2003 Honda GL1800 NHTSA Investigations
Defect Investigations
The following investigations on the Honda GL1800 have been announced by the ODI. Interested in how this information is collected? Read more about investigations by the NHTSA.
Recent 2003 GL1800 Investigations
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MOTORCYCLE COOLANT SPRAY ONTO REAR TIRE Defect Investigation for the 2003 GL1800
Vehicle Component: Engine And Engine Cooling
Summary: See the attached report with ODI'sfindings.
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE02077 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on March 28 2003 and no recall was issued.
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FRAME CROSSMEMEBER WELD FAILURES Defect Investigation for the 2003 GL1800
Vehicle Component: Structure:Frame And Members
Summary: 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.
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #RQ04009 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on February 02 2005 and there was a recall ordered: #05V027000
REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE Defect Investigation for the 2003 GL1800
Vehicle Component: Structure:Frame And Members
Summary: 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.
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE03039 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on October 10 2003 and there was a recall ordered: #03V350000