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
FLSTSE2
(2011) - EQUIPMENT
Feb 20, 2014
Incident date: Jul 4, 2011
THE SADDLE BAGS FLY OFF THE MOTORCYCLE WHEN THE BAGS ARE EMPTY AND SPEED IS APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHXS
(2014) - POWER TRAIN
Feb 18, 2014
Incident date: Jan 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HARLEY DAVISON FLHXS STREET GLIDE SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VIBRATION WOULD OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE'S RPM'S WERE BETWEEN 2000 AND 1500 DURING DECELERATION. THE VIBRATION WOULD STOP WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS DISENGA... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) - SERVICE BRAKES
Feb 17, 2014
Incident date: Oct 25, 2013
WHILE RIDING MY 2008 FLHTCU AT LOW SPEEDS MY FRONT BREAK LEVER BECAME FROZEN IN PLACE, THE LEVER WOULD NOT ENGAGE THE BRAKES AT ALL. THE BIKE DID NOT DISPLAY ANY FAULT CODES. I TOOK THE BIKE TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY VERIFIED MY ABS MODULE HAD FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACED. MY COMPLAINT IS, THE BIKE WAS IN GOOD MECHANICAL CONDITION AND WITH OUT WARNING I HAD A CATASTROPHIC BREAK FAILURE. I BELI... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRU
(2013) - ENGINE
Feb 2, 2014
Incident date: Jul 8, 2013
SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND AS SOON AS THE THROTTLE WAS APPLIED, THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED OUT. USING AN INFRARED THERMOMETER, CYLINDER TEMPERATURES MEASURED 280 DEGREES IN THE FRONT CYLINDER AND 380 DEGREES IN THE REAR CYLINDER. THIS MEASUREMENT WAS TAKEN WITH THE MOTORCYCLE NOT HAVING BEEN RIDDEN, JUST SITTING AND IDLING FOR 15 MINUTES. THE HEAT IS DANGEROUS ON THIS MO... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUSE3
(2008) - POWER TRAIN
Jan 17, 2014
Incident date: Mar 20, 2012
THE PROBLEM IS WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON'S COMPENSATOR ASSEMBLY. WHEN IT FAILS, IT CAUSES PROBLEMS WITH STARTING THAT CAN BREAK TEETH IN THE STARTING GEAR, LEAVING RIDERS STRANDED. AT TIMES, IT CAN POSE A SAFETY RISK BECAUSE IT CAUSES A BACKFIRE THAT SEND SMOKE AND FLAMES SHOOTING OUT OF THE ENGINE THAT WOULD HURT ANYONE STANDING NEARBY WHEN TRYING TO START THE BIKE. THIS IS THE FOURTH COMPENSATOR A... Read more
Fire
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUSE3
(2008) - ENGINE
Jan 17, 2014
Incident date: Mar 20, 2012
THE PROBLEM IS WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON'S COMPENSATOR ASSEMBLY. WHEN IT FAILS, IT CAUSES PROBLEMS WITH STARTING THAT CAN BREAK TEETH IN THE STARTING GEAR, LEAVING RIDERS STRANDED. AT TIMES, IT CAN POSE A SAFETY RISK BECAUSE IT CAUSES A BACKFIRE THAT SEND SMOKE AND FLAMES SHOOTING OUT OF THE ENGINE THAT WOULD HURT ANYONE STANDING NEARBY WHEN TRYING TO START THE BIKE. THIS IS THE FOURTH COMPENSATOR A... Read more
Fire
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2014) - ENGINE
Dec 23, 2013
Incident date: Sep 16, 2013
THE COOLANT SYSTEM LEAKS WHEN IN MOTION WHICH SPILLS THE COOLANT IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRE. IT ALSO LEAKS WHILE SITTING PARKED. IT HAS ALSO OVERFLOWED AND SPILLED ALL OF THE COOLANT ONTO THE GROUND IMMEDIATELY AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOUR PREVIOUS TIMES AND HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. THE BIKE IS CURRENTLY AT A HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALERSHIP SERVICE CE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2014) - POWER TRAIN
Dec 23, 2013
Incident date: Sep 16, 2013
THE COOLANT SYSTEM LEAKS WHEN IN MOTION WHICH SPILLS THE COOLANT IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRE. IT ALSO LEAKS WHILE SITTING PARKED. IT HAS ALSO OVERFLOWED AND SPILLED ALL OF THE COOLANT ONTO THE GROUND IMMEDIATELY AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOUR PREVIOUS TIMES AND HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. THE BIKE IS CURRENTLY AT A HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALERSHIP SERVICE CE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2014) - STEERING
Dec 22, 2013
Incident date: Oct 1, 2013
ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING FROM COOLANT PUMP CASING. INSPECTED COOLANT RESERVOIR WHICH WAS PRESSURED UP AND FULL(NO AIR GAP). AFTER ENGINE COOLED, THEN COOLANT LEVEL BELOW COLD FULL LEVEL. DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE EPISODE. AT 30 TO 33 MPH, THERE IS A WOBBLE/SHIMMY IN THE HANDLE BARS/FRONT END. MORE SO ON DECELERATION,BUT HAVE FELT WHEN TURNING. FIRST TIME DEALER STATED THEY COULD ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2014) - ENGINE
Dec 22, 2013
Incident date: Oct 1, 2013
ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING FROM COOLANT PUMP CASING. INSPECTED COOLANT RESERVOIR WHICH WAS PRESSURED UP AND FULL(NO AIR GAP). AFTER ENGINE COOLED, THEN COOLANT LEVEL BELOW COLD FULL LEVEL. DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE EPISODE. AT 30 TO 33 MPH, THERE IS A WOBBLE/SHIMMY IN THE HANDLE BARS/FRONT END. MORE SO ON DECELERATION,BUT HAVE FELT WHEN TURNING. FIRST TIME DEALER STATED THEY COULD ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
SOFTAIL
(2011) - ENGINE
Dec 19, 2013
Incident date: Oct 9, 2013
TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFT TAIL DELUXE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE FLASHING INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWAR... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHR
(2008) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 11, 2013
Incident date: Nov 30, 2013
I WAS TRAVELING ON A SURFACE ROAD AT APPROX. 50MPH. AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION OF EUCLID AND LAMBERT THE LIGHT STARTED TO CHANGE. I ROLLED ONTO THE THROTTLE TO CLEAR THE INTERSECTION SAFELY. AS I CLEARED THE INTERSECTION I ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE AT WHICH POINT THE THROTTLE WENT TO THE WIDE OPEN POSITION BY ITSELF. THE SUDDEN SURGE FORWARD CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY GRIP ON THE HANDLE BARS, THROWI... Read more
Crash
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHR
(2008) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Dec 11, 2013
Incident date: Nov 30, 2013
I WAS TRAVELING ON A SURFACE ROAD AT APPROX. 50MPH. AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION OF EUCLID AND LAMBERT THE LIGHT STARTED TO CHANGE. I ROLLED ONTO THE THROTTLE TO CLEAR THE INTERSECTION SAFELY. AS I CLEARED THE INTERSECTION I ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE AT WHICH POINT THE THROTTLE WENT TO THE WIDE OPEN POSITION BY ITSELF. THE SUDDEN SURGE FORWARD CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY GRIP ON THE HANDLE BARS, THROWI... Read more
Crash
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHR
(2008) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Dec 11, 2013
Incident date: Nov 30, 2013
I WAS TRAVELING ON A SURFACE ROAD AT APPROX. 50MPH. AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION OF EUCLID AND LAMBERT THE LIGHT STARTED TO CHANGE. I ROLLED ONTO THE THROTTLE TO CLEAR THE INTERSECTION SAFELY. AS I CLEARED THE INTERSECTION I ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE AT WHICH POINT THE THROTTLE WENT TO THE WIDE OPEN POSITION BY ITSELF. THE SUDDEN SURGE FORWARD CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY GRIP ON THE HANDLE BARS, THROWI... Read more
Crash
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDB
(2009) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Dec 3, 2013
Incident date: Nov 16, 2013
I ACTUALLY HAVE A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SUPER GLIDE CUSTOM (FXDC) WITH A HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET BOB (FXDB) REAR FENDER ASSEMBLY. THE REAR FENDER WAS INSTALLED IN 2011 BY A HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEALERSHIP IN DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA. SINCE I HAD THE REAR FENDER INSTALLED, I HAVE PUT APPROXIMATELY 2000 MILES ON THE MOTORCYCLE. ON NOVEMBER 16, 2013, I WAS WASHING THE MOTORCYCLE AND NOTICES A SPLIT IN THE REA... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTC
(2008) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Dec 2, 2013
Incident date: Jun 22, 2013
THROTTLE GAVE OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAD NO RESPONSE FROM THE THROTTLE. STOPPED AND REMOVED HAND GRIP AND MOVED THE ELECTRONIC PART AND REPLACED HAND GRIP. THROTTLE WAS THE OK, THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 2 MORE OCCASIONS ON AUGUST 31ST AND SEPTEMBER 1ST, I DID THE SAME TO FIX THE PROBLEM. LUCKILY I WAS NOT A BUSY FREEWAY WHEN THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED OR I MAY HAVE BEEN IN DANGER. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTC
(2008) - POWER TRAIN
Dec 2, 2013
Incident date: Jun 22, 2013
THROTTLE GAVE OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAD NO RESPONSE FROM THE THROTTLE. STOPPED AND REMOVED HAND GRIP AND MOVED THE ELECTRONIC PART AND REPLACED HAND GRIP. THROTTLE WAS THE OK, THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 2 MORE OCCASIONS ON AUGUST 31ST AND SEPTEMBER 1ST, I DID THE SAME TO FIX THE PROBLEM. LUCKILY I WAS NOT A BUSY FREEWAY WHEN THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED OR I MAY HAVE BEEN IN DANGER. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTKSE
(2014) - ENGINE
Nov 24, 2013
Incident date: Oct 10, 2013
ENGINE COOLANT LEAK STARTED AT ABOUT 700 TOTAL MILES. THE LEAK APPEARS FROM THE COOLANT PUMP HOUSING. IF IT IS LEAKING WHILE RIDING THE SLIPPERY COOLANT SPLASHES ONTO THE REAR TIRE AFFECTING TRACTION. THE LEAK CAN POSSIBLY BE SPLASHING ON THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS AFFECTING BRAKING. NOW WITH ONLY 1,450 TOTAL MILES THE LEAK BECAME A FULL BLOWN GUSHER. IT'S IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN TO ADDRESS THIS ISS... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRXSE
(2013) - WHEELS
Nov 17, 2013
Incident date: Nov 21, 2012
AFTER PURCHASING MOTORCYCLE NEW FROM DEALER.. NOTICED THAT STEERING SHAKE / WOBBLE ON DECELERATION BETWEEN SPEEDS OF 30-60 MPH. NOTIFIED DEALER AND FOUND THAT STEERING COMPONENT NUT OF SOME SORT WAS LOOSE AND NEEDED ADJUSTMENT. THIS SEEMED TO HAVE FIXED ISSUE BUT SOON RETURNED WITHIN 1000 MILES. THE MOTORCYCLE CURRENTLY HAS AROUND 4000 MILES AND STILL HAS THIS CONDITION. REPORTED TO DEALER WHERE M... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRXSE
(2013) - STEERING
Nov 17, 2013
Incident date: Nov 21, 2012
AFTER PURCHASING MOTORCYCLE NEW FROM DEALER.. NOTICED THAT STEERING SHAKE / WOBBLE ON DECELERATION BETWEEN SPEEDS OF 30-60 MPH. NOTIFIED DEALER AND FOUND THAT STEERING COMPONENT NUT OF SOME SORT WAS LOOSE AND NEEDED ADJUSTMENT. THIS SEEMED TO HAVE FIXED ISSUE BUT SOON RETURNED WITHIN 1000 MILES. THE MOTORCYCLE CURRENTLY HAS AROUND 4000 MILES AND STILL HAS THIS CONDITION. REPORTED TO DEALER WHERE M... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2014) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 15, 2013
Incident date: Nov 15, 2013
THIS 2014 HD FLHTK HAD THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH SERVICED IN OCTOBER 2013 UNDER THE MASSIVE HD CLUTCH RECALL PROGRAM. HOWEVER, I INSPECTED THE BIKE AND INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THE CLUTCH FLUID LOW. IT WAS BELOW THE SIGHT GLASS ON THE MASTER CYLINDER (ACUTELY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SIGHT GLASS). I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CYLINDER WAS FULL AND CANNOT BE FILLED TO THE SIGHTLINE BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN. ON N... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2014) - POWER TRAIN
Nov 15, 2013
Incident date: Nov 15, 2013
THIS 2014 HD FLHTK HAD THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH SERVICED IN OCTOBER 2013 UNDER THE MASSIVE HD CLUTCH RECALL PROGRAM. HOWEVER, I INSPECTED THE BIKE AND INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THE CLUTCH FLUID LOW. IT WAS BELOW THE SIGHT GLASS ON THE MASTER CYLINDER (ACUTELY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SIGHT GLASS). I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CYLINDER WAS FULL AND CANNOT BE FILLED TO THE SIGHTLINE BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN. ON N... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
TRIKE
(2014) - SERVICE BRAKES
Nov 13, 2013
Incident date: Nov 1, 2013
2014 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MOTORCYCLE RECALL NOTICE AND UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP. *SMD WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED HIS LOCAL DEALER, TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, HE WAS INFORMED, THEY WERE REPAIRING MOTORCYCLES THEY SOLD FIRST AND HIS NAME WOULD BE PLACED ON THEIR CALL LIST. THE DEALER STATED, THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW MANY KITS THEY WOULD REC... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
TRIKE
(2014) - STEERING
Nov 13, 2013
Incident date: Nov 1, 2013
2014 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MOTORCYCLE RECALL NOTICE AND UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP. *SMD WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED HIS LOCAL DEALER, TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, HE WAS INFORMED, THEY WERE REPAIRING MOTORCYCLES THEY SOLD FIRST AND HIS NAME WOULD BE PLACED ON THEIR CALL LIST. THE DEALER STATED, THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW MANY KITS THEY WOULD REC... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHRCI
(2002) - POWER TRAIN
Nov 10, 2013
Incident date: Oct 15, 2013
MY 02 ROAD KING CLASSIC. WHEN DOING A TRANSMISSION SERVICE I FOUND TRANSMISSION FLUID ALL FILLED WITH METAL SHAVINGS AND THE FLUID CONTAMINATED WITH METAL PIECES OF VARIOUS SIZES. PARTS OF THE TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK AS LARGE AS ONE AND ONE FOURTH INCHES LONG IN THE FLUID. THE DIPSTICK HAD BROKEN OFF, IT APPEARS THIS METAL IS NOT DESIGNED TO HOLD UP TO THE APPLICATION. I HAVE FEAR THAT IF OTHERS ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUSE3
(2008) - POWER TRAIN
Nov 8, 2013
Incident date: Mar 2, 2013
ON MARCH 2, 2013 WHILE DRIVING MY BIKE, THE THROTTLE CONTROL DISAPPEARED AND THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED IT, THEN ON JULY 7, 2013 IT STARTED ACTING UP AND I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS, THE ON OCTOBER 3, 2013 WHILE DRIVING TO LAS VEGAS I WAS ON HIGHWAY 99 WHEN THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TWO SEMI TRUCKS WITH NO... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUSE3
(2008) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Nov 8, 2013
Incident date: Mar 2, 2013
ON MARCH 2, 2013 WHILE DRIVING MY BIKE, THE THROTTLE CONTROL DISAPPEARED AND THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED IT, THEN ON JULY 7, 2013 IT STARTED ACTING UP AND I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS, THE ON OCTOBER 3, 2013 WHILE DRIVING TO LAS VEGAS I WAS ON HIGHWAY 99 WHEN THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TWO SEMI TRUCKS WITH NO... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUSE3
(2008) - ENGINE
Nov 8, 2013
Incident date: Mar 2, 2013
ON MARCH 2, 2013 WHILE DRIVING MY BIKE, THE THROTTLE CONTROL DISAPPEARED AND THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED IT, THEN ON JULY 7, 2013 IT STARTED ACTING UP AND I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS, THE ON OCTOBER 3, 2013 WHILE DRIVING TO LAS VEGAS I WAS ON HIGHWAY 99 WHEN THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TWO SEMI TRUCKS WITH NO... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2013) - ENGINE
Nov 7, 2013
Incident date: Sep 9, 2013
RODE MY NEW HARLEY FLHTK FOR AN HOUR AND THE RIGHT SIDE GOT SO HOT I TIRED AVOIDING TOUCHING IT TO PREVENT BURNING MYSELF. THE AIR CLEANER WAS SO I HOT MY RIGHT PANT LEG LOOKED LIKE IT HAD BEEN IRONED. MY POSTERIOR WAS SOAKED WITH SWEAT MAKING FOR A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE RIDE. EVEN THE LEFT SIDE ON THE PRIMARY CASE WAS UNCOMFORTABLE TO THE TOUCH. I WAS JUST CRUISING BACK COUNTRY ROADS NOT RIDING IN T... Read more
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2014) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Nov 6, 2013
Incident date: Oct 5, 2013
WHILE LEADING A GROUP OF BIKES, USING THE CB RADIO PUSH TO TALK (PTT) CONTROL TO COMMUNICATE WITH GROUP RIDE LEADERS, MY GRIP ON THE THROTTLE CONTROL SLIPPED, CAUSING A SUDDEN & IMMEDIATE DECELERATION OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS RESULTED IN A NEAR MISS COLLISION FROM THE BIKE BEHIND ME IN THE GROUP (THERE WAS NO BRAKE LIGHT INDICATING I WAS DECELERATING). THIS ISSUE RELATES DIRECTLY TO THE 2014 MY... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUSE5
(2010) - SERVICE BRAKES
Nov 6, 2013
Incident date: Jul 31, 2013
THE REAR BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD NOT ALLOW PRESSURE PAST THE ABS MODULE. THIS FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY AN OBSTRUCTION IN THE MODULE. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) - SERVICE BRAKES
Nov 6, 2013
Incident date: Oct 29, 2013
WHILE TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE AND EXITING ON THE OFF RAMP, I EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FRONT BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTIONING ABS MODULE. THE FRONT BRAKE COULD NOT BE APPLIED. THE BRAKE LEVER WAS FROZEN AS IF IT WERE WELDED IN PLACE.. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS WARNING PRIOR TO THIS TIME. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE BIKE USING THE BACK BRAKE ONLY AND NOT BY A LARGE MARGIN! AFTER THE INCIDEN... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRU
(2009) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Oct 28, 2013
Incident date: Oct 27, 2013
I WAS DRIVING WEST ON INTERSTATE 80 NEAR DAVIS, CA IN THE NUMBER ONE LANE. IT WAS VERY HEAVY SUNDAY AFTERNOON TRAFFIC. SUDDENLY, WITHOUT WARNING, I LOST MY THROTTLE FUNCTION AND THE MOTOR SEEMED TO QUIT RUNNING. I WAS BARELY ABLE THE MANEUVER THREE LANES OVER TO THE SHOULDER JUST AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT. THE MOTORCYCLE HAD GONE INTO "LIMP MODE", MEANING THE MOTOR WILL IDLE AT 1,500 REGARDLESS OF ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRU
(2009) - POWER TRAIN
Oct 28, 2013
Incident date: Oct 27, 2013
I WAS DRIVING WEST ON INTERSTATE 80 NEAR DAVIS, CA IN THE NUMBER ONE LANE. IT WAS VERY HEAVY SUNDAY AFTERNOON TRAFFIC. SUDDENLY, WITHOUT WARNING, I LOST MY THROTTLE FUNCTION AND THE MOTOR SEEMED TO QUIT RUNNING. I WAS BARELY ABLE THE MANEUVER THREE LANES OVER TO THE SHOULDER JUST AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT. THE MOTORCYCLE HAD GONE INTO "LIMP MODE", MEANING THE MOTOR WILL IDLE AT 1,500 REGARDLESS OF ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2014) - EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
Oct 28, 2013
Incident date: Oct 27, 2013
A PUSH TO TALK BUTTON FOR THE CB COMMUNICATION SYSTEM ON ALL HARLEYS FOR WELL OVER 10 YEARS HAS BEEN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HANDLE BAR BUTTON CLUSTER FOR BIKES WITH CB AND RADIO. ON THE NEW 2014 THE BUTTON WAS SWITCHED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON (WHICH WAS MOVED TO THE LEFT SIDE) AND MOVED TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE CONTROL CLUSTER. BECAUSE OF THIS AND THE NEED TO CONTINUALLY GRAB THE THROTTLE ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2014) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Oct 28, 2013
Incident date: Oct 27, 2013
A PUSH TO TALK BUTTON FOR THE CB COMMUNICATION SYSTEM ON ALL HARLEYS FOR WELL OVER 10 YEARS HAS BEEN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HANDLE BAR BUTTON CLUSTER FOR BIKES WITH CB AND RADIO. ON THE NEW 2014 THE BUTTON WAS SWITCHED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON (WHICH WAS MOVED TO THE LEFT SIDE) AND MOVED TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE CONTROL CLUSTER. BECAUSE OF THIS AND THE NEED TO CONTINUALLY GRAB THE THROTTLE ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2014) - ENGINE
Oct 24, 2013
Incident date: Sep 17, 2013
HARLEY DAVIDSON MODEL FLTHK MOTORCYCLE. BOUGHT NEW MOTORCYCLE ON 9-13-13 COOLANT LEAKING AROUND THE THERMOSTAT ONTO GROUND & ON REAR TIRE ON 9-17-13 WITH 450 MILES. TOOK TO DEALER THEY REPLACED THERMOSTAT HOUSING & HAD MOTORCYCLE UNTIL 9-26-13. RODE MOTORCYCLE & COOLANT BOTTLE OVERFLOWED IN PARKING LOT AT LOWE'S ON 9-27-13. WE TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER ON 9-29-13 FOR THE COOLANT LEAK & COOLANT GETTI... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLSTC
(2009) - SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 22, 2013
Incident date: Oct 22, 2013
WHILE DESCENDING A STEEP INCLINE AND ABOUT TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN IN LESS THAN 100 YARDS THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL, WHEN APPLIED, WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN RENDERING THE REAR BRAKE USELESS. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BROUGHT TO A SAFE STOP BY USING THE FRONT BRAKE AND DOWNSHIFTING AND WAS ABLE TO BE SAFELY RIDDEN TO A LOCAL H-D DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT THE REAR STOP LIGHT SWITCH HAD FAI... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2014) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Oct 18, 2013
Incident date: Sep 15, 2013
AFTER DELIVERY, I DISCOVERED WHILE PARKED THERE WAS A COOLING SYSTEM LEAK NEAR THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE (~90 MILES); IF IT WERE NOT ADDRESSED, SUCH A LEAK HAS POTENTIAL TO DEPOSIT COOLANT ON THE REAR TIRE AND COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A CRASH AND ENSUING INJURY. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE LEAK, IT HAS SUBSEQUENTLY RETURNED AND BECOME MORE SERIOUS (DISCOVERED AT 975 MILES). THE SELLING DEALER ADVISED ME NO... Read more
Crash
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2014) - ENGINE
Oct 18, 2013
Incident date: Sep 15, 2013
AFTER DELIVERY, I DISCOVERED WHILE PARKED THERE WAS A COOLING SYSTEM LEAK NEAR THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE (~90 MILES); IF IT WERE NOT ADDRESSED, SUCH A LEAK HAS POTENTIAL TO DEPOSIT COOLANT ON THE REAR TIRE AND COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A CRASH AND ENSUING INJURY. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE LEAK, IT HAS SUBSEQUENTLY RETURNED AND BECOME MORE SERIOUS (DISCOVERED AT 975 MILES). THE SELLING DEALER ADVISED ME NO... Read more
Crash
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2013) - SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 17, 2013
Incident date: Aug 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLTHTK MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND UPON ENGAGEMENT. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE OPERABLE AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE A BLEEDING OF THE BRAKES WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2013) - STRUCTURE
Oct 17, 2013
Incident date: Aug 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLTHTK MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND UPON ENGAGEMENT. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE OPERABLE AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE A BLEEDING OF THE BRAKES WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2007) - POWER TRAIN
Oct 11, 2013
Incident date: Oct 16, 2008
ALL TOURING HARLEYS FROM 07-10 WITH STOCK COMPENSATOR SPROCKETS SEEN TO FAIL AROUND 25,000 MILES AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED DO TO WEAK DIAPHRAGM SPRINGS. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2014) - ENGINE
Oct 9, 2013
Incident date: Oct 6, 2013
OCTOBER 6, 2013, AFTER RIDING 98 MILES (ODOMETER) ON A NEWLY PURCHASED MOTORCYCLE, MOTORCYCLE COOLANT WAS NOTICED ON THE GARAGE FLOORS SHORTLY AFTER SHUTTING DOWN THE MOTORCYCLE (30 MIN). RIGHT LOWER FARING COVER WAS REMOVED TO INSPECT COOLANT RESERVOIR WITH NO APPARENT SIGNS OF COOLANT LEAKAGE. THE COOLANT RESERVOIR OVERFLOW TUBE APPEARED TO BE DRY, HOWEVER, THE RESERVOIR COOLANT WAS BELOW THE CO... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCDX
(2009) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Oct 7, 2013
Incident date: Jul 20, 2012
FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE DROPS FROM FULL TO COMPLETELY EMPTY IN 5-10 MINUTES EVEN WHEN TANK IS COMPLETELY FULL. SOMETIMES NEEDLE GETS STUCK ON EMPTY, FULL OR ANY OTHER POSITION REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL ON TANK. AFTER MOTORCYCLE IS RESTING ON OFF POSITION FOR A WHILE, NEEDLE SEEMS TO RESET TO CORRECT MEASUREMENT UNTIL TANK IS REFUELED AND PROBLEM RECURS ALL OVER AGAIN. SITUATION APPEARS TO BE COMP... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCDX
(2009) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Oct 7, 2013
Incident date: Jul 20, 2012
FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE DROPS FROM FULL TO COMPLETELY EMPTY IN 5-10 MINUTES EVEN WHEN TANK IS COMPLETELY FULL. SOMETIMES NEEDLE GETS STUCK ON EMPTY, FULL OR ANY OTHER POSITION REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL ON TANK. AFTER MOTORCYCLE IS RESTING ON OFF POSITION FOR A WHILE, NEEDLE SEEMS TO RESET TO CORRECT MEASUREMENT UNTIL TANK IS REFUELED AND PROBLEM RECURS ALL OVER AGAIN. SITUATION APPEARS TO BE COMP... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCDX
(2009) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Oct 7, 2013
Incident date: Jul 20, 2012
FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE DROPS FROM FULL TO COMPLETELY EMPTY IN 5-10 MINUTES EVEN WHEN TANK IS COMPLETELY FULL. SOMETIMES NEEDLE GETS STUCK ON EMPTY, FULL OR ANY OTHER POSITION REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL ON TANK. AFTER MOTORCYCLE IS RESTING ON OFF POSITION FOR A WHILE, NEEDLE SEEMS TO RESET TO CORRECT MEASUREMENT UNTIL TANK IS REFUELED AND PROBLEM RECURS ALL OVER AGAIN. SITUATION APPEARS TO BE COMP... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDLI
(2006) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Oct 4, 2013
Incident date: Oct 4, 2013
PURCHASED 2006 FXDLI IN 2007 FOR MY WIFE, WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WHERE THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING. NO WARNING, NO "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ILLUMINATION DURING OCCURRENCE (HENCE NO TROUBLE CODE STORED). SPEEDO FAILS INTERMITTENT, CYCLE HOT OR COLD, WHILE DRIVING OR FROM STOP. MOTORCYCLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A TACHOMETER AS WELL, IT CONTINUES TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. WHEN SPEEDO FAILS, MOTORCYCLE RUNS ROUGH A... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDLI
(2006) - STRUCTURE:BODY
Oct 4, 2013
Incident date: Oct 4, 2013
PURCHASED 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXDLI FOR MY WIFE IN 2007, WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH IGNITION CYLINDER/FORK LOCK MECHANISM FOR SOME TIME. ISSUE IS THAT IT TAKES MORE EFFORT THAN REALLY NECESSARY TO OPERATE, WHETHER REMOVING THE KEY OR PLACING IN THE START POSITION. CAN NOT FEEL THE SWITCH DETENT POINTS ACCURATELY AT ALL TIMES. MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE CYLINDER REPLA... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDLI
(2006) - STEERING
Oct 4, 2013
Incident date: Oct 4, 2013
PURCHASED 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXDLI FOR MY WIFE IN 2007, WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH IGNITION CYLINDER/FORK LOCK MECHANISM FOR SOME TIME. ISSUE IS THAT IT TAKES MORE EFFORT THAN REALLY NECESSARY TO OPERATE, WHETHER REMOVING THE KEY OR PLACING IN THE START POSITION. CAN NOT FEEL THE SWITCH DETENT POINTS ACCURATELY AT ALL TIMES. MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE CYLINDER REPLA... Read more