Recall 15V053 affects 149 2013-2014 Brammo Empulse and Empulse R motorcycles for transmission oil leaking onto the rear tire. Free repair at franchised Brammo dealers.
Brammo is recalling 149 2013-2014 Empulse and Empulse R motorcycles because oil from the transmission breather tube can blow onto the rear fender and rear tire. If oil reaches the tire, the rider can lose control and crash; Brammo dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2013-2014 Brammo Empulse and Empulse R use a gearbox in the power train to transfer motor power to the rear wheel. Gear oil lubricates the transmission gears, and a breather tube gives pressure inside the gearbox a controlled path to vent. Under normal operation, that tube vents air, not oil.
On affected motorcycles, cold gearbox oil gets thick below 10 degrees C. If the bike is run at 5000 RPM or greater before the gearbox warms, the spinning gears force oil into the breather tube. Once enough oil reaches the top of the tube, it leaks out and blows onto the rear fender and tire. Oil on the rear tire reduces grip.
There is no warning sign while riding before oil reaches the breather tube. The condition is tied to a cold gearbox and high RPM use; keeping initial operation below 4000 RPM until the gearbox warms prevents the oil from being forced into the tube.
Who's affected?
Covers both Empulse variants from the 2013-2014 model years, all tied to the manual transmission.
| 2014 Brammo Empulse | manual transmission |
|---|---|
| 2013 Brammo Empulse | manual transmission |
| 2013 Brammo Empulse R | manual transmission |
| 2014 Brammo Empulse R | manual transmission |
| Units affected | 149 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 4 field incidents to date. |
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?
Oil leaking onto the rear tire can cause loss of control and increase crash risk. The rider has no advance warning. When the bike is below 10 degrees C, warm it before hard riding and use lower RPMs at first. Schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Brammo dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2014 Brammo Empulse or Empulse R is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Brammo dealer to schedule the free transmission breather baffle kit installation that keeps transmission oil off the rear tire.
- Bring the recall notice if Brammo mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V053 when you call.
- Ride cautiously until the repair is complete, and stop riding if you see oil on the rear fender or tire.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Brammo technician installs a new transmission breather baffle kit to address oil leaking from the transmission breather tube onto the rear fender and tire. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Brammo has a general reimbursement plan on file for documented expenses paid before the recall notice. Bring repair paperwork to the service desk or contact Brammo customer service to ask how to submit a claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 29, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| February 2, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
| February 11, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 11, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 12, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V053?
Recall 15V053 covers 149 2013-2014 Brammo Empulse and Empulse R motorcycles with transmission breather tube oil leaks. Oil can blow onto the rear fender and tire, reducing control and increasing crash risk. Brammo dealers install a new transmission breather baffle kit for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2014 Brammo Empulse or Empulse R is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 15V053. If it is, contact a Brammo dealer or Brammo customer service at 1-541-482-9555 to arrange the transmission breather baffle kit installation. The repair is free.
Is the Brammo recall repair free?
Yes. Brammo's recall remedy states that dealers will install a new transmission breather baffle kit free of charge. Federal recall law also requires the manufacturer to provide the recall repair at no cost to owners.
What is the safety risk in recall 15V053?
The risk is oil reaching the rear tire. If transmission oil leaks from the breather tube and contacts the rear tire, the motorcycle can lose grip and control, increasing crash risk. Confirm the VIN, then arrange the free dealer repair.
What if I bought my Brammo Empulse used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the motorcycle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Empulse or Empulse R is included, then reference recall 15V053 when you contact a Brammo dealer or Brammo customer service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V053000 |
|---|---|
| Brammo customer service | 1-541-482-9555 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V053 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V053000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (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 →