AI Damage2008 Honda Cbr1000rr: common problems
Owners of the 2008 Honda Cbr1000rr filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 18
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 56% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 28% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 6% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 6% of all complaints
- 6 Wheels 6% of all complaints
- Engine: 10 complaints (56% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 5 complaints (28% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (6% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (6% of all).
- Structure: 1 complaints (6% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 18 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 8,622 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 24% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Cbr1000rr has 5 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 18, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Honda Cbr1000rr?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, engine and cooling, fuel system. Total complaints: 18. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: oil leak or consumption (39%), smoke, burning smell, fire (17%), warning lights, check engine (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2008 Honda Cbr1000rr?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2008 Honda Cbr1000rr from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2008 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.