Honda Recalls 43,913 Motorcycles Over a Handlebar Screw, and This Isn't Even Its First Try

A screw. The whole recall is a screw. I’ve spent more money on tank bags than this part probably costs, and it’s the reason 43,913 Rebels and SCL500s are heading back to the dealer.

Honda Recalls 43,913 Motorcycles Over a Handlebar Lock Screw

Honda is recalling 43,913 motorcycles in the US — 2017-2023 and 2025 CMX500, 2017-2023 and 2025-2026 CMX300, and 2025 SCL500 models — because the handlebar lock screw can loosen and detach. Once it does, it can interfere with steering, raising the risk of a crash. NHTSA lists the campaign as an estimated 100% defect rate across the affected population, which is about as blunt a number as a recall notice gets.

The fix is free: dealers replace the lock screw and apply thread lock to keep the replacement from working loose the same way. Owner notification letters go out on 21 September 2026, but Honda dealers can already schedule the repair for anyone who doesn’t want to wait for the post.

This Recall Already Grew Once

“Grows to 44,000” is the right way to describe this, because it’s not the first time Honda has gone after this exact part. Back in March 2026, Honda recalled 19,406 units of the 2023-2025 CMX300, CMX500, and CL500 for what reporting described as the same handlebar screw issue. This August campaign covers 43,913 units across a wider range of model years — more than double the original count — which means either more affected bikes turned up in Honda’s own investigation, or the fix from the first round didn’t fully hold. Honda hasn’t said which, and I wouldn’t bet money either way.

What This Means If You’re in Europe

This is a US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration campaign, and as of now Honda hasn’t confirmed whether EU-market CMX500 Rebel, CMX300 Rebel, or SCL500 units share the same lock-screw part or supplier batch. If you’re riding one of these in Europe, the safe move is the boring one: check the handlebar lock screw is properly torqued at your next service, and ask your dealer whether an equivalent EU campaign has been opened — Honda’s European recall notices don’t always land on the same week as the US ones. It’s the same instinct that made sense during KTM North America’s recent brake caliper recall on Husqvarna and GasGas dual-sports — US-only campaigns from global manufacturers have a way of showing up in Europe a few weeks later, once the parts pipeline catches up.

It’s a small, cheap part with an outsized job: a handlebar that comes loose mid-lean is not a minor inconvenience, on a Rebel-class cruiser or anything else. Get it checked, then go back to whatever ride you were already not planning to take this month.

FAQ

Which Honda models are affected by this recall?

2017-2023 and 2025 CMX500, 2017-2023 and 2025-2026 CMX300, and 2025 SCL500 models — 43,913 units in the US.

What’s the actual defect?

The handlebar lock screw can loosen and detach, which can interfere with steering and increase crash risk.

Is the repair free?

Yes. Honda dealers will replace the lock screw and apply thread lock at no cost.

Is this a new problem, or has Honda recalled this part before?

Honda recalled 19,406 units of the CMX300, CMX500, and CL500 for a similar handlebar screw issue in March 2026. This August 2026 campaign covers a wider range of model years and more than doubles the affected unit count.

Official source: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=26V146000