KTM North America has issued a new safety recall affecting 6,257 dual‑sport motorcycles, after identifying a defect in the rear brake caliper used on several Husqvarna FE and GasGas ES models. Filed under NHTSA 26V443, the recall addresses a structural weakness that can lead to caliper cracking or complete failure when the motorcycle rolls backward.

According to the safety recall report, the rear brake caliper’s primary pin casting area can crack or break during backward rolling. In some cases, the failure can also damage the caliper bracket, potentially reducing braking effectiveness in forward motion. KTM reports no warning signs prior to failure. One crash in Germany has been linked to the defect.

Although this action affects the same families of Husqvarna FE and GasGas ES dual‑sports, it is a different recall from the one issued last year. The earlier recall involved a front brake caliper defect, while the new 2026 recall concerns the rear brake caliper. 

The affected models include:

• 2022–2024 Husqvarna FE 501S
• 2022–2024 Husqvarna FE 350S
• 2024 GasGas ES 500
• 2024 GasGas ES 350

KTM and supplier J.Juan began investigating the issue in early 2024 after receiving the first field report. The root cause was confirmed in November 2024, and an updated caliper design — featuring a wider bracket (increased from 6.5 mm to 10.5 mm) — was implemented beginning with Model Year 2025 production.

Transport Canada contacted KTM North America in April 2026 regarding similar failures, prompting additional review. KTM initiated the recall on June 26, 2026.

How To Get It Fixed

Dealers are required to replace the rear brake caliper on all affected units. Motorcycles in dealer inventory are blocked from retail delivery until the remedy is completed. Owners who previously paid for caliper replacement may request reimbursement with documentation. Notification letters are scheduled for September 2, 2026.

Owners may contact KTM and Husqvarna customer service at 1‑888‑985‑6090 for assistance related to this recall. For additional support, owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1‑888‑327‑4236 , or visit www.nhtsa.gov.