2021 Harley-Davidson Fxlrs

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 3 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Unknown or Other1
000
Suspension1
000
Service Brakes1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Suspension › Rear › Shock Absorber25V375000
Filed Jun 6, 202582,117 vehiclesHarley-Davidson Motor Company

Defect. Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Softail motorcycles. The mounting tab on the rear shock pre-load adjuster may break, allowing the rear shock absorber adjuster to damage the rear tire, causing a loss of tire pressure.

Risk. A sudden loss of tire pressure increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will install a new bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 16, 2025. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0188. Some of the vehicles included in this recall were previously repaired under recall 23V591, and will need to have the new remedy completed.

Suspension › Rear › Shock Absorber23V591000
Filed Aug 22, 202365,224 vehiclesHarley-Davidson Motor Company

Defect. Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2018-2019 FLDE, 2018-2021 FLHC, 2018-2023 FLHCS, 2018 and 2023 FLHCS ANV, 2020-2023 FXLRS, 2022-2023 FXLRST, and 2022 FXRST Softail motorcycles. A fastener securing the rear shock absorber may break and allow the rear shock absorber adjuster to damage the rear tire, causing a loss of tire pressure.

Risk. A loss of tire pressure can lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will replace the shock absorber fastener, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0181.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other1 killed
Filed Mar 27, 2026MI

NHTSA Complaint Description — This complaint concerns two unrepaired safety recalls (23V591 and 25V375) on a 2021 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S (FXLRS) Softail motorcycle that were never remedied prior to a fatal crash on April 12, 2023. Recall 23V591 (issued August 2023) involves a fastener that may fracture, allowing the rear shock absorber adjuster to contact the rear tire, creating a groove and causing sudden loss of tire pressure — increasing crash risk. Recall 25V375 (issued June 2025) involves the rear shock pre-load adjuster mounting tab, which may fracture under normal use, with the same potential tire contact and pressure loss hazard. Neither recall was repaired prior to the fatal crash. The motorcycle was impounded following the crash and subsequently transferred before any inspection for recall-related defects could be conducted. It is unknown whether either defect was present at the time of the crash, as no inspection for recall compliance was performed post-crash. Safety was placed at severe risk — the operator died. The vehicle was not inspected by the manufacturer or dealer for recall defects after the crash. No dealer service was ever performed to remedy either recall. The vehicle is no longer available for inspection.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 23, 2025CA

The rear brakes will not and do not stop the bike. The ABS rear brakes do not engage yet when checking the error codes on the bike it shows the brakes are engaging. This is very dangerous. You need both brakes on a motorcycle

Suspension
Filed Sep 14, 2023CA

The contact owns a 2021 Harley-Davidson FXLRS. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V591000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

3 of 3 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2021
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20260100Routine
20250100Routine
20241100Routine
20232200Routine
20220200Routine
2021 — this page3201Fatalities reported
20202200Routine

Compare every Fxlrs year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 6, 2025. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.