Harley-Davidson recalls 65000 Softails due to fastener issue
A fastener securing the rear shock absorber may break and allow the rear shock absorber adjuster to damage the rear tire, causing a loss of tire pressure.
powersportsbusiness.comHere’s the latest on Harley-Davidson recalls based on recent public reporting:
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April 22, 2026: Harley-Davidson initiated a recall affecting about 17,000 Softail motorcycles. The issue involves a rear brake line that may contact the Body Control Module (BCM), potentially causing a hole in the brake line, brake fluid leakage, and loss of rear braking. Dealers will replace the BCM caddy and related hardware at no charge, and they will inspect and replace damaged brake lines as needed. This appears to be the most current large-scale action affecting contemporary Softail models.[2]
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2025–early 2026 activity: Earlier in 2025, Harley-Davidson recalls included a batch of over 82,000 motorcycles due to a rear shock pre-load adjuster mounting issue, with dealers installing a new bracket and related parts at no cost to owners (no reported fatalities or injuries tied to that defect as of the notices).[4][5]
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Historic context: The company has run multiple recalls over the past decade, including a notable 2018 recall of about 175,000 touring and related models for brake-system concerns, with brake fluid replacement and inspections conducted at authorized dealers.[1]
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Other public notes: There have been reports and discussions about recalls on various Harley-Davidson models (including Softails and touring bikes) due to brake-line routing, fastener issues, or component wear, with varying affected model years. These are sometimes summarized in motorcycle-press outlets and specialized outlets, such as Visordown and industry publications.[6][2]
Illustration (example of what a recall notice typically includes):
- Affected models and years
- Nature of defect (e.g., brake line contact with BCM, or brake-fluid leak risk)
- Remedy (replacement parts, rework, and inspections)
- Ownership steps (how to determine if affected and how to get service)
If you’d like, I can pull the official NHTSA recall notices for the specific VINs you own or the exact model-year combinations you’re concerned about, and summarize the required actions with the recommended next steps. I can also provide a quick checklist for talking points when you call a dealer or Harley-Davidson customer service.