KTM Recalls 6,257 Husqvarna FE and GasGas ES Dual-Sports Over Rear Brake Caliper That Can Crack or Fail
KTM North America filed NHTSA recall 26V443 on July 20, covering 6,257 Husqvarna FE and GasGas ES dual-sport motorcycles with a rear brake caliper that can crack or break outright. The failure mode is specific to J.Juan/Braktec calipers used on these models — not the Brembo-equipped KTM equivalents — and NHTSA has issued a Do Not Ride advisory for affected units.
The recall spans 5,395 Husqvarna units and 862 GasGas units across several model years. One crash in Germany has already been linked to the defect. If you own one of the bikes on the list, here is exactly what you need to know.
Which Bikes Are Affected and Why Rolling Backward Is the Trigger
The recall covers 2022–2024 Husqvarna FE 501S and FE 350S models, plus the 2024 GasGas ES 350 and ES 500. All share the same J.Juan/Braktec rear brake caliper — and that caliper has a structural weakness in its primary pin casting.
When the motorcycle is rolled backward, the caliper geometry places stress on that primary pin in a way that normal forward braking does not. The casting can develop a crack at that point, and if the crack propagates far enough, the caliper can break entirely. A broken or compromised caliper then reduces rear braking ability during normal riding — which is when the crash risk becomes real.
KTM Austria Customer Service first received a report of a primary pin fracture in March 2024. Root cause analysis was completed in November 2024, and a redesigned caliper was developed. Transport Canada initiated its recall on June 26, 2026; NHTSA followed on July 8 before the formal filing date of July 20. NHTSA’s filing estimates roughly 1% of the affected population carries the defect.
The Fix: A Redesigned Caliper at No Cost to You
This is a dealer-only remedy — no DIY option. Dealers will replace the rear brake caliper with a redesigned unit that increases the primary pin casting area from 6.5 mm (0.26 in) to 10.5 mm (0.41 in). That wider bracket addresses the structural weakness directly. The replacement is free of charge.
Dealer notification was scheduled for July 15, 2026, so your local Husqvarna or GasGas dealer should already be aware of the campaign. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning September 2, 2026. Given the Do Not Ride advisory, waiting for the letter is not the recommended approach — contact your dealer now to schedule the caliper replacement.
Affected VINs became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 15, 2026. Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls, enter your 17-digit VIN, and look for recall campaign 26V443. Husqvarna owners can also check through Husqvarna Mobility’s Safety Recall Information page directly.
For questions or to confirm dealer availability, KTM and Husqvarna customer service can be reached at 1-888-985-6090. Have your VIN ready when you call. If your bike is confirmed on the list, do not ride it until the caliper has been replaced — the Do Not Ride advisory applies to all affected units regardless of whether you have noticed any symptoms.
One real-world crash in Germany has already been attributed to this defect, which makes the timeline here worth taking seriously. Owner letters arrive in September, but VIN lookup is live now and dealers are already notified. The repair is straightforward, free, and dealer-performed — the main action item is getting your bike booked in sooner rather than later.
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