Recall 12V031 affects 202 2009 Wildfire WF650-C motorcycles for missing brake reservoir labeling and warning lamps. Repair is free at any franchised Wildfire dealer.
Wildfire is recalling 202 2009 WF650-C motorcycles because the brake system lacks required reservoir labeling, uses a single brake fluid reservoir, and has no brake failure warning lamp. A brake fluid leak can leave the entire brake system without pressure and without warning, increasing crash risk; the Wildfire dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The brake fluid reservoir on the 2009 Wildfire WF650-C is the container that feeds brake fluid into the motorcycle brake system. When the rider uses the brakes, that fluid carries pedal or lever force through the system so the brakes can slow the motorcycle. The reservoir labeling is supposed to help identify the brake fluid service point and warn against using the wrong fluid.
On these motorcycles, the brake system was built with a single reservoir and a single filler opening, and the required reservoir labeling was missing. The motorcycles also lack warning lamps that indicate brake failure. That means the brake hardware was not built with the required owner-facing labels and brake failure warning indicators.
There is no warning sign before failure. Because the brake failure lamps are absent, the rider should not expect a dashboard warning lamp to identify a brake system failure.
Who's affected?
| 2009 Wildfire WF650-C | anti-lock brake system (ABS) |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 202 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
A missing brake reservoir label can lead to improper brake-system maintenance. This motorcycle uses a single brake-fluid reservoir and has no brake-failure warning lamp, so a brake-fluid leak can leave the entire brake system without braking power and increase crash risk. Repair will be free at any franchised Wildfire dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009 Wildfire WF650-C is included in this recall.
- Contact Wildfire customer service to confirm the free correction path before arranging service.
- Ask a franchised Wildfire dealer about the brake-system correction for the missing reservoir label and missing brake-failure warning lamp.
- Reference recall number 12V031 when you call or visit the dealer.
- Ride cautiously until the repair is complete, and stop using the motorcycle if you notice brake fluid loss or braking trouble.
What happens at the repair
Wildfire began the recall on April 18, 2012 and said owners would be contacted. The remedy filed for this recall says dealers will correct the motorcycles free of charge. At the dealer, a Wildfire technician addresses the brake system compliance items described in the recall: the single brake fluid reservoir needs the required labeling, and the motorcycle lacks brake failure warning lamps. The dealer repair will be free once the repair path is open for your VIN.
Timeline
| February 1, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 18, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V031?
Recall 12V031 covers 202 2009 Wildfire WF650-C motorcycles with a brake-system compliance defect. The motorcycles were built with one brake fluid reservoir, missing required reservoir labeling, and no brake failure warning lamp. Wildfire said dealers would correct the motorcycles for free.
What should I do if my 2009 Wildfire WF650-C is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 12V031. If it is, contact Wildfire at 1-740-283-6540 or a franchised Wildfire dealer and ask for the free brake-system recall correction. Reference recall number 12V031 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects and compliance defects at no cost, and Wildfire's remedy says dealers will correct the affected motorcycles free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for the recall correction.
What is the safety risk?
The brake system can fail without warning if a brake fluid leak occurs. Because the motorcycle has one brake fluid reservoir for the entire brake system and no brake failure warning lamp, the rider has less notice before losing braking ability, increasing crash risk.
What warning signs should I watch for?
There is no brake failure warning lamp on the affected motorcycles. Watch for brake fluid leaks, a low brake fluid level, or changes in brake feel, but do not rely on a dashboard warning. If your VIN is included, ask Wildfire or the dealer about the recall correction.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V031000 |
|---|---|
| Wildfire customer service | 1-740-283-6540 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V031 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V031000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →