Harley-Davidson is pulling nearly 17,000 Softail motorcycles back into the service bay after engineers uncovered a routing problem that can rub a hole in the rear brake line and bleed out brake fluid. The recall targets select 2025 to 2026 FLHC, FXBB, FXLRS and FXLRST models that ride on the company’s narrower 2025-era frame. Dealers will handle the fix at no charge, and owner notification letters are set to roll out in the coming weeks.
Federal recall paperwork
In the Part 573 safety report filed with federal regulators, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the rear brake line can make contact with the bike’s Body Control Module, which can "result in a hole in the brake line, a brake fluid leak, and loss of the rear brakes" and "increases the risk of a crash," according to NHTSA. The campaign is listed under number 26V234 and covers a potential population of 16,994 motorcycles. Investigators traced the defect to insufficient clearance between the rear brake line (part number 41800974) and the BCM and documented Harley’s internal investigation timeline in the filing.
Milwaukee angle and corporate context
As the hometown business press noted, Milwaukee Business Journal reported that Harley flagged the issue after warranty and service records showed multiple cases of rear brake-fluid loss. That local coverage also places the recall against a backdrop of recent changes to Softail frames and electronics that came in with the 2025 redesign, making this a very Milwaukee-flavored headache for the storied brand.
Which bikes, production dates and remedy
The recall applies to FLHC, FXBB, FXLRS and FXLRST Softail models built between October 3, 2024 and March 16, 2026. According to NHTSA, Harley is instructing dealers to replace the BCM caddy and inspect the rear brake line, swapping in a new line if needed, all at no cost to owners. Owner notification letters are expected to go out between May 18 and May 25, and Vehicle Identification Numbers for affected units became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 16. Harley also says motorcycles shipped after March 18, 2026 were already built with the updated caddy.
What owners should do
Dealers received their recall notices in mid-April, and riders can check whether their bike is covered by running the VIN on NHTSA.gov or by calling Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464, according to Fox. Anyone who spots brake fluid under the bike or feels weaker rear braking is advised to park it and contact a dealer immediately rather than try to “limp it home.” For backup, owners can also call the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
Industry context
Trade coverage points out that the problem is limited to Softails built on Harley’s narrow-frame electrical architecture and that production units shipped after March 18 already incorporate the fix, per The BRAKE Report. The outlet also notes Harley told regulators it is not aware of any crashes or injuries tied to the defect and that the company placed affected inventory on a ship-hold while it worked through the investigation and remedy, according to the published chronology.
Legal and safety notes
Federal law requires vehicle manufacturers to notify NHTSA when they discover a safety defect and to provide a remedy. Under 49 U.S.C. § 30112 it is generally illegal to sell or deliver a vehicle with a known safety defect after a recall is announced, and the agency demands detailed schedules for notifying owners and dealers as part of the process. The full statutory language is available via Cornell Law School.
