Recall 24V820 affects 18,196 2018-2021 Honda GL1800 motorcycles for a primary drive gear bolt defect. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
Honda is recalling 18,196 2018-2021 GL1800 motorcycles because the primary drive gear bolt on the crankshaft can break. The failure can stall the engine and lock the rear wheel, which increases the risk of a crash or injury, and Honda dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
For NHTSA campaign 24V820, the part at issue is the primary drive gear bolt on the crankshaft in 2018-2021 Honda GL1800 motorcycles. The crankshaft turns engine movement into rotation, and the primary drive gear helps send that power into the drivetrain. The bolt is supposed to hold that gear securely while the engine loads change.
On affected motorcycles, the original primary gear specifications did not account for certain riding conditions with repeated on-off throttle use. Those throttle changes create reverse twisting force on the crankshaft, which adds bending stress to the bolt. Over time, that stress leads to fatigue failure, meaning the bolt weakens and breaks. If it breaks, the engine can stall and the rear wheel can lock.
There is no warning sign before failure. A rider should not expect a noise, light, or change in feel before the bolt breaks.
Who's affected?
Spans four GL1800 model years, all tied to the same engine flange bolt part.
| 2018 Honda GL1800 | Hard parts internal/mechanical |
|---|---|
| 2020 Honda GL1800 | Hard parts internal/mechanical |
| 2019 Honda GL1800 | Hard parts internal/mechanical |
| 2021 Honda GL1800 | Hard parts internal/mechanical |
| Units affected | 18,196 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 52 field incidents to date. |
Not every 2018-2021 Honda GL1800 motorcycle is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An engine stall and rear wheel lockup can make the motorcycle harder to control and increase the risk of a crash or injury. If your VIN is included, schedule the dealer repair before the next ride. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2021 Honda GL1800 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the free primary drive gear bolt replacement, which fixes the crankshaft bolt that can break, stall the engine, and lock the rear wheel.
- Bring the recall notice if Honda mailed one. If not, reference recall number 24V820 and Honda recall KQ9 when you call.
- Call Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870 with questions about the repair or scheduling.
- Ride cautiously until the repair is complete, and contact the dealer before riding if the motorcycle has stalled or shown rear-wheel lockup symptoms.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Honda technician replaces the primary drive gear bolt on the crankshaft. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for this same repair, Honda's standard reimbursement plan covers eligible documented expenses. Bring repair invoices, proof of payment, and any related service paperwork to the dealer or contact Honda customer service before your appointment so the reimbursement claim uses the right campaign information.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 24, 2024 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| October 24, 2024 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 31, 2024 | NHTSA published the recall |
| December 20, 2024 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 20, 2024 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 30, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 24V820?
Recall 24V820 covers 18,196 2018-2021 Honda GL1800 motorcycles with a primary drive gear bolt that can break on the crankshaft. If the bolt breaks, the engine can stall and the rear wheel can lock up. Honda dealers will replace the bolt for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2021 Honda GL1800 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 24V820. If it is, contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the primary drive gear bolt replacement. Reference Honda recall number KQ9 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Honda will replace the primary drive gear bolt free of charge at any franchised Honda dealer.
Is it safe to ride my Honda GL1800 before the recall repair?
Honda has not issued a do-not-drive instruction for this recall. The official risk is an engine stall and rear wheel lockup, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury. If your VIN is included, schedule the free repair with a Honda dealer.
When were owners notified about recall 24V820?
Honda mailed owner notification letters on December 30, 2024. If you bought the motorcycle used or never received the letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your GL1800 is included, then call Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870 or a Honda dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/24V820000 |
|---|---|
| Honda customer service | 1-866-784-1870 |
| NHTSA recall # | 24V820 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 24V820000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →