Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
3,500 miles · Apr 1, 2017
Unknown Or OtherFire
4/1/2014 NOON- I DROVE THE CAR 2 MILES, MOSTLY 50 MPH OR LESS, PULLED UP TO MY MAILBOX ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, NOTICED COPIOUS SMOKE FROM UNDERNEATH. JUMPED FROM THE CAR AS MY HUSBAND CALLED 911. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND DESTROYED. THERE HAD BEEN NO EVIDENCE OF OIL LEAK OR OTHER MALFUN…
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4/1/2014 NOON- I DROVE THE CAR 2 MILES, MOSTLY 50 MPH OR LESS, PULLED UP TO MY MAILBOX ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, NOTICED COPIOUS SMOKE FROM UNDERNEATH. JUMPED FROM THE CAR AS MY HUSBAND CALLED 911. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND DESTROYED. THERE HAD BEEN NO EVIDENCE OF OIL LEAK OR OTHER MALFUNCTION. OIL LIFE WAS AT 30% AS I HAD CHECKED IT THE DAY BEFORE. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF MALFUNCTION BEFORE THE SMOKE, NO ACCIDENTS, NO WARNING LIGHTS, NOTHING TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. FIRE DEPARTMENT, POLICE REPORTS AVAILABLE. REPORTED TO STATE FARM INSURANCE. CAUSE UNKNOWN SINCE IT JUST HAPPENED.
NHTSA ODI #10969909
7,600 miles · Jan 26, 2017
Electrical System
MOTORCYCLE PARKED IN NOONDAY SUN ON CLEAR 60-DEGREE WINTER DAY. CAME BACK AFTER 2 HOURS TO FIND ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT PANEL MELTING AND HOT TO THE TOUCH. PANEL ALSO TURNED BLACK SO NO SPEED, FUEL LEVEL, TACHOMETER, AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS. IDENTICAL SITUATION OCCURRED DECEMBER OF 2015 WITH INSTRUMENT PANEL REPLACED UNDER WARRA…
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MOTORCYCLE PARKED IN NOONDAY SUN ON CLEAR 60-DEGREE WINTER DAY. CAME BACK AFTER 2 HOURS TO FIND ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT PANEL MELTING AND HOT TO THE TOUCH. PANEL ALSO TURNED BLACK SO NO SPEED, FUEL LEVEL, TACHOMETER, AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS. IDENTICAL SITUATION OCCURRED DECEMBER OF 2015 WITH INSTRUMENT PANEL REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ALTHOUGH LOCAL DEALER TOLD ME HONDA DID IT RELUCTANTLY. MOTORCYCLE IS NOW OFF WARRANTY SO COST WILL BE OVER 500$. MOTORCYCLES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO BE LEFT IN SUNLIGHT AND NOT HAVING AN INSTRUMENT PANEL/POD IS A SAFETY HAZARD. SIMILAR INSTRUMENT PANELS ARE USED ON SEVERAL OTHER HONDA MOTORCYCLES AND FORUMS ARE FULL OF SIMILAR FAILURES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10947806
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2014 Honda CB500F Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year