American Honda Motor Company is recalling certain 2022, 2024, and 2025 Honda Africa Twin motorcycles due to an issue with the software programming in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU). Under specific circumstances, this programming error could cause either engine hesitation or improper acceleration, which could increase the risk of a crash.
Approximately 4,205 motorcycles sold in the US could be affected, which represents around one percent of the population according to Honda. Affected 2022 Africa Twins were produced between September 22, 2021 and July 21, 2022. Affected 2024 and 2025 Africa Twins were produced between February 9, 2024 and October 11, 2024.
What's the issue? According to Honda, the affected software as it currently exists could miscalculate traction control settings while wheelie control is also engaged in certain riding situations. The problem, says Honda, relates to a software program being carried over from a different model as the OEM worked on its wheelie control feature for the Africa Twin.
Because the initial software was developed for a different model and "not thoroughly reviewed and validated for the CRF1100 Africa Twin model," this problem developed. The software in question was developed by Hitachi Astemo, the automotive mega-supplier formed in 2021 as a merger between Nissin, Keihin, Showa, and Hitachi.
Honda's investigation of this issue began in May 2023. In December 2023, the OEM initiated a product update campaign for some 2022 Africa Twins, also related to the FI-ECU software and its Wheelie Control function. At the time, it says that although the issue required addressing, it was not deemed to be a safety concern.
However, as time (and Honda's investigation) moved on, it eventually determined that a safety concern existed and initiated this recall in November 2024. As of November 14, 2024, Honda's supplier has updated its software settings for the wheelie control module, so Africa Twin motorcycles produced after this date are not affected.
Honda notified its dealers about this issue on November 15, 2024. It plans to send owner notification letters to registered owners on or about January 20, 2025.
Owners of affected bikes will be instructed to schedule recall service with their local authorized Honda Powersports dealers, who will reprogram the FI-ECU module with the updated software. Any owners who have already paid to have this service performed prior to the recall may be eligible for recall reimbursement with appropriate documentation of their previously paid-for service.
American Honda issued an official Service Bulletin documenting the procedure to update the software on affected bikes in November 2024. This Service Bulletin also includes a stop sale notification for new and used 2022, 2024, and 2025 Africa Twins until they have received the repairs detailed in the Service Bulletin.
Owners may contact American Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870 regarding recall campaign KR1. Additionally, owners may contact the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9154) or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
