RoadVitals

2021 Honda CRF1100

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
Latest Mar 23, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Sep 5, 2025
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Honda CRF1100, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and powertrain (other) categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical337.5%
  • Engine225.0%
  • Powertrain (other)225.0%
  • Driver assistance112.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
25V583000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:MOTORCYCLE HANDLEBAR SWITCH POD LEFT/RIGHT

Sep 5, 2025
7,492 units potentially affected
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 and 2024-2025 CRF1100 Africa Twin motorcycles. The left handlebar switch harness may corrode due to oxidation, resulting in the loss of horn function or the ability to switch the headlight from low beam to high beam. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: The inability to use the horn or switch the headlight from low beam to high beam can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the left handlebar switch assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 20, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KS8. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 12, 2025.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number KS8View on NHTSA.gov
24V882000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Nov 21, 2024
4,205 units potentially affected
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022 and 2024-2025 CRF1100 Africa Twin motorcycles. A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power when the Wheelie Control feature is activated.
The risk: An engine stall or loss of power can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy: Dealers will reprogram the FI-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 15, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KR1.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number KR1View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 23, 2024

The motorcycle broke spontaneous two bolts that support the bracket that have the gearshift pedal, a step (to rest the foot) and the side stand. This on the left side of the motorcycle. The motorcycle can't be rode because a safety switch is in the stand.

NHTSA ID
11579060
Incident
Feb 3, 2024
Electrical
Filed Sep 8, 2023

TFT failed 9/8/23 to respond to touch input. Can only be operated by bar controls. Terribly distracting. Other owners report similar failures. Screen is manufactured by Garmin for Honda.

NHTSA ID
11543373
Incident
Sep 7, 2023
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 14, 2022

My Honda africa twin DCT stalls at low speed. It happened twice. When I about to move forward from the stop sign, the bike stalls itself. It is very dangerous for a motorcycle.

NHTSA ID
11473920
Incident
May 11, 2022
Driver assistanceElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 14, 2022

Have experienced myself that this motorcycle, which utilizes a DCT clutchless system for gear changes, is prone to stalls when taking off from a stop at low throttle inputs. A benefit of the DCT system is it's purported not to stall. This is very different than the fuel tank / filter issue which resulted in a recall of 2020 models, that affected bikes at high speed. I have spoken to several owners of the same bike all experienced the same. We discuss frequently on an owner's forum. An online poll shows 45% of owners have experienced it. It is very infrequent, seemingly at random, the only consistent factor is light application of throttle from a stop. Riders I've spoken to personally have all had the same experience: repeated trips to Honda dealerships that lead to no replication of the error, no diagnosis, no further information. It puts one at high risk of a rear end collision by the vehicle behind you. Unlike other stall situations require reignition of the bike, the engine will cough and die, a simple press of the starter will get it going again. None of the electrics reset, they stay stable and on. The bike's own process of recording "DTC" error codes does not record any of these events. I have video of one incident. At Honda's insistence taken to dealers multiple times. None have fixed it. I have a case number since summer 2021, and emailed engineers as requested but case was closed without my consent. Never heard back from them. My current case manager claims I'm the only person to complain. Strangely, a journalist who writes for a popular motorcycling site reported that the subsequent 2022 models "had refinements in 1st and 2nd gear that reduce stalling and jerky throttle response". He told me he got it from a Honda press release. I have never seen this press release. Honda refuses to discuss what those refinements were. Honda says dealers are independently owned & operated and it's up to them to discover the error and report it to them.

NHTSA ID
11473859
Incident
Aug 1, 2021
Engine
Filed May 26, 2022
Crash reported

Random engine stalls and engine dying under acceleration. Most often happens when leaving from a stop at intersections. The engine either immediately dying out before any forward movement or dying out a second later leaving me in a hazardous position in the middle of the intersection. I bought the bike new June 22, 2021 and to date May 26, 2022 this stall has occurred 8 times in 5440 miles; the first stall occurred at 1850 miles 2 months new. Note: this is the DCT version motorcycle so there is not clutch or gear shift lever to erroneously manipulate. Note2: I said 'Yes' to crash because the motorcycle ALMOST fell over (but truly did not) twice on me as I had difficulty catching the bike's balance mid turn upon the engine dying.

NHTSA ID
11466306
Incident
Aug 13, 2021

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Honda CRF1100 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025130—
2024020—
2022620—
2021Viewing520—
2020020—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.