Harley-Davidson Issues Recall For Select Livewire Models

Troy Siahaan
by Troy Siahaan

A software fix cures the unexpected shutoff of a small batch of Livewires.

Harley-Davidson has issued a recall for Livewire models built between March 18, 2019 and August 20, 2020, because of a software fault with the On-Board Charging (OBC) System that can shut off the motorcycle without warning. In some cases, the motorcycle could not be restarted, or if they could, they would shut off soon after.

In all, the recall is estimated to affect only 1% of Livewires across the globe, but nonetheless, an unexpected loss of power poses an obvious safety issue. In some cases, but not all, the indicator lamps for Traction Control, ABS, and/or the Failure Indicator Lamp (FIL) will light up before the Livewire shuts off.

As part of the recall, the customer has the option of having their Livewire picked up and/or returned to them at no cost. While at the dealer, Harley technicians will perform a software update to the OBC that addresses the unexpected shut-off issue. The dealer will also update the Instrument Module and the Electric Vehicle Powertrain. This update changes the functionality of the instrument module slightly, and as such, an addendum to the owner’s manual will be provided.

Interestingly, if a dealer has an affected model on its showroom floor, they will still be able to sell the bike but can’t deliver it until the recall has been completed – which, obviously, will be done immediately, before the customer receives the motorcycle, as the update is already available.

Troy Siahaan
Troy Siahaan

Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.

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 18 comments
  • Mike Simmons Mike Simmons on Oct 22, 2020

    Another website indicated that 1012 bikes were affected. In a production run of 17 months only 1012 were manufactured. I knew that the Livewire sales were dismal but that's pretty bad. Many of those 1012 are still in dealer inventory somewhere.

    • See 7 previous
    • Denchung Denchung on Oct 23, 2020

      Hmm... Looks like Harley provided two different production windows. The letter sent to dealers says March 2019 to Aug. 2020:
      https://static.nhtsa.gov/od...

      But the recall documentation sent to NHTSA says Sept. 2019 to March 2020:
      https://static.nhtsa.gov/od...

      Unless Harley submits a correction to NHTSA (which is entirely possible), the documentation should be considered official. For what it's worth, delivery to dealers didn't begin until Sept. 27 though, so a March 2019 production start sounds early.

  • Keith Harris Keith Harris on Oct 22, 2020

    So it breaks down on the road. It's a harley isn't it? Nothing new here.

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    • Sayyed Bashir Sayyed Bashir on Oct 23, 2020

      I have a 2007 Softail Custom with 96B Twin-Cam. Engine was rebuilt at 97K (even though the bike was running fine). Went in with a rattling sound coming from the rear of the bike. They said the engine needed to be rebuilt. After $5250 and a 2 1/2 month engine round trip to Milwaukee, turns out there was a loose baffle in the muffler which they replaced for free.

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