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 feature. I then turned the ignition off, no avail. Finally it stopped on it's own. After returning home it would not restart, I did a check and found the start relay was fried. A few weeks later it happened again same symptoms and response to what should have shut a bike down same results. I had it towed to the dealer in lake city, fl. After trying to sell me a new bike piece by piece I paid my $1k and left with a new starter and new starter relay. A couple weeks later when it happened I had several starter relays onboard and sure enough replace the start relay it started I made it home. This week while washing it I turned the key on and before I could mount it it started chugging by the starter through my yard. Choice leave it and allow it to stop by runnning in the house or a car to get a wrench to take the negative off the battery or stay with it an choke it down using the brakes. Again start relay and starter. I realize you don't deal with warranty issues but imagine not being able to stop a motorcycle with the key, the kill switch or being able to control it with the clutch since the starter has no connection. This is a common problem and discussed on goldwing forums. I can't find anyone at honda to help...can you before someone is hurt?
The worst 2004 Honda GL1800A problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Driver assistance1
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Suspension1
- Transmission1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Driver assistance1
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Suspension1
- Transmission1
Recalls 3
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
Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Honda GL1800A 23
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 2004 Honda GL1800A owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
On 2004 honda gl1800a motorcycle transmission would jump back into 4th gear from od gear. The transmission would also disengage while in od gear.
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 the motorcycle. There was no warning or noise before the problem occurred. This problem occurred each time the consumer drove the motorcycle. *ak (12/08/05)
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Questions about the 2004 Honda GL1800A
Is the 2004 Honda GL1800A reliable?
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2004 Honda GL1800A, fewer than a typical GL1800A model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Honda GL1800A?
Driver assistance and stability, with 1 complaint. Next is electrical (1).
How many recalls does the 2004 Honda GL1800A have?
3 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic and structure.
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