- 12,488 motorcycles affected worldwide, including 2,583 in Germany
- Cause is a misrouted angle sensor cable
- The repair takes approximately 30 minutes and is free of charge for owners
Honda has initiated a worldwide recall for the CB 1000 Hornet and CB 1000 Hornet SP model year 2025. The issue stems from a manufacturing error in which a cable under the tank was routed in the wrong position. In the worst case, this can cause the fuel line to disconnect from the tank, resulting in fuel leakage. This poses potential risks including crash hazards from fuel on the road surface or near the rear tire, as well as fire hazards.
What Exactly Is the Problem?
The recall traces back to a detail in the wiring harness that caused issues during assembly at Honda’s Kumamoto plant in Japan. According to documents from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the wiring harness design allows a certain tolerance in routing. During production, sufficiently precise work instructions to control this tolerance were apparently lacking. The result: on a portion of the motorcycles produced, the angle sensor coupler was placed in an unfavorable position.
Specifically, the coupler can end up positioned between the fuel line and the turn signal relay. In this position, it exerts pressure or pull on the quick-connect fitting of the fuel line. Under normal riding conditions, vibrations and fuel pressure can cause the locking mechanism of the quick-connect fitting to release, disconnecting the fuel line from the tank.
Under Observation Since May 2025
Honda first became aware of the problem on May 23, 2025, when an initial report came in from Europe. Between June and September 2025, additional reports followed, also primarily from Europe. From November 2025 through January 13, 2026, further reports arrived from Japan. Throughout this entire period, Honda investigated the cause and analyzed potential safety risks.
On March 19, 2026, Honda officially determined that a safety-related defect existed and initiated the recall. Dealers were notified on March 20, 2026. In the United States, Honda also imposed a stop-sale order on affected new and used units of the CB 1000 Hornet SP. Despite the disconnected or loose fuel lines, Honda reported that as of the cutoff date of March 19, 2026, no accidents, fires, or injuries had been reported in connection with the defect.
How Many Motorcycles Are Affected?
A total of 12,488 Honda CB 1000 Hornet and CB 1000 Hornet SP units are affected by the recall worldwide. Of these, 429 are in the U.S. market, which according to NHTSA documents represents approximately 19.3 percent of the population sold there. In Germany, Honda Deutschland reports 2,583 affected vehicles. All affected machines were produced between January 11, 2025, and July 24, 2025. The error was corrected in production on August 26, 2025.
What Happens at the Dealership?
Honda will contact the owners of affected motorcycles directly. In the United States, owner notification is scheduled for May 19, 2026. At the dealership, the position of the misrouted angle sensor cable will be inspected and corrected. Additionally, a fastener will be installed to prevent the cable from shifting again. According to NHTSA documents, the affected fuel line will also be replaced. The entire repair is expected to take approximately 30 minutes and is free of charge for owners.
The NHTSA recommends that owners of affected vehicles refrain from riding their motorcycle and park it outdoors until the repair has been completed. In the United States, owners can check whether their motorcycle is affected by the recall using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the NHTSA website. The recall is designated as KU5 by Honda and as 26V194 by NHTSA.
Not the First Recall for the Hornet 1000
This is not the first time the Honda CB 1000 Hornet has required a recall-related dealer visit. Previously, units had to be recalled due to a problem with excessive oil consumption and the risk of engine damage. The current fuel line issue is unrelated to the earlier recall, but it demonstrates that the 2025 generation of the Hornet 1000 has faced production teething problems.
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