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
FXDC
(2012) — WHEELS
Mar 31, 2013
Incident date: Mar 30, 2013
CATASTROPHIC REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AT 2,500 MILES. RATTLING SOUNDS. GRINDING NOISE. ABS LIGHT CAME ON. REAR WHEEL BEGAN TO LOCK UP. PULLED OVER AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER ADVISED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAD DISINTEGRATED AND THE ABS SENSOR WAS FRIED FROM THE HEAT. NO EXPLANATION AS TO POSSIBLE CAUSE WAS GIVEN. IF THIS WOULD HAVE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A CRASH WOULD HAVE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDC
(2012) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Mar 31, 2013
Incident date: Mar 30, 2013
CATASTROPHIC REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AT 2,500 MILES. RATTLING SOUNDS. GRINDING NOISE. ABS LIGHT CAME ON. REAR WHEEL BEGAN TO LOCK UP. PULLED OVER AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER ADVISED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAD DISINTEGRATED AND THE ABS SENSOR WAS FRIED FROM THE HEAT. NO EXPLANATION AS TO POSSIBLE CAUSE WAS GIVEN. IF THIS WOULD HAVE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A CRASH WOULD HAVE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRX
(2010) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 25, 2013
Incident date: Feb 11, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL AND THE PINS FOR THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,200. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2010) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 23, 2013
Incident date: Mar 13, 2013
THIS MOTORCYCLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 20,650 MILES WITHOUT INCIDENT. I RODE THE MOTORCYCLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 950 MILES WITHOUT INCIDENT AND EVERYTHING WORKED PROPERLY. I RODE APPROXIMATELY 145 MILES THEN STOPPED FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS. WHEN I RESUMED RIDING UPON APPLYING THE REAR BRAKE AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE MOTORCYCLE REAR BRAKE CAUSED THE MOTORCYCLE TO SHUDDER VIOLENTLY. I MAINTAINED ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCDX
(2007) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 22, 2013
Incident date: Mar 22, 2013
WHILE ATTENDING A MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCED RIDER'S COURSE I NOTICED SMOKE ORIGINATING FROM UNDERNEATH THE MOTORCYCLE. I PULLED THE MOTORCYCLE OFF THE COURSE AND NOTICED THERE WAS NO REAR BRAKE PRESSURE. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH BURNED/MELTED CAUSING A SEVERE BRAKE FLUID LEAK. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTC
(2007) — TIRES
Mar 19, 2013
Incident date: Mar 8, 2013
WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE (2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON HERITAGE SOFTAIL CLASSIC) AT 57 MPH ON DRY PAVEMENT WITH NO ADVERSE ROAD CONDITIONS, THE REAR TIRE BLEW, THE RIDER FOUGHT TO KEEP THE BIKE UPRIGHT TO SLOW DOWN FOR 3-5 SECONDS, THEN LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED TO PROPER INFLATION 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE BLOWOUT AND ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE RIDER SUFFERED A ... Read more
Crash
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2010) — SERVICE BRAKES
Mar 17, 2013
Incident date: Mar 17, 2013
ABS BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, WILL NOT ACTIVATE. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTC
(2008) — POWER TRAIN
Mar 14, 2013
Incident date: May 19, 2012
BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE CAUSING THE BIKE TO SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN TO ABOUT 15 MPH. CAUSE WAS FRETTING OF THROTTLE BODY WIRING CONNECTOR PINS. FACTORY HAS KNOWN OF PROBLEM AND HAS A TCB OUT ON ISSUE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN RIDING ON HIGHWAYS. COMPANY NEED TO HAVE RECALL BUT THEY WON'T. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTC
(2008) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 14, 2013
Incident date: May 19, 2012
BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE CAUSING THE BIKE TO SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN TO ABOUT 15 MPH. CAUSE WAS FRETTING OF THROTTLE BODY WIRING CONNECTOR PINS. FACTORY HAS KNOWN OF PROBLEM AND HAS A TCB OUT ON ISSUE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN RIDING ON HIGHWAYS. COMPANY NEED TO HAVE RECALL BUT THEY WON'T. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU103
(2012) — ENGINE
Mar 14, 2013
Incident date: Mar 1, 2013
I WAS TRAVELING IN THE COMMUTER LANE ON I-10 WEST IN PHOENIX ARIZONA. MY 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON ENGINES LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BIKE WENT INTO A SAFETY MODE. I WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH AND THE MOTORCYCLE ENGINE DIED AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 1500 RPM'S. I HAD THE BIKE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CODE. I WAS TOLD THE MOTORCYCLE WAS GOOD TO RIDE AND STARTED MY RIDE HOME AND T... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXS
(2012) — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 17, 2013
Incident date: Sep 29, 2012
THE LEFT REAR TAILLIGHT IS RANDOMLY BLOWING ON MY 2012 BLACKLINE IN VERY SHORT INTERVALS. SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE BIKE I HAVE GONE THROUGH THREE BULBS IN ABOUT 150 MILES.I CANNOT TELL WHAT SPEED THIS IS HAPPENING AT. I HAVE HEARD OF NO CORRECTIVE ACTION ON THE BIKE FROM HARLEY DAVIDSON. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDWG
(2010) — ENGINE
Feb 5, 2013
Incident date: Aug 15, 2011
ALL HARLEY DAVIDSON MODELS WITH 96 CUBIC INCH MOTORS HAVE THESE ISSUES: THE CRANKSHAFT ASSEMBLY ON TWIN CAM 96 CUBIC INCH MOTORS IS KNOWN TO SHIFT OR SCISSOR AROUND THE CRANK PIN AND CAUSE THE CRANKSHAFT ENDS TO HAVE EXCESSIVE RUNOUT. THIS IN TURN CAUSES EXCESSIVE VIBRATION THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE MOTORCYCLE. IT ALSO PUTS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE DRIVELINE, AS WELL AS THE OIL PUMP. THIS ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDWG
(2010) — POWER TRAIN
Feb 5, 2013
Incident date: Aug 15, 2011
ALL HARLEY DAVIDSON MODELS WITH 96 CUBIC INCH MOTORS HAVE THESE ISSUES: THE CRANKSHAFT ASSEMBLY ON TWIN CAM 96 CUBIC INCH MOTORS IS KNOWN TO SHIFT OR SCISSOR AROUND THE CRANK PIN AND CAUSE THE CRANKSHAFT ENDS TO HAVE EXCESSIVE RUNOUT. THIS IN TURN CAUSES EXCESSIVE VIBRATION THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE MOTORCYCLE. IT ALSO PUTS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE DRIVELINE, AS WELL AS THE OIL PUMP. THIS ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDWG
(2010) — SUSPENSION
Feb 5, 2013
Incident date: Aug 15, 2011
ALL HARLEY DAVIDSON MODELS WITH 96 CUBIC INCH MOTORS HAVE THESE ISSUES: THE CRANKSHAFT ASSEMBLY ON TWIN CAM 96 CUBIC INCH MOTORS IS KNOWN TO SHIFT OR SCISSOR AROUND THE CRANK PIN AND CAUSE THE CRANKSHAFT ENDS TO HAVE EXCESSIVE RUNOUT. THIS IN TURN CAUSES EXCESSIVE VIBRATION THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE MOTORCYCLE. IT ALSO PUTS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE DRIVELINE, AS WELL AS THE OIL PUMP. THIS ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHR
(2009) — ENGINE
Feb 1, 2013
Incident date: Jul 10, 2012
ECM PLUG CAUSED BIKE TO BUCK AND RUN ERRATICALLY. BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES UNTIL THEY CHANGED THE PLUG. THEY BLAMED ON THE AFTERMARKET SEAT MADE BY MUSTANG SEAT FOR THE BIKE BUT IT HAPPENED WITH THE STOCK SEAT AS WELL. IT SEEMS OTHERS ARE SAYING THE SAME HAPPENED TO THEM WITH STOCK SEATS. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTC
(2008) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jan 30, 2013
Incident date: Jun 10, 2012
RIDING FOR (RIDE FOR A REASON RUN) BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE CAUSING A TROUBLE CODE OF P1511. TOOK TO DEALER AND HAD NEW CONNECTOR PINS REPLACED IN THROTTLE CONTROL ACTUATOR. A COST OF $332.07 FOR REPLACEMENT OF 7 TERMINAL PINS, PINS COST $6.30 TOTAL. LABOR WAS OUT OF LINE. SAID IT TOOK 2.5 HR. THIS IS A SIMPLE FIX. SHOULD HAVE TOOK NO LESS THEN 1 HR. THIS IS ALSO A MAJOR PROBLEM ON THESE BIKES. I ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHRC
(2009) — SUSPENSION
Jan 25, 2013
Incident date: Jun 16, 2011
WHEN DECELERATING, AND BIKE IS BETWEEN 35-45 MPH, A HARSH FRONT END WOBBLE OCCURS. CAN BE LIMITED BY TIGHTLY GRIPPING THE BARS. DEALER INDICATED IT WAS THE TIRES, THOUGH THEY WERE NEW. HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES TWICE SINCE AND STILL NO FIX. DEALER'S SOLUTION NOW IS TO SUSTAIN A HARD GRIP ON THE BARS AT ALL TIMES, WHICH IS UNSAFE AND NOT A PRACTICAL SOLUTION. IN THE INCIDENT ON 6/16/11, IT CAUSE... Read more
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHRC
(2009) — STEERING
Jan 25, 2013
Incident date: Jun 16, 2011
WHEN DECELERATING, AND BIKE IS BETWEEN 35-45 MPH, A HARSH FRONT END WOBBLE OCCURS. CAN BE LIMITED BY TIGHTLY GRIPPING THE BARS. DEALER INDICATED IT WAS THE TIRES, THOUGH THEY WERE NEW. HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES TWICE SINCE AND STILL NO FIX. DEALER'S SOLUTION NOW IS TO SUSTAIN A HARD GRIP ON THE BARS AT ALL TIMES, WHICH IS UNSAFE AND NOT A PRACTICAL SOLUTION. IN THE INCIDENT ON 6/16/11, IT CAUSE... Read more
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
SPORTSTER 1200R
(2005) — ENGINE
Jan 15, 2013
Incident date: Jan 8, 2013
MY HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE THE MOTOR LOCKED UP, CAUSING A SKID, THIS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS BUT HAD IT HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, OR HURT FOR LIFE. THE REASON THE MOTOR LOCKED UP WAS BECAUSE SCREWS FROM THE AIR FILTER VIBRATED LOSE AND WERE SUCKED INTO THE MOTOR CAUSING THE MOTOR TO LOCK UP. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH VIBRATIONS, SO PUTTING SCREWS I... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) — ENGINE
Dec 12, 2012
Incident date: Dec 12, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE CARBURETOR. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND... Read more
Fire
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2008) — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 12, 2012
Incident date: Sep 15, 2012
INSTALLED LED HEADLIGHT AND PASSING LIGHTS. HEADLIGHT FAILED IN HIGH AND LOW BEAM MODES AT NIGHT. RECHECKED INSTALLATION AND HAD FAILURES TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES. UNIT COMPLETELY FAILED ON DECEMBER 2, 2012. MILEAGE ON UNIT WAS LESS THAN 1000 MILES. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2010) — WHEELS
Dec 5, 2012
Incident date: Nov 22, 2012
WAS RIDING MY 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTK MOTORCYCLE AND THE FRONT WHEEL NEARLY SEIZED UP WHEN THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. THANKFULLY, I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC FOR ME, AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER QUICKLY AND STOP BEFORE THE BEARING COMPLETELY SEIZED. IT APPEARS THAT THIS FAILURE HAS HAPPENED TO MANY HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE OWNERS FROM THE 2008 MODEL YEAR T... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2011) — STEERING
Dec 4, 2012
Incident date: Aug 1, 2012
2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE FLHX MOTORCYCLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUE WITH VEHICLE HANDLEBARS. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE RIDING THE BIKE, HE NOTICED THE FAIRING WAS SLIGHTLY CROOKED. WHEN HE TOOK THE BIKE TO THE REPAIR SHOP, FOR A RADIO PROBLEM, HE REQUESTED THAT THE TECHNICIAN INSPECT THE FAIRING. THE TECHNICAN STATED THE HANDLEBARS WERE BENT. *JB
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2011) — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
Dec 4, 2012
Incident date: Aug 1, 2012
2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE FLHX MOTORCYCLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUE WITH VEHICLE HANDLEBARS. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE RIDING THE BIKE, HE NOTICED THE FAIRING WAS SLIGHTLY CROOKED. WHEN HE TOOK THE BIKE TO THE REPAIR SHOP, FOR A RADIO PROBLEM, HE REQUESTED THAT THE TECHNICIAN INSPECT THE FAIRING. THE TECHNICAN STATED THE HANDLEBARS WERE BENT. *JB
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
HARLEY DAVIDSON
(9999) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 27, 2012
Incident date: Nov 1, 2012
2010 ULTRA CLASSIC LIMITED EDITION HARLEY DAVIDSON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PART(S) WERE NOT AVAILABLE, DUE TO A LIMITED SUPPLY AND BECAUSE OF THAT, THE DEALER WAS ONLY REPLACING THE PART ON NEW MOTORCYCLES FOR SALE.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2007) — ENGINE
Nov 19, 2012
Incident date: Sep 16, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE ENGINE BEGAN TO VIBRATE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SHIFTING FLY WHEEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE SHIFTING FLY WHEEL ALSO CAUSED THE OIL PUMP TO BECOME FRACTU... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLSTC
(2009) — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Nov 19, 2012
Incident date: Jun 22, 2012
DURING INCREASING AND DECREASING SPEED FUEL WOULD RUN DOWN THE TANK ONTO THE HOT ENGINE. IT DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE THE CORRECT POWER AT TIMES. THE AREA AROUND THE FUEL TANK CAP AND FILLER NECK BECAME INCREASING YELLOW WITH ONE AREA MARKING THE TANK WITH A YELLOW TRIANGLE LIKE GAS FUMES PUSHING OUT UNDER PRESSURE. 6/22/12, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER (RED ROCK) AND THEY DID NOTHING AND LET ME LEAV... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTR
(2009) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Nov 19, 2012
Incident date: Nov 21, 2011
BIKE WOULD GO INTO LIMP MODE. WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE BIKE WILL SHUT DOWN THE GAS GOING TO THE CARBURATOR.ONLY LETS YOU DRIVE ABOUT 5 MPH. ALMOST COMING TO A SUDDEN STOP WHEN THIS HAPPENS. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN PASSING A VEHICLE OR ON THE FREEWAY WITH A LOT OF TRAFFIC TRYING TO CHANGE LANES TO GET TO AN OFFRAMP OR SAFETY. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTR
(2009) — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Nov 19, 2012
Incident date: Nov 21, 2011
BIKE WOULD GO INTO LIMP MODE. WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE BIKE WILL SHUT DOWN THE GAS GOING TO THE CARBURATOR.ONLY LETS YOU DRIVE ABOUT 5 MPH. ALMOST COMING TO A SUDDEN STOP WHEN THIS HAPPENS. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN PASSING A VEHICLE OR ON THE FREEWAY WITH A LOT OF TRAFFIC TRYING TO CHANGE LANES TO GET TO AN OFFRAMP OR SAFETY. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2010) — SERVICE BRAKES
Nov 8, 2012
Incident date: Aug 22, 2012
IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT THE WHEEL BEARING WEAR OUT PREMATURELY ON TOURING MODELS ESPECIALLY WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENED TO ME RIDING DOWN THE ROAD, THE WHEEL BEARINGS CAUSED THE MOTORCYCLE TO WOBBLE AND HAD I NOT BEEN AN EXPERIENCED RIDER I VERY WELL WOULD HAVE GONE DOWN OR HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER RIDERS THAT THE BEARINGS HAVE WORN OUT ON THEIR MOTORCYCLES ALSO. THE COMPAN... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2010) — WHEELS
Nov 8, 2012
Incident date: Aug 22, 2012
IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT THE WHEEL BEARING WEAR OUT PREMATURELY ON TOURING MODELS ESPECIALLY WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENED TO ME RIDING DOWN THE ROAD, THE WHEEL BEARINGS CAUSED THE MOTORCYCLE TO WOBBLE AND HAD I NOT BEEN AN EXPERIENCED RIDER I VERY WELL WOULD HAVE GONE DOWN OR HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER RIDERS THAT THE BEARINGS HAVE WORN OUT ON THEIR MOTORCYCLES ALSO. THE COMPAN... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2010) — STEERING
Nov 8, 2012
Incident date: Aug 22, 2012
IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT THE WHEEL BEARING WEAR OUT PREMATURELY ON TOURING MODELS ESPECIALLY WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENED TO ME RIDING DOWN THE ROAD, THE WHEEL BEARINGS CAUSED THE MOTORCYCLE TO WOBBLE AND HAD I NOT BEEN AN EXPERIENCED RIDER I VERY WELL WOULD HAVE GONE DOWN OR HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER RIDERS THAT THE BEARINGS HAVE WORN OUT ON THEIR MOTORCYCLES ALSO. THE COMPAN... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
ULTRA CLASSIC
(2002) — TIRES
Nov 2, 2012
Incident date: Oct 8, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA (N/A) EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN COMMANDER 2 TIRES, SIZE: 140/90/B16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED CRACKS WITHIN THE TREAD OF THE REAR TIRE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ADVISED THAT HE SHOULD PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS 8,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. TH... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU103
(2012) — ENGINE
Nov 1, 2012
Incident date: May 15, 2012
DURING OPERATION, UPON INITIAL DELIVERY, I NOTED HEAT COMING UP THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE MOTORCYCLE. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER NOTED HEAT UNCOMFORTABLE. I CONTACTED THE DEALER WITH MY COMPLAINT, I WAS TOLD THE LOCATION OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSES HEAT TO RISE CAUSING DISCOMFORT TO THE RIDER AND PASSENGER. I WAS TOLD THIS IS COMMON. AND THE ONLY OPTION TO CORRECT IS TO INSTALL AFTERMARKET E... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUTG
(2011) — TIRES
Oct 31, 2012
Incident date: Oct 5, 2012
WHILE ON A RIDE WITH MY WIFE ON A COUNTY ROAD IN IDAHO I STARTED FEELING A VIBRATION. WITHIN 5 SEC. THE LEFT REAR TIRE OF MY HARLEY TRI-GLIDE CAME OFF CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. THE BIKE SLIDE INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC AND INTO A DITCH. THE TIRE TRAVELED APPOX. 50 YARDS DOWN THE ROAD BEFORE STOPPING. I HAD NEVER REMOVED THE TIRES SINCE I PURCHASED THE BIKE FROM THE LONE WOLF HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUTG
(2011) — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Oct 31, 2012
Incident date: Oct 5, 2012
WHILE ON A RIDE WITH MY WIFE ON A COUNTY ROAD IN IDAHO I STARTED FEELING A VIBRATION. WITHIN 5 SEC. THE LEFT REAR TIRE OF MY HARLEY TRI-GLIDE CAME OFF CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. THE BIKE SLIDE INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC AND INTO A DITCH. THE TIRE TRAVELED APPOX. 50 YARDS DOWN THE ROAD BEFORE STOPPING. I HAD NEVER REMOVED THE TIRES SINCE I PURCHASED THE BIKE FROM THE LONE WOLF HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUTG
(2011) — WHEELS
Oct 31, 2012
Incident date: Oct 5, 2012
WHILE ON A RIDE WITH MY WIFE ON A COUNTY ROAD IN IDAHO I STARTED FEELING A VIBRATION. WITHIN 5 SEC. THE LEFT REAR TIRE OF MY HARLEY TRI-GLIDE CAME OFF CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. THE BIKE SLIDE INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC AND INTO A DITCH. THE TIRE TRAVELED APPOX. 50 YARDS DOWN THE ROAD BEFORE STOPPING. I HAD NEVER REMOVED THE TIRES SINCE I PURCHASED THE BIKE FROM THE LONE WOLF HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2012) — ENGINE
Oct 28, 2012
Incident date: Jul 29, 2012
WHILE RIDING MY HARLEY MOTOR CYCLE ON VACATION ACROSS NEBRASKA ON HIGHWAY 76 I NOTICED EXTREME HEAT ON THE INSIDE OF MY RIGHT LEG AND LOSS OF POWER. THE INSIDE OF MY RIGHT WAS BURNED AND GOT INFECTED, TOTAL BILL FOR DOCTOR AND TIME OFF FROM WORK WAS APPROXIMATELY $1500.00-$2000.00. THE WORK DONE ON THE MOTOR CYCLE BILL WAS $1487.00. THIS IS SUPPOSE TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM OF OVER HEATING. NEW ... Read more
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTK
(2012) — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Oct 28, 2012
Incident date: Jul 29, 2012
WHILE RIDING MY HARLEY MOTOR CYCLE ON VACATION ACROSS NEBRASKA ON HIGHWAY 76 I NOTICED EXTREME HEAT ON THE INSIDE OF MY RIGHT LEG AND LOSS OF POWER. THE INSIDE OF MY RIGHT WAS BURNED AND GOT INFECTED, TOTAL BILL FOR DOCTOR AND TIME OFF FROM WORK WAS APPROXIMATELY $1500.00-$2000.00. THE WORK DONE ON THE MOTOR CYCLE BILL WAS $1487.00. THIS IS SUPPOSE TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM OF OVER HEATING. NEW ... Read more
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHT
(2009) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 25, 2012
Incident date: Apr 1, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE FLHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE MOTORCYCLE LOST POWER AND THE RPM DROPPED TO 1,000. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY BUT IT BEGAN TO DO SO MORE FREQUENTLY. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL ACTUATOR FAILED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS N... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCA
(2002) — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Oct 21, 2012
Incident date: Jan 6, 2003
1. FUEL GAUGE GOES TO 100% EMPTY JUST AFTER SHOWING 1/2 TANK. THE INDICATOR NEEDLE DROPS WITHIN 3 TENTHS TO 1 MILE OF USE AFTER THE 1/2 TANK MARK SHOWS. THIS ISSUE HAS STRANDED ME MORE THAN A HALF DOZEN TIMES AS I TRY TO ESTIMATE FUEL LEFT IN TANK WHILE USING THE MOTORCYCLE. 2. ELECTRIC FANS MOUNTED DIRECTLY TO RADIATOR WORKED LOOSE. HOUSING RUB AGAINST RADIATOR CAUSED THE RADIATOR TO BUR... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDC
(2009) — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Oct 17, 2012
Incident date: Oct 1, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXDC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE DROVE THE HEAD LIGHTS VIBRATED AND THE RIVETS WERE NOT HOLDING THE LIGHT IN PLACE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAVE NOT SEEN THAT PROBLEM BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF T... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTR
(2009) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Oct 15, 2012
Incident date: Jul 25, 2011
THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS OPERATING MY HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE ON A HIGHWAY TRAVELING APPROX. 65 MPH. THE THROTTLE BY WIRE SUDDENLY WENT INTO A LIMP HOME MODE WHILE I WAS ACCELERATING. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND ALL LIGHTS AND GAUGES SEEMED TO BE FUNCTIONING HOWEVER THE MOTORCYCLE CEASED TO RESPOND TO ANY DEGREE OF TWIST OF THE THROTTLE. THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER MOTORCYC... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTR
(2009) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 15, 2012
Incident date: Jul 25, 2011
THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS OPERATING MY HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE ON A HIGHWAY TRAVELING APPROX. 65 MPH. THE THROTTLE BY WIRE SUDDENLY WENT INTO A LIMP HOME MODE WHILE I WAS ACCELERATING. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND ALL LIGHTS AND GAUGES SEEMED TO BE FUNCTIONING HOWEVER THE MOTORCYCLE CEASED TO RESPOND TO ANY DEGREE OF TWIST OF THE THROTTLE. THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER MOTORCYC... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTR
(2009) — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Oct 15, 2012
Incident date: Jul 25, 2011
THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS OPERATING MY HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE ON A HIGHWAY TRAVELING APPROX. 65 MPH. THE THROTTLE BY WIRE SUDDENLY WENT INTO A LIMP HOME MODE WHILE I WAS ACCELERATING. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND ALL LIGHTS AND GAUGES SEEMED TO BE FUNCTIONING HOWEVER THE MOTORCYCLE CEASED TO RESPOND TO ANY DEGREE OF TWIST OF THE THROTTLE. THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER MOTORCYC... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2008) — SUSPENSION
Oct 11, 2012
Incident date: Sep 7, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY FLHX MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A LOUD NOSE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE BOTH WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN 2012, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROB... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXSTB
(2009) — TIRES
Oct 8, 2012
Incident date: Aug 29, 2011
I HAD NOTICED A CUPPING TIRE WEAR ON THE FRONT AND REAR TIRES THAT SEEMED STRANGE AT LESS THAN 5000 MILES. I DID NOT THINK THIS WAS THAT DANGEROUS AT THE TIME BECAUSE I HAD NOT HAD ANY SUDDEN STOPS PRIOR. I DID START NOTICING A TIRE NOISE JUST DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. SINCE IT WAS JUST 8 MILES TO WORK AND ON A FAIRLY SAFE ROUTE,I CONTINUED TO RIDE THE BIKE THINKING I WAS GOING TO GET A FEW MORE M... Read more
Crash
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXSTB
(2009) — WHEELS
Oct 8, 2012
Incident date: Aug 29, 2011
I HAD NOTICED A CUPPING TIRE WEAR ON THE FRONT AND REAR TIRES THAT SEEMED STRANGE AT LESS THAN 5000 MILES. I DID NOT THINK THIS WAS THAT DANGEROUS AT THE TIME BECAUSE I HAD NOT HAD ANY SUDDEN STOPS PRIOR. I DID START NOTICING A TIRE NOISE JUST DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. SINCE IT WAS JUST 8 MILES TO WORK AND ON A FAIRLY SAFE ROUTE,I CONTINUED TO RIDE THE BIKE THINKING I WAS GOING TO GET A FEW MORE M... Read more
Crash
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRU
(2012) — ENGINE
Oct 3, 2012
Incident date: Sep 24, 2012
COMPENSATOR SHOWED SEVERE WEAR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2009) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Oct 1, 2012
Incident date: Jun 1, 2012
THE PROBLEM BEGAN AROUND APRIL OF 2012. WHEN I STARTED THE MOTORCYCLE, THERE WAS NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. THE MOTORCYCLE WILL IDLE AT 1000 RPM BUT THE THROTTLE WILL NOT WORK WHEN TWISTED TO ACCELERATE ENGINE. IT REMAINS AT IDLE. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND I HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO RESET THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE. SOMETIMES IT WORKS, OTHER TIMES IT DOES NOT. IT ALSO HAPPEN... Read more