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
FLHTCUSE3
(2008) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
Jun 2, 2010
Incident date: Mar 5, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUSE3 MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT SMELLED EXHAUST FUMES FROM THE INSIDE OF THE FARING. THE CONTACT BECAME LIGHT HEADED AND NAUSEOUS DUE TO THESE FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE EIGHT OTHER CONSUMERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER OFFERED A R... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDB
(2008) — SUSPENSION
Jun 1, 2010
Incident date: Sep 1, 2008
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET BOB FXDB MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT. THE FRONT TIRE FORK APPEARED TO BE TITLED A QUARTER INCH TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD TO LEAN THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING AN ASSESSMENT OF A POSSIBLE REPAIR. ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHRSE3
(2007) — TIRES
May 26, 2010
Incident date: Apr 19, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON SCREAMING EAGLE MOTORCYCLE, FLHRSE3. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR TIRE SUDDENLY DEFLATED WHICH WAS UNDETECTABLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THERE WAS NO TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING DEVICE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SMELLED RUBBER BURNING AND SMOKE. THE VEHICLE SWAYED FROM THE LEFT TO RIGHT UNCONTROLLABLY. THE PAS... Read more
Crash
Fire
2 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
1200 CUSTOM SPORTSTER
(2002) — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
May 25, 2010
Incident date: Mar 13, 2010
EXCESSIVE AND INFERIOR DESIGN OF THE HEADLIGHT BRACKET ON 2002 XL1200 SPORTSTER CAUSE THE INTERNAL BULB TO VIBRATE LOOSE AND GO OUT WHILE RIDING AT NIGHT NEARLY CAUSING A FATAL CRASH AS MULTIPLE VEHICLES PULLED OUT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME BEFORE I REALIZED THAT I WAS NO LONGER VISIBLE TO OTHER VEHICLES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE BRACKET WAS CRACKED. I ASKED ABOUT OTHER ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2008) — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
May 25, 2010
Incident date: May 20, 2010
FLY BY WIRE THROTTLE ON TOURING AND CRUISER HARLEY-DAVIDSONS BEGINS TO REV / RACE WITHOUT EVEN TURNING THE HANDLE. HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY ONCE IT BEGINS. PARTICULARLY HAZARDOUS DURING TURNS AND STARTING OUT IN TRAFFIC. HAS OCCURRED ON MY MOTORCYCLE ABOUT 15 TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK. 3 TIMES IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH IN A TURN. CALLED LOCAL HD DEALER AND THEY CAME TO PICKUP MOTORCYCLE 5/25/10 TO... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2008) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 25, 2010
Incident date: May 20, 2010
FLY BY WIRE THROTTLE ON TOURING AND CRUISER HARLEY-DAVIDSONS BEGINS TO REV / RACE WITHOUT EVEN TURNING THE HANDLE. HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY ONCE IT BEGINS. PARTICULARLY HAZARDOUS DURING TURNS AND STARTING OUT IN TRAFFIC. HAS OCCURRED ON MY MOTORCYCLE ABOUT 15 TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK. 3 TIMES IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH IN A TURN. CALLED LOCAL HD DEALER AND THEY CAME TO PICKUP MOTORCYCLE 5/25/10 TO... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHP
(2010) — STEERING
May 21, 2010
Incident date: Mar 11, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE MOTORCYCLE (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND WOULD INTERMITTENTLY PULL FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN. HE STATED THAT THE FRONT FORK HAD NOT BEEN MODIFIED AND WAS PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM STAYING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE DEALER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR A TEST DRIVE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE F... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUSE4
(2009) — TIRES
May 21, 2010
Incident date: May 21, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE, FLHTCUSE4 EQUIPPED, WITH DUNLOP D407 P180/65/16 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED A RECURRING FAILURE INVOLVING AN ABNORMAL AND EXCESSIVE VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE FRONT TIRE WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED.... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHRC
(2007) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
May 19, 2010
Incident date: Jul 25, 2009
THE ELECTRONIC CRUISE CONTROL ON THE 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING FLHR FAILED TO DISENGAGE AFTER FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE APPLIED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF MOTORCYCLE IN A TURN CAUSING A CRASH AND SEVERE INJURIES TO RIDER. *TR
Crash
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHRC
(2007) — SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
May 19, 2010
Incident date: Jul 25, 2009
THE ELECTRONIC CRUISE CONTROL ON THE 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING FLHR FAILED TO DISENGAGE AFTER FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE APPLIED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF MOTORCYCLE IN A TURN CAUSING A CRASH AND SEVERE INJURIES TO RIDER. *TR
Crash
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
XL883R
(2006) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
May 17, 2010
Incident date: Apr 4, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE BRAKE LEVER WAS LOOSE. THE BRAKES WERE BLED; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE BRAKE LEVER AND REBUILT MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,800... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUSE3
(2008) — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
May 10, 2010
Incident date: Aug 18, 2008
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUSE3 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF CARBON DIOXIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT RESUMED OPERATION TO HIS RESIDENCE; AFTER WAITING TWO HOURS DUE TO THE EXPOSURE OF THE CARBON DIOXIDE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TWICE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE.... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
SOFT TAIL
(2009) — TIRES
Apr 24, 2010
Incident date: Oct 29, 2009
2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXSTSSE3 HD OEM DUNLOP D407 TIRES SHOWING WEAR AT 5,000 MILES, LOCAL DEALER & EMAIL TO DUNLOP WOULD NOT COVER THEM. LATER, PROVIDED LOCAL DEALER SERVICE MANAGER PRINTED COPIES OF HD BULLETINS & INTERNET COMMENTS FROM HD FORUMS ON PROBLEM AND HE GOT APPROVAL TO REPLACE FRONT TIRE WITH D408 AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE IT HAD SIGNS OF CUPPING. WOULD NOT COVER REAR D407 240/40R18 ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
SOFT TAIL
(2009) — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Apr 21, 2010
Incident date: Apr 19, 2010
HARLEY DAVIDSON FXSTC SOFTAIL CUSTOM 2009 FUEL CAP LEAK UNDER PRESSURE. WHENEVER FUEL TANK IS FILLED TO AT OR ABOVE THE TAB IN THE TANK FUEL IS COMING OUT UNDER PRESSURE THROUGH THE CAP AND SPRAYING ON THE RIDERS LEG AND RUNNING DOWN THE TANK DRIPPING ONTO THE ENGINE. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHRI
(2003) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Apr 18, 2010
Incident date: Oct 20, 2009
HARLEY DAVIDSON 2003 FLHRI TOURING MOTORCYCLE. NOTICED FLUID ALONG FRAME NEAR FLOORBOARD MOUNT FOR SOMETIME, WAS NOT SURE WERE IT WAS COMING FROM. ON A RIDE AND BRAKE PETAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN, REAR BRAKE FAILURE. BROUGHT BIKE HOME. I REMOVED THE EAR BRAKE LINE TO FIND IT HAD BEEN RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME. HARLEY PUT A THIN PLASTIC SLEEVE IN THE AREA OF THE FRAME WHERE FLOORBOARD MOUNT IS. THE ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUTG
(2010) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
Apr 14, 2010
Incident date: Apr 3, 2010
EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING FROM THE EXHAUST BURNS LEG WHEN RIDING EVEN THOUGH I'M RIDING WITH JEANS ON. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXST
(2006) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Apr 13, 2010
Incident date: Mar 18, 2010
THE FAILURE HAPPENS AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES OF RIDING AND WARMED UP. THE ENGINE AND LIGHTS SIMPLY STOP WORKING AND THEN MAY START RIGHT BACK UP OR NOT. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I TAKE THE BIKE OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE COIL, MAP SENSOR,CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, CIRCUIT BREAKER AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE TO NO AVAIL. I AM PRESENTLY NOT ABLE TO RIDE MY HD AND IT IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDB
(2010) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Apr 9, 2010
Incident date: Apr 2, 2010
AT UNDER 500 MILES FOUND REAR BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING BRACKET GRINDING ON INSIDE FACE OF ROTOR. REPLACED ROTOR, CALIPER,BRACKET AT APROX. 1,100 MILES PROBLEM REACURED.. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXSTB
(2007) — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
Apr 9, 2010
Incident date: Apr 1, 2008
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXSTB MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE RUNNING AND BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT MADE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THE ENTIRE BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THE INCIDENT WAS THE THIRD OCCURRENCE OF THE ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDWGI
(2006) — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Apr 7, 2010
Incident date: Apr 3, 2010
REAR TAIL LIGHT FILLS WITH WATER WHEN RIDING IN WET WEATHER. THIS CAUSES THE TAILLIGHT BULB TO BURN OUT SO THERE ARE NO TAILLIGHTS OR BRAKE LIGHT WORKING. THE BACK OF THE BIKE IS COMPLETELY DARK. ALSO LATER IT AFFECTED THE TURN SIGNALS BECAUSE THE CONTACTS CORRODED AND FAILED TO WORK ALSO. TALKED TO 3 HARLEY DEALERS AND THEY SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NO REAL FIX. MAYBE CAULK IT OR BUY A NE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLSTF
(2001) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Apr 6, 2010
Incident date: Sep 25, 2009
HARLEY DAVIDSON TWIN CAM CRANKSHAFT DEFECT. I OWN A 2001 HARLEY DAVIDSON AND THE CRANKSHAFT HAS SHIFTED, THE FLYWHEELS HAVE SLIPPED ON THE CRANK PIN. I FIRST NOTICED THE VIBRATION LAST YEAR. AFTER INSPECTING THE CAM SIDE / OIL PUMP ASSEMBLY, IT WAS OBVIOUS THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CRANKSHAFT WAS WAY OUT OF TOLERANCE. THE OIL PUMP WAS CHEWING THE FRONT HALF OF THE CAM PLATE. I REALIZE MY BIKE IS OLDER... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
52933-97
(9999) — EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Apr 5, 2010
Incident date: Feb 21, 2010
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) THIS IS [XXX] FROM ILLUMATEK AND I WANTED TO FORWARD THIS INTERESTING BIT OF INFO...THIS GENTLEMAN ON E-BAY (THUNDERBUFFALOPRODUCTIONS) IS NOT ONLY INFRINGING ON MY PATENT AND HARLEY DAVIDSON'S ARTWORK. HE IS ALSO JEOPARDIZING MY "LEGAL" OPERATION AND PERMISSION TO USE MY SHIELDS ON THE ROADS ...HE IS U... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHPI
(2003) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Mar 30, 2010
Incident date: Jul 1, 2003
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FLHPI HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE VEHICLE FAILED, AS WELL AS THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE AND SUFFERED SEVERE HEAD INJURIES. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS IN A COMA FOR 3 MONTHS. BEFORE THE CRASH OCCURRED, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL NOTICE ID NUMBE... Read more
Crash
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHPI
(2003) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Mar 30, 2010
Incident date: Jul 1, 2003
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FLHPI HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE VEHICLE FAILED, AS WELL AS THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE AND SUFFERED SEVERE HEAD INJURIES. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS IN A COMA FOR 3 MONTHS. BEFORE THE CRASH OCCURRED, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL NOTICE ID NUMBE... Read more
Crash
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2007) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Mar 30, 2010
Incident date: Nov 10, 2009
2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX OIL LEAK FROM LOWER LEFT HAND SIDE OF ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION.STARTED TO LEAK AFTER 18,000 MILES.I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE HONORED BY HARLEY DAVISON!
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
SOFTAIL
(2004) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 25, 2010
Incident date: Nov 10, 2008
THIS IS A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC SECURITY SYSTEM ON A 2004 HD HERITAGE MOTORCYCLE. WE NOTICED AN ELECTRONIC FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES AND OVER THE COURSE OF ONE YEAR FOUND THAT IT OCCURRED ONLY AND CONSISTENTLY EVERY TIME WE PARKED IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF OVERHEAD HIGH TENSION LINES. WHILE ONLY AN INCONVENIENCE TO US, PERHAPS THIS WILL HELP IN THE TOYOTA INVESTIGATION.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUTG
(2010) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 21, 2010
Incident date: Mar 18, 2010
I OWN A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON CUSTOM CLASSIC TRIKE. THIS BIKE IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (SO CALLED FLY BY WIRE) ON MARCH 18 WHILE RIDING IN MEDINA COUNTY IN OHIO AT 50 MPH THE ETC HAD SOME FORM OF FAILURE AND THE THROTTLE CUT THE RPM TO LESS THAN 1000 AND THE BIKE ABRUPTLY SLOWED TO A CRAWL. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROADWAY SHUT DOWN THE BIKE AND AFTER FIVE MINUTES RESTART AND ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUTG
(2010) — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
Mar 21, 2010
Incident date: Mar 18, 2010
I OWN A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON CUSTOM CLASSIC TRIKE. THIS BIKE IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (SO CALLED FLY BY WIRE) ON MARCH 18 WHILE RIDING IN MEDINA COUNTY IN OHIO AT 50 MPH THE ETC HAD SOME FORM OF FAILURE AND THE THROTTLE CUT THE RPM TO LESS THAN 1000 AND THE BIKE ABRUPTLY SLOWED TO A CRAWL. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROADWAY SHUT DOWN THE BIKE AND AFTER FIVE MINUTES RESTART AND ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2007) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Mar 16, 2010
Incident date: Apr 15, 2009
FRONT BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
Crash
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2007) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Mar 14, 2010
Incident date: Mar 13, 2010
2007 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. CLUTCH CABLE CONTACT WITH REAR BRAKE LINE CAUSED HOLE TO BE WORN IN BRAKE LINE. TOTAL LOSS OF FLUID RESULTED IN FAILURE OF REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. CONTACTED HARLEY-DAVIDSON BAYSIDE IN PORTSMOUTH, VA AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER REPLACEMENT OF LINE. STATED THEY WOULD CALL COMPANY AND REPORT BACK. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
SPORTSTER
(2005) — EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Mar 12, 2010
Incident date: Mar 6, 2010
THERE IS A COMPANY - DNA SPECIALTY INC. 1415 W. 178TH ST. GARDENA CA, 90248 TEL: (310) 767 - 4070 FAX: (310) 767 - 4091 WORLD WIDE TOLL: (800) 608 - 4446 MAKING "SEALED SPOKE WHEELS" FOR MOTORCYCLES SO THEY RUN WITHOUT TUBES. THE PROBLEM IS, THEY ARE NOT BEING SEALED CORRECTLY AND LEAKING AIR!! NOT A HUGE DEAL FOR ME... I JUST GET HOME, HAVE A FLAT, AND AM OUT ALL THE MON... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHT
(2002) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Mar 8, 2010
Incident date: Jul 15, 2009
I OWN A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHT. LAST YEAR (2009) I NOTICED THAT MY FAIRING STARTED TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY WHEN THE ENGINE WAS AT 1500 TO 2200 RPM. I BOUGHT THE MOTORCYCLE NEW AND PREVIOUSLY DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE BIKE VIBRATED SO BAD THAT THE FAIRING BRACKET BROKE. I HAD MY MECHANIC REPLACE THE BRACKET AS WELL AS THE FRONT MOTOR MOUNT, WHICH DID NOT HELP THE VIBRATION. MY MECHANIC (INDE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
SPORTSTER
(2005) — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Mar 5, 2010
Incident date: Aug 18, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200 CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DOWN SHIFT TO 3RD GEAR BECAUSE IT WOULD LOCK. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO UP SHIFT TO FOURTH AND FIFTH GEAR BEFORE DOWN SHIFTING TO FIRST GEAR. THIS WENT ON FOR A MONTH. THE DEALER KEPT REPAIRING THE FAILURE, AT LEAST FOUR TIMES UNTIL THE WARRANTY HAS RAN OUT. THERE IS STILL A FAILURE WITH THE M... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
SPORTSTER
(2005) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
Mar 5, 2010
Incident date: Aug 18, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200 CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DOWN SHIFT TO 3RD GEAR BECAUSE IT WOULD LOCK. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO UP SHIFT TO FOURTH AND FIFTH GEAR BEFORE DOWN SHIFTING TO FIRST GEAR. THIS WENT ON FOR A MONTH. THE DEALER KEPT REPAIRING THE FAILURE, AT LEAST FOUR TIMES UNTIL THE WARRANTY HAS RAN OUT. THERE IS STILL A FAILURE WITH THE M... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUI
(2006) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Mar 4, 2010
Incident date: Mar 4, 2010
FAILURE HAS NOT OCCURED ON MY BIKE HOWEVER NUMEROUS REPORTS FROM OTHERS AND DEALER RECOMMENDATION TO HAVE CAM CHAIN TENSIONERS CHECKED BECAUSE AS I WAS TOLD, IT IS NOT A QUESTION OF WHETHER BUT WHEN THEY WILL FAIL. FAILURE RESULTS IN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER WHICH UNDER HIGHWAY CONDITIONS, FOR EXAMPLE WOULD LEAD TO DECELERATION, AS IN PASSING OR MERGING ONTO A FREEWAY. CONSEQUENTLY, PROBABILITY ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHRSE3
(2007) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Feb 17, 2010
Incident date: Oct 27, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHRSE3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE HAND GRIP WOULD SLIDE OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. HE NOTICED THE PROBLEM A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES. THE LATEST OCCURRENCE WAS WHILE HE WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH SO HE PULLED OVER TO PUSH IT BACK ON. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE GRIP 3 TIMES AND 1 TIME THE DEALER... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLSTCI
(2006) — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Feb 6, 2010
Incident date: May 19, 2004
VEHICLE DOES NOT LIKE TO IDLE WHEN COLD. ALSO SPURATICLY STALLES GOING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS A SAFTY HAZARD BECAUSE YOU MAY BE JUST IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION OR GOING THREW CURVES. THERE MAY BE A SMALL HICKUP JUST BEFORE IT QUITES. THEN THE BIKE STARTS HARD AND SOMETIMES IT MAY BE SEVERAL MINUETS UNTILE IT WILL RESTART. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM BUT THE REPAIR CEN... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHRCI
(2005) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Feb 4, 2010
Incident date: Nov 21, 2009
MY WIFE AND I WERE RIDING ON A 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING CLASSIC WITHOUT ABS. WE WERE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON INTERSTATE 275 WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF US SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES. WE LOST CONTROL OF THE BIKE AS WE ATTEMPTED TO RAPIDLY STOP AND AVOID HITTING HIM. I SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. MY WIFE BROKE HER CLAVICLE, SCAPULA, AND MOST RIBS ON HER RIGHT SIDE. ALSO SUSTAINED A HEMOTHORAX AND PNEU... Read more
Crash
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUI
(2006) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jan 21, 2010
Incident date: Jan 21, 2010
2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUI. BROKEN UPPER FAIRING MOUNTS. FAILURE OF THESE MOUNTS (BREAKING AT ONE OR BOTH ENDS ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF INNER FAIRING) RESULTS IN CATASTROPHIC VIBRATION CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. I HAVE JUST EXPERIENCED THIS PERSONALLY AND I CAN ATTEST THAT HUNDREDS OF OTHERS INVOLVING SEVERAL OTHER YEAR MODELS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN ONLINE HARLEY DAVIDSON WEBSITES. HARLEY ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTC
(2010) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
Dec 24, 2009
Incident date: Dec 1, 2009
EXCESSIVE ENGINE AND EXHAUST HEAT. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLSTF
(2007) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Dec 15, 2009
Incident date: Dec 14, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE IGNITION SWITCH BEGAN TO SMOKE ALONG WITH SPARKS. THE SWITCH WAS LOCATED ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE ENGINE STALLED AND THEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS TURNED OFF. HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE THEN TURNED THE CONSOLE OFF. HOWEVER, THE MOTORCYCLE AND THE ON-SWITCH HAD COMPLETELY BURNED. HE ... Read more
Fire
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDWG
(2010) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
Dec 15, 2009
Incident date: Aug 15, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON TRI-GLIDE(NA). THE ENGINE EXPELS EXCESSIVE EXHAUST AND HEAT THAT BURNED HER LEGS AND CLOTHES. SHE HAS PHOTOGRAPHS DISPLAYING THE BURNS. HER LEGS WERE POSITIONED CORRECTLY ON THE MOTORCYCLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN WEATHER WITH TEMPERATURES ABOVE 80 DEGREES. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CURRENT MILEA... Read more
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDB
(2009) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Dec 8, 2009
Incident date: Jul 4, 2009
EXCESSIVE ENGINE HEAT ON THE 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ULTRA TRI-GLIDE MOTOR CYCLE, MODEL FLHTCUTG! ENGINE OIL TEMPERATURES RUN AROUND 300 DEGREES AND INFRARED TEMPERATURE READINGS ON RIDER'S JEAN PANT LEG ARE 140 DEGREES! HARLEY SAYS THIS IS NORMAL! I HAVE BURN SCARE ON MY LEG THAT SAYS THIS SHOULD NOT BE NORMAL! *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHRSE4
(2008) — EQUIPMENT
Dec 2, 2009
Incident date: Nov 19, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE SADDLE BAG FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE RETAINING PINS WERE LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 8,500.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDB
(2009) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Nov 25, 2009
Incident date: Nov 3, 2009
WHILE RIDING MY 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREETGLIDE MY ABS BRAKING SYSTEM APPEARED TO FAIL. I WAS AT A STOP WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR SO THAT I COULD SAFELY PULL OUT. WHEN I STARTED TO PULL OUT A CAR "FROM NOWHERE" APPEARED. I HAD TO BRAKE. WHEN I DID, THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND CAUSED THE MOTORCYCLE TO "FREEWHEEL" .IN OTHER WORDS MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I HAD TO STOP THE BIKE BY PUTTING... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHT
(2003) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Nov 23, 2009
Incident date: Oct 22, 2009
2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT ELECTRA GLIDE STANDARD. MY MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FAILURE OF ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS TO INCLUDE AN UNCOMMANDED ENGINE FAILURE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT. H-D HAS A FAULTY DESIGN THAT DOES NOT PERMIT THE ADEQUATE COOLING OF A 50 AMP SELF RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE BATTERY LOCATED SLIGHT AFT... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHRI
(2005) — WHEELS
Nov 4, 2009
Incident date: Jul 10, 2009
A REAR WHEEL FAILURE HAPPENED TO MY WIFE AND ME ON JULY 10, 2009 ON US 20 ABOUT 10 MILES EAST OF AINSWORTH, NE. IT WAS ABOUT 6 PM AND WE WERE EASTBOUND TRAVELING AT 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON WHEN THE BACK END STARTED TO GYRATE, A LITTLE BECOMING A LOT WITHIN A SECOND OR TWO. THE BACK END OF THE BIKE STARTED COMING AROUND TO THE RIGHT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AS IF IN A SKID ON ICE ALL THE TIME G... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDB
(2009) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 30, 2009
Incident date: Sep 13, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON SCREAMING EAGLE ROAD GLIDE FLTRSE3. HE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN AFTER EXITING A PARKING SPACE, BUT THE ENGINE MISFIRED. HE LOST VEHICLE CONTROL, AND THEN CRASHED ONTO THE ROADWAY. THERE WERE PERSONAL INJURIES INCLUDING FRACTURES TO THE LEFT ANKLE AND RIBS. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE HEAT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRE... Read more
Crash
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLSTNI
(2005) — TIRES
Oct 29, 2009
Incident date: Oct 2, 2009
METEZLER ME 880 MT90B16 M/C TL I PURCHASED METZELER ME 880 TIRES. WITH 400 MILES ON THEM SIDE WALL STARTED CRACKING AND BULGING, MAKING THE MOTORCYCLE UNCONTROLLABLE. I TALKED TO SCOTT GRIFFIN AT METZELER AND THEY REPLACED THE TIRES. I DO NOT KNOW THE DATE CODE ON THE TIRE BECAUSE THEY TOOK THEM. THIS TIRE MODEL SHOULD BE CHECKED. THE FRONT TIRE WAS VISIBLY CHECKED AND THERE WAS A HUGE BUBBLE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLSTNI
(2005) — EQUIPMENT
Oct 29, 2009
Incident date: Oct 2, 2009
METEZLER ME 880 MT90B16 M/C TL I PURCHASED METZELER ME 880 TIRES. WITH 400 MILES ON THEM SIDE WALL STARTED CRACKING AND BULGING, MAKING THE MOTORCYCLE UNCONTROLLABLE. I TALKED TO SCOTT GRIFFIN AT METZELER AND THEY REPLACED THE TIRES. I DO NOT KNOW THE DATE CODE ON THE TIRE BECAUSE THEY TOOK THEM. THIS TIRE MODEL SHOULD BE CHECKED. THE FRONT TIRE WAS VISIBLY CHECKED AND THERE WAS A HUGE BUBBLE... Read more