Brake failure complaints haunt Harley Davidson motorcycles

Three accidents and two injuries were reported so far in relation to this issue.Around 4.3 lakh Harley Davidson motorcycles which were manufactured between 2008 and 2011 are under National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) scanner following 43 complaints from owners of brake failures.

The complaints say that the brakes of HD motorcycles equipped with ABS failed without any warning.

While the cruiser maker argued that this could be due to customers ignoring the 2-year brake fluid replacement interval, NHTSA stated that consequent sudden and complete loss of brakes is a concern that needs to be investigated.

An Arkansas-based rider complained to NHTSA earlier this year that his 2011 HD FLHR started to shake and wobble all of a sudden while running at 75 mph. Another rider from Texas complained that the front brake lever froze completely while on the highway but fortunately he was able to decelerate the motorcycle using the rear brake.

Three crashes and two injuries are reported in relation to the brake failure issue but several riders have stated in their complaints that serious accidents were narrowly averted. In an email statement to Fortune, Harley Davidson said that it is aware of the investigation and is cooperating with NHTSA.

In 2014, Harley Davidson issued a brakes related recall. It was not for sudden failure but engaging unexpectedly.

This article has first appeared in Rushlane.com