The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Harley-Davidson is recalling certain 2018–2024 Softail motorcycles because the rear shock pre-load adjuster mounting tab can break, and the loose adjuster can then strike the rear tire. The recall is U.S. NHTSA campaign 25V375 (Harley-Davidson recall number 0188). Not every Softail from those years is included. Only specific model codes and model years are listed, so the only reliable check is your motorcycle’s VIN. The free repair is a new bracket installed by an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer.
The headline figure of “over 50,000” is accurate but understated. The two official filings list 82,117 and 83,239 potentially affected motorcycles, depending on the document (details below).
Which Softail models are covered
The NHTSA acknowledgment letter dated June 12, 2025 identifies the covered combinations below. Model year alone does not settle the question: a Softail from a listed year can still be outside the campaign if its model code is not on the list, and some codes cover only certain years.
| Model code | Model years listed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FLDE | 2018–2019 | Covered only in these two model years |
| FLHC | 2018–2021 | Covered only in these four model years |
| FLHCS | 2018–2024 | Covered across the full range listed |
| FLHCS ANV | 2018 and 2023 | Covered only in these two model years |
| FXLRS | 2020–2024 | Covered across the full range listed |
| FXLRST | 2022–2024 | Covered across the full range listed |
| FXRST | 2022 | Covered only in this model year |
Sources for this list: the NHTSA acknowledgment letter (NHTSA acknowledgment letter for recall 25V375) and the manufacturer’s Part 573 report (Harley-Davidson Part 573 Safety Recall Report 25V375), both from 2025.
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- Compatibility--Compatible with BadBoy1995-1997,Disc Glide1983-1984,Dyna1983-2007,Electra Glide1971-2007,FatBoy1990-2007,Heritage Softail1986-2007,Heritage Springer1997-2003,LowGlide1982-1985,Night Train1999-2007,RoadGlide1998-2007,RoadKing1994-2007,Softail1984-2007,Softail Springer1988-2007,SportGlide1982-1992,Sportster1971,Sportster 8831986-2007,1971,Super Glide1971-1994,1999-2000,Wide Glide1980-1986. Please kindly check the detail models in the product description below.
- Replace OE Number--According to the original factory specifications, replacing reference OE number is DS-272191, 72023-51A. Please make sure the part number in our listing is the same as your original one.
- High Quality Material--Each hydraulic rear brake light switch is made of high-quality metal, manufactured through strict quality control manufacturing and testing procedures, the conductor is brass and the terminal is tinned copper, have good electrical conductivity.
- Easy to Install--Plug and play. Hydraulic rear brake light switch is made by 1:1 mold casting based on the original data of motorcycle, high standard alignment, consistent radian, can be perfectly adapted, save time and money.
- Package Include--1 pcs hydraulic rear brake light switch. We value your shopping experience and satisfaction, every product undergoes quality inspection, you can rest assured choice.
What fails and why it matters
The campaign covers one specific fault. It is not a general Softail suspension recall, and it does not describe a crash risk from every rear-end component.
The rear shock pre-load adjuster mounting tab
The rear shock pre-load adjuster is mounted to a tab. According to the Harley-Davidson Part 573 report, that tab can fracture because of fatigue. Once it breaks, the adjuster can move and contact the rear tire. The remedy adds a bracket that limits adjuster movement, which is how the fix prevents tire contact.
Tire damage and sudden pressure loss
Contact between the adjuster and the tire can damage the tire without an obvious sign. If that damage goes unnoticed, it can lead to a sudden loss of tire pressure. NHTSA’s acknowledgment letter, signed by Alex Ansley, Chief of the Recall Management Division, states: “A sudden loss of tire pressure increases the risk of a crash.” That is the reason the agency treats the defect as a safety recall rather than a maintenance item.
Rank #2
- Compatible with 1977 Electra Glide-FLHS, 1979 1000 Sportster-XLCH, 1981 80 Electra Glide Heritage-FLH, 1983 Disc Glide-FXDG, 1983 Electra Glide-FLHT, 1984 Electra Glide Special-FLHX, 1985 80 Fat Bob-FXEF, Low Glide-FXRS, Low Glide Custom-FXRC, 1986 Sport Glide Grand Touring-FXRD, 1987 Low Rider Chrome-FXRC, 1992 Dyna Glide Custom-FXDC, 1993 Heritage Nostalgia-FLSTN, 1996 Tour Glide Ultra Classic Injected-FLTCU I, 1999 FXR 2, FXR 3, 2000 FXR 4
- Compatible with 2007 Deluxe (EFI)-FLSTN, Deuce (EFI)-FXSTD, Dyna Low Rider (EFI)-FXDL, Dyna Super Glide (EFI)-FXD, Dyna Super Glide Custom (EFI)-FXDC, Dyna Wide Glide (EFI)-FXDWG, Electra Glide Classic (EFI)-FLHTC, Electra Glide Standard (EFI)-FLHT, Electra Glide Ultra Classic (EFI)-FLHTCU, Fat Boy (EFI)-FLSTF, Heritage Classic (EFI)-FLSTC, Road Glide (EFI)-FLTR, Road King (EFI)-FLHR, Road King Classic (EFI)-FLHRC, Road King Custom (EFI)-FLHRS
- Compatible with 200 Softail Custom (EFI)-FXSTC, Softail Night Train (EFI)-FXSTB, Softail Springer Classic (EFI)-FLSTSC, Softail Standard (EFI)-FXST, Street Glide (EFI)-FLHX 1971-1978 1200 Super Glide-FX, 1971-1980 Electra Glide-FL, 1971-1984 Electra Glide-FLH, 1973-1980 1200 Super Glide-FXE, 1977-1979 1200 Low Rider-FXS, 1977-1981 1200 Electra Glide Classic-FLH, 1978-1984 80 Electra Glide-FLH, 1979-1980 1200 Fat Bob-FXEF, 1979-1981 80 Fat Bob-FXEF, 1979-1982 80 Low Rider-FXS
- Compatible with 1979-1984 80 Electra Glide Classic-FLH, 80 Super Glide-FXE, 1979-1985 1000 Sportster-XLH, Roadster-XLS, 1980-1981 80 Sturgis-FXB, Electra Glide-FLHS, 1980-1983 Tour Glide-FLT, 1980-1986 80 Wide Glide-FXWG, 1980-1994 Tour Glide Classic-FLTC, 1982-1983 Super Glide-FXR, Super Glide II-FXRS, 1982-1993 Electra Glide Sport-FLHS, 1983-1984 1000 Sportster-XR, 1983-1985 1000 Sportster-XLX, 80 Low Rider-FXSB, 1983-1993 Sport Glide-FXRT, 1983-2005 Electra Glide Classic-FLHTC
- Compatible with 1985-1986 Wide Glide-FXWG 1985-1987 Electra Glide-FLHT, 1985-1993 Softail-FXST, 1985-1994 Super Glide-FXR, 1986-1987 XLH 1100, 1986-1990 Heritage-FLST, 1986-1993 Low Rider-FXRS, 1986-1995 XLH 883 Deluxe, 1986-1999 Softail Custom-FXSTC, 1986-2003 XLH 883, 1987-1994 Low Rider Custom-FXLR, 1987-2003 XLH 883 Hugger, 1987-2006 Heritage Classic-FLSTC 1988-1993, Low Rider Sport-FXRS-SP, 1988-1996 Tour Glide Ultra Classic-FLTCU, 1988-2003 XLH 1200
Warning signs the manufacturer lists
The Part 573 report lists the following possible indications. They are warnings to look for, not symptoms that every affected motorcycle will show.
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- Noise from under the seat.
- A visibly loose rear shock pre-load adjuster when the seat is removed.
- Difficulty maneuvering the motorcycle if the adjuster has contacted the tire.
- Non-typical rear-tire wear.
A motorcycle with none of these signs can still be affected. The VIN check is the only way to confirm whether the recall applies to your bike.
How to check your motorcycle by VIN
Use the VIN, not the model name or year, to confirm whether your motorcycle is covered. NHTSA explains that a VIN or license plate lookup can show whether a specific vehicle needs a repair, while a year, make and model search returns only general recall results.
Rank #3
- FIT FOR HARLEY-DAVIDSON MODELS: Rear Brake Switch fit for Softail Springer-FXSTS 1988-2006; Softail Springer Bad Boy-FXSTSB 1995-1997; Electra Glide Ultra Classic-FLHTCU 1989-1999; Electra Glide Classic Injected-FLHTC I, Standard-FLHT, Ultra Classic; Injected-FLHTCU I 1995-2006; Low Rider Convertible-FXRS-CONV 1990-1993
- FIT FOR HARLEY-DAVIDSON MODELS: Brake Light Switch fit for Fat Boy-FLSTF 1990-2006; Dyna Daytona-FXDB 1991-1992; Dyna Low Rider-FXDL; Dyna Wide Glide-FXDWG 1993-2005; Dyna Super Glide-FXD 1995-2005; Dyna Convertible-FXDS-CONV 1994-2000; Heritage Special-FLSTN 1994-1996; Heritage Springer-FLSTS 1997-2003
- FIT FOR HARLEY-DAVIDSON MODELS: Hydraulic Brake Light Switch fit for XL 1200C Custom XL 1200S Sport 1996-2003；Road King-FLHR 1994-2006；Road King-Injected-FLHR-I 1996-2006；Road Glide-FLTR 1998-2002；Road Glide-Injected-FLTR-I；Road King Classic Injected-FLHRC I 1998-2006
- REPLACEMENT PART NUMBERS: DS-272191, 72023-51A
- EASY TO INSTALL: Direct installation, plug and play, simple and fast
- Find your VIN. It is the 17-character number on the title and registration, and it is also stamped on the motorcycle’s frame.
- Go to the Harley-Davidson U.S. recall page, Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Safety Recall Information. Enter the VIN. The database contains recall information beginning in July 1999.
- Cross-check on NHTSA’s site at NHTSA Check for Recalls, entering your own VIN in the VIN field.
- If the result shows recall 25V375 as open, contact an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer to schedule the repair.
- If the result is unclear, call Harley-Davidson. For U.S. questions, the number is 1-800-258-2464. For questions from outside the U.S., the worldwide number is 1-414-343-4056.
NHTSA also warns that its search may omit some results. These include recalls that have already been repaired, some recently announced recalls whose VINs are not yet identified, international recalls, and other listed exceptions. If you have a repair on record from an earlier campaign, that is one reason to call the manufacturer rather than rely on a single search.
The free repair and the earlier 23V591 recall
The remedy is new hardware, including the bracket that limits adjuster movement and keeps the adjuster away from the tire. NHTSA states that the new bracket is installed free of charge. The repair must be performed by an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer.
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A prior repair is not automatically sufficient. The acknowledgment letter says motorcycles previously repaired under recall 23V591 still need the 25V375 remedy completed. Check your VIN, and if it shows 25V375 as open, have the new bracket installed even though you already had earlier work done.
Rank #4
- What OEM Harley part number does this replace? 71590-96
- What Harley models will this front motor mount fit? Fits 1996-2013 Harley Touring FLH/FLT models, 1996-2010 Harley Softail FXST & FLST models, 1996-2011 Dyna FXD & FXR models, 2007-2013 Sportster XL (rubber mounted models) and 2002-2017 V-Rod VRSC (fits both US & International models)
- What is included? These switches are sold individually with 50” of wire lead integrated into each switch.
- Why choose this switch over a competitor? This switch was designed to meet or exceed the OEM Harley switch with durable copper contacts, a reinforced switch mechanism and a weather-sealed body.
- Replaces the OEM front brake switch just like the original: This front brake light switch is designed to fit just like the OEM switch and it can be installed without the need for specialty tools.
Parts already built with the new bracket
The manufacturer states that the new bracket was also used in production beginning with model year 2025. A 2025 model year motorcycle is not part of this campaign’s coverage list, so a VIN check is the way to confirm whether a specific bike needs the work.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the two recall totals differ
Two official documents give different totals for this campaign:
- The NHTSA acknowledgment letter lists 82,117 potentially affected units.
- The Harley-Davidson Part 573 report lists 83,239 total potentially involved motorcycles.
The reviewed filings do not explain the difference, and this article does not assume which figure is final. Both are official numbers from 2025 documents, so each should be cited with its source. The Part 573 report also gives an estimated percentage of vehicles with the defect, stated as 0.1%. That is the manufacturer’s estimate, not an NHTSA finding.
Best Value
- Compatibility: Replacement for Harley Davidson Touring 2003-2014, FXD 2005-2007, FXDWG 2004-2014
- Replaces Part Number: 72023-51D 72023-51E
- Durable Construction: Crafted from robust iron, with a sleek silver finish, and featuring a 10mm (0.39") diameter
- Precise Fit: Application-specific design ensures a perfect match for your motorcycle
- Package includes: 1 x Brake Switch; 2 x Brake Switch Cables
Timeline and what is not confirmed
The NHTSA acknowledgment letter says owner notification was expected to begin June 16, 2025, and that VINs would become searchable from that date. That was the schedule set at the time. The sources reviewed do not confirm that every owner received a letter, and they do not show how many motorcycles have been repaired since. Use the VIN lookup to check the current status of your own motorcycle, rather than relying on a letter date or a total from a news report.
If you own a covered Softail, the practical step is simple: confirm the VIN, and if it shows as open, book the free repair with an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer before riding the motorcycle with a loose or damaged adjuster.
Quick Recap
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