Recall 20V624 affects 1,012 2020 Harley-Davidson/Livewire Elw (Livewire) motorcycles for unexpected propulsion shutdown from OBC software. Repair is free at any franchised Harley-Davidson/Livewire dealer.
Harley-Davidson/Livewire is recalling 1,012 2020 Elw (Livewire) motorcycles under recall 20V624 because a software issue in the Onboard Charging system can shut down the electric powertrain and keep it from restarting. An unexpected loss of propulsion increases crash risk, and Harley-Davidson/Livewire dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The on-board charger on the 2020 Harley-Davidson/Livewire Elw (Livewire) is the charging control module for the electric powertrain. It manages charging for the rechargeable energy storage system, the battery pack that supplies propulsion. When the system is working correctly, the motorcycle should keep propulsion available when the battery has adequate charge.
On affected motorcycles, an error in the On-Board Charging system software can trigger an unintended shutdown of the electric vehicle powertrain. The motorcycle can lose propulsion and fail to restart even though the battery still has enough charge. The repair updates the software calibration and removes the routine that causes the shutdown.
Before the shutdown, the instrument display can show warning lamps. Watch for the Traction Control lamp, Anti-lock Brake System lamp, or Failure Indicator Lamp before a loss of propulsion.
Who's affected?
| 2020 Harley-Davidson/Livewire Elw (Livewire) | electric propulsion system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1,012 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2020 Harley-Davidson/Livewire Elw (Livewire) motorcycle is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An unexpected loss of propulsion that cannot be restarted increases the risk of a crash. The TC, ABS, or FIL warning lamps can appear before propulsion is lost. If a warning lamp comes on, ride cautiously and schedule the software update soon. Repair is free at any franchised Harley-Davidson/Livewire dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 Harley-Davidson/Livewire Elw (Livewire) is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Harley-Davidson/Livewire dealer to schedule the free OBC software update that corrects the powertrain shut down and restart issue.
- Bring the recall notice if Harley-Davidson/Livewire mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V624 when you call.
- Ride cautiously until the software update is complete; leave extra room and avoid longer trips when practical.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Harley-Davidson/Livewire technician updates the onboard charging system software. The software update is free under recall 20V624, and parts and labor are covered. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through Harley-Davidson's existing limited warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the manufacturer says prior product failures were covered by that warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork for the onboard charging system.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| October 8, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 15, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| October 19, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 22, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 22, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| October 22, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V624?
Recall 20V624 covers 1,012 2020 Harley-Davidson/Livewire Elw (Livewire) motorcycles with Onboard Charging system software that can shut down the electric powertrain and prevent a restart. Harley-Davidson/Livewire dealers will update the OBC software for free.
What should I do if my 2020 Harley-Davidson/Livewire Elw (Livewire) is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 20V624. If it is, contact a franchised Harley-Davidson/Livewire dealer to schedule the OBC software update. Reference recall number 20V624 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Harley-Davidson/Livewire will update the OBC software free of charge at a franchised dealer. Parts and labor are covered under recall 20V624.
What is the safety risk in recall 20V624?
The safety risk is unexpected loss of propulsion with no restart. If the electric powertrain shuts down while riding, the rider loses drive power, and recall 20V624 identifies that condition as increasing crash risk. The dealer software update addresses the defect.
When did Harley-Davidson/Livewire start notifying owners?
Harley-Davidson/Livewire began the recall on October 19, 2020. If you never received a letter, check your VIN anyway, especially if you bought the motorcycle used or moved after purchase. The VIN decides whether recall 20V624 applies.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V624000 |
|---|---|
| Harley-Davidson/Livewire customer service | 1-800-258-2464 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V624 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V624000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →