The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an auto defect recall for 21,600 Honda Goldwing motorcycles due to defective aftermarket floorboards that can crack and break off, increasing the risk of crashes and injuries. According to Consumer Reports, the aftermarket floorboards manufactured by Kuryakyn may separate from the motorcycles possibly injuring riders or causing collisions. NHTSA says the defects affect Kuryakyn floorboards, part number 607005, which were sold and installed on 2001-2011 Honda Goldwing motorcycles. When the recall begins in January, Kuryakyn is expected to begin notifying consumers and provide replacement mounting kits at no cost.

Safety Recalls

It is unclear at this point if there were any motorcycle accidents that were caused by this particular defect. This is the second Honda Goldwing recall this month. Earlier in December, the Japanese automaker recalled about 126,000 Honda Goldwing motorcycles due to possible brake defects. In that case, Honda identified an issue with the motorcycles’ secondary brake master cylinders that may cause the rear brakes to drag, increasing the risk of a crash.

In late November, Honda also issued its fifth recall of several vehicle models for defective airbags. These airbags, which explode with tremendous force can, in addition to injuring vehicle occupants, send out flying shards of metal and plastic. Two deaths and 20 car crashes were reported as a result of defective Honda airbags.

Auto Products Liability Issues

I’m curious as to when this product manufacturer started receiving reports about the defective floorboard on the Goldwing motorcycles since they involve models as old as 2001. When did Kuryakyn find out about these defects? Did the company delay a recall? Automakers not only have the responsibility to manufacture safe products, but they also have the obligation to issue a prompt recall when they receive reports about specific auto defects, especially those that can cause injuries or fatalities.

Anyone who has been injured in an accident involving these Honda Goldwing motorcycles would be well advised to preserve the vehicle in its current state, unaltered, so that an expert can thoroughly examine it for product defects and malfunctions. Injured victims or families of deceased victims would be well advised to contact an experienced California motorcycle accident lawyer, who has successfully handled auto products liability cases against large automakers.