NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The bellow-style gasket in the clutch slave cylinder may have been damaged during manufacturing, preventing the clutch from disengaging when you pull the lever.
What the fix does
The 2018 Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 has 5 recalls, the most serious being a rear axle nut that can loosen and allow the license plate bracket to contact the spinning rear wheel, which can cause a sudden loss of handling control.
The license plate holder mounts to the swingarm with gear teeth that may be positioned incorrectly, and when the axle nut backs off, the bracket shifts into the wheel's path. This can happen while riding and gives little warning before control is affected.
There is also a fuel system concern that applies whether the motorcycle is moving or parked: fuel can seep or leak from around the fuel level sensor and fuel pump mounting area. Because the leak persists even when the engine is off, any nearby ignition source, including a hot exhaust or a spark, can start a fire.
A separate recall covers the clutch slave cylinder, which can become inoperable. Without a functioning clutch, the rider loses the ability to disengage the engine from the drivetrain, making controlled stops and low-speed maneuvering significantly more difficult and raising the risk of a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The bellow-style gasket in the clutch slave cylinder may have been damaged during manufacturing, preventing the clutch from disengaging when you pull the lever.
What the fix does
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Dealers will inspect your clutch slave cylinder and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Gear teeth on the license plate holder and swingarm may be misaligned, allowing the rear axle nut to loosen. This can cause the license plate holder to contact the rear wheel.
What the fix does
Dealers will realign the gear teeth on the license plate holder and swingarm, and check that the rear wheel axle collar is tight.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The license plate bracket and rear fender may not be properly aligned, allowing the rear axle nut to loosen. This could cause the bracket or fender to shift and contact the rear wheel, affecting how the motorcycle handles.
What the fix does
A dealer will align the license plate bracket and rear fender to the swingarm and verify the rear axle nut is properly tightened.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Fuel can leak from the fuel level sensor and fuel pump mounting area in the fuel tank.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel tank, install new gaskets, and update software to recalibrate fuel measurement.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Fuel may seep or leak from the fuel sensor and fuel pump mounting area on certain motorcycles.
What the fix does
The manufacturer will mail you with corrective actions once they are finalized. Contact a dealer if you detect a fuel leak.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
