Harley-Davidson Motor Company has recalled about 82,000 models of its Softail bike manufactured in the 2018-2024 time frame due to a mechanical issue that could prove to be life-threatening. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a public release on June 12 to intimate people of the same.
Harley-Davidson has recalled thousands of its bikes (Unsplash)
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“Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) 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, causing a loss of tire pressure,” the press release read.
The affected models include:
• FLDE (2018–2019)
• FLHC (2018–2021)
• FLHCS (2018–2024)
• FLHCS ANV (2018, 2023)
• FXLRS (2020–2024)
• FXLRST (2022–2024)
• FXRST (2022)
What are the reparations?
The motor company has offered to resolve the issue by installing a new bracket free of charge for all owners of the affected models. Owner notification letters started going out on June 16 but those who wish to check their model earlier can visit a Harley-Davidson store or their official website in the meantime.
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Even bikes repaired in the previous recall 23V591 will need to be fixed again, according to the NHTSA. All owners are advised to check on the same and get the needful done even if they haven’t faced any issues with their vehicle yet. Manufacturing defects can take time or situation to materialize and may cost lives in the process.
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Even bikes repaired in the previous recall 23V591 will need to be fixed again, according to the NHTSA. All owners are advised to check on the same and get the needful done even if they haven’t faced any issues with their vehicle yet. Manufacturing defects can take time or situation to materialize and may cost lives in the process.
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Those with any queries can contact the Harley-Davidson service helpline at 1-800-258-2464. The number for this recall is 0188. Customers can also reach out to the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit their official website to seek redress.
No crashes, deaths, or injuries have been reported by the company as of June 2025 due to this manufacturing defect.
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.
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Home/World News/Us News/Harley-Davidson recall: Why 82,000 bikes were taken off market and what to do now
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