RoadVitals

2021 Honda CRF300L

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.
1
Latest Jul 1, 2022
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.
1
Latest May 24, 2021
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2021 Honda CRF300L, most frequently naming the engine category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 5 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Engine1100.0%

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

1 campaign 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
21V382000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

May 24, 2021
28,528 units potentially affected
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Super Cub C125, CB500X, CB650R, CBR300R, CBR500R, CBR650R, Rebel 300, Rebel 500, Monkey, 2020 CRF250L, GROM, 2021 CRF300L, and CB500F motorcycles. The rear reflector lens may not reflect brightly enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: A dim rear reflector may reduce the visibility of the motorcycle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the rear reflector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KM3.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number KM3View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Jul 1, 2022

The oil seal behind the Mechanical Seal in the engine has Failed 3 times. Oil leaks from a small drain pipe on the bottom of the engine on the front right side, below the water pump assembly. When the Oil seal fails oil leaks from the drain pipe dripping oil in front of the rear wheel. I noticed this and see that the rear tire can contact the dripping oil and cause a slick and slippery situation where the rear wheel can loose traction and control, thus ending in bodily harm. The oil seal and mechanical seal failure is a know issue on the CRF 250 and 300 as they use the same bottom end of the motor. It is my advice for NHTSA to look into the issue have Honda re-engineer the Mechanical and Oil seals so there can be no failure. Luckily I have not had the oil seal fail to the point of an accident. I do not trust the motorcycle and will not ride it. Honda will not take it back thus I will sell or trade it to someone else with full disclosure. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11471960
Incident
Jul 1, 2022

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

ONLKT104292026

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

"Owner Notification Letter - American Honda Motor, Inc. is conducting a voluntary recall for ALL 2021 - 2025 CRF300L/LA/LDA motorcycles. Our records indicate that you may own one of these motorcycles. This notice is sent to you in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency regulations."

CRF300 #1 - February 2027

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Service Bulletin - A fuel permeation test revealed that the fuel system does not meet regulatory standards. The fuel system has a lower than expected permeation value and is not within emission certification compliance.

MCPSC11202025903

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Dealer Message - A fuel system permeation test revealed that the fuel system does not meet regulatory standards and is not in compliance.

MCPSC10082025901

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Dealer Message - A fuel permeation test revealed that the fuel system does not meet regulatory standards. The fuel system has a lower than expected permeation value and is not within emission certification compliance.

CRF300L #1 - October 2025

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Service Bulletin - A fuel permeation test revealed that the fuel system does not meet regulatory standards. The fuel system has a lower than expected permeation value and is not within emission certification compliance.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Honda CRF300L by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025000—
2024000—
2023100—
2022000—
2021Viewing110—

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.