Motorcyclists beware: Honda has announced an extensive recall for several of its most popular models. The models affected are the Gold Wing, CBR 1000 RR Fireblade and CBR 600 RR from the 2018 to 2020 model years. In total, almost 20,000 vehicles in the USA and Germany will have to be returned to workshops to rectify a potential problem with the fuel pump. But what exactly is the cause of this recall and what should owners of the affected models do now?
The core of the problem lies in the impeller of the fuel pump, a crucial component that transports the fuel to the engine. In the affected motorcycles, it was found that the impeller does not meet quality standards due to a production defect. It is insufficiently hardened and can crack, especially if it is exposed to solvent residues in the petrol for a long time. This can cause the impeller blades to deform and come into contact with the pump housing, which in the worst case can lead to pump failure and thus to the engine dying.
The following symptoms would be possible: an engine that does not start or fails while driving or suffers an intermittent loss of power.
Scope and background of the recall
The problem was first identified in August 2019 when four motorcycles failed to start at the dealer. At the beginning of 2020, Honda still believed that the problem was manageable, as it was believed that inferior parts had only been installed for 40 days. However, this assessment had to be revised after a quality report was received at the end of 2023, which also revealed faults in earlier installations. As a result, recalls were carried out both in Japan and in other countries.
What Honda is doing for the owners
Anyone whose motorcycle is affected by this recall will be notified by Honda by post. Owners will be asked to take their vehicles to an authorized Honda Powersports dealer where the problem will be fixed free of charge.
