2003 Honda St1300

The 2003 Honda ST1300 has 4 recalls, all rated equally serious, covering two distinct electrical wiring faults that can stall the engine without warning and a brake fluid leak that can render the rear brake inoperative.

Two of the recalls address the same underlying problem: wire harness connectors routed too close to the fuel tank can chafe against it over time, eventually wearing through insulation, blowing an ignition fuse, and cutting power to the engine mid-ride. A separate wiring concern involves a ground distribution connector in the main harness that was incorrectly assembled at the factory; this can cause certain electrical circuits, including the fuel pump circuit, to overheat and short out. When the fuel pump loses power, the engine again stalls without warning, leaving the rider with no drive power at speed. Both of these faults share the same real-world result: sudden, unexpected engine shutdown that gives the rider no time to prepare for the loss of momentum.

On the braking side, the combined-brake system on this motorcycle uses a proportioning control valve to distribute brake force when the rider applies the rear brake. A seal inside some of these valves is shaped incorrectly and can allow brake fluid to slowly leak out. As fluid escapes, rear braking force gradually weakens, and if the leak goes unnoticed long enough, the rear brake stops working entirely, leaving the rider with only the front brake to slow the motorcycle.