Recall 23V129 affects 4,891 2017-2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycles for corroding brake calipers. Repair is free at any franchised Royal Enfield dealer.
Royal Enfield is recalling 4,891 2017-2021 Himalayan motorcycles because winter road salt can corrode the brake calipers and reduce or eliminate brake function. Loss of braking raises crash risk, and Royal Enfield dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear brake caliper on the 2017-2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan is the clamp that squeezes the brake pads against the rear brake disc. When you press the brake pedal, hydraulic pressure moves pistons inside the caliper so the pads grip the disc and slow the motorcycle. The caliper has to slide and release cleanly after each brake application.
On affected motorcycles, winter road salt can attack the brake caliper if the motorcycle is ridden on treated roads and the caliper is not cleaned afterward. Corrosion can make the caliper drag, which means the brake stays partly applied after you release the pedal. If the corrosion gets worse, braking performance can decrease or the brake can become ineffective.
You can notice increased brake drag from the front or rear brake. Other warning signs include louder brake noise, a burning smell near the calipers, a dragging feel during acceleration, or unusual difficulty pushing the motorcycle by hand.
Who's affected?
Spans the Himalayan model across the 2017-2021 model years, all tied to the same hydraulic brake system.
| 2018 Royal Enfield Himalayan | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| 2019 Royal Enfield Himalayan | hydraulic brake system |
| 2020 Royal Enfield Himalayan | hydraulic brake system |
| 2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan | hydraulic brake system |
| 2017 Royal Enfield Himalayan | hydraulic brake system |
| Units affected | 4,891 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash. If the motorcycle feels like either brake is dragging, treat that as a warning sign and stop riding until a Royal Enfield dealer checks it. Schedule the caliper replacement soon, especially before longer rides. Repair is free at any franchised Royal Enfield dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Royal Enfield dealer to schedule the free front and rear brake-caliper replacement that addresses corrosion-related loss of brake function.
- Bring the recall notice if Royal Enfield has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V129 when you call.
- Ride only as needed until the repair is complete, keep extra following distance, and avoid roads treated with winter salt.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Royal Enfield technician replaces the front and rear brake calipers covered by the recall. The calipers, related parts, and labor are free under the recall. Royal Enfield has a general reimbursement plan on file for this campaign. If you already paid for a related brake caliper repair, ask Royal Enfield customer service or the service desk what documentation is required for review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 27, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 27, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 27, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| April 7, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 4, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V129?
Recall 23V129 covers 4,891 2017-2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycles with brake calipers that can corrode after exposure to winter road salt. That corrosion can reduce or eliminate brake function, increasing crash risk. Royal Enfield dealers will replace the front and rear brake calipers for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 23V129. If it is, contact a franchised Royal Enfield dealer to schedule replacement of the front and rear brake calipers. Reference recall number 23V129 or Royal Enfield recall SC-31 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Royal Enfield dealers will replace the front and rear brake calipers free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included motorcycles.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk in recall 23V129 is reduced or lost brake function. Royal Enfield says road salt can corrode the brake calipers, and NHTSA campaign 23V129 states that a loss of brake function can increase crash risk. Confirm your VIN before scheduling repair.
What if I bought my Royal Enfield Himalayan used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the motorcycle, not the first owner, so a used 2017-2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan is covered if its VIN is included. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Royal Enfield dealer with recall number 23V129.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V129000 |
|---|---|
| Royal Enfield customer service | 1-866-600-1122 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V129 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V129000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →