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2016 Honda Gl1800a
Limited data: few reports on file, read the verdict loosely
Too few owner complaints are on file to affirm this car. Treat it as unproven, and lean hard on a professional pre-purchase inspection.
5 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 28, 2026 · source: NHTSA
What the record shows so far
Only 5 owner complaints on file for this exact model year, too few to judge long-term reliability. Treat this as unproven, and lean on a professional inspection.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA hasn’t published a crash-test rating for this model year. That’s common for lower-volume or older models. It doesn’t mean the car is unsafe, just that this program hasn’t tested it.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2016 Honda Gl1800a, plotted where owners report it happening.
Engine
60%3 complaints
“I WAS JUST STARTING FROM MY HOUSE AND HAD SOME HESITATION IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. I MADE A RIGHT TURN ABOUT A 1/4 MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND AGAIN I HAD HESITATION IN FI…”
Brakes
40%2 complaints
“The contact owns a 2016 Honda GL1800. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the rear brakes locked up, causing the motorcycle to abruptly stop…”
Electrical system
20%1 complaints
“WITH BIKE IN GEAR, SIDE STAND DOWN, KILL SWITCH IN KILL POSITION, AND NO KEY IN IGNITION, WHILE REPLACING THE BATTERY THE ENGINE STARTED AND THE BIKE ENGINE ENGAGED AN…”
Fuel system
20%1 complaints
“I WAS JUST STARTING FROM MY HOUSE AND HAD SOME HESITATION IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. I MADE A RIGHT TURN ABOUT A 1/4 MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND AGAIN I HAD HESITATION IN FI…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.
Read all 5 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 1 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Air Bags · 18V045000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2010 and 2012-2016 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing motorcycles. These motorcycles have air bag inflators assembled as part of the air bag module that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the rider resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Honda Motorcycle Customer Support at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KJ1.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Honda before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2016 Honda Gl1800a. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2016 Honda GL1800A beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2016? See how every Gl1800a model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2016 Honda Gl1800a against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.