# 2026 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLTRXSTSE — STEERING
> NHTSA complaint `2243405` · 2026-09-04 · Harley-Davidson Motor Company
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** Yes
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** Yes
- **Vehicle towed:** Yes
## Vehicle
- **Make:** HARLEY-DAVIDSON
- **Model:** FLTRXSTSE
- **Year:** 2026
- **Manufacturer:** Harley-Davidson Motor Company
- **Component:** STEERING
## Narrative
On August 27, 2026, after riding approximately 6 miles and less than two hours after taking delivery of this brand-new 2026 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide ST (5 miles on the odometer from the factory), VIN [XXX], I came to a complete stop at [XXX]. When I attempted to turn right after stopping, the handlebars suddenly locked or jammed, preventing the motorcycle from turning. The bike continued on a semi-straight path toward the curb, and I collided with a small tree.  The motorcycle sustained minor damage consistent with a low-speed incident, but I suffered a cut on my left cheek, significant swelling in my right knee, and minor scrapes on my hand and leg. I was transported by ambulance to Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center. The police documented the incident under case number XXX.  Harley-Davidson of The Woodlands never offered a test ride prior to delivery; I was apparently the first person to ride it. The following day, after hearing my account, the sales manager acknowledged that the steering stem/fork tube (the "triple tree") could be related to a factory defect, along with other factors he said required investigation. I had the motorcycle towed to the dealership's service department on XXX, for evaluation.  Since then, the dealership has not provided any written explanation regarding the cause. Communication has broken down: the salesperson stopped responding, the sales manager did not answer emails, and I received only one call from the service department 
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · MORVS · CC0 1.0*