Recalls

CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS
05V027000HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)from 09/11/2002 to 06/24/2003V (Vehicle)3491902/09/2005ODIHONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)01/31/200502/01/2005
Defect SummaryOn 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.
Consequence SummaryThe welded area could break, resulting in rear suspension collapse or lower cross member separation, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesHonda recall no. p66.customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS - UNDERBODY SHIELDS
03V350000AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.from 03/01/2002 to 09/10/2002V (Vehicle)819610/03/2003ODIHONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)09/26/200309/30/2003
Defect SummaryOn 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.
Consequence SummaryThe welded area could break, resulting in rear suspension collapse or lower cross member separation, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective SummaryDealers will inspect and reinforce the welds on all frames. owner notification began during october 2003. owners should contact honda at 1-866-784-1870.
NotesCustomers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration

Bulletins

BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
STRUCTURE
0601200506/01/200510018123Frame welding tip - to ease fuel tank installation into the frame, apply a light coating of silicone spray to the sides and bottom right of the tank. *nm12/15/2005
STRUCTURE - BODY
03010303/01/200310001819Wind screen mechanism. *tt07/21/2003
STRUCTURE - BODY - TRUNK LID
04010304/01/200310003212Slip tape for trunk. *tt10/10/2003
01080208/01/2002636776Subuect regarding trunk lid dimples. *tt11/13/2002
STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS
TSB-03V35003/01/200910030268Honda motorcycle: frame weld safety recall. requires inspection or repair of lower cross member frame welds. the frame weld approval and documentation process is being changed by the manufacturer. *pe09/16/2009
0501200505/01/200510016289Frame welding tips. *tt09/06/2005
1802/01/200510015342Frame weld safety recall. certain frame welds may not have sufficient strength resulting in lower cross member separation and rear suspension collapse. *tt07/14/2005
0101200401/01/200410009064Frame weld tips and information. honda. the wrench special edition. *tt09/09/2004
051611/01/200310005352Frame weld inspection chart. revised. *tt02/23/2004

Investigations

NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS
RQ04009HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)09/21/200402/02/2005FRAME CROSSMEMEBER WELD FAILURES05V027000
 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.
PE03039HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)08/11/200310/10/2003REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE03V350000
 The subject motorcycles, introduced with the 2001 model year, utilize an aluminum frame individually welded by honda employees in the company

Consumer Complaints

Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
STRUCTURE
02/01/20068153104/12/2003
 I own a honda motorcycle, goldwing 1800, with 8,153 miles on it. prior to today's date 1 feb 06, i noticed that the inside of the trunk lid was being worn away, the inside of the trunk lid is sustaining noticeable indentations where this wearing away is occurring, by plastic tips on the outside of the trunk edge, which were also being worn away. if this continues there will be a hole in the trunk lid where this wearing is occurring. the honda dealership insists that this is normal wear and tear. i do not understand how a factory part that is destroying another factory part, body panels, can be considered wear and tear. *nm
STRUCTURE - BODY - TRUNK LID
07/20/20032000108/22/2002
 Trunk wear that may create a hazard to other drivers. *ak
STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS
07/01/2008452001
 The frame in my 2003 honda gold wing has cracked. the bike has been ridden normally two up most of the time and has never been in a accident. the 2003 honda gold wing has only 45,000 miles or so. this motorcycle was already involved in a safely frame recall ordered by the government in late 2003. this frame crack is in a spot on the motorcycles frame that requires that you lay under the bike to inspect. it's very tight and hard to view without a magnifying glass and good light source. this defect will be missed by most owners unless you have some knowledge about this possible frame defect. left alone it's only a matter of time and miles before this crack will spread around the entire frame tube and cause separation of the frame member. there have been many reports of this type of frame failure on the honda gold wing message boards on the internet. *tr
04/20/2008466221
 The frame on my 2003 honda goldwing cracked april of 2008. the frame tubing broke completely on the left side, and the tubing on the right side was cracked 3/4 of the way around. i had a trike kit on the bike, and at first thought was the problem but after checking around, i found this has happened before to other bikes. so anyway the frame was replaced, and upon inspecting the new frame i found a nice good size gusset on the tube that was broken on my original frame. i also notice the part number of the frame had been changed from the original part number. i have pictures of both frames. *tr
03/04/2005104/06/2004
 Dt: the consumer received a recall notice in early march for his 2003 honda goldwing. after contacting the service dealer and manufacturer the repair work was not done. the vehicle had to be inspected before it could be fixed, that took three weeks. then they had to wait for the parts, and were currently waiting on honda to accept the new welds. honda has to accept the new welds before the motorcycle can be reassembled. *ak recall campaign# 05v027000. *sc *jb
07/15/20041
 Concerns regarding 2002 gl1800 frame inspection showed unusual weld patterns but no cracks.***no answer required***. *mr the consumer rented a 2003 gl1800 and when he crossed a railroad track at 35 mph, the frame immediately collapsed, the bike veered into the oncoming lane. the consumer managed to keep the bike upright and finally pulled over. the vehicle was towed and the service dealer checked the vehicle identification number, however it was not on the recall list. the consumer wants the manufacturer to replace his own personal bike with a bike of equal value or a full refund. *jb
02/22/2005301/01/2003
 Nhtsa recalls 04v010000 concerning combined brake system leak/ 05v027000 concerning frame cracks, and 03v350000 regarding frame welds. dealer refused to honor the recalls because the vehicle was not purchased at that particular dealership. *ak consumer has had 5 recalls on this bike over the last 2 years. *bf *nm
10/11/2003610108/23/2003
 Consumer had problem getting frame weld recall performed. *ph the vehicle was sent to several repair facilities but has not been repaired yet. *nm
04/11/20041
 Several incidents of frames cracking not included in existing recall. new cracks are not a result of weak welds but actual frames cracking. i am concerned that these are being overlooked as a result of current recall for different area of the bike.*jb
10/20/2003102/10/2003
 Honda gl 1800 goldwing motorcycle frame recall: upon receipt of recall notification, personal inspection revealed severe cracks on both ends of cross member involved in recall. motorcycle was then brought to a dealer to evaluate defect. *la
10/18/200316675108/17/2002
 Frame cracked at the welds on my 2003 gl1800 goldwing. honda dealer, & rep. are trying to decide what they'll do. vin.#1hfsc47063a201855. *la
10/09/2003110/26/2002
 I have a 2003 honda goldwing gl1800 motorcycle with abs, vin number 1hfsc47473a200474. on 9/6/03 i took the motorcycle to my dealer, hinshaw's motorcycle store, 1611 west valley hwy, auburn, wa 98001, for service. on 9/9/03 i received a message from the service manager at hinshaw's. when i returned his call on 9/10/03 i was told that my motorcycle was an affected unit in a recall by the manufacturer for a crack in a cross member of the frame. i went to the dealer on 9/10/03 and looked at the frame and took several photos of the crack. i was told by a member of the service department that a meeting was held with a honda representative concerning my motorcycle. i was shown the repair that would have been made to the frame under the terms of the recall had there been no crack but that no determination had yet been made as to what would be done with my motorcycle. on 9/13/03 i was told that the motorcycle would be shipped to honda's manufacturing plant in marysville, ohio, the next morning. the service manager said that as far as he knew the frame would either be replaced or placed in a jig for rewelding. i have not heard from a representative of honda, as yet, concerning this matter nor have i given any authorization that i am aware of for these so-called repairs to be made. i have doubts about the quality of any repairs that may be made to the frame of this vehicle and wonder what other options are available in this matter. i've heard that some goldwing owners received new replacement motorcycles, others have had just the frames replaces, and still others have had nothing done by honda because their vin numbers were outside the range stated by the manufacturer even though the same signs of cracking/failure in the frame were evident. my confidence in the quality of this vehicle, and in the customer service of the manufacturer (honda) to this point, has severely diminished. i hope that a satisfactory resolution can and will be achieved. *la
10/11/2003108/29/2002
 I own a honda gl1800 and i received a letter from honda america in reference to possible cracks in my gl1800 frame. i contacted my dealer (rick case) and the service writer informed me that they were going to employ a customers machine shop to weld my frame and that they will need my bike for an extended period of time. this is not satisfactory solution to me because i feel if the welds are cracking in the first place there must be a problem with the metal of the frame.i would like to know what nhtsa findings or suggestions are and who will certify the welder or the process to which the repairs are made? do i have an option to refuse repair and expect replacement? *la
08/22/200330064108/20/2002
 Frame crossmember at the shock/center stand is cracked on both sides of the corss member at the location of the welds. these cracks are almost entirely around the welded area.*ak
08/01/2003109/28/2002
 My 2003 honda goldwing (gl1800) has developed two cracks on a frame crossmember below and behind the center stand. this was determined by the mechanic at the dealership where i have my vehicle serviced. when coming in to visit he informed me that he needed to check my frame by direction of the regional honda motorcycle rep. upon inspection two cracks were discovered on either side of the crossmember. discussions with the mechanic revealed that 16 other bikes in the texas area also have either one or two cracks in the same location as mine. according to web sites of gl1800 owners texas is not the only vicinity to exhibit the problem. additionally, the cracks are on a mojority of 2003 gl1800 honda motorcycles. when contacted by honda they indicated that they are aware of the problem and are requesting that i return my motorcycle to them for study. they are replacing my vehicle with a new 2003 in an exact replacement with all options installed etc. *ak
07/28/2003107/30/2002
 Discovered a 1/4 crack in the weld of the right upper cross member located under the seat. mine is just one of several honda goldwing frames to crack and/or fail in the past several months. i do believe the continued stress caused by riding the motorcycle will cause this crack to enlarge and the weld will eventually fail. i no longer feel my motorcycle is safe to ride.*ak
07/24/200321345107/12/2002
 Routine inspection revealed a crack in a weld of the main crossmember on the frame of the motorcycle. failure of this weld could result in loss of control of the motorcycle.*ak
STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS - UNDERBODY SHIELDS
05/10/2004104/25/2003
 Consumer received recall 03 v 350 000 concerning motorcycle frame welds. the consumer contacted the dealer and the dealer refused to honor the recall due to the vehicle being a liability. *ak *jb
106/13/2003
 Recall repairs have not been performed on vehicle due to repair kits not being available.*mr after receiving a recall notice for the frame repair, the consumer contacted the dealer several times, but was told the parts had not arrived because it was a small dealership and only three motorcycle's were sold there which included the consumers bike. *cb *jb
1
 Recall notice on the frame weld of motorcycle. dealership welded only about 45 percent of the frame instead of 100 percent. *la recall#03v350000 *sc the consumer also stated the dealer sold him the motorcycle knowing that it had an overheating problem and eventually a recall was issued. *jb
1
 Concerns regarding defective frame recall on 2002 and 2003 goldwing gl1800. *mr the manufacturer informed the consumer that the recall would not be performed on the vehicle because a champion trike was added to the rear which did not affect the aluminum frame. they also refused to look at it. *scc *jb
10/13/2003106/18/2003
 Recall 03v350000 has no quality control of the welds being made to repair this lower control arm. the dealers can not produce certification for the welders they will use. aluminum is not easy to weld and you must know what your doing. *la
09/28/200312492002/08/2003
 I have a 2003 honda gl1800 vin# 1hfsc470x3a203169 the frame is cracked all the way through the weld on the center section next to the center stand, right side.
08/27/20036352205/02/2003
 Honda gl 1800a motorcycle, frame failure in two locations at weld joint. yielding my motorcycle in an unsatifactory condition and unsafe to utilize.*ak

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