NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
This page covers 4 recalls and 31 owner complaints for the 2012 Honda Gl1800.
The dominant pattern in 2012 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing complaints centers on throttle response and fuel delivery. Owners across multiple reports describe a hesitation or stumble when rolling on the throttle, particularly at low speeds, from a stop, or during slow-speed turns. The typical sequence owners describe: throttle input produces little or no response, then power returns abruptly, causing the bike to surge or lunge forward. Several owners report this happening when pulling into traffic or navigating turns, where unpredictable power delivery is especially consequential on a heavy motorcycle. Cold starts and hot restarts appear to make the hesitation worse, though owners report the stumble can occur at any engine temperature. Engine complaints follow a similar thread, with stuttering and near-stall behavior described under the same low-speed, low-throttle conditions. The surge-after-hesitation pattern, where overcompensating with more throttle meets a delayed power delivery, is the most consistently described symptom across these complaints.
31
Total Complaints
By System
The 2012 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing has 4 recalls, the most serious being a defective airbag inflator that can rupture or explode and send metal fragments into the rider, with a risk of serious injury or death.
The airbag concern applies to certain vehicles and stems from inflator propellant that degrades over time when exposed to heat and humidity, making the inflator increasingly likely to burst violently rather than deploy safely. Because this risk is tied to high-humidity environments, one filing specifically covers motorcycles sold or registered in warm, humid states and territories including Florida, Texas, Hawaii, and several others along the Gulf Coast and in the Pacific.
The remaining two recalls both involve the rear brake dragging after the rider releases the brake lever. In this condition, the rear brake stays partially engaged on its own, which can cause unexpected deceleration and raise the risk of a crash. Beyond the handling risk, a brake that drags continuously builds up significant heat, and extended riding in that condition can generate enough heat to start a fire at the rear brake. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve this issue, which is why it appears across more than one recall campaign.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the air bag module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front air bag inflators may rupture during a crash due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the air bag module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear brakes may continue to drag even after you release the brake pedal, affecting stopping performance and control.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the secondary and rear brake master cylinders and flush the brake fluid at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The secondary master cylinder in the combined braking system may cause the rear brake to drag under certain conditions.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the secondary master cylinder and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.