Recall 18V045 affects 960 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 Honda GL1800 motorcycles for exploding airbag inflators. Repair is free at franchised Honda dealers.
Honda is recalling 960 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 GL1800 motorcycles because the air bag inflator can explode after propellant degradation from long-term humidity, heat, and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion sends sharp metal fragments toward the rider, risking serious injury or death, and Honda dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The air bag inflator in the Honda GL1800 is the metal canister inside the air bag module. In a crash, it is supposed to create gas fast enough to fill the air bag and help cushion the rider. The module depends on the inflator housing staying sealed while the propellant burns.
On affected 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 Honda GL1800 motorcycles, the Takata inflator uses non-desiccated PSAN propellant. That means the propellant does not have a drying agent built in. Long-term exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature cycling can degrade the propellant. If the air bag deploys after that degradation, the inflator can rupture instead of venting gas through the air bag as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The inflator sits inside the air bag module, so a rider is not expected to see, hear, or feel the problem during normal riding.
Who's affected?
Spans 7 GL1800 model years, all tied to the same front air bag inflator module.
| 2016 Honda GL1800 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2013 Honda GL1800 | front air bag |
| 2009 Honda GL1800 | front air bag |
| 2015 Honda GL1800 | front air bag |
| 2014 Honda GL1800 | front air bag |
| 2012 Honda GL1800 | front air bag |
| 2010 Honda GL1800 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 960 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An air bag inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments toward the rider, causing serious injury or death. Because the risk comes from the inflator itself, schedule the recall repair soon and ask the dealer how to handle the motorcycle before the appointment. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, or 2016 Honda GL1800 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Honda motorcycle dealer to schedule the free air bag module replacement that removes the recalled inflator.
- Bring the recall notice if Honda mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V045 and Honda recall KJ1 when you call.
- Keep the air bag system untouched until the dealer replaces the module.
- Call Honda Motorcycle Customer Support at 1-866-784-1870 with questions about scheduling or recall coverage.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Honda technician replaces the air bag module covered by recall 18V045. That module contains the inflator, so the repair removes the recalled air bag module and installs the replacement module. The recall repair is free. Parts and labor are covered. Honda has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for this related repair. Keep receipts and repair paperwork, then contact Honda Motorcycle Customer Support at 1-866-784-1870 or ask the service desk how to submit documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 9, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 10, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| February 9, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 9, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 9, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V045?
Recall 18V045 covers 960 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing motorcycles from 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 with air bag inflators that can explode after long-term exposure to heat, humidity, and temperature cycling. Honda dealers will replace the air bag module for free.
What should I do if my 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 Honda GL1800 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 18V045. If it is, contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the free air bag module replacement. Reference recall 18V045 or Honda recall number KJ1 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Honda's remedy says dealers will replace the air bag module free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Honda dealer.
Is it safe to ride my Honda GL1800 before the repair?
The official risk is serious: an inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments toward the rider, causing serious injury or death. If your VIN is included, schedule the free air bag module replacement with a Honda dealer before relying on the motorcycle.
What if I bought my Honda GL1800 used?
The free recall repair follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your GL1800 is included, then call a franchised Honda dealer with recall 18V045 or Honda recall number KJ1. You can also contact Honda Motorcycle Customer Support at 1-866-784-1870.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V045000 |
|---|---|
| Honda customer service | 1-866-784-1870 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V045 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V045000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →