Model year guide

2012 Honda GL1800

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Honda GL1800 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 18 on record.

2012 Honda GL1800 — representative photo
Representative photo

2012 Honda GL1800 at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints31

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2012 Honda GL1800 recalls 5

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #18V045000 · manufacturer #KJ1 · 09/01/2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2010 and 2012-2016 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing motorcycles. These motorcycles have air bag inflators assembled as part of the air bag module that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Honda Motorcycle Customer Support at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KJ1.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #17V031000 · manufacturer #KE5 · 10/01/2017

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2006-2009 and 2012 Honda GL1800 (Goldwing) motorcycles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A," Honda is recallin…

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Honda Motorcycle Customer Support at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KE5.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder NHTSA Campaign #15V700000 · manufacturer #JV6 · 23/10/2015

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.

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 …

Equipment NHTSA Campaign #11E054000 · 12/12/2011

KURYAKYN IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET PASSENGER FLOORBOARD MOUNTS, PART NUMBER 607005, SOLD AND INSTALLED FOR USE ON 2001-2012 HONDA GL 1800 (GOLDWING) MOTORCYCLES. THIS MOUNT WAS SOLD ON KURYAKYN 'TRANSFORMER' PASSENGER FLOORBOARD SETS, PART NUMBER 7005 FROM SEPTEMBER 15, 2008, TO PRESENT. THE FLOORBOARD MOUNT MAY CRACK AND BREAK FREE FROM THE MOUNTING BOLTS THAT SECURE THE MOUNT TO THE MOTORCYCLE.

Fix: KURYAKYN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE REPLACEMENT MOUNT KITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 13, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KURYAKYN AT 1-866-296-4728.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder NHTSA Campaign #11V567000 · manufacturer #S03 · 01/12/2011

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.

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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2012 Honda GL1800 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

Southern Honda Powersports Closed

NHTSA opened Audit Query (AQ) 12-001 to determine whether Southern Honda Powersports (Southern Honda) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, had complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a motor vehicle or equipment manufacturer notify its dealers of defects…

NHTSA #AQ12001 · opened May 2012 · closed May 2013

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 21

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 21.

Dealer Message - Honda has sourced a new supplier for the 2009 ~ 2017 GL1800 Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). The new TPMS supplier parts are not compatible (will not communicate) with the original equipment parts. Therefore, if the original TPMS sensor…

Bulletin MCPSP08192024901 · Wheels · Aug 2024

Service Bulletin - Honda has sourced a new supplier for the 2009 ~ 2017 GL1800 Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). The new TPMS supplier parts are not compatible (will not communicate) with the original equipment parts. Therefore, if the original TPMS sens…

Bulletin GL1800 #24 - August 2024 · Wheels · Aug 2024

Service Bulletin - Honda has sourced a new supplier for the 2009 ~ 2017 GL1800 Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). The new TPMS supplier parts are not compatible (will not communicate) with the original equipment parts. Therefore, if the original TPMS sens…

Bulletin GL1800 #26 - July 2024 · Electrical System · Jul 2024

Service Bulletin - Honda has sourced a new supplier for the 2009 ~ 2017 GL1800 Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). The new TPMS supplier parts are not compatible (will not communicate) with the original equipment parts. Therefore, if the original TPMS sens…

Bulletin MCGL1800 - #28 - June 202 · Wheels · Jun 2024

Dealer Mesage - Honda has sourced a new supplier for the 2009 ~ 2017 GL1800 Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). The new TPMS supplier parts are not compatible (will not communicate) with the original equipment parts. Therefore, if the original TPMS sensor/…

Bulletin MCMSN06112024 · Wheels · Jun 2024

Service Bulletin - Honda has sourced a new supplier for the 2009 ~ 2017 GL1800 Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). The new TPMS supplier parts are not compatible (will not communicate) with the original equipment parts. Therefore, if the original TPMS sens…

Bulletin GL1800 #2 Nov23 · Electrical System · Nov 2023

"DEALER MESSAGE - ON DECEMBER 11, SEVERAL SECTIONS OF S/B GL1800 #23 WERE REVISED TO INCLUDE INFORMATION FOR THE REPAIR OF TRIKE COVERSIONS."

Bulletin GL1800 NO. 23 · Equipment · Dec 2015

"SERVICE BULLETIN - HONDA IS LAUNCHING A SAFETY RECALL OF 2012-2015 GL1800/A AND 2013-2015 GL1800B/BD MOTORCYCLES, AND IS IMPLEMENTING A RECALL REMEDY FOR 2001-2010 AND 2012 GL1800/A MOTORCYCLES ALREADY SUBJECT TO SAFETY RECALL “JG6”. HONDA HAS DETERMINED THAT…

Bulletin GL1800 SECONDARY · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2015

NEWSLETTER - THE REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR THE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER (SMC) RECALL IS VERY INVOLVED, SO MAKE SURE TO READ THROUGH THE ENTIRE BULLETIN BEFORE HAND SO YOU CAN VISUALIZE THE PROCEDURES BEFORE YOU START. NOT ONLY WILL YOU BE INSTALLING AN UPDATED SMC…

Bulletin MC - THE WRENCH · Equipment, Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2015

"DEALER MESSAGE - EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY THE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER (SMC) KITS FOR THIS RECALL ARE AVAILABLE ON OPEN ORDER. AS INDICATED IN S/B GL1800 #23 AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS ABOUT THIS RECALL, IT IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL THAT ONLY PRO HONDA DOT 4 BRAKE F…

Bulletin DLR MSG - MC - S · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2015

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the GL1800. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 4

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2012 Honda GL1800. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Airbag

On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger frontal airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. As a result, if the vehicle were involved in a collision that warrants airbag deployment, fragments could b…

Transport Canada #2018001 · Jan 2018

Brakes

On certain motorcycles, the combined brake system's secondary master cylinder may cause the rear brakes to drag. Continued riding with the rear brake engaged/dragging may generate enough heat to cause the rear brake to catch fire. These issues could result in injury and/or property damage. Unexpected braking may also adversely affect vehicle stability, which could result in a c…

Transport Canada #2015488 · Oct 2015

Brakes

On certain motorcycles, the combined brake system’s secondary master cylinder may cause the rear brakes to drag. Unexpected braking may adversely affect vehicle stability, which could result in a crash. As well, continued riding with the rear brake engaged/dragging may generate enough heat to cause the rear brake to catch fire. These issues could result in property damage and/o…

Transport Canada #2014326 · Aug 2014

Brakes

On certain motorcycles, the combined brake system’s secondary master cylinder may cause the rear brakes to drag. Unexpected braking may adversely affect vehicle stability, which could result in a crash. As well, continued riding with the rear brake engaged/dragging may generate enough heat to cause the rear brake to catch fire. These issues could result in property damage and/o…

Transport Canada #2011420 · Dec 2011

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

2012 Honda GL1800 vehicles on record

Other Honda GL1800 model years

2012 Honda GL1800 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Honda GL1800 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2012 Honda GL1800. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Honda GL1800?

Across all 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are fuel/propulsion system, engine, power train.

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.