Recall 12V461 affects 1,542 2012 Honda NC700XC and NC700XDC motorcycles for improperly heat-treated drive-chain plates. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
Honda is recalling 1,542 2012 NC700XC and NC700XDC motorcycles because improperly heat-treated outer drive plates in the drive chain can fracture during use. A fractured plate can make the motorcycle unexpectedly lose propulsion and increase crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once Honda makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The drive chain on the 2012 Honda NC700XC and NC700XDC motorcycles is the metal chain that carries power from the engine's front sprocket to the rear wheel. Each link has outer drive plates that hold the link together and keep the chain aligned as it bends around the sprockets. When those plates stay strong, the chain pulls the motorcycle forward smoothly.
On affected motorcycles, the outer drive plates were improperly heat-treated. Heat treatment is the manufacturing step that gives the metal its needed strength. When that step is wrong, the plate is weaker than designed and can fracture while the motorcycle is in use. A fractured plate breaks the chain's structure, so the chain no longer does its job reliably.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not expect a noise, light, or gradual change in feel to confirm the defect before the chain plate fractures.
Who's affected?
Covers the NC700XC and NC700XDC variants for the same model year, with the powertrain component listed for each.
| 2012 Honda NC700XC | powertrain |
|---|---|
| 2012 Honda NC700XDC | powertrain |
| Units affected | 1,542 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If a drive chain plate fractures, the motorcycle can unexpectedly lose propulsion, which raises the risk of a crash. Keep extra space ahead, avoid hard acceleration, and schedule the recall inspection soon if your VIN is included. Repair will be free at any franchised Honda dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Honda NC700XC or NC700XDC is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Honda dealer and ask whether the free drive-chain inspection is ready for your motorcycle.
- Schedule the drive-chain inspection and replacement that addresses improperly heat-treated chain plates that can fracture and cause loss of propulsion.
- Bring the recall notice if Honda mailed one. If not, reference recall number 12V461 when you call.
- Ride cautiously until the repair is complete. Avoid high-speed riding and stop using the motorcycle if the chain makes abnormal noise or the bike loses propulsion.
What happens at the repair
Honda's remedy says owner notices began on October 9, 2012. At the dealer, a Honda technician inspects the drive chain on the affected 2012 NC700XC and NC700XDC motorcycles. If the chain has the improperly heat-treated outer drive plates covered by recall 12V461, the technician replaces the drive chain. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered by the recall.
Timeline
| September 19, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 9, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V461?
Recall 12V461 covers 1,542 2012 Honda NC700XC and NC700XDC motorcycles with drive chains that have improperly heat-treated outer plates. A plate fracture can make the motorcycle unexpectedly lose propulsion and raise crash risk. Honda dealers inspect the chain and replace it when needed for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Honda NC700XC or NC700XDC is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 12V461. If it is, contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the drive-chain inspection. Reference recall number 12V461 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. Honda dealers will inspect the drive chain and replace it when needed free of charge at any franchised Honda dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is unexpected loss of propulsion while riding. If an outer drive plate fractures, the chain defect can make the motorcycle lose power to the rear wheel and increase crash risk. The dealer fix is the free chain inspection and replacement when needed.
When did Honda start this recall repair?
Honda began the safety recall repair on October 9, 2012. Owners with an included VIN can contact a franchised Honda dealer for the free drive-chain inspection and replacement when needed, or call Honda Customer Service at 1-866-784-1870.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V461000 |
|---|---|
| Honda customer service | 1-866-784-1870 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V461 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V461000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →