The defect
Honda is recalling certain model year 2013 CB500 (FA, F, XA, X) and CBR500 (RA, R) motorcycles. The rocker arm shaft retaining bolts may have been manufactured incorrectly resulting in the bolts loosening during engine operation. A loose bolt will initially result in a slow leak of engine oil, but if not addressed, the bolt can come out of the cylinder head entirely.
The risk
Without a bolt, the engine will have reduced power which may result in a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rocker arm shaft retaining bolts, free of charge. The recall began on March 11, 2014. Owners may contact Honda Customer Service at 1-866-784-1870.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Honda CB500F | 2013 |
| Honda CB500FA | 2013 |
| Honda CB500X | 2013 |
| Honda CB500XA | 2013 |
| Honda CBR500R | 2013 |
| Honda CBR500RA | 2013 |
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB500F | 2013 | 1 | 1 |
| Honda CB500FA | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| Honda CB500X | 2013 | 1 | 1 |
| Honda CB500XA | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| Honda CBR500R | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| Honda CBR500RA | 2013 | 1 | 1 |
Other engine and engine cooling recalls in 2014
48 of the 770 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2014 concerned the engine and engine cooling; Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) filed 245 campaigns in all.
| 14V771000 3 Dec 2014 | Prevost Cars, Inc. |
| 14V762000 1 Dec 2014 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. |
| 14V764000 1 Dec 2014 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC - DBA Sprinter |
| 14V664000 22 Oct 2014 | Spartan Motors, Inc. |
| 14V666000 22 Oct 2014 | Elgin Sweeper Company Inc. |
| 14V574000 19 Sept 2014 | Navistar, Inc. |
| 14V562000 12 Sept 2014 | Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. |
| 14V551000 10 Sept 2014 | Mack Trucks, Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2014