A cracked brake part on more than 20,000 off-road motorcycles could leave riders without stopping power at the worst possible moment.
Quick Take
- KTM North America recalled about 21,040 GASGAS and Husqvarna off-road motorcycles in the United States over a rear brake caliper that can crack or break.
- Federal regulators say the defect creates a crash hazard that could cause serious injury or death.
- The recall covers 2022-2024 Husqvarna FE 350 and FE 501 models and 2024 GASGAS ES 350 and ES 500 models.
- Dealers will replace the rear brake caliper for free once parts are available.
What The Federal Recall Report Actually Says
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published Safety Recall Report 26V443 on July 15, 2026. It names KTM North America, operating as GASGAS North America and Husqvarna Mobility North America, as the recalling company.
The report says the rear brake caliper’s primary pin casting can crack or break when the bike rolls backward. That crack can spread to the caliper bracket, and the caliper itself can fail while the bike moves forward.
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
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission echoed that warning in a public notice dated August 20, 2026. The agency stated plainly that the cracked caliper reduces brake effectiveness and poses a risk of serious injury or death in a crash.
That kind of language does not appear in routine paperwork. It signals regulators view backward brake failure as a genuine threat to riders on rough terrain, where sudden loss of stopping power near drop-offs, rocks, or traffic can turn a minor mistake into a serious wreck.
Which Bikes Are Affected And What Owners Should Do
The recall covers 2022 through 2024 Husqvarna FE 350 and FE 501 models, along with 2024 GASGAS ES 350 and ES 500 dual-sport motorcycles. Fox Business reported the total U.S. count at roughly 21,040 units based on the Consumer Product Safety Commission notice.
Trade outlet RideApart confirmed the same failure description on July 16, 2026, noting the crack begins during backward rolling and can later break in forward motion.
Owners do not need to do anything complicated. KTM North America will notify affected riders by mail, and dealers will replace the rear brake caliper at no cost.
Riders who use these bikes for trail work, hill climbs, or technical terrain should check their vehicle identification number against the recall listing before their next ride, since backward rolling is common when navigating steep or uneven ground.
A Pattern Worth Watching, Not Panicking Over
This is not KTM’s first brake-related recall in recent memory. The company issued a separate campaign in 2025 covering front brake caliper problems on similar off-road models.
Seeing two brake recalls in roughly a year understandably raises eyebrows, but the front and rear caliper issues are distinct defects, tied to different components and different failure mechanisms.
Lumping them together risks painting the brand as chronically unsafe when the record actually shows a company responding to two separate engineering problems.
⚠️ 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
Federal law requires manufacturers to notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within five business days after determining that a safety defect exists, and then fix the problem for free. That timeline explains why recall notices often arrive before a full public explanation of the root cause.
The current filings confirm what broke and how it fails, but they do not yet detail the metallurgical testing or design review that led KTM to its conclusion. That deeper engineering story may surface later through supplier records or dealer bulletins.
For now, the facts are clear and confirmed by two federal agencies. A specific part failed in a specific way, the company identified it, and a free fix is available.
Riders who own these bikes should treat the recall notice seriously and get the repair done before their next trip into the woods or up a rocky trail, where a working rear brake is not optional equipment.
Sources:
motorcycle.com, thebrakereport.com, static.nhtsa.gov, rideapart.com
