The defect
Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Sportster (XL) motorcycles and 796 headlight assemblies that may have been sold as replacement parts for 2005-2019 Sportster, 2005-2017 Softail, 2005-2017 Dyna, and 2005-2011 V-Rod motorcycles. The glass bulb within the headlight assembly may fail, causing a loss of both high and low beams.
The risk
A loss of both headlight beams can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will install a headlamp bulb shield, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2021. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0177.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Harley-Davidson XL1200C | 2019 |
| Harley-Davidson XL1200CX | 2019, 2020 |
| Harley-Davidson XL1200NS | 2019, 2020, 2021 |
| Harley-Davidson XL1200X | 2019, 2020, 2021 |
| Harley-Davidson XL1200XS | 2019 |
| Harley-Davidson XL883L | 2019 |
| Harley-Davidson XL883N | 2019, 2020, 2021 |
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:BULBS
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harley-Davidson XL1200C | 2019 | 0 | 1 |
| Harley-Davidson XL1200CX | 2019 | 0 | 1 |
| Harley-Davidson XL1200CX | 2020 | 0 | 1 |
| Harley-Davidson XL1200NS | 2019 | 0 | 1 |
| Harley-Davidson XL1200NS | 2020 | 0 | 1 |
| Harley-Davidson XL1200NS | 2021 | 1 | 2 |
| Harley-Davidson XL1200X | 2019 | 0 | 1 |
| Harley-Davidson XL1200X | 2020 | 0 | 1 |
| Harley-Davidson XL1200X | 2021 | 0 | 2 |
| Harley-Davidson XL1200XS | 2019 | 0 | 1 |
| Harley-Davidson XL883L | 2019 | 0 | 1 |
| Harley-Davidson XL883N | 2019 | 2 | 1 |
| Harley-Davidson XL883N | 2020 | 1 | 1 |
| Harley-Davidson XL883N | 2021 | 2 | 2 |
Other exterior lighting recalls in 2021
51 of the 988 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2021 concerned the exterior lighting; Harley-Davidson Motor Company filed 42 campaigns in all.
| 21V00H000 23 Dec 2021 | Daimler Trucks North America, LLC |
| 21V963000 13 Dec 2021 | Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC |
| 21V950000 9 Dec 2021 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| 21V903000 19 Nov 2021 | Forest River, Inc. |
| 21V887000 16 Nov 2021 | M H EBY |
| 21V867000 8 Nov 2021 | Autocar, LLC |
| 21V863000 5 Nov 2021 | Cottrell, Inc. |
| 21V831000 22 Oct 2021 | BMW of North America, LLC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2021