Honda CB500F, CB500X and CBR500R Recall Affects 6,954 Units in US

As we expected following similar recalls in Australia and Japan, American Honda has announced a recall campaign on the 2013 CB500F, CB500X and CBR500R because of a risk of oil leaking from the engine. The recall affects 6,954 units in the U.S. including ABS and non-ABS models.

According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the bolts retaining the rocker arm shaft may have received proper anti-corrosion treatment. Instead, the bolts were treated with a non-approved coating that can cause the bolt to loosen during operation. Loose bolts will result in a slow leak of engine oil and, in some cases, the bolts may come out of the cylinder head, dislodging the rocker arm shaft resulting in a reduction in engine power and potentially causing the engine to stall.

American Honda first noticed the problem after receiving three warranty claims for leaking oil in July 2013. Two weeks later, Honda’s factory in Thailand identified a motorcycle in another market that had the incorrect coating on a retaining bolt. American Honda received a fourth warranty claim in August, leading the factory to review the assembly line and ensure the proper bolts were installed with the correct torque.

From September 2013 to January 2014, the factory continued to review its supplier and in-house records to identify how many units may have been using incorrectly treated bolts. By Feb. 6, Honda Motor Company decided to conduct a recall on affected units. As of Feb. 12, American Honda has received 17 warranty claims, with no related injuries reported.

Honda dealers will replace the rocker arm shaft retaining bolts on affected units. The replacement kit includes two bolts, two washers and a single 45mm O-ring.

[Source: NHTSA]

By Dennis Chung