Abroad, a recall with more than 88 thousand models was called due to the risk of leakage and injuries related to the defect
A new defect in some Harley-Davidson motorcycles led the manufacturer to announce a recall involving 88,039 motorcycles from model years 2024 to 2026. According to international media, in an official statement, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that the defect can cause an increase in the internal pressure of the engine and the consequent oil leak during the removal of the dipstick. The problem was made official in early May, abroad, and affects motorcycles that are sold all over the globe, including in Brazil. However, the manufacturer has not yet made any statement alerting owners of motorcycles sold here.
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According to information released by the manufacturer, the problem is related to a possible obstruction in a ventilation passage located on the base plate of the airbox. The component is responsible for fixing the air filter assembly and also for controlling the ventilation of the engine crankcase.
According to the NHTSA statement, a manufacturing failure could block one of the system’s vent ports. When this occurs, the pressure inside the engine can build up without proper release. In certain situations, removing the dipstick can cause oil to suddenly expel under pressure.
The company claims to be aware of at least one case in which a dealership technician suffered injuries after being struck by oil while working on a motorcycle affected by the defect.
The recall covers several models from the Touring, Road Glide, Street Glide and Softail families produced between 2024 and 2026. During the investigation, Harley-Davidson identified 192 reports related to obstruction of ventilation ports. Of these, 14 involved oil leakage through the filling nozzle.
According to the manufacturer, the inspection method initially used consisted of checking the passage of light through the vent to confirm that the channel was free. However, the analysis revealed that some obstructions were thin enough to allow light to pass through, but still capable of restricting airflow.
As a solution, the concessionaires will physically inspect the ventilation passage of the rear plate of the airbox and carry out the necessary repairs if any obstruction is identified. The company’s expectation is that most motorcycles will only need inspection, without replacing components.
The owners of the models involved were notified through notifications sent between May 11 and 20. In addition, the query by chassis number (VIN) was made available as of April 30.
Although the announced models are also sold in Brazil, Harley-Davidson has not announced any measures for the South American country. The report contacted Harley-Davidson to confirm the information, check if there are motorcycles affected in the Brazilian market and find out if there is any recall campaign planned for the country. Until the publication of this article, the company had not responded to the request for comment.
Months before the U.S. National Administration’s warning about this oil pressure problem, a recall alleging brake problems was also made official around the world. Here in Brazil, the brand notified the government that it was inspecting suspicious models, but after that, no recall information was released to the press.
If everything goes as expected by Brazilians and consumers, no Harley-Davidson recalls will be made official in Brazil.
