FaultScore

FaultScore report

2008 Honda CBR1000RR problems

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2008 Honda CBR1000RR with NHTSA between 2010 and 2025. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

19

Complaints

2

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries reported

16,226 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

92%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 2008 compares with every other Honda CBR1000RR

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2008 Honda CBR1000RR

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 15 78.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 9,957 mi

Wheels 1 5.3%

Median failure at 25,000 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 1 5.3%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

Body & Structure 1 5.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 17,667 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 5.3%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 7.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 4 30.8%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 6 46.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 7.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 7.7%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Mar 2010 peak 2 Aug 2025

NHTSA investigations into the 2008 Honda CBR1000RR

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

AQ12001 Opened 14 May 2012 Closed 13 May 2013 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Southern Honda Powersports

NHTSA opened Audit Query (AQ) 12-001 to determine whether Southern Honda Powersports (Southern Honda) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, had complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a motor vehicle or equipment manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with federal motor vehicle safety standards.In turn, a dealer may not sell and deliver a new vehicle subject to a recall unless...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 17,667 miles Culver City, CA Crash 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

ON JANUARY 18TH 2015 I WAS RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE HONDA 2008 CBR1000RR ON MULHOLLAND HWY IN AGUORA HILLS AT SPEED ABOUT 45MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. A HEAD WAS MILD TURN TO THE RIGHT. JUST BEFORE THE TURN MY ENGINE SEIZED, BLOCKED REAR WHEEL AND MOTORCYCLE WITH ME CONTINUE STRAIGHT OUT OF TURN INTO THE CLIFF ABOUT 25 FEET DEEP. UNFORTUNATELY THERE WAS NOT ANY GUARDRAIL TO PREVENT FALL INTO THE CLIFF AND AVOID INJURIES. I GOT A MULTIPLE INJURIES. I CONTACTED HONDA SAFETY DEPARTMENT AND THEY REFERRED ME WITH MY MOTORCYCLE PROBLEM TO DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10711809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,667 miles Culver City, CA Crash 1 injured

ENGINE

ON JANUARY 18TH 2015 I WAS RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE HONDA 2008 CBR1000RR ON MULHOLLAND HWY IN AGUORA HILLS AT SPEED ABOUT 45MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. A HEAD WAS MILD TURN TO THE RIGHT. JUST BEFORE THE TURN MY ENGINE SEIZED, BLOCKED REAR WHEEL AND MOTORCYCLE WITH ME CONTINUE STRAIGHT OUT OF TURN INTO THE CLIFF ABOUT 25 FEET DEEP. UNFORTUNATELY THERE WAS NOT ANY GUARDRAIL TO PREVENT FALL INTO THE CLIFF AND AVOID INJURIES. I GOT A MULTIPLE INJURIES. I CONTACTED HONDA SAFETY DEPARTMENT AND THEY REFERRED ME WITH MY MOTORCYCLE PROBLEM TO DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10711809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 50,000 miles Rochester, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2008 Honda CBR 1000RR. The contact stated that while riding at 35 MPH, the motorcycle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the motorcycle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The motorcycle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump. The motorcycle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V864000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); the VIN was included, but the motorcycle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to a Honda dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #11681647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,000 miles Henderson, NV

ENGINE

VEHICLE BURNS OIL AT A RATE OF OVER 1L PER 1,000 OF MINIMAL TO MODERATE RIDING.

NHTSA complaint #11377990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,000 miles Englewood, CO

ENGINE

THE ENGINE BURNS OIL AT THE RATE OF 1 QUART PER 500 MILES REGARDLESS OF HOW IT'S OPERATED. ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. MOST OTHER OWNERS KNOW THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH FAULTY PISTON RINGS AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. THIS PROBLEM ONLY RESULTS IN UNNECESSARY WEAR AND TEAR ON OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS, HIGHER COST OF OWNERSHIP AND MUCH HIGHER EMISSIONS. HONDA, PLEASE FIX YOUR BIKE!!

NHTSA complaint #11204715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18,000 miles Martinez, CA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CBR1000RR MOTORCYCLE. WHILE CHANGING THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT IT WAS BURNING OIL TOO FAST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE HAD BEEN BURNING OIL TOO QUICKLY EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED A YEAR AGO. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BURNING TOO MUCH OIL. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

NHTSA complaint #11182587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,915 miles North Hollywood, CA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CBR1000RR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE OIL HAD TO BE CONSTANTLY REFILLED DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL BURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PISTON RINGS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,915.

NHTSA complaint #10837967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Riverside, CA

WHEELS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CBR1000RR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RIDING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AS THE REAR WHEEL SEIZED AND NEARLY CAUSED THE CONTACT TO FALL OFF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE MOTORCYCLE TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA complaint #10819498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,667 miles Culver City, CA Crash 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

ON JANUARY 18TH 2015 I WAS RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE HONDA 2008 CBR1000RR ON MULHOLLAND HWY IN AGUORA HILLS AT SPEED ABOUT 45MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. A HEAD WAS MILD TURN TO THE RIGHT. JUST BEFORE THE TURN MY ENGINE SEIZED, BLOCKED REAR WHEEL AND MOTORCYCLE WITH ME CONTINUE STRAIGHT OUT OF TURN INTO THE CLIFF ABOUT 25 FEET DEEP. UNFORTUNATELY THERE WAS NOT ANY GUARDRAIL TO PREVENT FALL INTO THE CLIFF AND AVOID INJURIES. I GOT A MULTIPLE INJURIES. I CONTACTED HONDA SAFETY DEPARTMENT AND THEY REFERRED ME WITH MY MOTORCYCLE PROBLEM TO DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10711809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,667 miles Culver City, CA Crash 1 injured

ENGINE

ON JANUARY 18TH 2015 I WAS RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE HONDA 2008 CBR1000RR ON MULHOLLAND HWY IN AGUORA HILLS AT SPEED ABOUT 45MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. A HEAD WAS MILD TURN TO THE RIGHT. JUST BEFORE THE TURN MY ENGINE SEIZED, BLOCKED REAR WHEEL AND MOTORCYCLE WITH ME CONTINUE STRAIGHT OUT OF TURN INTO THE CLIFF ABOUT 25 FEET DEEP. UNFORTUNATELY THERE WAS NOT ANY GUARDRAIL TO PREVENT FALL INTO THE CLIFF AND AVOID INJURIES. I GOT A MULTIPLE INJURIES. I CONTACTED HONDA SAFETY DEPARTMENT AND THEY REFERRED ME WITH MY MOTORCYCLE PROBLEM TO DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10711809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bellwood, IL

ENGINE

BURNING LARGE AMOUNTS OR OIL. DEFINITELY SEEING SOOT/SMOKE COMING OUT THE EXHAUST HAVE HAD THE OIL LIGHT COME ON DURING USAGE AND WHEN CHECKING DIPSTICK NOTICED THAT OIL WAS VERY LOW, ABOUT 1 QUART LOW. HAVE ALREADY TALKED TO HONDA DEALERS CLAIMING ONE QUART OF OIL BURNT PER 1000 MILES IS NORMAL, BUT I'M EXCEEDING THOSE GUIDELINES. I'VE ALSO HAD MULTIPLE MOTORCYCLE DEALERS LOOK AT MOTORCYCLE AND THEY'VE VALIDATED THAT THE ENGINE IS BURNING LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL JUST FROM LOOKING AT THE OIL SOOT/ASH IN THE EXHAUST. THEY'VE SPECULATED TO ME THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE PISTON RINGS OR VALVE SEALS BUT COULD NOT MAKE THAT DETERMINATION WITHOUT TEARING DOWN THE ISSUE WHICH WOULD COME AT SUBSTANTIAL COST.

NHTSA complaint #10663086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bristol, CT

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CBR CBR1000RR MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ENGINE OIL HAD TO BE ADDED TO THE VEHICLE EVERY 700-1000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE OIL CONSUMPTION WAS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10563101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,000 miles SAN Antonio, TX

ENGINE

MY 2008 HONDA CBR1000 BURNS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ENGINE OIL. OVER THE COURSE OF MY OWNERSHIP I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY BIKE BURNS ON AVERAGE 1 QT OF FULLY SYNTHETIC MOTOR OIL IN ABOUT 1000 MILES OF USE. THIS IS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL AND I AM CONSTANTLY REFILLING OIL AND WORRYING ABOUT THE EXTRA STRAIN ON THE ENGINE DUE TO THIS HIGH AMOUNT OF OIL CONSUMPTION.

NHTSA complaint #10503359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richfield, ID

ENGINE

THE 2008 CBR1000RR I PURCHASED AT THE BEGINNING OF 2012 WITH APPROX. 4,000 MILES ON IT BURNS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. I HAVE PUT APPROX. 2,000 MILES ON IT AND HAVE HAD TO ADD 4 LITERS OF OIL . AT 7,000 RPM AND HIGHER IT BLOWS SMOKE OUT OF THE EXHAUST . FROM WHAT I'VE READ THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONGST THE 2008 AND 2009 MODELS. THE DEALERSHIPS HEAD MECHANIC SAID THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM{ADVENTURE MOTORSPORTS IN TWIN FALLS IDAHO}.

NHTSA complaint #10463340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,078 miles Farmington, NM

ENGINE

JUST CHANGED OIL ON MY 2008 CBR1000RR AGAIN TO FIND MY OIL LOW AFTER 2000 MILES. ITS BURNING 1.2QT EVERY 2000 MILES AND SEEMS TO BE BURNING MORE AS I PUT MORE MILES ON THE BIKE. I HAVE OWNED MANY OF HONDA CBR1000 AND THIS IS THE 1ST TO EVER BURN OIL AND THE AMOUNT IS FAR TOO MUCH TO BE CALLED NORMAL.

NHTSA complaint #10462359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vail AT, AZ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

IT BURNS A QUART OF OIL EVERY 600 MILES. THIS IS CRAP! THE BIKE ONLY HAS 3000 ON IT. I AM REALLY GLAD I CHECKED IT BEFORE IT GOT ANY LOWER. HONDA SAYS THIS NORMAL. WHAT A LOAD OF YOU KNOW WHAT! COME ON HONDA JUST ADMIT YOU SCREWED UP AND RECALL THESE BIKES AND FIX THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10457565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,226 miles Tulsa, OK

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY 2008 HONDA CBR 1000RR BURNED 1.5 LITERS (OF 3.2 TOTAL LITERS) OF FULLY SYNTHETIC PREMIUM REPSOL ENGINE OIL, IN 1000 MILES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING AT 65 MPH.

NHTSA complaint #10454994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Matawan, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY 2008 HONDA CBR1000RR MOTORCYCLE IS CONSUMING EXCESS OIL. THIS MOTORCYCLE BURNS A QUART OF OIL EVERY 300 TO 400 MILES. I NEED TO RIDE WITH A BACK PACK WITH OIL WHENEVER A RIDE IS TAKEN OUTSIDE MY LOCAL AREA. I HAVE ANOTHER CBR1000RR, BUT IT'S 2009 AND IT DOESN'T CONSUME NOT ONE DROP OF OIL AND IT HAS 12,120 MILES AND MY 2008 ONLY HAS 4435 MILES. I LEARNED FROM OTHER OWNERS THAT THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND GET THE RUN AROUND WITH THE HONDA DEALERSHIPS. I HAD DEALER PERSONNEL DESCRIBE THAT HONDA HAD MADE CHANGES ON THE ENGINE INTERNALLY FOR THE 2009 MODEL. (SAME MOTORCYCLE). IN MATTER OF FACT, THE PISTON RINGS FOR THE 2008 DON'T EVEN HAVE PART #'S IN THEIR SYSTEM PER HONDA EMPLOYEES! I FEEL CHEATED AND ROBBED! I CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA CORPORATION AND REFUSED TO MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS. I WAS TOLD THAT I CAN TAKE MY MOTORCYCLE TO THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER FOR EVALUATION BUY I'D BE RESPONSIBLE WITH A $800 + TAX = $856 TO CHECK THE PROBLEM SINCE MOTORCYCLE'S WARRANTY IS EXPIRED! EVERY SINGLE 2008 HONDA CBR1000RR HAS THIS PROBLEM! SPOKE TO NUMEROUS INDIVIDUALS THIS YEAR THROUGH MY BUSINESS AND IT'S ALL OVER THE INTERNET! HONDA BEING A VERY REPUTABLE MANUFACTURE AND MYSELF OWNING 4 HONDAS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS HAS SURPRISED ME THAT THEY WON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR MISTAKE. I UNDERSTAND IT'S A COSTLY MISTAKE AND THAT'S WHY THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE A RECALL. BUT ALL OWNERS OF THE 2008 HONDA CBR1000RR WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS DEFECT THAT MAKES THE MOTORCYCLE DANGEROUS AND CREATE THE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND LOCK UP IF OIL GOES TOO LOW. WE ALL WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN DO. THANK YOU RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED.

NHTSA complaint #10433865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,100 miles Houston, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CBR 1000RR MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXCESSIVELY SHAKE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE WARNING PANEL. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO ABNORMALLY SMOKE AND THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 2,100.

NHTSA complaint #10332247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Myers, FL

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) THE PURPOSE OF THIS LETTER IS TO INFORM YOU OF A SERVICE FAILURE I EXPERIENCED WITH HONDA MOTORCYCLES; ACCORDING TO SEVERAL HONDA DEALERS THAT I'VE CONTACTED MY MOTORCYCLE HAD A RECALL PERFORMED CONCERNING THE CLUTCH AND THE PROBLEM WITH THE SLIPPING. THIS RECALL WAS DONE BEFORE I OWN THE CBR 1000. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CLUTCH WAS NEVER "REPAIRED" THE PROBLEM WITH THE RECALL STILL EXISTS IN THE MOTORCYCLE. I'VE HAD THE CLUTCH REPLACED WHICH DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM, IT CONTINUES TO SLIP AND HAS THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RECALL. WHEN I CONTACTED SEVERAL OF HONDA'S DEALERS THEY WERE VERY VAGUE ABOUT HOW TO REPAIR THE CLUTCH PROBLEM AND TOLD ME THE ONLY THING I COULD DO IS BRING THE MOTORCYCLE IN AND PAY THEM AN HOURLY RATE SO THEY COULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, TO SAY THE LEAST I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED AND FRUSTRATED OF THE DEFENSIVENESS AND COCKINESS OF THE SERVICE WRITERS. SO, INSTEAD OF THE SUPPORT OF THE HONDA REPS IM TRYING TO REPAIR THE RECALL WITH THE HELP OF MY LOCAL MOTORCYCLE/REPAIR SHOP. I SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS AND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO TRY AND FIX A PROBLEM WITH YOUR MOTORCYCLES THAT OBVIOUSLY HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT DUE TO USER ERROR OR ABUSE OF THIS MOTORCYCLE AND IS JUST SIMPLY TRYING TO ENJOY MY MOTORCYCLE THAT I BOUGHT I HOPE THAT ONCE YOU HAVE RESEARCH THIS ISSUE, WE CAN COME TO A MUTUAL AGREEMENT ABOUT WHAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE IN ORDER TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I'M A LOYAL HONDA MOTORCYCLE BUYER AND HAS BOUGHT FOUR HONDA'S PREVIOUS TO THIS ONE. IM LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU SOON. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AT ANY TIME AT [XXX] OR AT MY EMAIL [XXX], THE VIN # [XXX].

NHTSA complaint #10326074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 579 miles Fort Lauderdale, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CBR1000RR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RINGS AROUND THE ENGINE WERE NOT SEALED PROPERLY, CAUSING OIL TO SPILL FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE WHEN IT REACHED A SPEED OF 50 MPH. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO DO SO FREE OF CHARGE. THE CONTACTS CONCERN WAS THAT THE ENGINE WOULD LOCK UP AT HIGH SPEEDS CAUSING A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 579. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 700.

NHTSA complaint #10322313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.