Harley-Davidson Softail Recall 2026: Leaking Brake Line

• 16,994 motorcycles affected across the Street Bob, Heritage Classic, Low Rider S and Low Rider ST models
• NHTSA has issued a „Do Not Drive” and „Park Outside” order until the motorcycle has been seen by the dealer
• The fix is free of charge and production from 18 March 2026 onwards already has the revised part

A comparatively brief note in a service report in March has triggered one of the largest recalls of the year at Harley-Davidson. The US road safety authority NHTSA is handling the campaign under the number 26V234000 and rates the issue as serious enough to label the machines with a „Do Not Drive” notice and a request to park outside. That is comparatively rare in motorcycle recalls and shows how immediate the risk is considered to be.

Four Softail variants with the new narrow frame

At the centre of the recall are four series of the current Softail generation, which carry a new, narrower frame and electrical concept. For the US market Harley-Davidson names the following model codes and numbers: 5,338 FXLRST (Low Rider ST), 4,799 FXBB (Street Bob), 3,549 FLHC (Heritage Classic) and 3,308 FXLRS (Low Rider S). Production periods range from October 2024 to March 2026, with the Low Rider S models only being included from December 2024.

Not included in the recall are Breakout, Fat Boy and Gray Ghost. These variants use a wider frame that provides enough clearance between the rear brake line and the Body Control Module. Harley-Davidson assumes that 100 percent of the vehicles covered can potentially exhibit the defect pattern. The manufacturer has so far not officially committed to recalls for models delivered outside the United States, but such campaigns usually also follow in Europe.

A short path from the frame to brake failure

Technically the problem lies in insufficient clearance between the rear brake line with part number 41800974 and the Body Control Module, or BCM for short, which sits directly next to the battery. On the four affected models the BCM sits on the narrower frame so close to the brake line that the two components can rub against each other during riding. Over time this can wear through the line. A hole forms, brake fluid escapes, air enters the system and the effect of the rear brake is reduced or fails entirely.

The NHTSA warns that exactly this chain of consequences raises the risk of an accident. Early signs of damage are said to be brake fluid leaking under the motorcycle or a noticeably weaker pressure point at the rear brake lever. So far there have been, according to Harley-Davidson, neither reported accidents nor injuries in connection with the defect.

From the first service report to the recall decision

The internal sequence of events can be reconstructed from the official Part 573 filing. On 5 March 2026 the technical committee at Harley-Davidson first became aware of the problem after the service case of a 2025 Low Rider ST with a failed brake had been reported. In the three weeks that followed three more cases with brake fluid loss or a failed rear brake surfaced in the warranty and service records.

The manufacturer then placed all units of the FXBB, FLHC, FXLRS and FXLRST series that were in its inventory on a delivery stop. Field parts were called back for inspection, the CAD models of all Softail variants reviewed again and pre-series motorcycles examined that had already completed the full mileage testing. On 25 March the team handed over the results to the internal Field Action Committee, and on 6 April the Executive Decision Authority authorised the voluntary recall.

Replacement of the BCM bracket at the dealer

The remedy consists of two steps. First, the bracket of the Body Control Module, known as the BCM caddy with part number 69203217, is replaced together with its associated hardware. The new caddy positions the BCM so that sufficient clearance to the rear brake line is established. Second, the dealer inspects the brake line itself. If it shows signs of damage, it is replaced together with its associated parts. The brackets are repaired free of charge.

Vehicles that left the factory after 18 March 2026 are already equipped with the revised BCM caddy and are therefore not part of the recall. Dealer notification began on 16 April 2026, and owner letters are to be sent out between 18 and 25 May 2026. Since 16 April the NHTSA website can be used to check by vehicle identification number whether the own motorcycle is affected. Customers can also contact Harley-Davidson directly on 1-800-258-2464 or use the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline on 1-888-327-4236.

Third recall involving brake lines in a short period

The current campaign is not the first for Harley-Davidson that involves brake lines. Back in 2023, 2,212 FLHXSE and FLTRXSE were recalled because a frame clamp did not reliably secure the rear brake line and the line could come into contact with the exhaust. In 2024 a campaign followed that concerned the routing of the front brake line on FXRST and FXLRST. Together with the current recall this adds up to three brake-line-related measures within a few years.

At the same time further campaigns are running at Harley-Davidson, including the second recall of the Sportster S under NHTSA number 25V-427, in which the upper fork bridge is completely replaced, as well as the Softail action 0188 from December 2025 with around 82,000 machines affected worldwide due to the mounting of the rear shock absorber. The current brake line recall is technically independent of those and affects different model year groups in each case.

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