Harley-Davidson 2011 VRSCDX: Brake Fluid Deposits Risk Crash
Harley-Davidson recalls 2011 VRSCDX motorcycles with ABS brakes due to brake fluid deposits that may cause valve sticking and reduce braking ability, increasing crash risk. Owners must have brake system flushed with new fluid.
Use caution until it’s fixed
These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
What happened, in plain English
Harley-Davidson is recalling 2011 VRSCDX motorcycles that have anti-lock brakes. Deposits in the brake fluid can cause a valve to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing crash risk. Owners must have their brake system flushed with new fluid. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/1252582-harley-davidson-2011-vrscdx-brake-fluid-deposits-risk-crash.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/1252582-harley-davidson-2011-vrscdx-brake-fluid-deposits-risk-crash · Updated October 7, 2026 · Official notice: NHTSA #18V076000
Cite this page
“Harley-Davidson 2011 VRSCDX: Brake Fluid Deposits Risk Crash.” GovInfoNow, updated October 7, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/1252582-harley-davidson-2011-vrscdx-brake-fluid-deposits-risk-crash. Based on NHTSA recall #18V076000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V076000).
Why it’s dangerous
Brake fluid deposits can form in the brake system if the fluid isn't replaced every two years. This may cause a valve in the ABS hydraulic control unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Who’s affected
Owners of 2011 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX motorcycles with anti-lock brakes are affected. Riders using these motorcycles without the recommended brake fluid maintenance are at higher risk.
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your motorcycle has a 2011 VRSCDX model with anti-lock brakes (ABS). The recall includes specific models like Night Rod Special and V-Rod Muscle from 2009-2011.
- Brand
Harley-Davidson- Category
Vehicle
What to do — step by step
Contact Harley-Davidson
Call 1-800-258-2464 to confirm your motorcycle is affected and schedule a brake system flush.
Have brake system flushed
Dealers will flush the entire brake system with new Platinum Label DOT 4 brake fluid at no cost.
What NHTSA says to do
Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush the entire brake system with new Platinum Label DOT 4 brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0171.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
2 dated steps over 16 days.
- NHTSA received the defect report
- Recall began
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Keep exploring
Where this comes from
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
- Official source: NHTSA Recall #18V076000 (January 29, 2018)
- Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on October 7, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
- GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.