GL1800 Brake Recall

Source (1):

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/12/honda-brake-recall-affects-11-gold-wing-gl1800-model-years-2001-2010-and-2012/

December 1, 2011 :: Torrance, CA: American Honda Motor Co., Inc. has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that a potential defect relating to motor vehicle safety exists in the secondary master cylinder on certain 2001-2010 and 2012 model year GL1800 motorcycles.

Situation:
The compensating port hole inside the secondary master cylinder (part of the combined-braking system) can become blocked due to (1) stacking of tolerances in manufacturing and (2) sufficient swelling of the primary pressure cup inside the master cylinder. If the compensating port hole becomes completely blocked, the rear wheel brake caliper can drag after the rider releases the brake input. If this occurs, the rear brake temperature and pressure progressively increase. Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash and continued riding with the brake engaged can generate enough heat to cause the rear brake to catch fire.

Inspection and Repair:
Honda motorcycle dealers will inspect the secondary master cylinder of all affected motorcycles in dealership stock or sold to customers (consumers and commercial entities). If an inspection indicates that the compensator port hole can become blocked due to this problem, the dealer will replace the secondary master cylinder. Registered owners of affected motorcycles will be contacted by mail and asked to take their motorcycle to a Honda dealer. The dealer will inspect the motorcycle, and if necessary, replace the secondary master cylinder, free of charge.

Additional Details:
Honda motorcycle dealers will immediately receive a transmittal of complete repair instructions. Replacement secondary master cylinders in the U.S. will initially be made available through American Honda’s dealer technical support hotline. Upon approval by NHTSA, American Honda will mail a letter to all registered owners, and also post a copy of the letter on the Honda Brand website: powersports.honda.com. Target dates for website posting are before the end of December 2011, and mail receipt by registered customers should occur before the end of January 2012.

Honda apologizes for any inconvenience this creates, but feels the safety of our customers is the highest priority. Honda encourages every customer to contact their dealer to schedule an appointment upon receiving the SAFETY RECALL letter.

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For those with GL-1800s from 2003 up you can type in your VIN at the following website to see if you are impacted:

https://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/SEO/MotorcycleRecall.asp?recallStatus=NO%20VIN&recallId1=NO%20RECALL%20IDS

This is reported to be about a 30 minute inspection.

Source (2):

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/results.cfm

Source (3):

Draft Owner Notification Letter http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/docservlet/Artemis/Public/Recalls/2011/V/RCONL-11V567-3275.pdf

January 2012

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE: NHTSA RECALL 11V-###

Dear GL1800 Owner:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

What is the reason for this notice?

Honda has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some 2001 to 2010 and 2012 model year GL1800 motorcycles. Under certain conditions there is a possibility that the combined-braking system’s secondary master cylinder may cause the rear brake to drag. Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash, and riding the motorcycle with the rear brake dragging may generate enough heat to cause the rear brake to catch fire.

How do I get this defect repaired free of charge?

Call any authorized Honda motorcycle dealer and make an appointment to have your motorcycle inspected, and if necessary, the secondary master cylinder replaced, free of charge. The inspection may be completed in approximately 24 minutes, and the time required to replace a secondary master cylinder is approximately one hour. Please plan to leave your motorcycle for a half day to allow the dealer flexibility in scheduling.

For assistance with locating a Honda Motorcycle dealer, you may call Honda Motorcycle Customer Support at 1-866-784-1870 or use the “find a dealer” option on http://www.powersports.honda.com

Who to contact if you experience problems?

If you are not satisfied with the service you receive from your Honda dealer, you may write to:

American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Motorcycle Customer Service

Mail Stop 100-4C-7B

1919 Torrance Blvd.

Torrance, CA 90501-2746

If you believe that American Honda or the dealer has failed or is unable to remedy the defect in your motorcycle, without charge and within a reasonable period of time (60 days from the date you first contact the dealer for a repair appointment), you may submit a complaint to:

Administrator

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

Washington, DC 20590

Or call the toll-free Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to http:// www.safercar.gov.

What to do if you feel this notice is in error.

Registration records show that you are the current owner or lessee of a 2001 to 2010 and 2012 model year GL1800 motorcycle involved in this recall. If this is not the case, or the name/address information is not correct, complete, sign, and return the enclosed, postage-paid Information Change Card. We will then update our recall records.

If prior to receiving this notice, you paid to have the secondary master cylinder replaced, you may be eligible for reimbursement. Please refer to the enclosed Request for Reimbursement form for eligibility requirements and the reimbursement procedure.

Lessor Information.

Federal law requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within 10 days.

We apologize for any inconvenience this campaign may cause you.

Sincerely,

American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Motorcycle Division

Tony & Michelle Van Schaick

GWRRA International Directors, Rider Course Programs

1822 Landstrom Lane

Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526-5893

(919) 346-1433 Home

(919) 830-4658 Tony’s Mobile

(919) 830-2778 Michelle’s Mobile

mailto:avansch1@twcny.rr.com