Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 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 2,245,377 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 4,224 complaints for HARLEY-DAVIDSON
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLS
(2013) - TIRES
Feb 17, 2016
Incident date: Aug 27, 2014
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 2 MONTHS. ROUTINE DRIVING THE FIRST TIME. TIRE PUNCTURED BY SMALL SCREW, THIS TIME BY A COPPER SHIPPING STAPLE, JUST PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. NO TIRE AND WHEEL COVERAGE, THAT'S ANOTHER $165 PER MONTH FOR 2 YEARS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THE TUBE GOT PUNCTURED SERVICE DEPT SAYS THE 112 DOLLAR REPAIR IS NOT ENOUGH, THE TIRE IN QUESTION HAS 300 MILES ON IT. TIRE HIG... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHXS
(2014) - SERVICE BRAKES
Feb 17, 2016
Incident date: Feb 16, 2016
CLUTCH/BRAKE GASKET FAILURE CAUSING FLUID TO ERODE RESERVOIR COVERS.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2010) - SERVICE BRAKES
Feb 13, 2016
Incident date: Jan 30, 2016
WHILE RIDING BIKE AND TRIED TO STOP ON A CITY STREET. REAR BRAKE PEDAL WENT ROCK HARD AND WOULD NOT ACTIVATE THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER. CHECKED REAR CALIPER TO SEE IF IT WAS LOCKED UP AND CALIPER WAS FINE. CALIPER PISTONS MOVED FREELY. TOOK BIKE TO DEALER AND THEY FOUND THE ABS DISTRIBUTION BLOCK WAS BAD AND EVEN THOUGH IT WAS FULL OF FLUID IT WOULD NOT ALLOWING FLUID TO TRAVEL TO REAR CALIPER. THEY ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLSTSE3
(2012) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 11, 2016
Incident date: Jan 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SOFTAIL (NA). WHILE RIDING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE SADDLEBAG SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED I... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2012) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 1, 2016
Incident date: Jan 29, 2016
THE RIGHT HAND SADDLE BAG FELL OFF DURING A RIDE. HAVE OWNED THIS STYLE BAG FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS AND KNOW THEY WERE SECURE PRIOR TO THIS RIDE. MATT G. FROM CUSTOMER SERVICE DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR HARLEY DAVIDSON. FORTUNATELY I WAS ONLY TRAVELING AT 40MPH AND NOBODY WAS FOLLOWING ME.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2009) - ENGINE
Jan 22, 2016
Incident date: Nov 1, 2015
THE ORIGINAL COMPENSATOR SPROCKET WAS FOUND TO BE INADEQUATE BY HARLY IN 2011 AND A SE MODEL WAS REQUIRED TO REPLACE IT. AFTER THE USUAL 20 TO 30 THOUSAND MILES THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE/IS NOT COVERED IN A RECALL EVEN THOUGH A DEFECTIVE PART WAS ORIGINALLY USED.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) - SERVICE BRAKES
Jan 21, 2016
Incident date: Jan 20, 2016
MY FRONT BRAKE LEVER LOCKED UP! NO FRONT BRAKES!! ABSOLUTELY NO MOVEMENT AT ALL WHEN APPLYING FRONT BRAKE, WITH OR WITHOUT BIKE BEING STARTED! NO ABS LIGHT ON. THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT (AFTER REVIEWS OF MANY OF THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE DOING SAME AS MINE, ON MANY DIFFERENT FORUMS), IT'S DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ABS VALVE MODULE, THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. AGAIN, THE WAY I UNDERS... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTKL
(2015) - POWER TRAIN
Jan 21, 2016
Incident date: Jan 5, 2015
ON 01/05/2016, I TOOK DELIVERY OF A BRAND NEW 2015 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA LIMITED LOW MOTORCYCLE. WHEN I REGISTERED THE BIKE WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY, I DISCOVERED THERE WERE (2) RECALLS, ONE OPEN AND ONE CLOSED. THE OPEN RECALL IS NTHSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V-216 WHICH DEALS WITH THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH. AFTER A LITTLE INVESTIGATION, I LEARNED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS SAT ON THEIR SHOWROO... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTKL
(2016) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 17, 2016
Incident date: Jan 8, 2016
RIGHT HAND SADDLE BAG FELL OFF THE MOTORCYCLE WHILE DRIVING...PREVIOUS MODELS RECALLED...
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHR
(2003) - SUSPENSION
Jan 15, 2016
Incident date: Jul 15, 2015
I AM WRITING TO REPORT A PROBLEM WITH THE SWINGARM ON HARLEY DAVIDSON TOURING BIKES. THIS AFFECTS NOT ONLY MY 2003 BUT, NEWER BIKES AS WELL. THE BIKES HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WHAT IS TERMED AS THE DEATH WOBBLE AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH AND SOMETIMES LESS ESPECIALLY IN CURVES. THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN TO HD BUT, THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. THE PROBLEM LIES ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRUSE
(2016) - ENGINE
Jan 15, 2016
Incident date: Sep 24, 2015
THE RIGHT-SIDE EXHAUST PIPE RUNS SO HOT THAT IT MELTS THE INSIDE OF THE RIDER'S RIGHT PANTS LEG DURING NORMAL OPERATION WHILE RIDING.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCA
(2002) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jan 13, 2016
Incident date: Jan 10, 2016
THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT PROPERLY WORK DUE TO FLOAT ISSUES. THIS CAN LEAVE PEOPLE STRANDED. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE AND I DO NOT SEE WHY HARLEY HAS NOT BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE AS OF YET...
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2011) - SERVICE BRAKES
Jan 7, 2016
Incident date: Dec 6, 2015
I OWN AND OPERATE A HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU ULTRA CLASSIC. WHILE RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY I TRIED TO USE MY FRONT BRAKES TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LEVER WAS HARD AS A ROCK AND WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT FUNCTION TO STOP THE BIKE, HAD TO RELY ON MY REAR BRAKES WHICH PUT ME IN AN SLIDE BECAUSE OF THE HARD BREAKING TO COMPENSATE FOR THE FRONT BRAKES MALFUNCTION. I MANAGED TO RETURN HOME USING MY... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHXS
(2014) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 29, 2015
Incident date: Dec 26, 2015
WHILE RIDING THE BIKE AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHEN APPLYING FRONT BRAKE. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND DEALS WITH THE SWITCH HOUSING ON THE HANDLEBARS WHERE THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER IS ATTACHED. WHEN GOOGLED OTHER BIKE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND HARLEY DOES NOT WANT TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY UNLESS THEY CAN DUPLICATE AT THE TIME IT IS BROUGHT TO SHOP. THI... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCDX
(2008) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Dec 28, 2015
Incident date: Aug 21, 2015
FUEL GAUGE NEVER READS ACCURATE. WHEN BIKE IS FULL THE GAUGE WILL READ FULL BUT WHEN I TURN BIKE OFF AND RESTART IT AGAIN THE FUEL GAUGE WILL READ 1/4 FULL. GAUGE IS VERY INDEPENDABLE. RESULTING IN THE BIKE RUNNING OUT OF GAS BECAUSE THE IMPROPER READING FROM THE FUEL GAUGE. ALSO RESULTING IN HAVING TO CALL AND AUTO SERVICE FOR A TOW OR FUEL.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCDX
(2008) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Dec 28, 2015
Incident date: Aug 21, 2015
FUEL GAUGE NEVER READS ACCURATE. WHEN BIKE IS FULL THE GAUGE WILL READ FULL BUT WHEN I TURN BIKE OFF AND RESTART IT AGAIN THE FUEL GAUGE WILL READ 1/4 FULL. GAUGE IS VERY INDEPENDABLE. RESULTING IN THE BIKE RUNNING OUT OF GAS BECAUSE THE IMPROPER READING FROM THE FUEL GAUGE. ALSO RESULTING IN HAVING TO CALL AND AUTO SERVICE FOR A TOW OR FUEL.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHT
(2007) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dec 24, 2015
Incident date: Dec 24, 2015
OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THE STARTER HAS BEEN GIVING ME ISSUE, I TRIED A NEW BATTERY IT HELPED FOR A WHILE. I NOTICED THEN THAT WHEN IT WAS HOT THE ISSUE WAS WORSE. AFTER HOURS OF RESEARCH I GUESS THEY STAT ITS A KNOWN ISSUE ON TH 2007-08 HARLEY-DAVIDSON TOURING BIKES, JUST A FEW- NOT ALL BUT THE SCREAMING EAGLE UPGRADE IS 400.00 PLUS BUCKS TO REPAIR-HELP WITH THESE COSLTLY REPAIRS WOULD BE NICE. 42,... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTR
(2009) - SERVICE BRAKES
Dec 15, 2015
Incident date: Nov 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE (NA). WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000. UPDATED 05/11/16*LJ
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2009) - SERVICE BRAKES
Dec 10, 2015
Incident date: Nov 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE STOPPED DUE TO THE FRONT BRAKES FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN THE TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE MODULE FAILED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIR... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCF
(2013) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Dec 7, 2015
Incident date: Dec 2, 2015
I HAVE THE SAME FUEL GAUGE ISSUE AS ALL OTHER OWNERS OF V-RODS. THE GAUGE WILL NOT READ PROPERLY AND HAS LEFT ME IN TRAFFIC AND STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND HARLEY HAS STILL TO FIX IT.
Crash
2 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCF
(2013) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Dec 7, 2015
Incident date: Dec 2, 2015
I HAVE THE SAME FUEL GAUGE ISSUE AS ALL OTHER OWNERS OF V-RODS. THE GAUGE WILL NOT READ PROPERLY AND HAS LEFT ME IN TRAFFIC AND STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND HARLEY HAS STILL TO FIX IT.
Crash
2 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2010) - SERVICE BRAKES
Dec 7, 2015
Incident date: Nov 6, 2015
AFTER RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE NORMALLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES, I STOPPED AT MY DESTINATION AND SHUT DOWN THE BIKE NORMALLY. APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES LATER, I GOT BACK ON THE BIKE TO GO BACK HOME. AT THIS POINT, I FOUND MY RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LEVER WAS FROZE UP AND WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. I HAD THE BIKE TOWED TO MY HARLEY DEALER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP CAL... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2009) - SERVICE BRAKES
Dec 2, 2015
Incident date: Nov 19, 2015
THE ABS CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONED, AND CAUSED MY FRONT BRAKE LEVER TO LOCK UP. I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS. THERE IS NO WARNING THAT IT IS GOING OUT. ONE MINUTE FINE, AND THEN FROZE.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUL
(2015) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Nov 30, 2015
Incident date: Jun 14, 2015
I PURCHASED A 2015 ULTRA CLASSIC LOW IN JUNE 2015 A GREAT MACHINE AND ABOUT 4500 MILES ON IT ALREADY BUT I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT. WHEN I TAKE OFF FROM A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION OR TRAFFIC LIGHT THE ENGINE STUMBLES AND KNOCKS, SORT OF LIKE WHEN YOU TRY TO TAKE OFF IN 2ND GEAR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO ADIRONDACK HARLEY-DAVIDSON 106 BELLEN RD, BROADALBIN, NY 12025 AND JOE'S MOTORCYCLE REPAIR, DYNO ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXSTSI
(2004) - WHEELS
Nov 25, 2015
Incident date: Oct 31, 2015
I TRIED TO STEER CLEAR OF A POT HOLE ON KENNICOTT ROAD NORTH OF DUNDEE ROAD BUT HIT THE POT HOLE WITH THE REAR TIRE OF MY MOTORCYCLE AND THE TIRE HAS GONE FLAT.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHXS
(2015) - POWER TRAIN
Nov 25, 2015
Incident date: Aug 10, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHXS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE CAUSING IT TO RUN OFF OF THE ROAD AND FLIP THE CONTACT OFF OF THE MOTORCYCLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH THERE WERE INJURIES SUSTAINED THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION DUE TO A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2010) - SERVICE BRAKES
Nov 23, 2015
Incident date: Nov 5, 2015
FRONT BRAKE COMPLETELY INOPERABLE AFTER STARTING ENGINE. BACKING DOWN A DRIVEWAY IN REVERSE, HAD A FROZEN FRONT BRAKE LEVER. COULD NOT CONTROL THE MOTORCYCLE, AND FELL OVER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BIKE AND MYSELF.
Crash
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUTG
(2011) - SERVICE BRAKES
Nov 20, 2015
Incident date: Nov 1, 2015
THE BRAKES SEEM TO BE LOCKED UP AT TIMES WHEN YOU PUT THE REVERSE DRIVE IN. YOU CAN STEP DOWN ON THE FOOT BRAKE, AND IT FREES UP. THIS TRIKE HAS LESS THAN 14000 MILES ON IT THE TRIKE IS A 2011 TRIGLIDE, AND IT IS NOW NOV 2015. THE PARK BRAKE IS ADJUSTED ALL THE WAY OUT, AND DOES NOT HOLD AT ALL. THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WITH THIS COMPLAINT.. MOST OF MY RIDING IS ALL HIGHWAY WITHOUT THE FREQUE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUTG
(2011) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 20, 2015
Incident date: Nov 1, 2015
THE BRAKES SEEM TO BE LOCKED UP AT TIMES WHEN YOU PUT THE REVERSE DRIVE IN. YOU CAN STEP DOWN ON THE FOOT BRAKE, AND IT FREES UP. THIS TRIKE HAS LESS THAN 14000 MILES ON IT THE TRIKE IS A 2011 TRIGLIDE, AND IT IS NOW NOV 2015. THE PARK BRAKE IS ADJUSTED ALL THE WAY OUT, AND DOES NOT HOLD AT ALL. THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WITH THIS COMPLAINT.. MOST OF MY RIDING IS ALL HIGHWAY WITHOUT THE FREQUE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTKSE
(2015) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Nov 19, 2015
Incident date: Jun 15, 2015
2015 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTKSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE BIKE, IT SHUT OFF AND WOULD NO RESTART. AFTER SEVERAL MORE ATTEMPTS, THE BIKE STARTED AND THEN SHUT OFF, AND DISPLAYED A FAULT CODE " FORKS LOCKED". THE BIKE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THE BIKE WAS RETU... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2014) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Nov 18, 2015
Incident date: Aug 1, 2015
AFTER USING THE USB AS A MEDIA SOURCE, THE NEXT TIME THE MOTORCYCLE IS POWER CYCLED THE STEREO DEFAULTS TO FM AND RESETS THE FADE CONTROL. HARLEY INITIALLY SAID THIS WAS DUE TO SOFTWARE, BUT THEN CHANGED TO SAYING IT WAS NORMAL OPERATION. ON NOVEMBER 16TH, I SPOKE WITH CASE MANAGER (JOHN), WHO ADVISED THAT THIS IS DUE TO THE SYSTEM SENSING A VOLTAGE CHANGE WHEN SHUTTING DOWN. I HAVE REPLACED THE H... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2009) - WHEELS
Nov 17, 2015
Incident date: Nov 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WHEELS BECAME VERY LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,999.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) - STEERING
Nov 13, 2015
Incident date: Nov 12, 2015
THERE IS A SPEED WOBBLE STARTING IN THE 60'S AND CONTINUING THROUGH THE 70'S+ ON STRAIGHT ROADS AND CURVES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS AND I STILL CONTINUE TO SPEND MONEY ADJUSTING ETC. THE BIKE I'VE SPENT THOUSANDS IN LABOR AND PARTS TO FIX AND OR ADJUST THE BIKE WITHOUT SUCCESS. I'VE CALLED HARLEY DAVIDSON MORE THAN ONCE TO BE TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF AN ISSUE AND I'M ON MY OWN B... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) - SUSPENSION
Nov 13, 2015
Incident date: Nov 12, 2015
THERE IS A SPEED WOBBLE STARTING IN THE 60'S AND CONTINUING THROUGH THE 70'S+ ON STRAIGHT ROADS AND CURVES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS AND I STILL CONTINUE TO SPEND MONEY ADJUSTING ETC. THE BIKE I'VE SPENT THOUSANDS IN LABOR AND PARTS TO FIX AND OR ADJUST THE BIKE WITHOUT SUCCESS. I'VE CALLED HARLEY DAVIDSON MORE THAN ONCE TO BE TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF AN ISSUE AND I'M ON MY OWN B... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
XG750
(2015) - POWER TRAIN
Nov 12, 2015
Incident date: Nov 10, 2015
BOLT ON THE FRONT DRIVE PULLEY (MADE OF SOFT METAL) BREAKS WHILE DRIVING AND DRIVE PULLEY COMES LOOSE FROM THE ENGINE DRIVE SHAFT AND DESTROYS THE SHIELD AND DRIVE BELT, CAUSING THE MOTORCYCLE TO LOOSE ALL MOMENTUM AND LIKELY REAR TIRE LOCKUPS. CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME WHILE MOTORCYCLE IN BEING DRIVEN...AT ANY SPEED....THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! HTTP://WWW.HDSTREETFORUMS.COM/FORUM/HARLEY-DAVI... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHRSE4
(2008) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 10, 2015
Incident date: Nov 7, 2015
RIDING VEHICLE WHEN SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE THROTTLE CONTROL ACTUATOR. HD HAS REVISED THIS ASSEMBLY, BUT IT IS STILL PROBLEMATIC. SEARCH RESULTS ARE LOADED WITH OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. HD KNOWS ABOUT IT AND HAS ISSUED A TSB ON IT, BUT HAS DONE NOTHING IN THE ORDER OF A RECALL FOR THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY SIT... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUSE2
(2007) - POWER TRAIN
Nov 4, 2015
Incident date: Oct 23, 2015
THE DRIVETRAIN IS VERY LOUD IN NEUTRAL AND HAVING LOAD BANGING NOISES AT START UP AND KICK BACKS.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHXS
(2014) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Nov 2, 2015
Incident date: Oct 18, 2015
REGARDING NHTSA RECALL NO. 15V-427: LOCAL HD DEALER REPLACED MY ORIGINAL ATTACHMENT SPRINGS TO MY 2024 HD STREET GLIDE SADDLEBAGS AS REQUIRED BY THIS RECALL. HOWEVER, ONE OF MY BAGS RECENTLY FELL OFF WHILE RIDING AFTER THE NEW REPLACEMENT SPRINGS WERE INSTALLED. A LOCAL DEALERSHIP INSPECTED AND ORIGINALLY STATED HARLEY SENT THEM THE WRONG REPLACEMENT SPRINGS. THAT WAS THE REASON MY BAG FELL OFF.... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHXS
(2014) - EQUIPMENT
Nov 2, 2015
Incident date: Oct 18, 2015
REGARDING NHTSA RECALL NO. 15V-427: LOCAL HD DEALER REPLACED MY ORIGINAL ATTACHMENT SPRINGS TO MY 2024 HD STREET GLIDE SADDLEBAGS AS REQUIRED BY THIS RECALL. HOWEVER, ONE OF MY BAGS RECENTLY FELL OFF WHILE RIDING AFTER THE NEW REPLACEMENT SPRINGS WERE INSTALLED. A LOCAL DEALERSHIP INSPECTED AND ORIGINALLY STATED HARLEY SENT THEM THE WRONG REPLACEMENT SPRINGS. THAT WAS THE REASON MY BAG FELL OFF.... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2009) - SERVICE BRAKES
Nov 2, 2015
Incident date: Nov 1, 2015
FRONT BRAKE HAND LEVER IS VERY STIFF AND WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. MY BRAKES ARE ABS. I WAS IN MOTION AND HAD TO PULL ON THE BRAKE LEVER VERY HARD AND THE FRONT BRAKE SUDDENLY REACTS CAUSING A VERY HARD BRAKING ON THE FRONT END. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THERE IS NO GRADUAL BRAKING AS YOU PULL THE LEVER, SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T EVEN PULL THE LEVER CAUSING YOU TO RELY SOLELY ON THE REAR BRAKE.. I HAVE ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUI
(2002) - POWER TRAIN
Oct 31, 2015
Incident date: Sep 14, 2015
ON SEPT 14 2015 WHILE RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC MY DRIVE BELT BROKE CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO SLOW SUDDENLY IN TRAFFIC ALMOST GETTING REAR ENDED. THE BELT WAS FAIRLY NEW AND HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO BY A HARLEY DEALER IN VIRGINIA. AT THAT TIME THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHILE RIDING THE BELT SUDDENLY BROKE AND I WAS COMING DOWN A STEEP GRADE AND WAS ALMOST RUN ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCF
(2009) - POWER TRAIN
Oct 30, 2015
Incident date: Oct 22, 2015
I NOTICED THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT FLICKERING AFTER THE ENGINE IS WARMED UP. I DECIDED TO TALK TO MY LOCL HARLEY DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND COULD CAUSE ME TO WRECK IF THE ENGINE SEIZED. AS A QUALITY ENGINEER BY TRADE, I INVESTIGATED THE ISSUE AND FOUND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS ON VARIOUS HARLEY FORUMS. THE ISSUE IS THE TRIPLE SPROCKET BOLT BACKS OUT DUE TO POOR... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLSTC
(2007) - SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 30, 2015
Incident date: Jan 28, 2008
I HAVE NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WEEPS OUT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER DUE TO A FAULTY RUBBER CAP GASKET... WHEN I CONTACTED THE LOCAL HARLEY DEALER IN METAIRIE LOUISIANA, I WAS IN FORMED THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME... THEY HAVE KNOWN SO LONG THAT THEY HAVE FORMULATED DIFFERENT GASKET MATERIALS 3 (THREE) TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED MY MOTORCYCLE IN 2007.. THEY ALSO HAV... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2015) - POWER TRAIN
Oct 28, 2015
Incident date: Oct 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHX. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO AN OPEN LOT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SKULL, ANKLE, LEFT LEG, AND RIGHT FOOT INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, TH... Read more
Crash
4 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLD
(2015) - ENGINE
Oct 21, 2015
Incident date: Oct 19, 2015
WHILE RIDING THE BIKE I HEARD AN UNUSUAL METAL NOISE (EVER SO SLIGHT NEXT TO THE SOUND OF THE BIKE) LOOKED DOWN TO DISCOVER REAR BRAKE ROD DISCONNECTED FROM REAR BRAKE PEDDLE. CLEVIS PIN AND COTTER APPARENTLY DROPPED OFF THE BIKE. WHEN I WENT TO TAP THE BRAKE PEDDLE, TO STOP THE BIKE, IT WAS HORIZONTAL TO THE PAVEMENT AND COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. BLACK WIDOW H-D PUT A 1/4 X 1" BOLT - WASHER - WASHER... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLD
(2015) - SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 21, 2015
Incident date: Oct 19, 2015
WHILE RIDING THE BIKE I HEARD AN UNUSUAL METAL NOISE (EVER SO SLIGHT NEXT TO THE SOUND OF THE BIKE) LOOKED DOWN TO DISCOVER REAR BRAKE ROD DISCONNECTED FROM REAR BRAKE PEDDLE. CLEVIS PIN AND COTTER APPARENTLY DROPPED OFF THE BIKE. WHEN I WENT TO TAP THE BRAKE PEDDLE, TO STOP THE BIKE, IT WAS HORIZONTAL TO THE PAVEMENT AND COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. BLACK WIDOW H-D PUT A 1/4 X 1" BOLT - WASHER - WASHER... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHRC
(2008) - POWER TRAIN
Oct 20, 2015
Incident date: Sep 26, 2015
2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROADKING CLASSIC WITH 23,748 MILES STARTED HAVING EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND THE STARTER MADE A LOUD "BANG" DURING HOT STARTS...ALSO NOTICED A LOUD CLUNK SOUND FROM THE PRIMARY CHAIN CASE WHEN SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF. THE HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE A WORN COMPENSATOR AND SPROCKET. APPARENTLY THESE COMPONENTS ARE HAVING A HIGH RATE OF PRE--MATURE FAILUR... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHR
(2015) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 16, 2015
Incident date: Oct 5, 2015
WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP THROUGH NORTHERN ARIZONA AND UTAH IN EARLY OCTOBER 2015, THE LICENSE PLATE MOUNTING BRACKET BROKE OFF THE BIKE AND WAS LOST. ATTACHED TO THE BROKEN MOUNT WAS MY LICENSE PLATE, THE ASSOCIATED FASTENERS, REFLECTOR AND POSSIBLY MORE UNKNOWN ITEMS. THE MOUNTING BRACKET FRACTURED THROUGH BOTH MOUNTING BOLT HOLES. I HAD ACHIEVED SPEEDS UP TO 75 MILES PER HOUR WITH THE MOTORCYCLE W... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
XL1200N
(2010) - POWER TRAIN
Oct 14, 2015
Incident date: Jul 21, 2015
PRIMARY & TRANSMISSION FLUID IS BEING PULLED INTO THE CRANK CASE. RESULTED IN COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CAUSE UNDETERMINED AS THE DEALER INDICATED THE SEAL WAS INSTALLED PROPERLY AND NO LEAKS OR OIL BURNING WAS FOUND. PURCHASED WITH 1801 MILES FROM DEALER. NEXT PRIMARY OIL SERVICE PER HARLEY AT 10,000 MILES, THIS FAILURE HAPPENED OVERTIME WITH NO ABILITY TO DETECT AND MILEAGE IS AT APPROX... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) - POWER TRAIN
Oct 14, 2015
Incident date: Aug 14, 2015
MY COMPENSATOR WENT BAD ABOUT A YEAR AGO WHILE MY BIKE WAS STILL UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS JUST NORMAL NOISE. NOW COME TO FIND OUT HARLEY DAVIDSON KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEIR COMPENSATOR. THEY DON'T EVEN LAST 20,00 MILES AND I THINK THEY SHOULD RECALL THEM. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GO ON THE HARLEY DAVIDSON FORUMS AND THERE YOU WILL FIND ALL KINDS OF MAD OWNERS THAT THI... Read more