Harley-Davidson Recalls 65,000+ Motorcycles And Shocks

[advrider]

Harley-Davidson is recalling more than 65,000 motorcycles for faulty shock hardware that can fracture and cause a crash. The recall spans a wide variety of Softail models, including its FLDE, FLHC, FLHCS Anniversary, FXLRS, FXLRST, and FXRST models.

Harley-Davidson’s Part 573 Safety Recall Report to NHTSA

Harley-Davidson’s Part 573 Safety Recall Report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says in total, 65,244 motorcycles may be affected. In addition, more than 1,200 accessory shocks are also being recalled. Although the MoCo is one of the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturers, any time a company recalls 65,000+ motorcycles and shocks, it’s a significant one.

In its report, Harley specifically says:

“Fastener (P/N 942 or 10200673) on certain Model Year 2018 – 2023 Softail motorcycles may fracture, potentially allowing the rear shock absorber adjuster to contact the rear tire.”

Describing the safety risk, Harley-Davidson says:

“The risk of a crash exists if contact between the rear shock adjuster and tire remains undetected, resulting in a loss of pressure.”

Faulty Shocks – Indications And Warnings

Harley said riders may receive certain indications that could suggest that their bike may have faulty components saying:

“Operator or passenger may detect a noise from under the seat. In addition, a loose rear shock adjuster may be noted if the seat is removed. Also, if the rear shock adjuster is making contact with the rear tire, difficulty maneuvering the motorcycle may be experienced and in addition, non-typical wear may be noted on the tire.”

Clearly, having some portion of the shock come into contact with the rear tire is a significant safety hazard. And although they have instituted a recall, the chronology of their decision making shows an elaborate and rather lengthy process to make that determination.

NHTSA’s Acknowledgement to Harley-Davidson

On August 22, 2023, Harley notified NHTSA of the recall in its initial Part 573 Safety Recall Report. However, the information it provided was not sufficient, and NHTSA directed them to provide the additional information required by law.

Specifically, NHTSA told Harley to include summary information about the number of warranty claims, field or service reports, and the number of reported deaths and or injuries and information about the supplier of the defective parts:

“As required in Part 573.6, please amend the chronology to provide a summary of all warranty claims, field or service reports, and other information (such as the numbers of  deaths and/or injuries), with their dates of receipt. If claim count exceeds 10 claims, please provide the total number of claims, and a receipt date range for those claims.”

and;

“Per the requirements of 573.6(c)(2)(iv), please provide the supplier name, contact information, address and country of origin (if known) for the affected component(s). If your company manufactured the component itself, then please state so in 573.”

More Part 573 Safety Reports

In response to NHTSA’s direction, Harley submitted two additional Part 573 Safety Recall Reports, with the latest one being issued on August 29, 2023. The revised reports appear to have provided the required information.

With regard to warranty claims etc., Harley stated “H-D has received 33 warranty claims, field reports, or service reports between 6/28/2018 and 8/2/2023 in which contact between the Shock Absorber Adjuster and rear tire was alleged, four of which alleged air loss (including one property damage claim and no injuries).”

After initially failing to identify the manufacturer of the defective component, in its second amended report, Harley disclosed that it was the manufacturer of the part in question.

Process for making a recall

As a result, the revised reports appear to have provided the information required by NHTSA as well as the MoCo’s process for identifying and ordering a recall. And it has lots of layers.

Several departments were involved in the determination of whether the issue should result in a recall. Harley-Davidson’s Technical Subcommittee, Harley-Davidson’s Field Action Committee, and Harley-Davidson’s Executive Decision Authority all participated in the decision. In all, it took the MoCo departments from June 1, 2023, to August 24, 2023, or nearly 12 weeks, to decide whether to issue a recall. Does that sound like a long time to decide whether to issue a recall where the shock can come into contact with the tire and potentially cause it to fail?

Motorcycles affected

The list of motorcycles affected by this recall is extensive and is as follows:

MAKE	MODEL	MODEL YEAR(S)
HARLEY-DAVIDSON	FLDE	2018-2019
HARLEY-DAVIDSON	FLHC	2018 – 2021
HARLEY-DAVIDSON	FLHCS	2018-2023
HARLEY-DAVIDSON	FLHRXS	2020 – 2022
HARLEY-DAVIDSON	FLHCS ANNIVERSARY	2018, 2023
HARLEY-DAVIDSON	FXLRS	2022-2023
HARLEY-DAVIDSON	FXLRST	2022 – 2023

VIN populations

Motorcycles in the affected VIN populations were produced between June 28, 2017, and August 7, 2023. Unfortunately, Harley Davidson did not disclose the VIN ranges for each of the affected models.

Accessory shocks also affected

In its amended Part 573 Safety Recall Report, Harley also said that certain shock absorbers sold as “H-D parts and accessories” could potentially be installed on models not covered by this recall. As a result, under Harley Recall 0182 and NHTSA Recall 23E-063, it issued a separate recall for up to 1,282 shocks that may have the faulty shock absorber fastener. Included in the recall are certain Harley-Davidson accessories low-profile rear suspension shocks (P/N 54000134), and tall rear shocks (P/N 54000294).

Because the shocks were sold to customers and not installed on individual motorcycles, Harley told NHTSA that it would request that all Harley-Davidson dealers “…post a recall notice in a conspicuous location at their dealership in an effort to reach customers (i.e., those who may have purchased an affected part and installed it onto one of the subject motorcycles as a post-sale accessory.)”

Notification schedule

In its report to NHTSA, Harley-Davidson says it will notify its dealers between August 29, 2023, and September 1, 2023. Owners will be notified beginning on September 8, 2023, and continue through September 15, 2023.

Harley-Davidson’s repair plan

Harley-Davidson says it will ask owners to take their vehicles to an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. The dealers will replace the defective fasteners with a larger diameter bolt. Dealers will change the current 1/4″ fastener and substitute a 5/16″ unit. All repairs will be performed at no cost to the owner.

Contacts

For more information, owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464 and cite recall 0181. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), citing recall 23V591 or go to www.nhtsa.,gov.

 

 

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