KTM North America has issued an official safety recall affecting 6,257 Husqvarna and GASGAS motorcycles due to a potential structural flaw in the rear brake system. Filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under campaign number 26V443, the recall comes paired with an official "Do Not Drive" advisory for affected units.
Affected Models
The recall targets specific dual-sport and enduro models equipped with J.Juan / BrakTec rear brake calipers. Approximately 1% of the total vehicle population within these production windows is estimated to carry the defect, spanning 5,395 Husqvarna units and 862 GASGAS units.
| Model | Production Dates | Units Affected |
| 2022–2024 Husqvarna FE 501S | Jan 13, 2022 – Oct 11, 2023 | 3,685 |
| 2022–2024 Husqvarna FE 350S | Jan 13, 2022 – Oct 11, 2023 | 1,710 |
| 2024 GASGAS ES 500 | Jun 27, 2023 – Oct 23, 2023 | 516 |
| 2024 GASGAS ES 350 | Jun 27, 2023 – Oct 23, 2023 | 346 |
What Causes the Defect?
The underlying issue stems from the primary pin casting area of the J.Juan/BrakTec rear brake caliper.
The Failure Mechanism: When the motorcycle rolls backward, stress can cause the primary pin casting to crack or break.
The Secondary Risk: This initial fracture can subsequently damage or break the caliper bracket. If compromised, the caliper itself may fail during normal forward-motion braking, severely degrading rear stopping power.
Regulators and manufacturers note that the failure can occur entirely without warning. At least one crash in Germany has been linked to the defect.
How to Get It Fixed
Due to the NHTSA "Do Not Drive" advisory, riders are urged to verify their status and avoid operating affected motorcycles until the remedy is completed.
The Remedy: Authorized dealers will replace the rear brake caliper assembly with the redesigned, structurally reinforced component free of charge.
Dealer & Inventory Actions: Unsold motorcycles currently sitting in dealer inventories are locked and cannot be retail-registered or delivered until the updated parts are installed.
Owner Notifications: Official notification letters to registered owners are scheduled to begin mailing on a phased basis starting September 2, 2026.
Owners can check their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) against NHTSA's database or reach out directly to customer service lines for Husqvarna Mobility, GASGAS, or KTM. Owners who previously paid out of pocket for a caliper replacement covering this specific defect are eligible for reimbursement upon providing valid proof of purchase.
