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
ULTRA CLASSIC
(2001) — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Aug 23, 2011
Incident date: Aug 8, 2011
CPSC# I1180305A. 2001 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE RECENTLY DEVELOPED TWO FUEL LEAKS. ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FUEL INJECTED HARLEY DAVIDSON'S. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINE QUICK DISCONNECT FITTINGS THAT WERE USED TO CONNECT THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL TANK AND LANDING ON THE HOT ENGINE.*JB
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUTG
(2010) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Aug 22, 2011
Incident date: Sep 15, 2010
EXTREME HIGH HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, CAUSING BURNS TO RIDER AND PASSENGER RIGHT LEGS.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) — POWER TRAIN
Aug 17, 2011
Incident date: Jul 22, 2011
WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 HARLEY ULTRA CLASSIC THE BIKE BEGAN TO SKID AND VIBRATE AT 50 MPH. THOUGHT I WAS GOING DOWN THEN BEGAN TO FREE UP, AND I STOPPED. CALLED FOR PICKUP AND TRANSFERRED TO HARLEY SHOP IN TYLER, TX I ASK TO CK COMPENSATOR SPROCKET AS WAS TOLD SAME DAY WHEN GETTING NEW TIRES AT ANOTHER SHOP THE COMPENSATOR SPROCKET WAS GOING OUT. HAVE NOT RECEIVED BIKE FROM HARLEY SHOP BUT THEY HAVE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
DYNA
(2008) — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Aug 16, 2011
Incident date: Aug 10, 2011
COMPLAINT REGARDING THE SALE OF NEW AND USED HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE WITH RED TURN SIGNALS VS THE USUAL ORANGE YELLOW WARNING SIGNALS. I ALMOST COLLIDED WITH A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON DYNA FAT BOY RECENTLY, THE SMALL RED SIGNAL WAS NOT AT ALL VISIBLE WHEN HE TURNED IN FRONT OF ME WITHOUT EVEN USING HIS BRAKE LIGHTS. I VIEWED HIS MOTORCYCLE AND ALSO NOTICED NEW MOTOR CYCLES WITH THE SAME SMALL RE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2009) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Aug 16, 2011
Incident date: Apr 9, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVISON FLHTCUI (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS WITHOUT ENGAGING THE THROTTLE AND THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED TO THEIR MAXIMUM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE AND THE DEALER FELT THAT THERE WAS A SHORT WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. MULTIPLE OCCAS... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLSTN
(2007) — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Aug 16, 2011
Incident date: Aug 5, 2011
LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FAILURE OF FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR HOUSING. THIS COMPONENT IS SHARED WITH OTHER HARLEY DAVIDSON MODELS WITH FUEL INJECTION. *KB
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
XL1200R
(2007) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Aug 12, 2011
Incident date: Jun 19, 2010
THE MOTORCYCLE I PURCHASED WAS A SAFETY HAZARD, THE ENGINE INADVERTENTLY STALLING WHEN RIDING. I THOUGHT IT WAS MAYBE FUEL RELATED. AFTER GRAPPLING WITH THIS SITUATION FOR 2000 MILES, THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A BAD ELECTRICAL HARNESS. I REFUSED TO RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE ANYMORE AND RELINQUISHED TO HD. IT WAS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200 SPORTSTER ROADSTER. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRU
(2011) — STEERING
Aug 10, 2011
Incident date: Jul 29, 2011
2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE ULTRA (FLTRU) FRONT END SHAKE WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS BETWEEN 37-42 MPH. AIR PRESSURE FOR TIRES AT RECOMMENDED VALUE FROM OWNERS MANUAL. THIS IS HAPPENING FROM NEW, VERY UNSAFE TO RIDE IN THAT MPH RANGE. HARLEY HAS DENIED THE PROBLEM AND WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. DEALER ADMITS THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO FIX. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
TRIKE
(2011) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
Aug 7, 2011
Incident date: Apr 26, 2011
EXCESSIVE HEAT COMMING OFF THE EXHAUST PIPES THAT BURN THE SKIN ON MY CALFS. THIS OCCURS IN A VERY SHORT TIME OF RIDING, USUALLY IN ABOUT TEN MINUTES INTO A RIDE. I HAVE HAD THE DEALER WRAP THE EXHAUST WITH HEAT DEFLECTING WRAP, WHICH HAS NOT HELPED THE PROBLEM. EACH TIME I RIDE, I HAVE HEAT BURNS ON THE BACK OF MY RIGHT LEG. HARLEY-DAVIDSON EMPLOYEES CONSIDER THIS A NORMAL CONDITION. I NEVER HEAR... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCF
(2010) — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Aug 5, 2011
Incident date: Jul 24, 2011
THE FUEL GAUGE ON MY 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON V-ROD MUSCLE FREQUENTLY FAILS. EVEN AFTER COMPLETELY FILLING THE TANK, THE GAUGE FLUCTUATES IN ITS READING, SOMETIMES SAYING I ONLY HAVE 3/4 TANK, AND SOMETIMES 1/4 OR LESS. WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF STEADY RIDING, THE GAUGE SHOWS THE TANK AS BEING COMPLETELY EMPTY. I HAVE TAKEN THE BIKE TO TUCSON HD, WHERE THEY RECENTLY REPLACED THE ENTIRE GAUGE CLUSTER, BUT T... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHRCI
(2002) — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Aug 3, 2011
Incident date: Aug 1, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHRCI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT PERFORMED THE REPAIR WHICH CONSISTED OF REPLACING THE QUICK CONNECT COUPLING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,800.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDB
(2009) — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
Aug 2, 2011
Incident date: Aug 1, 2011
THE BIKES FUEL GAUGE HAS NEVER WORKED SINCE THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE OF THIS BIKE. IT HAS NEVER BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE "FIXED" BECAUSE AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE FAULTY GAUGE. *KB
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTR
(2008) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Aug 1, 2011
Incident date: Mar 14, 2011
2008 FLTR HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE TWICE WENT TO FORCED IDLE MODE WHILE OPERATING. DTC CODES P1511 AND P2135 WERE SET. HARLEY HAS ISSUED TT 418 NOV 3, 2009, TO ADDRESS THIS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM ON THROTTLE BY WIRE BIKES 2008 - 2011. DEALER COMPLIANCE ON TT 418 WEAK. BIKE CUTTING OFF IN TRAFFIC IS OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. RECALL IS NEEDED TO REPLACE POORLY DESIGNED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ON TCA (THROTT... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
TRIKE
(2011) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
Aug 1, 2011
Incident date: May 1, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON TRIKE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT. THE PIPE WHERE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS LOCATED CAUSED SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO HIS LEG. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED; HOWEVER, THEY DID INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VE... Read more
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2011) — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jul 27, 2011
Incident date: Mar 23, 2011
VISUAL SAFETY ISSUE WITH TAIL LIGHTS. TAIL/BRAKE/TURN SIGNALS CAN NOT BE SEEN IN DAYTIME. THE REAR END LIGHTING ON THE HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE AND ROAD GLIDE CUSTOM IS USELESS. I CAN NOT SEE HOW IT CAN POSSIBLY MEET DOT STANDARDS. THERE ARE TWO SMALL LIGHTS FOR TAIL/BRAKE/TURN SIGNALS, AND ONE LED MODULE LOW ON THE FENDER. I WAITED UNTIL THE 2012 MODEL YEAR TO SEE IF HARLEY DAVIDSON W... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRUSE
(2011) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 26, 2011
Incident date: Jul 9, 2011
DURING ROUTINE OPERATION, NEW TOURING MODEL MOTORCYCLES HAVE REAR CYLINDER EXHAUST HEADER PIPE THAT GENERATES EXTREME AMOUNT OF HEAT WHICH IMPACTS OPERATOR'S RIGHT UPPER INNER THIGH REGION. CONDITION IS MORE THAN A DISCOMFORT. IT HAS BECOME A DISTRACTION TO THE OPERATOR AND THUS, A HAZARD TO THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE MOTORCYCLE. TO BE EPA COMPLIANT, AMONG OTHER THINGS---HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS HA... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLSTF
(2007) — WHEELS
Jul 25, 2011
Incident date: May 1, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLSTF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FRONT AND REAR TIRES WOULD SCRAPE AGAINST THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE SINCE THE TIRE LOST TREAD. THE TIRE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHT
(2002) — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jul 21, 2011
Incident date: Jul 20, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING FLHT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CLIP FROM THE FRONT FENDER BECAME LOOSE AND MADE CONTACT WITH THE FRONT TIRE. AS A RESULT, SOME OF THE FUSES WORE OUT AND THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V002000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE DEALER WAS NOTI... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
SOFT TAIL
(2009) — TIRES
Jul 21, 2011
Incident date: Jul 21, 2011
I OWN A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL CUSTOM FXSTC WITH 5,800 MILES ON IT AND THE FRONT TIRE IS SHOWING NOTABLE CUPPING AND EXCESSIVE WEAR. THIS MODEL OF TIRE DUNLOP D407F IS NO LONGER BEING SOLD AND IS SUPERSEDED BY THE D408F. SERVICE BULLETIN M-1258A COVERS OTHER HARLEY MODELS WITH A SIMILAR TIRE AND ISSUE. SINCE A MOTORCYCLE ONLY HAS TWO WHEELS THE CUPPING AND PREMATURE WEAR ARE A HAZARD THAT NE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) — WHEELS
Jul 18, 2011
Incident date: Jul 14, 2011
I WAS RIDING AT ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN MY FRONT WHEEL BEARING STARTED TO FAIL (NOISE ONLY, NOT CATASTROPHIC). I WAS NEXT TO AN INDEPENDENT HARLEY SHOP AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE BEARING REPLACED. DURING A CONVERSATION WITH THE OWNER, I LEANED THAT HARLEY CHANGED WHEEL BEARING WITH 2007 MODELS. HE HAD NEVER REPLACED A WHEEL BEARING, EXCEPT ON BIKES WITH VERY HIGH MILEAGE, PRIOR TO THE 2007 MODEL. HE HAS C... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTP
(2007) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Jul 10, 2011
Incident date: Jul 4, 2011
AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEING MANEUVERED OUT OF A GARAGE AT SLOW SPEED, A "CLUNK" WAS HEARD, FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY COMPLETE FRONT BRAKE FAILURE. MECHANICAL INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE "CLUNK" IN QUESTION WAS CAUSED BY THE FRICTION MATERIAL FROM A FRONT BRAKE PAD FALLING ONTO THE GROUND. SUBSEQUENT MECHANICAL INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE FRICTION MATERIAL (OR LINING) HAD SEPARATED FROM THE STEEL "BAC... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLTRU
(2011) — TIRES
Jul 10, 2011
Incident date: May 4, 2011
I WAS ON A ROAD TRIP TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ON 5/4//2011 & HAD STOP FOR FUEL & WAS LOOKING OVER MY 2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRX MOTORCYCLE & NOTIFIED WHAT TO BE A SMALL CRACK IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES. I WAS ABOUT 50 MILES FROM THE CLOSEST HD DEALERSHIP. I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY HAD NO TIRES IN STOCK & WOULD BE AT LEAST 1 WEEK. THEY CALLED AHEAD TO THE NEXT CLOSEST DEALERSHIP. THEY NO... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDC
(2008) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 10, 2011
Incident date: Jun 3, 2011
THE GAS GAUGE FAILED THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS PART HAS FAILED ON MY MOTORCYCLE. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN JULY 2009 WHICH THEY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE GAUGE GIVES FALSE READINGS, IT WILL SHOW FULL AND VARIOUS OTHER READINGS REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. FOR EXAMPLE I FILLED THE TANK AND IT READ FULL THEN 10 MILES LATER IT WENT TO EMPTY AND SHOWED REMAINING MILES TO EM... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDC
(2008) — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Jul 10, 2011
Incident date: Jun 3, 2011
THE GAS GAUGE FAILED THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS PART HAS FAILED ON MY MOTORCYCLE. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN JULY 2009 WHICH THEY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE GAUGE GIVES FALSE READINGS, IT WILL SHOW FULL AND VARIOUS OTHER READINGS REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. FOR EXAMPLE I FILLED THE TANK AND IT READ FULL THEN 10 MILES LATER IT WENT TO EMPTY AND SHOWED REMAINING MILES TO EM... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDC
(2008) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 10, 2011
Incident date: Jul 9, 2011
CRUISING AT 40 MPH AND APPLIED REAR AND FRONT BRAKES. THERE WAS NO TENSION WHEN APPLIED CONTINUED A QUARTER MILE AND TURNED ONTO STREET OF MY HOUSE APPLIED BRAKES AND THERE WAS NO REAR BRAKE RESPONSE. UPON STOPPING IN MY DRIVEWAY USING THE FRONT BRAKES, I GOT OFF THE BIKE AND THERE WAS A FIRE AT THE REAR BRAKE RELAY SWITCH AND BRAKE LINE. I HAD TO PUT OUT THIS FIRE AND BRAKE FLUID CONTINUED TO LEA... Read more
Fire
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDC
(2008) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Jul 10, 2011
Incident date: Jul 9, 2011
CRUISING AT 40 MPH AND APPLIED REAR AND FRONT BRAKES. THERE WAS NO TENSION WHEN APPLIED CONTINUED A QUARTER MILE AND TURNED ONTO STREET OF MY HOUSE APPLIED BRAKES AND THERE WAS NO REAR BRAKE RESPONSE. UPON STOPPING IN MY DRIVEWAY USING THE FRONT BRAKES, I GOT OFF THE BIKE AND THERE WAS A FIRE AT THE REAR BRAKE RELAY SWITCH AND BRAKE LINE. I HAD TO PUT OUT THIS FIRE AND BRAKE FLUID CONTINUED TO LEA... Read more
Fire
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCDX
(2007) — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
Jul 7, 2011
Incident date: Jul 6, 2011
FUEL GAUGE READS FULL THEN SEEMS TO STICK AT HALFWAY THEN YOU ARE MISLEAD TO BELIEVE YOU HAVE HALF A TANK WHEN YOU DO NOT. THEN LOW FUEL LIGHT COMES ON AND NEEDLE DROPS TO EMPTY. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCDX
(2008) — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Jul 7, 2011
Incident date: Jun 3, 2011
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON VRSCDX (NIGHT ROD SPECIAL) AFTER PURCHASING MY MOTORCYCLE, 5 MONTHS PASSED WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE WENT OUT. I TOOK IT BACK TO HARLEY, AS IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THEY REPLACED SOME PARTS WHICH FIXED THE ISSUE. THE ISSUE RESURFACED AGAIN LAST MONTH (JUNE 2011) WHERE THE FUEL GAUGE IS CONSTANTLY READING EMPTY. IT APPEARS THAT HARLEY HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUTG
(2009) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Jul 6, 2011
Incident date: May 20, 2011
RIDER EXPERIENCED 2ND DEGREE BURNS DUE TO HEAT EMANATING FROM THE ENGINE DURING HOT WEATHER AND STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC; REAR CYLINDER SHUTS OFF AND THEN MOTORCYCLE RUNS POORLY (NO ACCELERATION); ALSO AFFECTS BRAKING (REAR BRAKE GETS "MUSHY"); HAS RESULTED IN DISCOLORATION OF HORN AND AIR FILER COVER; OIL PRESSURE DROPS TO 0; HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 QTS. OF OIL IN 1300 MILES; LITERALLY WAS "SMOKING"; AM... Read more
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHRX103
(2011) — TIRES
Jul 3, 2011
Incident date: Jul 3, 2011
DUNLOP D408F 130/70B18 FRONT TIRE ON 2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE IS CRACKED AROUND CIRCUMFERENCE OF TIRE. TIRE HAS LESS THAN 2000 MILES ON IT AND IS NO LONGER SAFE TO RIDE MOTORCYCLE. TIRE PSI WAS AT 39 (TIRE SELECTION IS NOT LISTED ON FOLLOWING PAGE). *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
CARBON KEVLAR HELMET
(2008) — EQUIPMENT:MOTORCYCLE:HELMETS
Jul 2, 2011
Incident date: Aug 10, 2004
WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH NEVADA TO ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO BY MOTORCYCLE DURING MID AUGUST THE HEAT FROM MY HELMET WAS BECOMING UNBEARABLE. BEFORE LONG I BEGAN TO HAVE THE SENSATION I WAS LOSING CONSCIOUSNESS. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND SAT DOWN UNDER A JOSHUAH TREE. I REMOVED THE HELMET. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES I FELT I COULD RIDE AGAIN. I MANAGED TO REACH LAS VEGAS WHERE I WAS ABLE TO ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXD
(2001) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 2, 2011
Incident date: Oct 13, 2002
THE TSSM IS DEFECTIVE AND WILL NOT TURN OFF THE IGNITION IN THE EVENT THE MOTORCYCLE FALLS OVER ON IT'S SIDE. *TR
Crash
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUI
(2000) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 1, 2011
Incident date: Jun 30, 2011
UNEXPECTED COMPLETE SHUT-DOWN OF ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. USUALLY HAPPENS AT SLOW SPEEDS, IN FIRST, SECOND, OR THIRD GEAR. HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. ONCE A MONTH THEN ONCE A WEEK, NOW ALMOST EVERY DAY. HAVE REPLACED FORK KEYED LOCK ELECTRICAL SWITCH ONCE IN PAST YEAR. HAVE ALSO BEEN EXPERIENCING MOMENTARY ENGINE HESITATIONS AS IF IGNITION WERE INTERRUPTED FOR A MOMENT. HAPPENS ALL ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) — TIRES
Jun 29, 2011
Incident date: Jun 12, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU MOTORCYCLE, WITH DUNLOP D402 TIRES, LINE SIZE MU85B16 M/C77H, DOT NUMBER: 301823DAF4M18M. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH, WHEN THE REAR TIRE WENT FLAT. THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY, AND LANDED FLAT AS THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER WERE THROWN 100 FEET FROM THE VEHICLE. BOTH THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND A POLICE ... Read more
Crash
2 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
XL1200C
(2009) — STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Jun 29, 2011
Incident date: May 25, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPITFIRE XI1200C MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN HE SUDDENLY FELT AN ABNORMAL RUBBING ON THE BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND INSPECTED BY THE OWNER WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FENDER AND BRACE WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS WELDED AT THE FAILURE YET THE FAILURE RECURRED A FEW DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2011) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jun 24, 2011
Incident date: Jun 2, 2011
HARLEY DAVIDSON TRI GLIDE 2011 MOTORCYCLE EXCESSIVE HEAT BLOWING FROM RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE WHILE RIDING OVER 55 MPH FOR 25 MINUTES AT A TIME OVER 2 HOUR PERIOD CAUSED 2ND DEGREE BURNS, BLISTERS, SCABBING AND SCARRING TO BACK OF RIGHT LEG. 356 TOTAL MILES ON MOTORCYCLE PURCHASED NEW. HD INSPECTION POST INJURY STATES THE MOTORCYCLE IS OPERATING PER SPECIFICATIONS TO MEET EPA STANDARD. NO ALTERATIONS... Read more
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
SOFTAIL
(2005) — POWER TRAIN
Jun 16, 2011
Incident date: Jun 13, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFT TAIL MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE REAR WHEEL ALONG WITH THE DRIVE CHAIN UNBOLTED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE REAR WHEEL, DRIVE CHAIN, AND BOLTS CONNECTED TO THE DRIVE CHAIN WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCED TWICE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUF... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
SOFTAIL
(2011) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jun 15, 2011
Incident date: Jun 1, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL DELUXE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2009) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 13, 2011
Incident date: May 28, 2011
I WAS RIDING HOME FROM MARIETTA, GEORGIA ON INTERSTATE 575 AND HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY, THE CRUISE CONTROL KICKED OFF AND I BEGAN TO DECELERATE. I WAS POSITIVE THAT I HAD NOT HIT THE CLUTCH OR EITHER BRAKE, ANY OF WHICH WOULD HAVE DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, ONCE AGAIN, I FOUND THAT THE ENGINE HAD GONE TO A "ROUGH IDLE" AND TH... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2009) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jun 13, 2011
Incident date: May 28, 2011
I WAS RIDING HOME FROM MARIETTA, GEORGIA ON INTERSTATE 575 AND HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY, THE CRUISE CONTROL KICKED OFF AND I BEGAN TO DECELERATE. I WAS POSITIVE THAT I HAD NOT HIT THE CLUTCH OR EITHER BRAKE, ANY OF WHICH WOULD HAVE DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, ONCE AGAIN, I FOUND THAT THE ENGINE HAD GONE TO A "ROUGH IDLE" AND TH... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Jun 12, 2011
Incident date: May 25, 2011
I OWN A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUI. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP THREE TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT HAS AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE. IT WILL ONLY IDLE. RIGHT NOW. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 3 WEEKS AND THE DEALER CLAIMS THEY CANNOT GET THE NEEDED PART FOR ANOTHER 3 WEEKS. IT IS AN UPGRADED PART. I FEEL A RECALL IS WARRANTED. IT DID THIS WHEN I WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLSTCI
(2005) — TIRES
Jun 11, 2011
Incident date: Jun 9, 2011
METEZLER MARATHON 880 TIRE BLOW OUT.WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND THE SIDE OF MY REAR TIRE WENT OUT,CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CRASH,THANK GOD THERE WAS NO CORNER! 150/80B16 WWW METEZLER MARATHON. TIRE PRESSURE ALWAYS CHECKED AS I AM A MOTORCYCLE CRASH SURVIVOR! READ ON LINE OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SAME TROUBLE WITH TIRES STAMPED PRODUCT OF BRAZIL,WHICH MINE ARE.HAVENT SEEN DEALER TO SEE IF HE WILL... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDL
(2009) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Jun 9, 2011
Incident date: May 28, 2011
SERIOUS OVER HEATING OF ENGINE WHEN DRIVING. HOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE BURNS ON RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE. AT 5,000 MILE SERVICE ALL FUEL LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED AS THEY WERE MELTED FROM HEAT. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS ABOUT THIS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS "NORMAL". *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
SPORTSTER
(2008) — WHEELS
Jun 3, 2011
Incident date: Apr 3, 2011
2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200C MOTORCYCLE REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED WHILE RIDING RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE REAR WHEEL DAMAGE AND A NEAR-ACCIDENT. RIDER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE HAD 8,500 MILES ON IT AND WAS 1-YEAR OUT OF DEALER WARRANTY. EXTENDED WARANTY ON THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD ONLY COVER LOCALIZED DAMAGE NOT THE EXTENSIVE DOWN-STREAM DAMAGE. HARLEY-DAVIDSON ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) — POWER TRAIN
Jun 2, 2011
Incident date: Jun 1, 2011
STOCK COMPENSATOR ON 2008 ULTRA CLASSIC FAILED AND NOW HAVE TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT TO PUT THE UPGRADED ONE IN. LUCKY I WAS NOT TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. HARLEY IS AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM AND REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE STOCK COMPENSATOR IS INFERIOR TO THE UPGRADE AND HARLEY NOW PUTS THE UPGRADE STOCK ON THE 2011 BIKES. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NOT COST S... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCA
(2002) — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Jun 2, 2011
Incident date: Jan 1, 2002
FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT READ CORRECTLY. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH EVERY MODEL OF THE V-ROD FROM THE FIRST MODEL IN 2002 UNTIL PRESENT. HARLEY KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO MAKE A RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) — TIRES
Jun 1, 2011
Incident date: May 28, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THIS WAS THE SECOND SET OF TIRES THAT DELAMINATED. THERE WERE ALSO LARGE PIECES OF THE TIRE SEPARATING ON SEVEN DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE TIRE; ALTHOUGH, THERE WAS 95% OF THE TREAD DEPTH THAT WAS STILL ON THE TIRES. THE TIRE BRAND NAME, METZLER ME880 MARATHON, SIZE MU85B/16, DOT# XE13J7032609 AND SERIAL #E375R002... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDWG
(2002) — STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Jun 1, 2011
Incident date: May 13, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXDWG LOW RIDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE CHANGING THE BATTERY HE NOTICED THAT A FACTORY WELD WAS CRACKED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT REFUSED TO DO ANY WORK ON IT SINCE HE WELDED THE FRAME HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE V... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDWG
(2008) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Jun 1, 2011
Incident date: May 21, 2011
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON NIGHT ROD SPECIAL REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS LOCATED 1/2" FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THIS SWITCH GETS HOT AND MELTS THE SWITCH ALLOWING ALL THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT AND CREATE A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE REAR BRAKE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTPI
(2004) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
May 26, 2011
Incident date: May 20, 2011
FIRST THE REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED BECAUSE IT CHAFED THROUGH BECAUSE OF A COVER MADE OF PLASTIC ON THE LINE TO PREVENT RUBBING ON THE FLOORBOARD HARDWARE AT THE FACTORY THIS DID NOT STOP THIS FROM CHAFING ANYWAY. THE REAR BRAKES ON THIS HARLEY HAVE ALWAYS FELT A LITTLE STRANGE WITH A SOFT PEDAL THIS MONTH MAY 2011 THE BRAKES WENT OUT AGAIN THIS TIME BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM IN THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CY... Read more