More than 88,000 Harley Davidson motorcycles recalled, may eject oil

WASHINGTON — Harley Davidson issued a recall impacting more than 88,000 motorcycles April 28, because some models may eject oil from the fill spout due to a pressurization issue. 

The recall said the issue could cause injury because the airbox backplate breather port may be blocked, allowing pressure to build up inside the crankcase, which could then shoot out oil.

Motorcycles models 2024-2026 FLTRX, FLHX; 2025-2026 FXBR, FLFB; 2025 FLHXU; 2026 FLTRXL, FLTRT, FLHXL, and FLHLT with Airbox Baseplate (part number 29000373) are impacted. 

There is possibly one injury related to this recall, the alert said. It’s unclear how severe the injury was. 192 reports of the breather port being blocked were found in March. 

Notifications will be sent out to owners by mail beginning May 11, the recall said. 

While 88,039 models are impacted by the recall, Harley Davidson anticipates only 0.4% will have the airbox backplate breather port blockage. It is described as a “supplier manufacturing issue.” 

Owners may notice smoking from the exhaust system, excessive oil consumption, a detached breather hose, and/or an audible release of pressure when a dipstick is removed, the recall said. 

All models should be inspected at dealerships. Repairs will be made free of charge, according to the recall. 

• 2024-2026 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLTRX (about 47,241 motorcycles) 
• 2024-2026 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHX (about 28,612 motorcycles) 
• 2025-2025 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHXU (about 3,570 motorcycles)
• 2025-2026 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXBR (about 2,618 motorcycles) 
• 2025-2026 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLFB (about 1,992 motorcycles) 
• 2026-2026 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHLT (about 1,262 motorcycles) 
• 2026-2026 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLTRXL (about 1,067 motorcycles)
• 2026-2026 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHXL (about 1,048 motorcycles) 
• 2026-2026 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLTRT (about 629 motorcycles)