Recall 23V591 covers 65,224 2018-2023 Harley-Davidson Softail motorcycles with a rear shock fastener defect. Repair is free at franchised Harley-Davidson dealers.
Harley-Davidson is recalling 65,224 2018-2023 Softail motorcycles, including Fxlrst, Fxrst, and Flhcs models, because a rear shock absorber fastener can break and let the adjuster damage the rear tire. Tire pressure loss can lead to loss of control and a crash risk; the Harley-Davidson dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear shock absorber on the 2018-2023 Harley-Davidson Softail models helps control the back of the motorcycle as the suspension moves over bumps and load changes. A screw fastens the rear shock absorber adjuster in place under the seat, so the adjuster stays clear of the rear tire while the motorcycle is moving.
On affected motorcycles, that screw can fracture from fatigue. Once it breaks, the rear shock adjuster can loosen and move into the path of the rear tire. Contact with the tire can wear or damage the tire, and that damage can lead to loss of tire pressure while riding.
An operator or passenger can hear noise from under the seat. If the seat is removed, the loose rear shock adjuster can be visible. If the adjuster is already touching the tire, the motorcycle can become harder to maneuver, and unusual wear can appear on the rear tire.
Who's affected?
Spans seven Harley-Davidson Softail model variants across six model years, all tied to the rear suspension shock absorber screw.
| 2023 Harley-Davidson Fxlrst | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2022 Harley-Davidson Fxrst | rear suspension |
| 2022 Harley-Davidson Fxlrst | rear suspension |
| 2018 Harley-Davidson Flhc | rear suspension |
| 2018 Harley-Davidson Flhcs Anv | rear suspension |
| 2018 Harley-Davidson Flde | rear suspension |
| 2020 Harley-Davidson Flhc | rear suspension |
| 2020 Harley-Davidson Flhcs | rear suspension |
| 2022 Harley-Davidson Flhcs | rear suspension |
| 2021 Harley-Davidson Flhcs | rear suspension |
| 2022 Harley-Davidson Fxlrs | rear suspension |
| 2020 Harley-Davidson Fxlrs | rear suspension |
| 2021 Harley-Davidson Fxlrs | rear suspension |
| 2018 Harley-Davidson Flhcs | rear suspension |
| 2019 Harley-Davidson Flhcs | rear suspension |
| 2019 Harley-Davidson Flhc | rear suspension |
| 2019 Harley-Davidson Flde | rear suspension |
| 2023 Harley-Davidson Flhcs | rear suspension |
| 2021 Harley-Davidson Flhc | rear suspension |
| 2023 Harley-Davidson Flhcs Anv | rear suspension |
| 2023 Harley-Davidson Fxlrs | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 65,224 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 33 field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Loss of tire pressure can make the motorcycle harder to control and increase the risk of a crash. Listen for noise under the seat, check for unusual rear tire wear, and treat handling difficulty as a reason to stop and call the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Harley-Davidson dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2023 Harley-Davidson Fxlrst, Fxrst, Flhc, Flhcs Anv, Flde, Flhcs, or Fxlrs is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Harley-Davidson dealer to ask whether the free rear-shock-absorber fastener replacement is open for your VIN.
- Bring the Harley-Davidson owner notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 23V591 when you call.
- Avoid riding until the dealer confirms the rear shock absorber fastener has been replaced, because a broken fastener can let the adjuster damage the rear tire and cause tire pressure loss.
What happens at the repair
The listed remedy is a shock absorber fastener replacement. Once the dealer repair is available, a Harley-Davidson technician will replace the fastener that secures the rear shock absorber so the adjuster cannot contact the rear tire. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. If you already paid for a related shock absorber fastener or rear suspension repair before the recall notice, Harley-Davidson uses the manufacturer's standard reimbursement plan for documented costs. Contact Harley-Davidson customer service with your repair paperwork for claim instructions.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 22, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 29, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| September 1, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 8, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V591?
Recall 23V591 covers 65,224 2018-2023 Harley-Davidson Softail motorcycles with a rear shock absorber fastener that can break. If it breaks, the shock adjuster can damage the rear tire and cause tire pressure loss. Harley-Davidson dealers will replace the fastener for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2023 Harley-Davidson Fxlrst, Fxrst, Flhc, Flhcs Anv, Flde, Flhcs, or Fxlrs is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 23V591. If it is, contact a franchised Harley-Davidson dealer to schedule the rear shock absorber fastener replacement. Reference Harley-Davidson recall number 0181 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Harley-Davidson dealers will replace the rear shock absorber fastener free of charge, including parts and labor, at any franchised Harley-Davidson dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is loss of tire pressure from rear tire damage. That can lead to loss of vehicle control and a higher crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free fastener replacement with a franchised Harley-Davidson dealer.
What if I bought my Harley-Davidson motorcycle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the motorcycle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Harley-Davidson is included, then give the dealer recall number 0181 when scheduling the repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V591000 |
|---|---|
| Harley-Davidson customer service | 1-800-258-2464 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V591 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V591000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (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 →