The vehicle dossier US · 2003
2003 Honda
GL1800Problems & recalls
101 distinct owner reports in the NHTSA snapshot. Body & structure appears in 54 of them. Explore what was reported—and which official actions are on file.
01 / Owner-reported evidence
What owners reported.
Categories attached to 101 distinct reports. A report can mention more than one component, so category totals can overlap.
See original component labels
These are reports made to NHTSA, not verified diagnoses. More reports can reflect more vehicles, more time on the road, or greater reporting activity.
The reporting timeline
When reports arrived.
Reports by year filed, not by the year a problem occurred. Showing the latest 15 years with reports.
11,750 miles is the median among 52 reports with usable mileage. The middle half spans 4,000–37,343 miles.
This describes the submitted reports. It does not predict when a vehicle will fail.
02 / Official safety campaigns
7 recall campaigns on file.
A campaign can cover only certain production dates or configurations. The count does not tell you whether an individual car has an open recall.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDERCampaign 15V700000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: JV6
Read campaign 15V700000 at NHTSAEQUIPMENTCampaign 11E054000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Read campaign 11E054000 at NHTSASERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDERCampaign 11V567000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: S03
Read campaign 11V567000 at NHTSASTRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERSCampaign 05V027000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: P66
Read campaign 05V027000 at NHTSASERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCampaign 05V010000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: P65
Read campaign 05V010000 at NHTSASTRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDSCampaign 03V350000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REINFORCE THE WELDS ON ALL FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DURING OCTOBER 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-866-784-1870.
Read campaign 03V350000 at NHTSAFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPCampaign 02V340000
Reported concern
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE BANK ANGLE SENSORS DESIGNED TO SHUT OFF THE FUEL PUMP AND THE ENGINE ELECTRICAL POWER IN THE EVENT THE MOTORCYCLE FALLS OVER, WERE INSTALLED USING THE WRONG SIZE SCREWS ALLOWING THE SCREWS TO EVENTUALLY DETACH FROM THEIR MOUNTING POINT.
Manufacturer’s stated response
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MOUNTING SCREW SIZE AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL SCREWS OF THE CORRECT SIZE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 23, 2002. 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 1-800-289-8226.
Read campaign 02V340000 at NHTSA03 / The manufacturer’s record
Instructions. Updates. Responses.
52 distinct communications list this model-year. Showing the latest 12. A matching model-year does not establish that every engine, trim or reported symptom is covered.
GL1800 NO. 23"DEALER MESSAGE - ON DECEMBER 11, SEVERAL SECTIONS OF S/B GL1800 #23 WERE REVISED TO INCLUDE INFORMATION FOR THE REPAIR OF TRIKE COVERSIONS."NHTSA ID 10099488
"DEALER MESSAGE - ON DECEMBER 11, SEVERAL SECTIONS OF S/B GL1800 #23 WERE REVISED TO INCLUDE INFORMATION FOR THE REPAIR OF TRIKE COVERSIONS."
Components: EQUIPMENT. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10099488 at NHTSAGL1800 SECONDARY"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…NHTSA ID 10099350
"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 UNDER CONDITIONS WHERE THE BRAKE FLUID IS SUBJECT TO PROLONGED AGING DUE TO A LACK OF MAINTENANCE (I.E., THE BRAKE FLUID IS NOT REPLACED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME DESPITE THE PUBLISHED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE OF REPLACEMENT EVERY 12,000 MILES OR TWO YEARS, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST), DEPOSITS MAY FORM WITHIN THE BRAKE FLUID. IF SUFFICIENT DEPOSITS ARE FORMED, THEY CAN RESULT IN A MALFUNCTION OF THE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE TO DRAG."
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10099350 at NHTSAMC - THE WRENCHNEWSLETTER - 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…NHTSA ID 10099957
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 AND A NEW REAR MASTER CYLINDER, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO CAREFULLY FOLLOW EACH STEP IN EXACT ORDER SO THAT THE PEDAL BRAKE LINE IS COMPLETELY FLUSHED OF ANY CONTAMINANTS.
Components: EQUIPMENT · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10099957 at NHTSADLR MSG - MC - S"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 …NHTSA ID 10099874
"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 FLUID BE USED DURING THE REPAIR PROCEDURE. TO HELP ENSURE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF BRAKE FLUID IS AVAILABLE FOR RECALL REPAIRS, AN ADDITIONAL ALLOCATION OF PRO HONDA DOT 4 BRAKE FLUID WILL BE SHIPPED TO DEALERS. THE ALLOCATION IS BASED ON YOUR DEALERSHIPS PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED GL1800 SMC RECALL WARRANTY CLAIMS."
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10099874 at NHTSASERVICE BULLETINSERVICE BULLETIN - HONDA IS LAUNCHING A SAFETY RECALL OF 2012-2015 GL1800/A AND 2013-2015 GL1800/B/BD MOTORCYCLES, AND IS IMPLEMENTING A RECALL REMEDY FOR 2001-2010 AND 2012 GL 1800/A MOTORCYCLES ALREADY SUBJECT TO SAFETY RECAL…NHTSA ID 10100549
SERVICE BULLETIN - HONDA IS LAUNCHING A SAFETY RECALL OF 2012-2015 GL1800/A AND 2013-2015 GL1800/B/BD MOTORCYCLES, AND IS IMPLEMENTING A RECALL REMEDY FOR 2001-2010 AND 2012 GL 1800/A MOTORCYCLES ALREADY SUBJECT TO SAFETY RECALL "JG6". HONDA HAS DETERMINED THAT UNDER CONDITIONS WHERE THE BRAKE FLUID IS SUBJECT TO PROLONGED AGING DUE TO A LACK OF MAINTENANCE, DEPOSITS MAY FORM WITHIN THE BRAKE FLUID.
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10100549 at NHTSADLR MSG - MC - S"DEALER MESSAGE - THE SERVICE BULLETIN IN SUPPORT OF THE SAFETY RECALL OF 2001-2015 GL1800/A AND GL1800B/BD MOTORCYCLES FOR A POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER IS POSTED ON IN. SERVICEBULLETIN SAFETY RECALL: GL180…NHTSA ID 10100546
"DEALER MESSAGE - THE SERVICE BULLETIN IN SUPPORT OF THE SAFETY RECALL OF 2001-2015 GL1800/A AND GL1800B/BD MOTORCYCLES FOR A POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER IS POSTED ON IN. SERVICEBULLETIN SAFETY RECALL: GL1800 #23 INCLUDES THE AFFECTED MODELS, REPAIR PROCEDURE, PARTS INFORMATION, AS WELL AS WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION."
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10100546 at NHTSAINTERIM SERVICESERVICE BULLETIN - HONDA IS LAUNCHING A SAFETY RECALL OF 2001-2015 GL1800/A AND GL1800B/BD MOTORCYCLES. HONDA HAS DETERMINED THAT UNDER CONDITIONS WHERE THE BRAKE FLUID IS NOT REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (EVE…NHTSA ID 10100792
SERVICE BULLETIN - HONDA IS LAUNCHING A SAFETY RECALL OF 2001-2015 GL1800/A AND GL1800B/BD MOTORCYCLES. HONDA HAS DETERMINED THAT UNDER CONDITIONS WHERE THE BRAKE FLUID IS NOT REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (EVERY 12,000 MILES OR TWO YEARS, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST), SOLID DEPOSITS MAY FORM WITHIN THE BRAKE FLUID, LEADING TO COMPONENT MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE TO DRAG.
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10100792 at NHTSADLR MSG - MC - S"HONDA IS LAUNCHING A SAFETY RECALL ON MODEL YEAR 2001 THROUGH 2015 GL1800/A AND GL1800B/BD MOTORCYCLES TO REPLACE A POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER. UNDER CONDITIONS WHERE THE BRAKE FLUID IS NOT REPLACED ACCORD…NHTSA ID 10100782
"HONDA IS LAUNCHING A SAFETY RECALL ON MODEL YEAR 2001 THROUGH 2015 GL1800/A AND GL1800B/BD MOTORCYCLES TO REPLACE A POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER. UNDER CONDITIONS WHERE THE BRAKE FLUID IS NOT REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE, DEPOSITS MAY FORM WITHIN THE BRAKE FLUID, LEADING TO COMPONENT MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SECONDARY MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE TO DRAG. A DRAGGING REAR BRAKE INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH AND MAY GENERATE ENOUGH HEAT TO CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE TO CATCH FIRE."
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10100782 at NHTSADLR MSG - MC - SDealer message - Honda has determined that, in some cases, the secondary master cylinder repair campaign conducted since 2011 (S/B GL1800 #20) was not sufficient to prevent the rear brake from draggingNHTSA ID 10127659
Dealer message - Honda has determined that, in some cases, the secondary master cylinder repair campaign conducted since 2011 (S/B GL1800 #20) was not sufficient to prevent the rear brake from dragging
Components: SERVICE BRAKES. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10127659 at NHTSAMC - SB - SafetyService bulletin - Honda has determined that, in some cases, the secondary master cylinder repair campaign conducted since 2011 (S/B GL1800 #20) was not sufficient to prevent the rear brake from dragging. Under certain conditio…NHTSA ID 10127662
Service bulletin - Honda has determined that, in some cases, the secondary master cylinder repair campaign conducted since 2011 (S/B GL1800 #20) was not sufficient to prevent the rear brake from dragging. Under certain conditions there is still a possibility that component malfunction within the combined braking system may cause the rear brake to drag. A dragging rear brake increases the risk of a crash and may generate enough heat to cause the rear brake to catch fire.
Components: SERVICE BRAKES. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10127662 at NHTSADLR MSG - HondaDealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of August 4, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and VIN status inquiry has been updated.NHTSA ID 10128531
Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of August 4, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and VIN status inquiry has been updated.
Components: AIR BAGS. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10128531 at NHTSADLR MSG - Stop SDealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of July 23, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and service bulletins 14-040, Safety Recall: Accord, C…NHTSA ID 10128559
Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of July 23, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and service bulletins 14-040, Safety Recall: Accord, Civic, and Others ? Front Passenger?s Airbag Inflator Can Be Over-Pressurized, 14-045, Recall: Front Driver?s Airbag Inflator May Produce Excessive Pressure After Long-Term Exposure to High Absolute Humidity Recall, and 14-046, Recall: Front Passenger?s Airbag Inflator May Produce Excessive Pressure After Long-Term Exposure to High Absolute Humidity have been posted to ISIS. However, due to the large number of affected units, American Honda is still in the process of populating the VIN status inquiry function on iN, which is expected to take several days. When this process is complete, American Honda will notify all dealers again via iN message. Until that time, the existing acknowledgement procedure must be used for all potentially affected vehicles.
Components: AIR BAGS. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10128559 at NHTSARecords below contain the NHTSA bulk summary unless a document-reviewed explainer is linked. A service bulletin is not a safety recall or a promise of a free repair. Records may be revised or superseded; verify the current document with the manufacturer.
04 / Agency investigations
Official inquiries.
An investigation is an inquiry into a potential concern. Its presence does not establish a defect, and a closed case does not certify a car’s condition.
Southern Honda PowersportsAQ12001
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 related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with federal motor vehicle safety standards.In turn, a dealer may not sell and deliver a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed.(see 49 U.S.C. 30120(i); 49 C.F.R. 573.11)NHTSA issued an information request to Southern Honda on May 14, 2012 to which they responded on July 6, 2012.NHTSA?s inquiry led it to believe that Southern Honda had failed to complete the requirements of five recalls that required inspections and/or repairs of motorcycles prior to their sale or delivery.NHTSA believes that 329 motorcycles affected by recalls had not been inspected and/or repaired prior to their sale and delivery between 2007 and 2012.The agency is unaware of any deaths or injuries involving these vehicles.NHTSA concluded that it had a potential civil penalty claim against Southern Honda for violations of the Safety Act.Southern Honda denied any violations of the Safety Act.In order to settle this matter, Southern Honda agreed to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $125,000, to be paid in five annual installments.This AQ is closed.
Recorded closure: May 13, 2013
Find investigation AQ12001FRAME CROSSMEMEBER WELD FAILURESRQ04009
HONDA IS AMENDING THE SCOPE OF 03V-350 TO ADD 34,919 POTENTIALLY AFFECTED GL1800 GOLD WING MOTORCYCLES.THE INITIAL RECALL RANGE INCLUDED FRAMES MANUFACTURED WITH ONE OF A NUMBER OF WELDING PROCESSES.HONDA BELIEVED, ON THE BASIS OF DATA AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME, THAT ONLY THOSE GL'S BUILT WITH THAT ONE PROCESS WERE AT RISK OF FAILURE.WITH THE ORIGINAL RECALL (IN SEPTEMBER, 2003), HONDA INTRODUCED YET ANOTHER WELD PROCESS.SUBSEQUENTLY, HONDA BECAME AWARE OF INCIDENTS INVOLVING GL'S NOT INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL, BUILT USING ANOTHER EARLY WELDING PROCESS.THUS, HONDA HAS DECIDED TO RECALL ALL GL1800'S BUILT PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 20, 2003 REGARDLESS OF WHAT WELD PROCESS WAS BEING USED AT THE TIME.THIS RECALL EXPANSION AFFECTS THE 2001, 2002, 2003 AND 2004 MODEL YEARS AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AFFECTED U.S. GL1800 MOTORCYCLES INCREASES FROM 8,196 TO 43,115.
Recorded closure: Feb 2, 2005
Campaign reference in the source: 05V027000
Find investigation RQ04009REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSEPE03039
THE SUBJECT MOTORCYCLES, INTRODUCED WITH THE 2001 MODEL YEAR, UTILIZE AN ALUMINUM FRAME INDIVIDUALLY WELDED BY HONDA EMPLOYEES IN THE COMPANY?S MARYSVILLE, OHIO ASSEMBLY PLANT.NHTSA/ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER LEARNING THAT SOME 2002 MODEL YEAR GL1800?S WERE EXPERIENCING REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE WHEN THE LOWEST CROSSMEMBER WOULD COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME.IT APPEARED THE CROSSMEMBER WAS SEPARATING DUE TO SUB-STANDARD WELDING OF THE CROSSMEMBER TO THE FRAME. ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2003 HONDA BRIEFED ODI STAFF AND ADVISED THAT THE SUBJECT WELD FAILURES RESULTED FROM A COMBINATION OF PRODUCTION LINE CHANGES THAT TOOK EFFECT ON MARCH 1, 2002.THESE CHANGES WERE:1) FEW, IF ANY, REINFORCING TIG WELDS APPLIED TO THE CROSSMEMBER MIG WELDS; 2) A RELATIVELY INEXPERIENCED WELDER BEGAN WELDING FRAMES AS OF THAT DATE; AND 3) A LESS ROBUST WELD QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTION WAS INTRODUCED.EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 11, 2002 HONDA ADDRESSED THESE ASSEMBLY LINE ISSUES.ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2003 HONDA ADVISED NHTSA/ODI THAT IT WAS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL OF ALL MYR 2002/2003 GL1800?S BUILT FROM MARCH 1, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10, 2002.THIS IS A WORLDWIDERECALL INVOLVING 9,521 MOTORCYCLES, OF WHICH 8,196 ARE IN THE UNITED STATES.FOR MORE INFORMATION CONCERNING BOTH HONDA?S SEPTEMBER 4TH BRIEFING AND THE RECALL, PLEASE REFER TO NHTSA?S OCTOBER 2, 2003 MEMO.BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY HONDA CONCERNING THE PRODUCTION LINE CHANGES; THE FIELD PERFORMANCE OF ALL 2001-2003 GL1800?S; AND NHTSA?S INDEPENDENT INFORMATION GATHERING ACTIVITIES; THE SCOPE OF HONDA?S RECALL APPEARS JUSTIFIED.ODI WILL CLOSELY MONITOR SUBJECT CROSSMEMBER WELD INTEGRITY FOR BIKES BUILT OUTSIDE THE RECALL SCOPE, AS WELL AS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HONDA?S RECALL REMEDY FOR THOSE BIKES WITHIN IT, AND WILL TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION IF WARRANTED BY FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS.
Recorded closure: Oct 10, 2003
Campaign reference in the source: 03V350000
Find investigation PE03039MOTORCYCLE COOLANT SPRAY ONTO REAR TIREPE02077
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