More than 21,000 off-road motorcycles are heading back to dealers after federal regulators found a rear brake caliper that can crack apart while riding.
Quick Take
- KTM North America recalled about 21,040 Husqvarna and GASGAS off-road motorcycles in the United States over a rear brake caliper defect.
- The recall covers the 2022-2024 Husqvarna FE 350 and FE 501 models, as well as the 2024 GASGAS ES 350 and ES 500 models.
- Federal regulators say the caliper can crack or break, raising the risk of serious injury or death in a crash.
- Dealers will replace the rear brake caliper for free once owners bring their bikes in.
What Federal Regulators Found In The Recall Report
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued Part 573 Safety Recall Report 26V443 on July 15, 2026. It names a specific failure point: the JJuan/Braktec rear brake caliper’s primary pin casting.
The report states the pin casting can crack or break when the motorcycle rolls backward. That damage can spread to the caliper bracket and eventually cause the caliper itself to break during forward riding.
More than 20,000 off-road motorcycles recalled over dangerous brake defect that could lead to death https://t.co/EhcHznaYda
— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) August 21, 2026
That sequence matters because it means the failure does not always show up right away. A rider could roll backward off a trail obstacle or while parking, unknowingly starting a crack that later fails under normal riding pressure.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission made the stakes plain in its August 20, 2026 notice, warning that the defect “reduces the brake system’s effectiveness, posing a risk of serious injury or death due to crash hazard.”
Which Bikes And How Many Riders Are Affected
KTM North America is listed as the recalling firm, operating under its Husqvarna Mobility North America and GASGAS North America brands.
The recall spans three model years of Husqvarna FE 350 and FE 501 dirt bikes, built between 2022 and 2024, as well as the 2024 GASGAS ES 350 and ES 500 dual-sport models. Fox Business reported the total U.S. count at roughly 21,040 units, based on the CPSC’s official filing.
Covering multiple model years and two separate brands tells riders this is not a one-off manufacturing slip on a single production run.
RideApart’s coverage from July 16, 2026, confirmed the same root cause described in the federal filing, tying the cracking directly to backward rolling before pointing to a potential failure during normal forward braking.
What Owners Should Do Right Now
The remedy is straightforward. KTM dealers will remove the affected rear brake caliper and install a replacement at no cost to the owner. There’s no charge for parts or labor tied to this specific repair.
Owners of the listed Husqvarna and GASGAS models should confirm their bike’s status with a dealer rather than wait for a mailed notice, since dealer and owner communications can arrive on different timelines.
Riding an off-road motorcycle already carries real risk from terrain, speed, and unpredictable obstacles. A brake that can silently weaken after rolling backward adds a hazard riders can’t see or feel until it’s too late.
Getting the free replacement installed promptly removes that risk entirely and costs the owner nothing more than a trip to the dealership.
A Pattern Regulators Take Seriously
Brake recalls like this one follow a well-worn federal process. Manufacturers must notify NHTSA within five business days of determining a safety defect exists, then arrange free repairs and monitor the campaign’s completion.
This recall also isn’t KTM’s first brush with brake trouble on these brands; an earlier campaign addressed a front brake caliper defect on similar off-road models.
The two issues are mechanically distinct, but the repetition underscores why regulators keep close watch on brake-system components across model lines.
⚠️ RECALL: KTM North America Recalls Off-Road Motorcycles Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Crash Hazard
Hazard: The rear brake caliper can crack or break, reducing the brake system's effectiveness, posing a risk of serious injury or death due to crash hazard.
Remed…— Recall | Safety Alerts 🚨 (@RecallAlertsUS) August 24, 2026
For riders, the practical takeaway is simple: check the VIN, call the dealer, and get the free fix before the next ride. A cracked caliper pin isn’t a hypothetical designed to grab headlines.
It’s a documented failure mode that federal regulators and the manufacturer both agree warrants immediate action, and the fix is already available at zero cost to the people who need it most.
Sources:
motorcycle.com, static.nhtsa.gov, thebrakereport.com, rideapart.com
