Honda Motors is recalling 160,131 vehicles in Japan and 21,395 motorcycles in Britain, Europe and the United States because of defects.
Certain models of the Silverwing motorcycle made between October 2001 and August this year have defective rear wheel spokes that could fracture if the bike repeatedly hits potholes, the company said.
The recall affects 600 Silverwings in Britain and 2,509 sold in the United States, Honda spokeswoman Ms Yuriko Yabe said. The rest were sold throughout Europe.
Seven models of cars are being recalled in Japan - including the Accord Inspire, Inspire, Vigor, Saber, Ascot, and Rafaga - and a truck, the Capa, due to defective starter motors.
Domestically sold Silverwing motorcycles will be also be taken back.
Ms Yabe said investigations into the defects revealed no deaths or injuries overseas or domestically, but four fires have been reported in the engines of the domestically recalled cars.
Honda estimates the costs of the recall to be £10 million sterling.
PA