- 88,039 motorcycles are recalled over a blocked airbox breather port issue.
- Crankcase pressure can build up and spray oil when the dipstick is removed.
- The company says it is aware of one injury potentially linked to the defect.
In the modern automotive and motorcycle world, technology has taken over so much that some simple maintenance tasks are beyond the average owner. Some cars don’t even have a dipstick for checking oil levels anymore. Harley-Davidson hasn’t gone that route yet, but according to a new recall, maybe it should have. The company is recalling 88,039 motorcycles because a defect could cause engine oil to spray out when someone removes the dipstick. In at least one case, Harley says the issue may have resulted in an injury.
The recall covers a wide range of 2024-2026 motorcycles, including several Touring models, Road Glides, Street Glides, and Softails. At the center of the problem is a component most owners have probably never heard of called the airbox baseplate. This piece bolts directly to the V-twin in most cases and performs a few main duties. It holds the air filter and cover in place, channels incoming air into the throttle body, and, most importantly here, it manages crankcase ventilation.
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The recall says that a manufacturing defect can block one of the passages meant for ventilation. When that happens, pressure can build up in the engine with nowhere to go. That’s not great for the engine itself, but it also leads to the fact that this recall might be associated with an injury.
Harley-Davidson says that it’s aware of a situation where a dealer technician was injured after being sprayed with oil while working on a motorcycle with a defect. Removing the dipstick could be akin to shaking up a bottle of coke and then uncapping the lid. The pressure has to go somewhere.
Notably, Harley had already been looking for the problem. Earlier inspections relied on shining a light through the breather port to verify it was clear. The trouble was that some obstructions were thin enough to let light pass through while still preventing airflow.
A revised inspection process now physically checks the passage instead. Harley’s investigation uncovered 192 reports involving blocked breather ports. Fourteen of those allegedly resulted in oil being discharged from the fill spout.
The fix itself is relatively straightforward. Dealers will inspect the airbox backplate breather port and repair affected motorcycles if a blockage is found. Harley expects most bikes will only require an inspection rather than replacement parts. Owner notification letters were scheduled to be mailed between May 11 and May 20, while VIN lookup availability began on April 30.
