Honda has announced a recall for its 2025 CB1000 Hornet SP motorcycle due to a potential fuel leak. According to a report by Dennis Chung at Motorcycle.com, the recall affects 429 units in the United States. The manufacturer has also issued a stop-sale notice for both new and used models of the affected bikes.
The root cause of the problem isn't the fuel hose itself, but rather the positioning of the angle sensor's coupler. Documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that during assembly, the coupler may be placed between the fuel feed hose and the turn signal relay. This incorrect placement can cause the coupler to rub against the fuel hose's quick connector mechanism, potentially unlocking it. If this occurs, the fuel hose could disconnect during normal riding conditions, leading to a fuel leak.
Here's a breakdown of the timeline, according to Motorcycle.com:
- May 23, 2025: Honda first became aware of the issue after receiving a report from Europe.
- November 13, 2025 - January 13, 2026: Additional reports came in from customers in Europe and Japan.
- August 26, 2025: Honda corrected the issue on the production line, suggesting that 2026 models should not be affected.
- March 19, 2026: Honda concluded its investigation, determined a safety defect existed, and initiated recall procedures.
- March 26, 2026: Honda submitted the recall to NHTSA.
The timeline raises questions, as it took Honda approximately seven months from correcting the issue on the production line to initiating the recall. Regulations typically require manufacturers to report recalls within five business days of determining a defect exists. According to Motorcycle.com, Honda claims it met this requirement, but NHTSA may investigate the timeline further.
This fuel leak recall is the third recall affecting the 2025 CB1000 Hornet SP. The previous recalls involved loose gearshift pedals (October 2025) and excessive engine oil consumption due to improper piston and piston ring specifications (December 2025).
The remedy for the fuel leak issue appears to be relatively straightforward. Honda dealers will inspect the recalled motorcycles and properly secure the angle sensor coupler wiring harness, preventing it from contacting the fuel feed hose's quick connector. Honda will also replace the fuel hose on the affected models. As of March 19, 2026, there have been no reported incidents related to this issue in the U.S. market, according to the original report.
Owners of 2025 Honda CB1000 Hornet SP motorcycles will be notified by Honda and instructed to bring their bikes to an authorized dealer for the necessary repairs. These repairs will be performed free of charge.
