL1800 years

← 2003 GL1800 · 2005 GL1800 →

See all Honda GL1800 problems by year, every Honda model, or the Honda VIN decoder.

Similar Honda models

Embed this 2004 Honda GL1800 badge on your site

Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Honda GL1800?

Owners most often report power train, engine and engine cooling, electrical system problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 3 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Honda GL1800?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2004 Honda GL1800 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other GL1800 model years, the 2004 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.