2018 Honda Crf1000a Safety Report

The 2018 Honda CRF1000A (Africa Twin) exhibits a concerning pattern of fuel system failures, despite a low overall complaint count. With 13 total complaints, all of which are related to the FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, this component accounts for 100% of reported issues. These complaints frequently describe the motorcycle losing power, sputtering, stalling, or the engine cutting out, particularly at highway speeds. The root cause is consistently identified by owners as welding slag or a flaking liner within the fuel tank, which clogs the fuel filter and pump, leading to fuel starvation. While there are no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths, the nature of these failures – sudden loss of power at highway speeds or in traffic – presents a significant safety risk. Recall history for this model includes one recall (NHTSA Campaign Number 18V780000) concerning an accessory centerstand kit. This recall addresses a potential issue where the centerstand could detach, becoming a road hazard or causing the motorcycle to fall if parked. While this recall is important, it is unrelated to the prevalent fuel system issues reported by owners. The NHTSA has not provided overall safety ratings for this specific motorcycle, meaning there are no crash test performance metrics available to assess its structural safety. In summary, the 2018 Honda CRF1000A's safety profile is dominated by a critical, recurring fuel system defect that can lead to dangerous power loss. While the recall addresses a separate, albeit serious, mechanical issue, the primary safety concern for this model stems from its documented fuel delivery problems. The absence of crash test data means consumers must rely heavily on complaint patterns and recall information for safety assessment.

Our recommendation: Given the consistent and critical fuel system issues leading to dangerous power loss, potential buyers should exercise extreme caution and thoroughly inspect the fuel tank for contamination, or consider models where this known defect has been definitively addressed.