Harley-Davidson is recalling 16,994 of its newest Softail motorcycles after federal inspectors flagged a rear brake line that can wear a hole straight through itself and leak fluid. The recall, filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as campaign 26V234, covers 2025 and 2026 model year FLHC, FXBB, FXLRS and FXLRST Softails built on the company’s newer electrical architecture and narrower frame.

Key Points

• Recall: NHTSA campaign 26V234, filed April 13, 2026
• Units affected: 16,994 motorcycles
• Models: 2025-2026 FLHC, FXBB, FXLRS and FXLRST Softails
• Defect: Rear brake line can contact the Body Control Module and wear through
• Remedy: Free dealer repair, no cost to owners

What Inspectors Found

Per the NHTSA recall report, the rear brake line sits too close to the motorcycle’s Body Control Module. The Softail line’s newest generation moved to a redesigned wiring harness and a narrower frame for 2025, changes that repositioned several electronics, including the Body Control Module, closer to hardware that previously had more clearance around it. Insufficient clearance lets the two parts touch, and repeated contact can eventually wear a hole in the line. That hole lets brake fluid escape, reducing rear stopping power and raising crash risk on a bike that already leans on its rear brake at low speed and in stop-and-go traffic. Harley-Davidson told regulators it is not aware of any crashes or injuries tied to the issue as of the filing date, according to The Brake Report’s review of the paperwork.

Which Bikes Are Covered

• 2025-2026 FLHC: 3,549 units
• 2025-2026 FXBB: 4,799 units
• 2025-2026 FXLRS: 3,308 units
• 2025-2026 FXLRST: 5,338 units

NHTSA’s filing lists the defect as potentially present in every one of the recalled bikes, a 100 percent estimated rate that Yahoo Autos also noted in its coverage of the campaign. Units built after March 18, 2026 already rolled off the line with the corrected part, so the fix targets bikes from the earlier production run. The four affected nameplates span Harley’s cruiser, bobber and performance cruiser lines, so the recall touches a wide slice of the brand’s current lineup rather than a single niche model.

What Owners Should Do

• Watch for a soft, spongy or sinking rear brake pedal, or visible fluid pooling near the rear wheel.
• Expect a mailed notice. Harley-Davidson began sending owner letters the week of May 18, 2026.
• Book a free dealer visit. Technicians will install a redesigned Body Control Module caddy that adds clearance, then inspect and replace the brake line if it shows wear.
• Don’t ignore a change in rear brake feel between now and your service appointment, even if the notice hasn’t arrived yet.

The repair carries no charge to owners. Riders can confirm their bike’s status through a Harley-Davidson dealer or NHTSA’s public recall lookup using campaign number 26V234.