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 called honda. Honda sent redlands honda a frame. On 6/23/2016, wes informed me I would have to pay for the labor to replace the frame, estimated to be over $2500. As a safety recall, I should not have to pay for any parts or labor to have the safety recall procedure performed. No failure has occurred to date. I have a picture of the crack.
The worst 2003 Honda GL1800A problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Body10
- Engine2
- Brakes1
- Steering1
- Transmission1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body10
- Engine2
- Brakes1
- Steering1
- Transmission1
Recalls 4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 15V700000 · Recall details
Structure: frame and members
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 05V027000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 05V010000 · Recall details
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 03V350000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Honda GL1800A 26
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Technician newsletter
- Honda is launching a safety recall of 2012-2015 GL1800/a and 2013-2015 GL1800B/bd motorcycles, and is...
- Dealer message - on december 11, several sections of s/b GL1800 #23 were revised to include information...
- Newsletter - the repair procedure for the secondary master cylinder (SMC) recall is very involved, so make...
- Dealer message
- Honda is launching a safety recall of 2012-2015 GL1800/a and 2013-2015 GL1800/b/bd motorcycles, and is...
- Dealer message - the service bulletin in support of the safety recall of 2001-2015 GL1800/a and GL1800B/bd...
- Honda is launching a safety recall of 2001-2015 GL1800/a and GL1800B/bd motorcycles
- Honda is launching a safety recall on model year 2001 through 2015 GL1800/a and GL1800B/bd motorcycles to...
- Dealer message
What 2003 Honda GL1800A owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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 becomes unrideable) all brake components have been check by the dealer and found to be in good working order. Honda tech denies there is a problem and tells their dealers to instruct riders to apply both brakes at the same time. All mc riders know that applying the front break in certain situations can cause a crash.
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 replace by honda. My motorcycle was one of the ones requiring re-welding of the frame. He came to my home yesterday and examined my bike and we found the same frame crack in my bike as was on his but mine is bigger. We have photos of this crack on the frame. Because of this crack I am now afraid to ride the bike for fear it may fail completely and possibly cause injury or death to myself or my wife. I only have 32000 miles on this bike. Of the dozen or so bikes my friend has examined mine has the lowest mileage of all of them. I want the frame replaced or provided with a new replacement bike.
Cracked subframe.
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.
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, therefore safety hazard remains should problem recur.
Engine appears to be overheating during slow speed operation. Temperature gauge enters the red danger zone during "parade mode riding" (heavy traffic). Cooling fan operation and brake (light) operation have dramatic impact on gauge indication when the engine is warm. According to honda's records the heating system recall has been performed on this motorcycle. Local dealer is not aware of this problem or its solution.
2003 gl 1800a excessive front end wobble beginning shortly after the purchase of the motorcycle of which honda has made clear is "normal" when in reality it's highly dangerous.
Notice of gl1800/a gold wing frame weld recall was received from the federal safety agency 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 challenged on this matter after honda sent out another notice of recall, bend recreation service department stated that they would get to me as soon as they had the time. That was three months ago, and I do not believe they have any interest in doing the recall ordered work. They refused completely until I told them I bought the 2003 wing in their dealership. And have suggested I take it to portland, oregon for the required work.
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Questions about the 2003 Honda GL1800A
Is the 2003 Honda GL1800A reliable?
Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 2003 Honda GL1800A, 2.0 times a typical GL1800A model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Honda GL1800A?
Body and structure, with 10 complaints, typically around 77,450 miles. Next is engine (2).
How many recalls does the 2003 Honda GL1800A have?
4 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic and structure.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Honda GL1800A body?
Yes, 2 recalls: 05V027000, 03V350000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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