NHTSA vehicle safety data
1996 Harley-Davidson Sportster Recalls & Complaints
The 1996 Harley-Davidson Sportster has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on file as of November 3, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1996 Harley-Davidson Sportster. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Harley-Davidson Sportster. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Reported June 14, 1996 · HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.
Potentially affected: 251 vehicles
Owners notified June 12, 1996 · Vehicles built April 1, 1996 – April 1, 1996 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
THE SEAL ON THE REAR MASTER CYLINDER PISTON CAN MOVE OUT OF POSITION.
Safety consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF REAR BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.
Notes
SYSTEM: BRAKES; MECHANICAL. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JULY 1996. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR MOTORCYCLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-342-4080. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Other Harley-Davidson Sportster model years
Check your 1996 Harley-Davidson Sportster VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Harley-Davidson Sportster at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Harley-Davidson VIN