Harley Davidson Recalls More Than 66,000 Motorcycles During Peak Riding Season

Harley-Davidson Inc. announced a sweeping recall of 66,421 motorcycles due to problems with the anti-lock braking system. The recall is mostly focused on Harley-Davidson’s larger touring bikes that are equipped with anti-lock brakes. According to the recall documentation published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some motorcycles were assembled in a way that created a defective condition. The defective assembly can cause the brake line to wedge between the motorcycles frame and fuel tank. In some instances this can lead to increased fluid pressure in the brake line making brake failure more likely. This improper assembly can apparently occur not only at the time of manufacture, but also during subsequent routine maintenance or repairs. There have been at least 6 consumer reports of front wheel lock-up due to this product defect.

Thus far the 2014 Touring models identified and impacted by the recall include:

• 2014 FLHR Road King
• 2014 FLHRSE CVO Road King
• 2014 FLHP Road King Police
• 2014 FLHRC Road King Classic
• 2014 FLHX Street Glide
• 2014 FLHXS Street Glide Special
• 2014 FLHXSHRINE Street Glide Shrine Edition
• 2014 FLHTCU Electra Glide Ultra Classic
• 2014 FLHTK Electra Glide Ultra Limited
• 2014 FLHTKSE CVO Limited
• 2014 FLHTKSHRINE Electra Glide Ultra Limited Shrine Edition
• 2014 FLHTP Electra Glide Police
• 2014 FLHTCUTC Models

If your Harley is one of the bikes listed above you should not ride it until you confirm with the dealer that it is not affected or that it can be repaired. Harley-Davidson has stated that it is in the process of contacting customers, but if you own an impacted model and have not heard from the manufacturer, you should contact the dealership or parent company. But if you have already been injured due to front wheel lock-up on your Harley-Davidson motorcycle, contact the motorcycle accident attorneys The Reiff Law Firm today.

When did the Harley-Davidson Company become Aware of this Defect?

According to documents filed by Harley-Davidson with the NHTSA, the first report of a problem was apparently received by the company back in September of 2013. The report mentioned a pinched brake line under the fuel tank. The company states that it launched a full investigation after receiving this report. By early October 2013, Harley-Davidson had identified 6 incidents that seemed to be linked to the brake line and fuel tank problem. Harley-Davidson took steps to modify its final assembly process and apparently considered the problem corrected.

However in May 2014 the investigation was opened once again after it became clear the defect could occur in a different location and configuration. Harley-Davidson again tweaked their final assembly process and also re-reviewed its warranty data. This time the company found 39 incidents linked to the defect. On June 6, 2014 Harley-Davidson management recognized that a problem of sufficient severity to trigger a warranty recall was present.  To date the company has identified at least 5 crashes and 2 injuries associated with this recall.

The Latest recall in a Deluge of Vehicle Defects

While GM’s absolutely massive and record-setting ignition switch recalls have captured much of the headlines and media attention, this is not the first time that Harley-Davidson has identified issues with these touring bikes. Last October the company recalled nearly 30,000 motorcycles due to a defect with the hydraulic clutch. In that recall campaign Harley-Davidson had halted sales and issued a DO NOT RIDE notice. Harley-Davidson has taken no such steps in this recall campaign.

Harley-Davidson’s failure to issue a DO NOT RIDE notice for a product that they know to be defective and causing injuries, may result in more motorcyclists crashing and suffering a potentially catastrophic injury. It is undebatable that a front wheel lock-up while traveling at moderate to high speeds can cause the rider to lose control and crash. If the defect should occur, the motorcyclist can easily be thrown from the vehicle and suffer catastrophic injuries that may include:

• Simple or complex bone fracture
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Whiplash
• Friction burns also known as road rash
• Ankle injury
• Knee injury
• Severe bruising and abrasions

Unfortunately these injuries only scratch the surface of those suffered by people in serious motorcycle accidents. If you have suffered a serious injury. be sure to seek medical attention immediately so that you can rule out or stabilize any life-threatening conditions. Additionally, you should seek out a motorcycle accident lawyer for your case.

We Stand Up For People Hurt in Motorcycle Accidents

For more than 34 years the experienced motorcycle accident attorneys of The Reiff Law Firm have stood up for New Jersey and Pennsylvania motorcyclists who are injured out on the open road. We handle cases where the injuries are caused due to product defect or due to the recklessness, carelessness or negligence of another motorist. To schedule your free and confidential motorcycle injury consultation contact The Reiff Law Firm today by calling (215) 709-6940 or contact us online.