Harley-Davidson Softail Motorcycles: Rear Shock Absorber Mounting Tab May Break
Harley-Davidson is recalling certain 2018-2024 Softail motorcycles because the mounting tab on the rear shock pre-load adjuster may break, potentially damaging the rear tire and causing loss of tire pressure.
What this means for you
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: This recall involves a structural vehicle defect affecting the suspension system, but no injuries or deaths have been reported. The hazard is potential rather than confirmed, with the defect increasing crash risk without documented incidents, placing it at the High severity level.
Plain-English summary
Harley-Davidson Motor Company is recalling certain 2018-2024 Softail motorcycles. The mounting tab on the rear shock pre-load adjuster may break, allowing the rear shock absorber adjuster to damage the rear tire and cause a loss of tire pressure.
A sudden loss of tire pressure increases the risk of a motorcycle crash. The recall affects approximately 82,117 vehicles across multiple Softail model variants including the FLDE, FLHCS, FLHC, FXLRS, and other related models.
Owners should contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Dealers will install a new bracket free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning June 16, 2025. Some vehicles previously repaired under recall 23V591 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall is identified as Harley-Davidson recall number 0188.
The recalled product
- Product
- 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLDE
- Brand
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON
- Manufacturer
- Harley-Davidson Motor Company
- Hazard
- rear-shock-defect
- tire-damage
- loss-of-tire-pressure
- crash-risk
- Affected units
- 82,117
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (7)
- FLDE
- FLHCS
- FLHC
- FXLRS
- FXLRST
- FLHCS ANV
- FXRST
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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