Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim — NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,215,138 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports — when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report — that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints — specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened — feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 4,189 complaints for HARLEY-DAVIDSON
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2011) — SERVICE BRAKES
Jul 8, 2016
Incident date: May 27, 2016
REAR BRAKES CAUGHT FIRE. DUE TO BRAKE DRAG
Fire
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHT
(2009) — SERVICE BRAKES
Jul 8, 2016
Incident date: May 30, 2009
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, MOTORCYCLE PURCHASED IN 2009, AT APPR. 12000 MILES, FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS TO BE ADDRESSED AROUND EVERY 12000 MILES SINCE NEW AND I HAVE 90,000 MILES ON IT NOW. AT APPR. 40,000 MILES, THE HOLE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED, ROTORS, CALIPERS, LINES, MASTER CYLINDER. THE BRAKES WOULD AUTOMATICALLY APPLY THEMSELVES UNTIL I... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHT
(2009) — SERVICE BRAKES
Jul 8, 2016
Incident date: Nov 28, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE HANDLE WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE V... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCA
(2003) — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jul 6, 2016
Incident date: May 29, 2016
A FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSED JERKING AND EXCESSIVE GAS CONSUMPTION. MOTORCYCLE DIES FREQUENTLY AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAFELY RIDE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN FOR, BUT LIKE MANY OTHERS MY PARTICULAR MODEL FALLS OUTSIDE OF THE COVERED ASSEMBLED DATES.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2007) — ENGINE
Jul 3, 2016
Incident date: Jul 2, 2016
ENGINE PRODUCES EXCESS HEAT THAT CAN BURN YOU AND WHEN HOT RUNS ERRATIC AT IDLE. ESPECIALLY NOTICBLE WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND THE SYSTEMS GETS SO HOT IT CAN BURN YOUR LEGS. I HAVE AN OLDER HARLEY AND THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH IT
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2014) — POWER TRAIN
Jul 2, 2016
Incident date: Jun 16, 2016
WHILE I WAS RIDING MY 2014 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTK MOTORCYCLE ON A 35 MPH TWO LANE CITY STREET, THE SHIFTER SHAFT LEVER BECAME STRIPPED. I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE MOTORCYCLE OUT OF FIRST GEAR AFTER A STOP AND TRAFFIC WAS BACKING UP BEHIND AND PASSING ME CREATING SOMEWHAT OF A HAZARD. FORTUNATELY FOR ME I WAS IN AN AREA WHERE I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY EXIT THE ROADWAY. HAD THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A ROAD... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
XG750
(2015) — SERVICE BRAKES
Jun 26, 2016
Incident date: Jun 24, 2016
ON JUNE 24, 2016 TRIED TO PRESS REAR BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN WHILE SLOWING TO AVOID STOPPED CAR IN FRONT OF ME. COULD NOT DO IT IN NORMAL RIDING POSITION. HAD TO USE ALL FRONT BRAKE. I WAS ON A CITY STREET DURING FORTY MILES AN HOUR.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
XL883C
(2005) — POWER TRAIN
Jun 26, 2016
Incident date: Jun 23, 2016
I CHANGED THE OIL, WHEN FINISHED I COULD NOT GET THE OIL CAP TO LOCK AND SEAL. I TOOK IT TO A HARLEY DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE SERVICE ADVISOR TRY TO GET IT TO LOCK DOWN AND HE COULD NOT. THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED THE OIL THAT HAD DRIPPED ALL OVER MY BIKE. I ORDERED A NEW CAP. I THEN TOOK IT TO A BIKE GARAGE (INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED), THEY TOLD ME THAT SOME YEARS OF HARLEYS HAD SWITCHED TO A PL... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
XL883C
(2005) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jun 26, 2016
Incident date: Jun 23, 2016
I CHANGED THE OIL, WHEN FINISHED I COULD NOT GET THE OIL CAP TO LOCK AND SEAL. I TOOK IT TO A HARLEY DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE SERVICE ADVISOR TRY TO GET IT TO LOCK DOWN AND HE COULD NOT. THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED THE OIL THAT HAD DRIPPED ALL OVER MY BIKE. I ORDERED A NEW CAP. I THEN TOOK IT TO A BIKE GARAGE (INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED), THEY TOLD ME THAT SOME YEARS OF HARLEYS HAD SWITCHED TO A PL... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
XL883R
(2007) — POWER TRAIN
Jun 23, 2016
Incident date: Jun 21, 2016
THE COMPENSATOR SPROCKET BEGAN TO THUMP AND KNOCK ON CURBSIDE STARTING, INDICATING WEAR. IT ONLY HAPPENS WITH THE BIKE IN GEAR AND THE CLUTCH DEPRESSED. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN IN NEUTRAL. IT CLEARED UP WITHIN 30 MINUTES, AND I CHANGED THE GEAR OIL, HOWEVER NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE IF IT GOES COMPLETELY IT WILL DISTRIBUTE METAL SHARDS THROUGHOUT THE GEAR BOX AND LOCK UP THE ENGINE POTENT... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUSE4
(2009) — SERVICE BRAKES
Jun 18, 2016
Incident date: May 11, 2016
I DECIDED ONE MORNING TO RIDE MY BIKE DOWN TO THE BMV TO RENEW LICENSE PLATES. THE RIDE DOWN TO THE BMV BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES FUNCTION AND OPERATE PROPERLY. WHEN I GET BACK ON THE BIKE TO LEAVE, I GET READY TO STOP JUST PRIOR TO ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AND MY REAR BRAKE PEDAL IS ROCK SOLID WITH NO TRAVEL AND NO REAR BRAKES WHATSOEVER. I DID HAVE FRONT BREAKS, BUT BEING SURPRISED BY NOT HAVING ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
XG750
(2016) — ENGINE
Jun 17, 2016
Incident date: Jun 13, 2016
EXHAUST SYSTEM BURN HAZARD. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAS AN INEFFECTIVE HEAT SHIELD FOR THE RIGHT SIDE FOOT/LEG AREA. THE HEAT SHIELD REACHES TEMPERATURES OVER 250 DEGREES IN UNDER 30 SECONDS FROM SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE OR SETTING AT LONG STOPLIGHTS. ATTEMPTING TO RIDE OR RE-MOUNT A RECENTLY RIDDEN MOTORCYCLE WILL BLISTER BARE SKIN ON CONTACT.
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
XG750
(2016) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jun 17, 2016
Incident date: Jun 13, 2016
EXHAUST SYSTEM BURN HAZARD. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAS AN INEFFECTIVE HEAT SHIELD FOR THE RIGHT SIDE FOOT/LEG AREA. THE HEAT SHIELD REACHES TEMPERATURES OVER 250 DEGREES IN UNDER 30 SECONDS FROM SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE OR SETTING AT LONG STOPLIGHTS. ATTEMPTING TO RIDE OR RE-MOUNT A RECENTLY RIDDEN MOTORCYCLE WILL BLISTER BARE SKIN ON CONTACT.
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2010) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jun 9, 2016
Incident date: Jun 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ACCELERATION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2010) — ENGINE
Jun 9, 2016
Incident date: Jun 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ACCELERATION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDI
(2004) — ENGINE
Jun 2, 2016
Incident date: May 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDI MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. THE FUEL LEVEL LOWERED AND FUEL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE SPARK PLUG WIRES, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE CHECK VALVE/ PIT COCK. THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDI
(2004) — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jun 2, 2016
Incident date: May 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDI MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. THE FUEL LEVEL LOWERED AND FUEL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE SPARK PLUG WIRES, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE CHECK VALVE/ PIT COCK. THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU103
(2012) — SUSPENSION
Jun 1, 2016
Incident date: Sep 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE REAR OF THE MOTORCYCLE STARTED TO WOBBLE. THE CONTACT DECREASED IN SPEED TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE FAILURE STOPPED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALER NO DIAGNOSIS WAS RENDERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES. THE MAN... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDI
(2004) — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jun 1, 2016
Incident date: Jun 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDI. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN PARKING, FUEL WAS DISCOVERED LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK AND ONTO THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
XL1200C
(2014) — STRUCTURE:BODY
May 24, 2016
Incident date: May 23, 2016
LEFT SIDE BATTERY COVER FALLS OFF, HAVE REPLACED CLIPS FROM HARLEY DAVIDSON BUT COVER STILL FALLS OFF. THIS IS COMPLETELY DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING AND COULD CAUSE ME TO CRASH OR HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER HAS STATED THAT THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY CAN AND HARLEY DAVIDSON CORP. HAS TOLD ME TO PUT ZIP TIES ON IT AND IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND FROM THE ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDF
(2012) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 20, 2016
Incident date: Feb 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDF. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE PIPE WAS ONLY MOUNTED TO THE HEADERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE BOLTS DETACHED FROM THE PIPES NEAR THE MOUNTING BRACKET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFOR... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDF
(2012) — SERVICE BRAKES
May 20, 2016
Incident date: Feb 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDF. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE PIPE WAS ONLY MOUNTED TO THE HEADERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE BOLTS DETACHED FROM THE PIPES NEAR THE MOUNTING BRACKET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFOR... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
May 20, 2016
Incident date: May 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND UTILIZING A HAND BRAKE AND FOOT BRAKE TO STOP, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE MOTORCYCLE RODE INTO AN INTERSECTION. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY NON-FUNCTIONAL. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULE WAS FAULTY. THE VE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU103
(2012) — SERVICE BRAKES
May 18, 2016
Incident date: May 18, 2016
ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU) FAILURE. FRONT BRAKE LEVER AND REAR PEDAL LOCKED OUT. NO BRAKING ABAILITY. COMPONENT FAILURE MODE LEAVES VEHICLE WITH NO BRAKING ABILITY CAUSING ACCIDENT W/O FATALITY. HARLEY DAVIDSON MO CO NOTIFIED WITH NO RESPONSE. CONTACTED 800-258-2464.
Crash
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRU
(2011) — SERVICE BRAKES
May 16, 2016
Incident date: May 2, 2016
WHILE LEAVING A PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE I ATTEMPTED TO STOP FOR THE CAR IN FRONT. FRONT BRAKE LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE NEARLY CAUSING ME TO RUN INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE ABS MODULATOR. ..UPDATED 02/10/17 *BF *CN
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDBI
(2006) — POWER TRAIN
May 10, 2016
Incident date: May 9, 2016
THE 5 BOLTS HOLDING THE REAR WHEEL DRIVE SPROCKET BACKED OUT AND LOCKED THE WHEEL UP WHEN THE BOLTS HIT THE SWING ARM. THIS HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY, ABOUT 3 YEARS PRIOR, BUT ONLY ONE BOLT BACKED OUT AT THAT TIME. AFTER PERFORMING A GOOGLE SEARCH, THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE THAT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY PEOPLE ON HARLEY MOTORCYCLES FROM MID-1990 MODELS TO CURRENT MODELS.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2010) — SERVICE BRAKES
May 5, 2016
Incident date: Apr 30, 2016
I WAS RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE AND EXITING THE FREEWAY RAMP DISCOVERED I HAD NO REAR BRAKES. COULD NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, LIKE IT WAS FROZEN. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE ABS MODULE. IF ABS FAILS IT SHOULD GO TO NON ABS BRAKES (FAIL SAFE) INSTEAD OF NO BRAKES. ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS PROBLEM CAUSES LOSS OF LIFE
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTC
(2008) — SERVICE BRAKES
May 2, 2016
Incident date: Apr 1, 2016
FRONT BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY. BRAKE LEVER BECAME ROCK HARD & WOULD NOT ACTIVATE THE FRONT BRAKES AT ALL. THIS OCCURRED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO USE VEHICLE AFTER IT HAD BENEFITTING A FEW DAYS. VERY SHOCKED WHEN I WENT TO USE THE FRONT BRAKES & THEY WOULD NOT WORK, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUI
(2003) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 1, 2016
Incident date: May 1, 2016
BIKE SHUTS DOWN NO POWER NO LIGHTS EVERYTHING SHUTS DOWN
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRSE3
(2009) — SERVICE BRAKES
Apr 29, 2016
Incident date: Apr 23, 2016
HYDRAULIC BRAKE MODULATOR (HD USES TERM HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT, OR HCU) WITHIN THE ABS SYSTEM IS FAILING ON MANY BIKES CAUSING BRAKE SYSTEM TO SUDDENLY FAIL, RESULT IN NO BRAKES. THIS HAS OCCURRED AFTER THE BIKE HAS BEEN SITTING, OR WHILE UNDERWAY, NO WARNING OF ANY KIND IS DISPLAYED PRIOR TO THE TOTAL LOST OF EITHER THE FRONT OR REAR BRAKES.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDWG
(1998) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apr 28, 2016
Incident date: Apr 28, 2016
TAKATA RECALL 3RD NEW BATTERY FROM HARLEY. WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY-DOES NOT HOLD CHARGE AND STARTED SMOKING. WORKS WHEN IT WANTS----KEEP BRING BATTERIES BACK TO HARLEY DAVIDSON AND THEY JUST GIVE A NEW ONE
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHPEI
(2003) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Apr 26, 2016
Incident date: Oct 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE (NA). WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAIL... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2010) — SERVICE BRAKES
Apr 26, 2016
Incident date: Mar 22, 2016
MY REAR BRAKE PEDAL HAS LOCKED IN POSITION MAKING THE REAR BRAKES INOPERABLE. THE ABS MODULE HAS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. NO ABS TROUBLE INDICATION LIGHT. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS FAIRLY COMMON ISSUE THAT CAN AFFECT BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. THIS ABS SYSTEM IS DANGEROUS AS IS. THE SYSTEM SHOULD NEVER CAUSE A LOSS OF BRAKING. THE SYSTEM SHOULD REVERT TO NON ABS BRAKING WHEN A FAILURE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2009) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Apr 26, 2016
Incident date: Apr 24, 2016
THE THROTTLE BY WIRE FAILED WHILE RIDING. I HAD A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT FROM BEHIND. THE DEALER BLAMED CORROSION ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD OF THE INDUCTION MODULE. COATING THE CONNECTOR IS A TEMPORARY FIX. AFTER THE 3RD FAILURE I HAD IT TOWED AND HAD A NEW INDUCTION MODULE INSTALLED. I SPENT $450 FIXING A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH A WIDE RANGE OF THE MOST POPULAR HD MOTORCYCLE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2009) — SERVICE BRAKES
Apr 25, 2016
Incident date: Apr 24, 2016
FRONT BRAKE LEVEL BECOMES FROZEN. BELIEVE IT IS A ABS ISSUE THAT LOCKS THE BRAKE LEVEL RENDERING THEM USELESS.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2016) — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Apr 23, 2016
Incident date: Sep 30, 2015
THE HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT ONLY LIGHTS UP THE ROAD ABOUT 15 FEET IN FRONT OF YOU GOING AROUND TURNS IN THE ROAD AND CURVES. YOU ARE DRIVING IN TOTAL DARKNESS UNTIL THE MOTORCYCLE IS STRAIGHTEN OUT. AND THE HIGH BEAM ONLY LIGHTS UP A SMALL CIRCLE IN FRONT OF YOU GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. YOU CAN'T SEE THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN CASE AN ANIMAL IS COMING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE LIGHTING SYSTE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTC
(2009) — POWER TRAIN
Apr 18, 2016
Incident date: Jul 20, 2015
MY HARLEY COMPENSATOR HAS FAILED TWICE NOW, I REPLACED AT MY OWN COST. NOW THIS ONE IS FAILING. HARLEY KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS PART. I DON'T THINK THE CONSUMER SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THEIR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. IT CLUNKS WHEN IT STARTS, VIBRATES SEVERELY AND I AM AFRAID IT COULD BREAK AND LOCK THE REAR WHEEL CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRU
(2016) — VISIBILITY/WIPER
Apr 15, 2016
Incident date: Apr 10, 2016
BLINDING GLARE FROM SUN REFLECTING OFF THE SCREEN ON THE BOOM AUDIO INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM. GLARE IS SO BAD THAT THE DRIVER IS BLINDED AND CANNOT SEE THE ROADWAY.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTR
(2008) — SERVICE BRAKES
Apr 15, 2016
Incident date: Apr 15, 2016
THE ABS MODULE ON MY BIKE HAS QUIT WORKING. WITH THE IGNITION ON THE MODULE CLOSES AND THE FRONT BRAKES CANNOT BE APPLIED. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN WHILE RIDING, A CRASH WOULD BE INEVITABLE. THE MODULE SHOULD BE DESIGNED SO THAT THERE IS AN EMERGENCY BYPASS IN THE EVENT THE INTERNALS INSIDE THE MODULE BECOMES STUCK SO THAT THE RIDER IS NOT SUDDENLY WITHOUT BRAKES. HARLEY DAVIDSON SHOULD ISSUE A... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRSE3
(2009) — SERVICE BRAKES
Apr 14, 2016
Incident date: Mar 31, 2016
I OWN A 2009 HD ROADGLIDE CVO WITH 34,000 MILES. I RECENTLY ROLLED THE BIKE OUT OF THE GARAGE AND HEADED DWON THE DRIVEWAY AND DISCOVERED THAT MY REAR BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY HARD AND I HAD NO REAR BRAKE. I TOOK THE BIKE TO MY DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS THE ABS MODULE WAS BAD. I HAD NOT ABS LIGHT FLASHING OR NOT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. NOTHING TO INDICATE THAT THE ABS WAS NOT WORKING. THIS FAILURE C... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTKL
(2015) — ENGINE
Apr 12, 2016
Incident date: Apr 10, 2016
ON A FEW OCCASIONS MY ENGINE KILL SWITCH HAS BEEN INADVERTENTLY ENGAGED WHILE RIDING. THE FIRST OCCASION I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE LEFT LANE APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH WHEN I WENT TO PRESS THE PUSH TO TALK BUTTON FOR THE CB (WHICH IS ON THE THROTTLE (RIGHT) SIDE OF THE HANDLEBARS) AND IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENT THROTTLE AND ENGAGE THE PUSH TO TALK, MY HAND HIT THE E... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTKL
(2015) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Apr 12, 2016
Incident date: Apr 10, 2016
ON A FEW OCCASIONS MY ENGINE KILL SWITCH HAS BEEN INADVERTENTLY ENGAGED WHILE RIDING. THE FIRST OCCASION I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE LEFT LANE APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH WHEN I WENT TO PRESS THE PUSH TO TALK BUTTON FOR THE CB (WHICH IS ON THE THROTTLE (RIGHT) SIDE OF THE HANDLEBARS) AND IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENT THROTTLE AND ENGAGE THE PUSH TO TALK, MY HAND HIT THE E... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHPEI
(2005) — SERVICE BRAKES
Apr 10, 2016
Incident date: Apr 1, 2016
MASTER CYLINDER SEALS LEAKING
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2009) — SERVICE BRAKES
Apr 9, 2016
Incident date: Mar 2, 2016
FRONT BRAKE LEVER FROZE WITH NO WARNING WHILE RIDING IT HOME ON THE HIGHWAY AND TURNING ON TO AN EXIT.. BIKE HAD BEEN SERVICED AT MY LOCAL HARLEY DEALER SINCE I PURCHASED THE BIKE NEW IN 2009. THE NEXT DAY, I CALLED THE DEALER WITHOUT IDENTIFYING MYSELF, AND DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM - THE FIRST RESPONSE WAS THAT THE ABS MODULE MIGHT BE BAD. I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL OR SOMETHING, THE ONLY RESP... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTR
(2009) — SERVICE BRAKES
Apr 8, 2016
Incident date: Mar 25, 2016
AFTER REPLACING FRONT BRAKE PADS IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE HANDLE IS LOCKED AND WONT MOVE WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO ACTIVATE FRONT BRAKES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP IT WAS FOUND THAT THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT HAS FAILED. APPARENTLY IT FAILS SO MUCH THAT THERE IS A MONTH LONG BACKORDER TO GET THE PARTS IN TO FIX PROBLEM. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN THE FRONT BRAKES ARE 70% OF ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCA
(2002) — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Apr 8, 2016
Incident date: Jun 1, 2004
FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY GOES FROM FULL TO EMPTY IN 15 MINUTES.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2014) — POWER TRAIN
Apr 4, 2016
Incident date: Apr 3, 2016
YESTERDAY (04/03/16), I WAS TRAVELING THROUGH NORTHERN VA (ON ROUTE #66), ON MY WAY HOME. TRYING TO TAKE AN EXIT TO GAS UP, I WASN'T ABLE TO SHIFT AT ALL. SO I'M TRYING TO PULL OVER (VERY WORRIED I MIGHT BE HIT BY AN ANOTHER COMMUTER IN A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY / 1ST SAFETY ISSUE), TO CHECK THE BIKE, I COULDN'T USE MY LEFT FLOOR BOARD (AFFECTING MY BALANCE / 2ND SAFETY ISSUE), BECAUSE THE SHIFTER AND S... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2014) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Apr 4, 2016
Incident date: Apr 3, 2016
YESTERDAY (04/03/16), I WAS TRAVELING THROUGH NORTHERN VA (ON ROUTE #66), ON MY WAY HOME. TRYING TO TAKE AN EXIT TO GAS UP, I WASN'T ABLE TO SHIFT AT ALL. SO I'M TRYING TO PULL OVER (VERY WORRIED I MIGHT BE HIT BY AN ANOTHER COMMUTER IN A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY / 1ST SAFETY ISSUE), TO CHECK THE BIKE, I COULDN'T USE MY LEFT FLOOR BOARD (AFFECTING MY BALANCE / 2ND SAFETY ISSUE), BECAUSE THE SHIFTER AND S... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2014) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apr 4, 2016
Incident date: Apr 3, 2016
YESTERDAY (04/03/16), I WAS TRAVELING THROUGH NORTHERN VA (ON ROUTE #66), ON MY WAY HOME. TRYING TO TAKE AN EXIT TO GAS UP, I WASN'T ABLE TO SHIFT AT ALL. SO I'M TRYING TO PULL OVER (VERY WORRIED I MIGHT BE HIT BY AN ANOTHER COMMUTER IN A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY / 1ST SAFETY ISSUE), TO CHECK THE BIKE, I COULDN'T USE MY LEFT FLOOR BOARD (AFFECTING MY BALANCE / 2ND SAFETY ISSUE), BECAUSE THE SHIFTER AND S... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCDX
(2014) — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Apr 3, 2016
Incident date: Apr 1, 2016
THE FUEL GUAGE SHOWS INCORRECT READING... EVEN AFTER HAVING A TANK FULL THE INDICATOR KEEPS ON BOUNCING BETWEEN FULL TO EMPTY TO HALF RANDOMLY.