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
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
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2009) - FUEL/PROPULSION 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
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2009) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHT
(2009) - SEATS
Sep 28, 2012
Incident date: Sep 5, 2012
WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE SEAT STARTED TO SLIDE OFF THE REAR FENDER. THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT IS HARD PLASTIC SOME HOW IT CRACKED ALL THE WAY AROUND THE SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET SO THE SEAT WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE WHEN YOU DRIVE. THE SEAT RETENTION NUT AND THE SEAT BRACKET AND THE FENDER ARE ALL DAMAGED. FROM NORMAL USE. I TALK TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY SEE THIS ALL THE TIME. ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHT
(2009) - WHEELS
Sep 21, 2012
Incident date: Sep 13, 2010
AT AROUND 20,000 MILES I TOOK MY MOTORCYCLE IN TO HAVE THE TIRES CHANGED AND THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE BAD AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL BEARING. A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED ON ME IN MONTANA, I AM FROM WASHINGTON STATE, ON THE FREEWAY AND I ALMOST CRASHED, I COULD HAVE DIED RIGHT THERE BUT LUCKILY I WAS NOT IN A TURN AND MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
XL883
(2004) - SERVICE BRAKES
Sep 19, 2012
Incident date: Aug 31, 2012
MY WIFE WAS RIDING HER MOTORCYCLE TO WORK AND HAD JUST LEFT OUR RESIDENCE. SHE WAS APPROACHING A CURVE IN THE ROAD AND WENT TO APPLY HER BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN BEFORE ENTERING IT. THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL FAILED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO PRESSURE. SHE WAS ABLE TO DOWNSHIFT, SLOW DOWN, AND SAFELY RETURN TO OUR RESIDENCE. UPON INSPECTING THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM, WE COULD FIND NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS (NO LEAKS, FLUID... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRX
(2012) - TIRES
Sep 18, 2012
Incident date: Aug 11, 2012
I WAS CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE ON MY MOTORCYCLE TIRES WHEN I NOTICED WHAT LOOKED LIKE DRY ROT. I THEN STARTED CHECKING ON VARIOUS FORUMS FOR HARLEY RIDERS AND NOTICED THAT OTHERS WERE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY CHANGED TIRES WITHOUT QUESTION. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM ON FACTORY INSTALLED DUNLOP TIRES ON 2010 TO 2012 HARLEY TOURING MODELS. *TR ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRX
(2012) - WHEELS
Sep 18, 2012
Incident date: Aug 11, 2012
I WAS CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE ON MY MOTORCYCLE TIRES WHEN I NOTICED WHAT LOOKED LIKE DRY ROT. I THEN STARTED CHECKING ON VARIOUS FORUMS FOR HARLEY RIDERS AND NOTICED THAT OTHERS WERE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY CHANGED TIRES WITHOUT QUESTION. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM ON FACTORY INSTALLED DUNLOP TIRES ON 2010 TO 2012 HARLEY TOURING MODELS. *TR ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRX
(2012) - WHEELS
Sep 18, 2012
Incident date: Sep 12, 2012
THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I HAVE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM HAVING DRY ROT CRACKING ON NEW DUNLOP TIRES. I HAD A PROBLEM WITH DRY ROT CRACKING AT 7170 MILES AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRE UNDER WARRANTY. I THEN NOTICED THAT THE NEW TIRE WAS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING WITH ONLY 8132 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THIS NEW TIRE ONLY LASTED 962 MILES BEFORE SHOWING SIGNS OF FAILURE. ## VIN PASSED ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRX
(2012) - TIRES
Sep 18, 2012
Incident date: Sep 12, 2012
THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I HAVE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM HAVING DRY ROT CRACKING ON NEW DUNLOP TIRES. I HAD A PROBLEM WITH DRY ROT CRACKING AT 7170 MILES AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRE UNDER WARRANTY. I THEN NOTICED THAT THE NEW TIRE WAS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING WITH ONLY 8132 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THIS NEW TIRE ONLY LASTED 962 MILES BEFORE SHOWING SIGNS OF FAILURE. ## VIN PASSED ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXSTBI
(2006) - TIRES
Sep 11, 2012
Incident date: Aug 1, 2012
INSTALLED NEW VEE RUBBER 200/50/18 REAR MOTORCYCLE TIRE ON 7/17/12. HAD DATE OF MANUFACTURE OF 07/12. RODE ON TIRE TWO WEEKS THEN STARTED TO NOTICE LOSING 5PSI EVERY DAY. I INSPECTED TIRE HAD NO NAILS OR CUTS AFTER 250 MILES. KEPT ADDING AIR FOR A FEW WEEKS BEFORE I WOULD GO RIDE. FINALLY REMOVED TIRE AND PUT IN DUNK TANK FOUND ABOUT 6 AREAS BETWEEN TREAD BLOCKS WERE AIR WAS LEAKING AND TIRE CRACK... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLSTN
(2012) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sep 10, 2012
Incident date: Aug 4, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLSTN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE MOTORCYCLE FAILED TO START. IT WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER HAVING A JUMP PERFORMED. ALSO, THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY WHILE RIDING IT. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLSTC
(2009) - SUSPENSION
Sep 9, 2012
Incident date: Aug 25, 2012
DRIVING ALONG WHEN I NOTICED A VIBRATION, KEPT RIDING AND THEN IT BECAME A LOUD SQUEAKING INTERMITTENT SOUND. PARKED AT HOME AND NOTICED IT WAS THE REAR BEARING AS IT CAME APART INSIDE THE REAR WHEEL. IT IS A CHEAP CHINESE CRAP BEARING THAT HARLEY IS USING IN THEIR BIKES. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE.... WE HAVE TO STOP THE USE OF CHEAP OUTSOURCED PRODUCTS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. WE ARE IN DEBT T... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCDX
(2008) - FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 9, 2012
Incident date: Sep 1, 2012
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO OWN THIS BIKE ARE REPORTING THAT THE FUEL GAUGE IS A PROBLEM THAT THE COMPANY IS UNWILLING TO FIX. SEE THREAD: HTTP://WWW.1130CC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=106786. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2012) - TIRES
Sep 7, 2012
Incident date: Sep 7, 2012
2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX-11200 MILES. SIDEWALL CRACK ON THE FRONT TIRE. ITS THE HARLEY DAVIDSON DUNLOP TIRE D408F. TIRE SIZE IS A 130/70B18 63H. I HAVE HAD TO PUT 4 FRONT TIRES ON IT SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE BIKE NEW LAST YEAR. MY LAST TWO FRONT TIRES ONLY LASTED 1000 MILES AND STARTED CRACKING. NOTIFIED HARLEY DAVIDSON. DEALERSHIP REPLACED EVERY TIRE FOR FREE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS A COMMON P... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHP
(2010) - POWER TRAIN
Sep 5, 2012
Incident date: Aug 3, 2012
BERKELEY POLICE DEPARTMENT PURCHASED SIX 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KINGS. THREE OF THE SIX ROAD KINGS HAD THE CLUTCH CABLE BROKE WHILE BEING DRIVEN. IN ONE INSTANCE, AN OFFICER WAS AT A RED SIGNAL LIGHT. THE CLUTCH CABLE BROKE AND CAUSED HIM TO PROPEL FORWARD. HIS RIGHT HAND WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR AND WHEN HE WAS PROPELLED FORWARD, HE ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR. THE MOTORCYCLE CHOKED OUT AND DIE... Read more
1 injured