Recall 14V794 affects 19,015 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail and Dyna motorcycles for front brake master cylinder corrosion. Repair is free at any franchised Harley-Davidson dealer.
Harley-Davidson is recalling 19,015 2012 Softail and Dyna motorcycles because the front brake master cylinder threads for the brake line banjo bolt can corrode. Corrosion can cause sudden brake fluid loss and loss of the front brakes, increasing crash risk; the Harley-Davidson dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
On the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail and Dyna motorcycles in this recall, the front brake master cylinder is the hand-control unit that turns lever pressure into hydraulic pressure. When you squeeze the front brake lever, the master cylinder pushes brake fluid through the front brake line so the front brake can apply at the wheel.
The brake line attaches to the master cylinder with a banjo bolt, a hollow bolt that lets brake fluid pass through the fitting while clamping the line in place. On affected motorcycles, the threads in the master cylinder for that banjo bolt are subject to corrosion. Damaged threads weaken the connection that holds the brake line sealed and secure, which makes front brake pressure less dependable.
There is no warning sign before failure. Do not rely on noise, lever feel, or a visible fluid mark to tell you that the threaded connection has started to corrode.
Who's affected?
Covers both Softail and Dyna motorcycles from the 2012 model year, with the same hydraulic brake system component listed for each.
| 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| 2012 Harley-Davidson Dyna | hydraulic brake system |
| Units affected | 19,015 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific motorcycle.
What's the safety risk?
Corroded threads in the front brake master cylinder can cause a sudden brake fluid loss. That can leave the motorcycle without front brakes and increase crash risk. Schedule the recall repair soon, and stop riding if braking changes or fluid leaks appear. Repair will be free at any franchised Harley-Davidson dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail or Dyna is included in this recall.
- Confirm that Harley-Davidson has sent the owner notice before scheduling the dealer repair.
- Contact a franchised Harley-Davidson dealer to schedule the free front-brake master-cylinder flush and inspection that addresses corrosion at the brake-line banjo-bolt threads.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 14V794 and Harley-Davidson recall 0163 or 0164 when you call.
- Ride cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and avoid hard braking.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Harley-Davidson technician flushes and inspects the front brake master cylinder. The technician also checks the brake line banjo bolt area for corrosion and replaces the master cylinder if the inspection shows it is needed. The recall notice listed January 22, 2015, as the expected start date. The dealer repair is free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
Timeline
| December 16, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 22, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V794?
Recall 14V794 covers 19,015 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail and Dyna motorcycles with front brake master cylinder threads that can corrode at the brake line banjo bolt. If that happens, brake fluid can be lost suddenly, causing loss of the front brake and increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail or Dyna is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 14V794. If it is, contact a franchised Harley-Davidson dealer to schedule the front brake master cylinder flush and inspection. Reference recall number 14V794, or Harley-Davidson recall 0163 or 0164, when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. Harley-Davidson dealers will flush and inspect the front brake master cylinder and replace the master cylinder if needed, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is sudden loss of front braking. Corrosion in the front brake master cylinder threads can lead to brake fluid loss at the banjo bolt connection, causing loss of the front brake and increasing crash risk.
What if I bought my Harley-Davidson Softail or Dyna used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the motorcycle, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2012 Softail or Dyna is included, then call a franchised Harley-Davidson dealer with recall number 14V794.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V794000 |
|---|---|
| Harley-Davidson customer service | 1-800-258-2464 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V794 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V794000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →