2008 Honda Gl1800: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2008 Honda Gl1800
On the 2008 Honda Gl1800, the failure owners report most often is other steering problem, and the reports cluster around 5,000 miles. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 7,500 miles. Overall it scores 79 out of 100, severe risk for a 2008.
Severe risk for a 2008 — 18th riskiest of the 356 2008 vehicles we can rate. 60 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
What breaks on the 2008 Honda Gl1800
Owners have reported 20 named failure modes on the 2008 Honda Gl1800, and the three most-reported carry 37% of everything filed.
Other steering problem leads with 8 reports, about 0.7 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 3k to 10,000 miles.
Other powertrain problem follows with 7 reports, median 20,000 miles.
Other wheel or tire problem follows with 7 reports, median 20,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into brakes (10), steering (8) and transmission (8).
When these failures get reported
47 of the reports on the 2008 Honda Gl1800 came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 7,500 miles.
Cumulatively, 91% by 50,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 60% of the dated reports.
83% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 20. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
Severity, and what it costs
Across the named modes, 8 mention a crash, 7 an injury and 1 a fatality. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 6.12, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other steering problem at $350–$2,400, other powertrain problem at $400–$4,500, other wheel or tire problem at $200–$1,500 and other suspension problem at $350–$2,000. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
20% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other steering problem | steering | 8 | 8 | 3k | 7k | 9k | 0.7 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 7 | 7 | — | 20k | — | 0.6 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 7 | 6 | — | 22k | — | 0.6 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 6 | 6 | — | 2k | — | 0.5 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 5 | 2 | — | 31k | — | 0.4 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 4 | 4 | — | 676 | — | 0.3 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure | electrical | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.3 | $250–$1,500 | High |
| Master cylinder or brake booster failure | brakes | 3 | 2 | — | 21k | — | 0.3 | $450–$2,200 | Critical |
| Other lighting problem | lighting | 3 | 3 | — | 100 | — | 0.3 | $120–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Stalling while driving | engine | 2 | 2 | — | 17k | — | 0.2 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure | fuel | 2 | 2 | — | 24k | — | 0.2 | $250–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Airbag inflator rupture | airbag | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $0–$0 | Critical |
| Radiator or coolant leak | cooling | 1 | 1 | — | 4k | — | 0.1 | $350–$1,900 | High |
| Complete transmission failure | transmission | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $2,800–$8,000 | Critical |
| Loss of braking | brakes | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $400–$3,000 | Critical |
| Brake line, hose or caliper failure | brakes | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,600 | Critical |
| Other engine problem | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 63k | — | 0.1 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 1 | 1 | — | 60 | — | 0.1 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 1 | 1 | — | 27k | — | 0.1 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 1 | 1 | — | 60 | — | 0.1 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2008 Honda Gl1800 draws about 5.2 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 83rd percentile of complaint rates among 2008 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 11,454 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2008 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Other steering problem
In may 2008 I purchased a new honda goldwing. At approximately 3000 miles. I noticed that the right front fork seal was leaking and the tires were wearing abnormally. Specifically, the tires both front and rear were cupping or scalloping and started making excessive road noise or "howling". During the next 4000 miles the tire abnormalities became more pronounced to the point that the vehicle developed a "shimmy" or "wobble" at certain speeds and throttle position in addition to feeling unsafe on any surface other than dry smooth pavement. The "unsafe feeling" can best be described as driving on ice and occurs on any uneven surface such as rain grooves, tar strips, bumpy highways and whenever moisture is present on the road. Upon completion of a 7000 mile trip on the vehicle, I returned it to the purchasing dealer with the above complaint. The dealer told me that the front fork seal was "blown out" and honda considers fork seals a "normal wear item" even though the vehicle only has 7,000 miles and the problem started at 3,000 miles, less than 45 days after purchase. Honda says the tire issue is not covered under warranty and is…
2008 gl1800 gold wing. Delivered with misalignment between front and rear tires motorcycle pulls to the right and will not track straight. District service manager confirms pull and indicates, verbally, that all pull and the subject vehicle pulls more than most. Motorcycle was delivered brand new in this condition and has never been ridden off road, crashed, laid down or other otherwise operated in a fashion inconsistent with the intended purpose. Dealer has performed absolutely no service other than to test drive. District service manager test drives and confirms that it pulls but will not repair. Honda motor corporation refuses, to date, to attempt to repair. *tr
Other powertrain problem
My 2008 honda goldwing motorcycle experienced a bent shift fork in the transmission at 4,600 miles. This issue has been happening to a large number of late model honda goldwing motorcycles. This issue is very dangerous as it could result in total failure at highway speeds. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 honda gold wing. The contact was driving 60 MPH when the vehicle suddenly began downshifting. The contact stated that the failure recurred once shifted into fifth gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and they stated that there was nothing they could do to assist. The contact was concerned with the possibility of a crash and stated that the vehicle was unsafe. The failure mileage was 17,000.
Other wheel or tire problem
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 honda goldwing motorcycle. When driving between 30 MPH and the handle bars began to shake. He was also told by the dealer that it was normal and that the tires might be the cause of the failure. The first dealer also told him that they had two other owners that week with the same problem. None of the tire information was available. The current mileage was 800 and the failure mileage was 1.
In may 2008 I purchased a new honda goldwing. At approximately 3000 miles. I noticed that the right front fork seal was leaking and the tires were wearing abnormally. Specifically, the tires both front and rear were cupping or scalloping and started making excessive road noise or "howling". During the next 4000 miles the tire abnormalities became more pronounced to the point that the vehicle developed a "shimmy" or "wobble" at certain speeds and throttle position in addition to feeling unsafe on any surface other than dry smooth pavement. The "unsafe feeling" can best be described as driving on ice and occurs on any uneven surface such as rain grooves, tar strips, bumpy highways and whenever moisture is present on the road. Upon completion of a 7000 mile trip on the vehicle, I returned it to the purchasing dealer with the above complaint. The dealer told me that the front fork seal was "blown out" and honda considers fork seals a "normal wear item" even though the vehicle only has 7,000 miles and the problem started at 3,000 miles, less than 45 days after purchase. Honda says the tire issue is not covered under warranty and is…
Recalls on the 2008 model year
NHTSA has issued 5 recall campaigns covering the 2008 Honda Gl1800, affecting an estimated 19,390 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module, air bags, service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylin and equipment. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
882 vehicles 2017-01-10- Defect
- 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 recalling certain 2006-2009 Honda GL1800 (Goldwing) motorcycles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois…
- Consequence
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the operator resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- 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.
AIR BAGS
2,701 vehicles 2016-05-24- Defect
- Honda (American Honda Motor, Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Honda GL1800 (Gold Wing) motorcycles manufactured February 8, 2006, to May 14, 2009 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, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 Honda GL 1800 (Gold Wing) motorcycles manufactured May 10, 2007, to…
- Consequence
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the rider resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag module containing the inflator, free of charge. Honda distributed an interim notification to owners on July 19, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KA8.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
145,219 vehicles 2015-10-23- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
EQUIPMENT
7,446 vehicles 2011-12-12- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- The passenger floorboard may separate from the vehicle, possibly resulting in injury or a crash.
- Remedy
- 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
126,000 vehicles 2011-12-01- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2008 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
Better and worse years of the same car
Severe risk for a 2008 — 18th riskiest of the 356 2008 vehicles we can rate. Because the ranking is against the same model year only, age cancels out of it.
Across the 11 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2006 comes out best at 69 and 2018 worst at 82, with 2008 itself at 79.
If the model year is negotiable, 2006, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2013 and 2001 score lower than 2008 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2004–2009 generation specifically, 2006 is the strongest year at 69 and 2008 the weakest at 79.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2004-2009 generation, 2006 Honda Gl1800 scores best at 69 and 2008 Honda Gl1800 worst at 79.
What to look at before buying one
The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: other steering problem from about 3k.
On a 2008 Honda Gl1800 with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether other steering problem has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.
None of this is a diagnosis. It is a list of what other owners of the same model year reported, ordered by when they reported it, which is a good place to point an inspection and a poor place to stop.
Where these figures stop being useful
60 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 60 reports, 47 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 78% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Honda Gl1800?
The most-reported failures are other steering problem (8 reports, median 5,000 miles), other powertrain problem (7 reports, median 20,000 miles) and other wheel or tire problem (7 reports, median 20,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
At what mileage do 2008 Honda Gl1800 problems start?
Other steering problem is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 5,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 5,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 7,500 miles.
Is the 2008 Honda Gl1800 reliable?
It scores 79 out of 100 on our risk index, which is severe — 18th riskiest of the 356 2008 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2008 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Honda Gl1800 is best?
Within the 2004–2009 generation, 2006 scores best at 69 out of 100 and 2008 worst at 79. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed