NHTSA vehicle safety data

2021 Harley-Davidson Fxlrs Recalls & Complaints

The 2021 Harley-Davidson Fxlrs has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2021 Harley-Davidson Fxlrs. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2021 Harley-Davidson Fxlrs owner complaints

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Harley-Davidson Fxlrs, describing incidents dated May 1, 2021 to August 29, 2023.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 1 complaint
Suspension 1 complaint
Unknown or Other 1 complaint

Together, the 3 complaints on file report 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11727575 · Filed March 27, 2026
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…
ODI #11668784 · Filed June 23, 2025
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
ODI #11544508 · Filed September 14, 2023
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…

Read all 3 complaints

Sudden Loss of Rear Tire Pressure

NHTSA #25V375000 · Suspension — Rear — Shock Absorber · NHTSA notice

Reported June 6, 2025 · Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Potentially affected: 82,117 vehicles

Repair completion: 42.11% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Harley-Davidson campaign 0188 · Owners notified July 1, 2025

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Rear Shock Absorber Fastener May Break

NHTSA #23V591000 · Suspension — Rear — Shock Absorber · NHTSA notice

Reported August 22, 2023 · Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Potentially affected: 65,224 vehicles

Repair completion: 64.56% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Harley-Davidson campaign 0181 · Owners notified September 8, 2023

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2021 Harley-Davidson Fxlrs. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

3 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Harley-Davidson Fxlrs.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11727575

1 death

Incident: April 12, 2023 · Filed: March 27, 2026

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

ODI #11668784

Incident: May 1, 2021 · Filed: June 23, 2025

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

ODI #11544508

Incident: August 29, 2023 · Filed: September 14, 2023

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.

Other Harley-Davidson Fxlrs model years

Check your 2021 Harley-Davidson Fxlrs VIN

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