Use cautionVehicle recall · NHTSA · Published March 31, 2021
Harley-Davidson 2020 XL883N: Headlight Beam Loss Risk
Harley-Davidson recalls 2020 XL883N motorcycles with potential headlight beam failure causing reduced visibility and crash risk. Owners must get free bulb shield installed by dealers.
“Harley-Davidson 2020 XL883N: Headlight Beam Loss Risk.” GovInfoNow, updated August 18, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/79597-harley-davidson-2020-xl883n-headlight-beam-loss-risk. Based on NHTSA recall #21V225000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V225000).
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on March 31, 2021, that Harley-Davidson is recalling certain 2019-2021 Sportster motorcycles and replacement headlight assemblies due to a potential loss of both headlight beams. Owners should contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464 for a free remedy.
How to tell if you have it
Harley-Davidson XL1200CX, 2019-2020
Harley-Davidson XL1200C, 2019
Harley-Davidson XL1200NS, 2019-2021
Harley-Davidson XL1200XS, 2019
Harley-Davidson XL1200X, 2019-2021
Harley-Davidson XL883L, 2019
Harley-Davidson XL883N, 2019-2021
What to do
Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will install a headlamp bulb shield, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2021. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464.
The hazard
A loss of both headlight beams can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash. The glass bulb within the headlight assembly may fail, causing this loss of high and low beams.
Context
GovInfoNow's records show Harley-Davidson Motor Company has 43 other recalls on record since 2009-01-12. Other recent recalls of similar products include Harley-Davidson 2024-2026 FLHX Motorcycles: Oil Ejection Risk During Dipstick Removal (2026-04-28), Harley-Davidson 2025 FLHC Motorcycles: Rear Brake Line Recall (2026-04-13), and Harley-Davidson 2021-2026 RH1250S Sportster S: Steering Triple Clamp Fracture Risk (2026-02-09). Manufacturers have sent NHTSA 36 technical service bulletins or other communications covering the 2019 HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200CX as of 2026-09-17.
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your motorcycle is a 2020 model with the XL883N designation. Replacement headlight parts sold for 2005-2019 Sportster, 2005-2017 Softail, 2005-2017 Dyna, or 2005-2011 V-Rod models may also be affected.
Brand
Harley-Davidson
Category
Vehicle
Based on the official NHTSA remedy
What to do — step by step
Contact Harley-Davidson
Call 1-800-258-2464 to get the free headlamp bulb shield installed by a dealer.
Official remedy
What NHTSA says to do
Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will install a headlamp bulb shield, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2021. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0177.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
2 dated steps over 15 days.
1NHTSA received the defect report
2Recall began
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Take action
Contact Harley-Davidson
We’ve drafted a message you can send Harley-Davidson to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 21V225000 — Harley-Davidson 2020 XL883N: Headlight Beam Loss Risk
Hello,
I own a Harley-Davidson 2020 XL883N: Headlight Beam Loss Risk that is covered by recall 21V225000 from Harley-Davidson.
The official recall notice states: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will install a headlamp bulb shield, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2021. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0177.
I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this?
Thank you.
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.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on August 18, 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.