2015 saddlebag recall — 185,000The biggest Harley-Davidson recall of 2015 was prompted by a saddlebag issue affecting certain motorcycle models. The saddle bag, which attaches below the motorcycle seat, is convenient to have during a ride. Having it fall off abruptly mid-ride definitely isn't what many Harley-Davidson owners have in mind.The company investigated this issue in January 2015 due to an increase in warranty claims about the defect. It soon discovered that the saddlebag mounting receptacle was faulty. In particular, a spring wire within the receptacle sometimes didn't provide enough tension to hold the bag securely, causing it to fall off.Affected models were some 2014 and 2015 Touring model motorcycles, including the Road King, Police Electra Glide, and Street Glide, specifically those manufactured between May 3, 2013, and May 26, 2015, in the U.S. In Brazil, models made from July 2013 to June 2015 were affected. In total, the number of models involved in this July 2015 recall amounted to more than 185,000 units.2018 clutch system recall — 238,300Another major recall happened in 2018, this time in October. The event was fueled by reports that some Harley-Davidson motorcycle clutches had certain defects that prevented them from disengaging. The identified models were the Touring, CVO Touring, and Trike models of 2017 and 2018, as well as the 2017 Softail bikes.According to the NHTSA report, the secondary clutch actuator in the hydraulic clutch system in many motorcycles could suffer a leak issue. Such a leak could over time cause an excessive loss of fluid, allowing air to enter the system and thereby affecting the operation of the clutch system.Those potentially affected were asked to contact a dealer who would confirm if their vehicle was part of the recall, in which case, a new secondary actuator piston assembly was to be installed. Globally, about 238,300 models were affected, 177,636 of which were in the U.S. This became the company's fourth clutch-related recall in five years. Only two years prior, a clutch problem had led to the recall of 27,232 motorcycles.2021 headlight failure recall — 31,000A faulty headlight might not seem like a huge defect at first, but when you take your motorcycle on the road, it becomes a major safety hazard. Because of this problem, Harley-Davidson initiated a recall in March 2021 involving more than 31,000 vehicles.The company probably expected the glossy chrome finish in the headlamp assembly to be more of an aesthetic concept than a headache. However, in affected models, it reflected more heat than anticipated, creating a hole in the tip of the dual-filament bulb. This then resulted in gas escaping from the bulb, and cause complete headlight failure.The defect came with some 2019-2021 Sportster (XL) motorcycles. However, the headlamps were also sold as replacement parts for older Sportster models, 2005-2017 Softail and Dyna models, and 2005-2011 V-Rod models, making them subject to the recall as well. Owners were notified of the recall, and a new headlamp bulb shield was installed in these motorcycles, this time around, with a matte inner surface finish to avoid a recurrence.2022 unintended brake light illumination — 200,000October 2022 saw another major recall for Harley-Davidson thanks to a software problem. The company discovered that the brake lights in a number of Touring, CVO Touring, and CVO Trike motorcycles would illuminate whether or not the rider applied the brakes. A recall was necessary as this could obviously confuse other motorists or riders and lead to a rear-end collision. In addition, it's a violation of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 108: Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.This issue actually came to the attention of the company in June 2021. However, the company closed the investigation about four months later based on its discovery and due to the low frequency of reports. But with increased complaints, the investigation became active once again in 2022, and Harley-Davidson's Executive Decision Authority (EDA) finally approved a voluntary recall.The owners were urged to go to their dealers for a software update to fix this problem. This worked great for Touring and CVO Touring motorcycles. But for Trike and CVO Trike bikes, dealers also had to install a new pressure switch.2023 rear shock absorber fasteners — 65,000Shock absorber fasteners are crucial for keeping your vehicle's shock absorber secure. So when Harley-Davidson discovered that in many of its motorcycles, the component was susceptible to breaking inadvertently, it issued a recall. In this instance, the faulty rear fastener could cause the shock absorber to come in contact with the rear tire, which could lead to a loss of pressure over time and make handling the motorcycle difficult.The recall was filed in August 2023, but it involved models produced as far back as 2018. It affected a number of Softail motorcycles, but only those that came with a particular style of rear shock adjuster. Models affected included the 2018-2019 FLDE, 2020-2023 FXLRS, 2018-2023 FLHCS, and 2022 FXRST. Although this constituted only about 1% of total units, the total number recalled added up to 65,224 motorcycles. Some accessory rear suspension kits made within that period also had the same issue. However, a separate recall was made for those, involving about 1,282 units.2024 wire safety issues — 47,000Harley-Davidson had already been receiving a lot of backlash in August 2024 due to some of its policies. September was followed by even more bad press for the company, as it had to issue its biggest recall of 2024, courtesy of faulty wiring in some of its bikes.According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration report, the regulator output wire was built in a way that it would rub against the front corner of the engine crankcase, wearing down the wire insulation. The exposure of the wire made it susceptible to an electrical short circuit that could lead to a loss of power in the electrical system and potentially cause a crash.The company, in its recall, conducted a free repair of the regulator output wire harness for motorcycles that were affected and also fixed a secondary retention strap to help keep the wire in place. Only 2024 models were affected, including the 2024 FLHX, FLHXSE, FLTRX, FLTRXSE, and FLTRXSTSE motorcycles. Still, affected units came up to 46,923. Harley-Davidson began shipping the recall kits in October 2024.