GoldWing World

Overheating cause has (not yet) been found?

Some people have experienced overheating in their GL-1800s and a great many more have had an overly hot indication on their temperature gauge. Technically (and this is Honda's stance too) if it isn't spewing water it is not overheating. Most owners response to that is "so why not change or modify the gauges or put that in writing?" which Honda refuses to do.

In at least once instance a crimped left upper radiator hose caused overheating, in several others remnants of sand from the engine block casting were found in the engines. This in addition to reports of at least two known frame failures and various plastic misalignment and breaking problems raise serious issues about the quality control the the new GL-1800.

If you are having problems PLEASE go to the NHTSA site and file a complaint. Honda needs to be made aware of all defects in this great bike so it can continue to be the best touring bike for years to come.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 01V133000

Recalls

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 01V133000
Component: ENGINE:OTHER PARTS
Manufacturer: AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.

Year: 2001	Make: HONDA MOTORCYCLE	Model: GL1800	Recall Date: 04/26/2001
Type of Report: Vehicle
Potential Number of Units Affected: 8107 Manufactured: 10/2000 - 03/2001
Defect Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED PULSE ROTOR. THE CRANKSHAFT PULSE ROTOR, A DEVICE USED FOR IGNITION TIMING, COULD FAIL AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL. Consequence Summary: THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED PULSE ROTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 01V162000
Component: ENGINE:OTHER PARTS
Manufacturer: AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.

Year: 2001	Make: HONDA MOTORCYCLE	Model: GL1800	Recall Date: 05/22/2001
Type of Report: Vehicle
Potential Number of Units Affected: 6662 Manufactured: 10/2000 - 02/2001
Defect Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ENGINE STOP SWITCH. THE ENGINE STOP SWITCH IS SENSITIVE TO ACCIDENTAL CONTACT OR STRONG JOLTING, SUCH AS HITTING A POTHOLE OR RIDING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS,WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO CUT OUT MOMENTARILY OR EVEN SHUT OFF. Consequence Summary: SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CONTACT PLATE, E-CLIP, AND 2 CONTACT PLATE SPRINGS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-310-532-9811.

Technical Service Bulletins

Make: HONDA MOTORCYCLE	Model: GL1800	Year: 2001
Service Bulletin Number: 010102	Bulletin Sequence Number: 627	Date of Bulletin: 01/02
NHTSA Item Number: SB627251
Component: BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:ANTI-SKID SYSTEM
Summary: SUBJECT REGARDING ABS SPEED SENSOR WIRE CLAMP LOCATION. *SLC

Make: HONDA MOTORCYCLE	Model: GL1800	Year: 2001
Service Bulletin Number: 010301	Bulletin Sequence Number: 199	Date of Bulletin: 03/01
NHTSA Item Number: SB619961
Component: POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PLATE:DRIVEN:CLUTCH
Summary: SUBJECT REGARDING CLUTCH DISC INSTALLATION. *TT

Make: HONDA MOTORCYCLE	Model: GL1800	Year: 2001
Service Bulletin Number: 010801	Bulletin Sequence Number: 623	Date of Bulletin: 08/01
NHTSA Item Number: SB623811
Component: MANUFACTURERS INFORMATION TO DEALERS
Summary: INFORMATION REGARDING 2001 GL1800 CD CHANGER INSTALL TIP. *ET

Make: HONDA MOTORCYCLE	Model: GL1800	Year: 2001
Service Bulletin Number: 010901	Bulletin Sequence Number: 623	Date of Bulletin: 08/01
NHTSA Item Number: SB623790
Component: MANUFACTURERS INFORMATION TO DEALERS
Summary: INFORMATION REGARDING MICROFICHE CORRECTION, THE 2001 GL 1800 MICROFICHE OMITS A RUBBER GROMMET USED WITH THE WINDSHIELD GARNISH MOUNTING BOLTS. ET ET

Make: HONDA MOTORCYCLE	Model: GL1800	Year: 2001
Service Bulletin Number: 010901	Bulletin Sequence Number: 626	Date of Bulletin: 09/01
NHTSA Item Number: SB626458
Component: ENGINE:OTHER PARTS
Summary: INFORMATION REGARDING MAIN BEARING JOURNAL CAPS. *YH

Make: HONDA MOTORCYCLE	Model: GL1800	Year: 2001
Service Bulletin Number: 011001	Bulletin Sequence Number: 626	Date of Bulletin: 10/01
NHTSA Item Number: SB626796
Component: STRUCTURE:TRUNK LID AND DOOR ASSEMBLY:LATCHES
Summary: INFORMATION ON REAR TRUNK LATCH.*JB

Make: HONDA MOTORCYCLE	Model: GL1800	Year: 2001
Service Bulletin Number: 011201	Bulletin Sequence Number: 627	Date of Bulletin: 12/01
NHTSA Item Number: SB627258
Component: INTERIOR SYSTEMS:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER:ODOMETER
Summary: SOME VEHICLES SPEEDOMETER FACEPLATE MAY WARP FROM EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT. *SLC

Make: HONDA MOTORCYCLE	Model: GL1800	Year: 2001
Service Bulletin Number: 1011200	Bulletin Sequence Number: 157	Date of Bulletin: 12/00
NHTSA Item Number: SB615726
Component: INTERIOR SYSTEMS:INSTRUMENT PANEL:GAUGE:INDICATOR:TEMPERATURE
Summary: SUBJECT REGARDING 2001 GL1800 COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE IMPROVEMENT. *TT

Make: HONDA MOTORCYCLE	Model: GL1800	Year: 2001
Service Bulletin Number: 211100	Bulletin Sequence Number: 157	Date of Bulletin: 11/00
NHTSA Item Number: SB615741
Component: INTERIOR SYSTEMS:INSTRUMENT PANEL:GAUGE:INDICATOR:TEMPERATURE
Summary: THIS LETTER SUMMARIZES THE NEW SUB-HARNESS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE 2001 GL1800 COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE. *TT

2002

Technical Service Bulletins

Make: HONDA MOTORCYCLE	Model: GL1800	Year: 2002
Service Bulletin Number: 010102	Bulletin Sequence Number: 627	Date of Bulletin: 01/02
NHTSA Item Number: SB627251
Component: BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:ANTI-SKID SYSTEM
Summary: SUBJECT REGARDING ABS SPEED SENSOR WIRE CLAMP LOCATION. *SLC

Make: HONDA MOTORCYCLE	Model: GL1800	Year: 2002
Service Bulletin Number: 010901	Bulletin Sequence Number: 623	Date of Bulletin: 09/01
NHTSA Item Number: SB623751
Component: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE (INDICATOR FORWARD OR REVERSE)
Summary: INFORMATION REGARDING 2002 GL 1800 REVERSE CABLE INSPECTION/ADJUSTMENT

Make: HONDA MOTORCYCLE	Model: GL1800	Year: 2002
Service Bulletin Number: 010901	Bulletin Sequence Number: 623	Date of Bulletin: 08/01
NHTSA Item Number: SB623790
Component: MANUFACTURERS INFORMATION TO DEALERS
Summary: INFORMATION REGARDING MICROFICHE CORRECTION, THE 2001 GL 1800 MICROFICHE OMITS A RUBBER GROMMET USED WITH THE WINDSHIELD GARNISH MOUNTING BOLTS. ET ET

Make: HONDA MOTORCYCLE	Model: GL1800	Year: 2002
Service Bulletin Number: 010901	Bulletin Sequence Number: 626	Date of Bulletin: 09/01
NHTSA Item Number: SB626458
Component: ENGINE:OTHER PARTS
Summary: INFORMATION REGARDING MAIN BEARING JOURNAL CAPS. *YH

Make: HONDA MOTORCYCLE	Model: GL1800	Year: 2002
Service Bulletin Number: 010901	Bulletin Sequence Number: 626	Date of Bulletin: 09/01
NHTSA Item Number: SB626464
Component: POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC:INTERLOCK SYSTEM
Summary: INFORMATION REGARDING REVERSE CABLE INSPECTION. *YH

Make: HONDA MOTORCYCLE	Model: GL1800	Year: 2002
Service Bulletin Number: 011001	Bulletin Sequence Number: 626	Date of Bulletin: 10/01
NHTSA Item Number: SB626722
Component: INTERIOR SYSTEMS:INSTRUMENT PANEL ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER
Summary: SUBJECT REGARDING MYSTERY MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP CODE 41. *JB

Make: HONDA MOTORCYCLE	Model: GL1800	Year: 2002
Service Bulletin Number: 011001	Bulletin Sequence Number: 626	Date of Bulletin: 10/01
NHTSA Item Number: SB626796
Component: STRUCTURE:TRUNK LID AND DOOR ASSEMBLY:LATCHES
Summary: INFORMATION ON REAR TRUNK LATCH.*JB