Recall 21V249 affects 89 2021 Honda CBR1000RR motorcycles for incorrectly installed rear cushion connecting plates. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
Honda is recalling 89 2021 CBR1000RR motorcycles because the rear cushion connecting plates were installed incorrectly and can break. Broken plates can cause a sudden drop in vehicle height and increase the risk of a crash or injury, and the Honda dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The rear cushion connecting plate on the 2021 Honda CBR1000RR is part of the rear suspension linkage. It helps tie the rear shock assembly to the motorcycle chassis, so the suspension can carry load and move in a controlled arc over bumps and acceleration.
On affected motorcycles, the connecting plate was installed backward during assembly, with the counterbore side facing the wrong way. That counterbore is the recessed side that helps the hardware sit and clamp correctly. When the plate is reversed, it is not secured to the chassis as designed, and stress through the rear suspension can break the plate.
There is no warning sign before failure. Honda's investigation did find complaints of abnormal noise from the rear suspension, and one non-U.S. report described a sudden drop in vehicle height after the connecting plate broke.
Who's affected?
| 2021 Honda CBR1000RR | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 89 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2021 Honda CBR1000RR motorcycle is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Broken rear cushion connecting plates can make the vehicle height drop suddenly, which increases the risk of a crash or injury. Until the inspection is done, ride cautiously and treat any sudden height change as a reason to stop and call the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Honda CBR1000RR is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the free rear cushion connecting-plate inspection and replacement that addresses incorrectly installed plates.
- Bring the recall notice if Honda mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V249 and Honda recall KL9 when you call.
- Avoid riding if the rear suspension height drops or the motorcycle feels unstable before the repair.
- Call Honda Powersports customer service at 1-866-784-1870 with questions.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Honda technician visually inspects the left and right rear cushion connecting plates. If either plate was installed incorrectly, the technician replaces the affected connecting plates and related hardware. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. If you already paid out of pocket for this repair, Honda's recall reimbursement plan covers eligible documented expenses. Bring receipts or other repair paperwork to the service desk when you arrive.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 8, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 8, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| April 8, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 7, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 7, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| June 7, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V249?
Recall 21V249 covers 89 2021 Honda CBR1000RR motorcycles with rear cushion connecting plates that were installed incorrectly. Broken plates can cause a sudden drop in vehicle height, increasing crash or injury risk. Honda dealers will inspect and replace the plates for free.
What should I do if my 2021 Honda CBR1000RR is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 21V249. If it is, contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the rear cushion connecting plate inspection and replacement. Reference recall number 21V249 or Honda recall KL9 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Honda dealers will inspect the rear cushion connecting plates and, as needed, replace both plates free of charge under recall 21V249.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a sudden drop in vehicle height if the rear cushion connecting plates break. NHTSA campaign 21V249 links that failure to increased crash or injury risk. Confirm your VIN, then have a Honda dealer complete the free inspection and repair.
When were owners notified about recall 21V249?
Honda mailed owner notification letters on June 7, 2021. If you bought the motorcycle used or never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your 2021 Honda CBR1000RR is included, then call Honda Powersports customer service at 1-866-784-1870 or a franchised Honda dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V249000 |
|---|---|
| Honda customer service | 1-866-784-1870 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V249 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V249000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →