IllustrationTHE DESIGN OF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS TOO SHORT AND INTERFERES WITH APPLYING THE BRAKES WHILE FOOT IS RESTING ON THE FLOORBOARD. FOOT BECOMES TRAPPED BETWEEN THE FLOORBOARD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS IS THE HERITAGE SOFTAIL MOTORCYCLE. OWNER HAS NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *AK
1998 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Softail
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Softail years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 3 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
1 reportsOfficial recalls
197V227000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
Dec 15, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE AN INADEQUATE WELD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW THE LEVER HUB TO SEPARATE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER LEVER WHICH WOULD AFFECT REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM THE RECALL SERVICE ON THESE VEHICLES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.