BY: Associated Press
Source:
USA - Harley-Davidson is recalling about 308,000 motorcycles to fix a switch problem that can cause failure of the brake lights and possibly even the rear brakes themselves. The company says in government documents that brake light switches can be exposed to too much heat from the exhaust system. The brake lights can fail, and the problem also can cause fluid leaks and the loss of rear brakes.
The problem affects Touring, CVO Touring and Trike vehicles from the 2009 through 2012 model years.
Harley says it will notify owners of the recall. Dealers will install a rear brake light switch kit free of charge.
The recall affects about 251,000 motorcycles in the U.S. alone.
The company says it's aware of only one crash from the problem. It was unclear if anyone was hurt.
Manufacturer: HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY Mfr's Report Date: OCT 19, 2011
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V506000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Potential Number of Units Affected: 250,757
Summary:
HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 TOURING, CVO TOURING AND TRIKE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 6, 2008, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. SEE THE ABOVE LIST FOR THE MODELS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY BE EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.
Consequence:
THE EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY CAUSE THE SWITCH TO NOT ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP OR ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP WHEN NO BRAKE IS APPLIED AND/OR CAUSE A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, AFFECTING REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE. EITHER CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
HARLEY-DAVIDSON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL A INSTALL A REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH KIT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT OCTOBER 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
Notes:
HARLEY-DAVIDSON SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS 0145. CUSTOMERS OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO http://www.safercar.gov/ .
The problem affects Touring, CVO Touring and Trike vehicles from the 2009 through 2012 model years.
Harley says it will notify owners of the recall. Dealers will install a rear brake light switch kit free of charge.
The recall affects about 251,000 motorcycles in the U.S. alone.
The company says it's aware of only one crash from the problem. It was unclear if anyone was hurt.
Manufacturer: HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY Mfr's Report Date: OCT 19, 2011
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V506000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Potential Number of Units Affected: 250,757
Summary:
HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 TOURING, CVO TOURING AND TRIKE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 6, 2008, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. SEE THE ABOVE LIST FOR THE MODELS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY BE EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.
Consequence:
THE EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY CAUSE THE SWITCH TO NOT ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP OR ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP WHEN NO BRAKE IS APPLIED AND/OR CAUSE A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, AFFECTING REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE. EITHER CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
HARLEY-DAVIDSON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL A INSTALL A REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH KIT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT OCTOBER 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
Notes:
HARLEY-DAVIDSON SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS 0145. CUSTOMERS OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO http://www.safercar.gov/ .