Honda recalls 96 Rebel 500 motorcycles over possible handle-lock screw fault

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India has announced a voluntary recall of its Rebel 500 motorcycle in India. The recall covers 96 bikes built between April 2025 and August 2025, after a possible defect was found in the handle-lock fixing screw.

According to the company, if the handle-lock fixing screw was not tightened to the correct torque during assembly, it could work loose over time. This could affect steering movement. As a precaution, the part on these bikes will be replaced free of charge.

Honda said the recall will begin in the first week of November 2026. Customers whose bikes are covered will be contacted by phone, email or SMS and told how to book a service appointment. The bike does not need to be under warranty for this repair. The screw will be replaced at Honda BigWing dealerships.

The company said no incident related to the problem had been reported in India as of September 30, 2026. The screw will still be replaced on all the motorcycles concerned to avoid any possible risk later.

Customers can check whether their Rebel 500 is part of the recall by entering its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in the recall campaign section of Honda's website. They can also contact the nearest authorised Honda BigWing dealer for details of the process.

The Rebel 500 was launched in India in May 2025 at Rs 5.12 lakh, ex-showroom, Gurugram. Initial deliveries began in June 2025 in three cities: Gurugram, Mumbai and Bengaluru.

The motorcycle is built on a tubular steel frame. It has bobber styling, fat tyres, LED lighting, a circular headlamp and a low seat height of 690 mm. It is powered by a 471 cc, two-cylinder, liquid-cooled petrol engine that produces 45.6 bhp and 43.3 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a six-speed gearbox, and the bike has dual-channel ABS.