Recall 14V056 affects 6,954 2013 Honda CB500 and CBR500 motorcycles for loose rocker arm shaft bolts. Free repair at any franchised Honda dealer.
Honda is recalling 6,954 2013 CB500FA, CB500F, CBR500RA, CB500XA, CBR500R, and CB500X motorcycles because rocker arm shaft retaining bolts can loosen during engine operation and leak oil. If a bolt comes out of the cylinder head, the engine can lose power or stall, increasing crash risk, and the Honda dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rocker arm shaft in these 2013 Honda CB500FA, CB500F, CB500XA, CB500X, CBR500RA, and CBR500R motorcycles supports the rocker arms, the small levers that open and close the engine valves as the camshaft turns. Retaining bolts clamp that shaft into the cylinder head, so the valve train stays fixed while the engine is running.
On affected motorcycles, the rocker arm shaft retaining bolts were manufactured incorrectly. During engine operation, those bolts can loosen instead of staying tight in the cylinder head. A loose bolt starts with a slow engine oil leak. If the leak is ignored, the bolt can come out of the cylinder head entirely.
There is no warning sign before failure. Once the bolt has loosened, the first thing an owner can notice is engine oil leaking from the cylinder head area.
Who's affected?
Spans 6 Honda CB and CBR 500 variants from the 2013 model year, all under the same engine and engine cooling component.
| 2013 Honda CB500FA | Engine and engine cooling |
|---|---|
| 2013 Honda CB500F | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2013 Honda CBR500RA | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2013 Honda CB500XA | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2013 Honda CBR500R | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2013 Honda CB500X | Engine and engine cooling |
| Units affected | 6,954 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A missing rocker arm shaft retaining bolt can reduce engine power and lead to a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the motorcycle loses power, move out of traffic, stop in a safe place, and call a Honda dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Honda dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Honda CB500FA, CB500F, CBR500RA, CB500XA, CBR500R, or CB500X is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the free rocker-arm-shaft retaining-bolt replacement that stops the loose-bolt oil leak and engine-power loss.
- Bring the recall notice if Honda mailed one. If not, reference recall number 14V056 when you call.
- Inspect for engine oil leakage before riding, and stop riding if the motorcycle loses power or stalls.
- Call Honda Customer Service at 1-866-784-1870 with questions about the free dealer repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Honda technician replaces the rocker arm shaft retaining bolts that hold the shaft in place in the cylinder head. The work addresses bolts that can loosen during engine operation and lead to an engine oil leak if the condition is not corrected. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
Timeline
| February 14, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 11, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V056?
Recall 14V056 covers 6,954 2013 Honda CB500FA, CB500F, CBR500RA, CB500XA, CBR500R, and CB500X motorcycles with rocker arm shaft retaining bolts that loosen during engine operation. Honda dealers replace the retaining bolts for free.
What should I do if my 2013 Honda CB500FA, CB500F, CBR500RA, CB500XA, CBR500R, or CB500X is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 14V056. If it is, contact a franchised Honda dealer and ask for the rocker arm shaft retaining bolt replacement. Reference recall number 14V056 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Honda dealers replace the rocker arm shaft retaining bolts free of charge. Honda Customer Service is listed at 1-866-784-1870 for owners who need help with recall scheduling.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is engine power loss and stalling. If a loosened retaining bolt comes out of the cylinder head, the engine has reduced power and the motorcycle can stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for a slow engine oil leak. Honda says a loose rocker arm shaft retaining bolt first causes a slow leak, then the bolt can come out of the cylinder head if the problem is not repaired.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V056000 |
|---|---|
| Honda customer service | 1-866-784-1870 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V056 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V056000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →