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
FXDLI
(2006) - POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
Oct 3, 2008
Incident date: Sep 25, 2008
ROTOR AND STATOR FAILURE DUE TO SCREWS BACKING OUT AND SHEARING DAMAGING REGULATOR CLUTCH PRIMARY DRIVE CHAIN LOSS OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND ENGINE FAILURE! PARTS REPLACED WITH NEW REVISION KIT B. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
1200
(1996) - SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Sep 22, 2008
Incident date: Sep 14, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200 SPORTSTER. WHILE RIDING 30 MPH, FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FORK TUBE SPLIT IN HALF. THE CALIPER CONNECTION POINT ALSO SNAPPED. THESE FAILURES CAUSED THE FRONT WHEEL TO LOCK UP AND THE BRAKE TO GO DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED INJURIES SUCH AS ROAD RASH ON BOTH ARMS, BRUISES ON HIS RIGHT HIP, MUSCLE SPASMS (FOR THREE DAYS AF... Read more
Crash
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHRI
(2001) - TIRES
Sep 22, 2008
Incident date: Sep 22, 2008
HAVE HAD TWO FAILURES ON METZELER 140/90 B16 MC 77H (75R005601) MOTORCYCLE TIRES. THE TREAD CRACKS AND SEPARATES FROM THE CORE OF THE TIRE WITH LESS THAN 3,000 MILES AND NO IMPACT DAMAGE TO TIRES. DOT XE48 A415 1306 (MGF 13TH WEEK OF 2006). MOUNTED NEW BY DEALER 10/12/2006. METZELER CLAIMS THE TIRES ARE FAILING IF UNDER INFLATED BY 5 LBS OR LESS. I KEPT A MAINT LOG OF WEEKLY AIR PRESSURES, TH... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLSTF
(2007) - SUSPENSION
Sep 22, 2008
Incident date: Mar 13, 2008
MY 2007 HARLEYDAVIDSON FLSTF (FAT BOY) WAS ENGINEERED WITH A DEFECT (FRONT WHEEL IS DESIGNED 3/4" OFF CENTER BETWEEN THE FORK TUBES) WHICH LEAVES THE MOTORCYCLE PRONE TO "HIGH SPEED WOBBLE" AND TO DRIFT OFF CENTER AT MODERATE SPEEDS. A HIGH SPEED WOBBLE CAN BE DEADLY ON A MOTORCYCLE. I ALMOST CRASHED. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLSTF
(2007) - STRUCTURE
Sep 22, 2008
Incident date: Mar 13, 2008
MY 2007 HARLEYDAVIDSON FLSTF (FAT BOY) WAS ENGINEERED WITH A DEFECT (FRONT WHEEL IS DESIGNED 3/4" OFF CENTER BETWEEN THE FORK TUBES) WHICH LEAVES THE MOTORCYCLE PRONE TO "HIGH SPEED WOBBLE" AND TO DRIFT OFF CENTER AT MODERATE SPEEDS. A HIGH SPEED WOBBLE CAN BE DEADLY ON A MOTORCYCLE. I ALMOST CRASHED. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLSTF
(2007) - WHEELS
Sep 22, 2008
Incident date: Mar 13, 2008
MY 2007 HARLEYDAVIDSON FLSTF (FAT BOY) WAS ENGINEERED WITH A DEFECT (FRONT WHEEL IS DESIGNED 3/4" OFF CENTER BETWEEN THE FORK TUBES) WHICH LEAVES THE MOTORCYCLE PRONE TO "HIGH SPEED WOBBLE" AND TO DRIFT OFF CENTER AT MODERATE SPEEDS. A HIGH SPEED WOBBLE CAN BE DEADLY ON A MOTORCYCLE. I ALMOST CRASHED. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
Sep 19, 2008
Incident date: Aug 1, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V357000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP) AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND THE CONTACT WOULD RECEIVE A CALL WHEN THEY ARRIVED. HE WAS NEVER CALLED SO THE DEALER WAS CALLED AGAIN. THE TECH... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2007) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Sep 17, 2008
Incident date: Aug 13, 2008
STARTED MY '07HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU AND BACKED OUT OF PARKING STALL, BIKE WAS ALREADY IN 1ST GEAR, STARTED TO RELEASE THE CLUTCH TO MOVE THE BIKE WHEN THE ENGINE WENT TO FULL THROTTLE WITH NO INPUT FROM ME. THE BIKE LURCHED FORWARD SO I IMMEDIATELY TWISTED THE THROTTLE OFF AND APPLIED THE FRONT BRAKE BECAUSE I WAS HEADING FOR A CURB. AGAIN THE ENGINE WENT TO FULL THROTTLE ON IT'S OWN. THE BRA... Read more
Crash
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUI
(2003) - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Sep 16, 2008
Incident date: Jul 24, 2008
ON JULY 24, 2008 I WAS RIDING MY 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC. AS I SLOWED TO ENTER A PARKING LOT, GAS BEGAN SPEWING FROM UNDER THE GAS TANK ONTO THE HOT ENGINE AND EXHAUST HEADERS. WHITE SMOKE FUMES BEGAN COMING OFF THE ENGINE. I WAS ABLE TO GET STOPPED, GET OFF THE BIKE AND TURN IT OFF. I WAS AN INSTANT AWAY FROM A FIRE. I HAD GASOLINE SOAKED INTO MY JEANS. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Sep 15, 2008
Incident date: Jul 31, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V357000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP). HE CALLED THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR, WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL AUGUST 4, 2008. THE DEALER PLACED HIM ON A WAITING LIST AND STA... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2007) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
Sep 14, 2008
Incident date: Sep 10, 2008
HEAT FROM THE REAR EXHAUST IS SO INTENSE THAT IT CAUSED BURNS TO MY WIFE WITH HER FEET ON THE PASSENGER FOOTBOARDS AS DESIGNED. CAUSED BURNS TO THE INSIDE OF MY RIGHT THIGH. *TR
2 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) - POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Sep 10, 2008
Incident date: Oct 13, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC FLHTCU. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR, HE HEARD A CLANKING SOUND COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO DEFECTS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,061 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2008) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sep 6, 2008
Incident date: Aug 28, 2008
WHILE RIDING MY 2008 STREET GLIDE I WOULD LOSE ALL RESPONSE ON THE THROTTLE, WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE I HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL THE THROTTLE RANDOMLY BEGAN TO RESPOND. WHILE ON THIS PARTICULAR TRIP THE BIKE REPEATED THIS AT LEAST 10-15 TIMES. THE BIKE IS BEING TRAILER TO THE DEALER FOR REVIEW. THIS IS DEFINATELY A SAFETY ISSUE WHILE RIDING BIKE ON A BUSY INTERSTATE. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDWGI
(2006) - POWER TRAIN
Sep 6, 2008
Incident date: Aug 28, 2008
06 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDWGI (STILL UNDER WARR). INNER PRIMARY BEARING FAILS DUE TO THE IMPERFECT ALIGNMENT OF THE 06 PRIMARY CASE. H-D IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WILL NOT INSTALL THE NEW IMPROVED '07 PRIMARY CASE (PERM. FIX) UNTIL THE BEARING FAILS TWICE. WHEN THE BEARING FAILS, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE EMANATES FROM THE PRIMARY COVER AREA, AND ULTIMATELY THE BEARING WILL SEIZE OR BLOW WHICH, IN A... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDWGI
(2006) - SUSPENSION
Sep 6, 2008
Incident date: Aug 29, 2008
06 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDWGI (STILL UNDER WARR). INNER PRIMARY BEARING FAILS DUE TO THE IMPERFECT ALIGNMENT OF THE 06 PRIMARY CASE. H-D IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WILL NOT INSTALL THE NEW IMPROVED '07 PRIMARY CASE (PERM. FIX) UNTIL THE BEARING FAILS TWICE. WHEN THE BEARING FAILS, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE EMANATES FROM THE PRIMARY COVER AREA, AND ULTIMATELY THE BEARING WILL SEIZE OR BLOW WHICH, IN A... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDWGI
(2006) - POWER TRAIN
Sep 6, 2008
Incident date: Aug 29, 2008
06 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDWGI (STILL UNDER WARR). INNER PRIMARY BEARING FAILS DUE TO THE IMPERFECT ALIGNMENT OF THE 06 PRIMARY CASE. H-D IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WILL NOT INSTALL THE NEW IMPROVED '07 PRIMARY CASE (PERM. FIX) UNTIL THE BEARING FAILS TWICE. WHEN THE BEARING FAILS, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE EMANATES FROM THE PRIMARY COVER AREA, AND ULTIMATELY THE BEARING WILL SEIZE OR BLOW WHICH, IN A... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHT
(2000) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Sep 5, 2008
Incident date: Jul 5, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHT. WHILE RIDING THE VEHICLE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE MOTOR. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAM BEARING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS THE BEARING THAT IS LOCATED IN THE MOTOR. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS BECAUSE THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR IT... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUI
(2003) - EQUIPMENT
Sep 4, 2008
Incident date: Aug 16, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS TECH INTERNATIONAL VALVE STEMS, MODEL TR413. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR TIRE ON THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FLATTENED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VALVE STEM CAP AND CORE WERE BOTH MISSING. THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. UPDATED 10-07-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD A NEW VALAVE CORE AND CAP PUT ON THE BIKE AND THE NEXT DAY WHILE RIDING, THE TIRE WENT ... Read more
Crash
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUI
(2003) - TIRES:VALVE
Sep 4, 2008
Incident date: Aug 16, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS TECH INTERNATIONAL VALVE STEMS, MODEL TR413. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR TIRE ON THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FLATTENED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VALVE STEM CAP AND CORE WERE BOTH MISSING. THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. UPDATED 10-07-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD A NEW VALAVE CORE AND CAP PUT ON THE BIKE AND THE NEXT DAY WHILE RIDING, THE TIRE WENT ... Read more
Crash
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2008) - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Sep 4, 2008
Incident date: Jul 31, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V357000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP) IN JULY OF 2008. HE CALLED THE DEALER ON AUGUST 4,2008 TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL AND THEY WOULD CALL HIM WHEN THE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
Sep 3, 2008
Incident date: Aug 30, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V357000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE DAMAGES ON THE VANCE HINES PIPE ON THE EXHAUST DUE TO THE RECALLED COMPONENT. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2007) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Sep 2, 2008
Incident date: Jul 4, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GUIDE FLHX. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE RADIO SHUTS OFF. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE REVS TO 3,000 RPM AND TIGHTENS UP ON ITS OWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATES. THE DEALER HAS KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A TOTAL OF TWO MONTHS WITHIN THREE VISITS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,700 AND FAILURE MI... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2007) - EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
Sep 2, 2008
Incident date: Jul 4, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GUIDE FLHX. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE RADIO SHUTS OFF. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE REVS TO 3,000 RPM AND TIGHTENS UP ON ITS OWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATES. THE DEALER HAS KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A TOTAL OF TWO MONTHS WITHIN THREE VISITS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,700 AND FAILURE MI... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
ELECTRA GLIDE
(2004) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Aug 29, 2008
Incident date: Aug 5, 2008
BACKING VEHICLE, ENGINE OFF - IGNITION ON, SPARK UNDER SEAT THEN FIRE IN WIRE HARNESS. HD SERVICE DEPT SAID IT WAS A FAILURE IN THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR. ADVISED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, NO RECALLS NO SERVICE BULLETIN. *TR
Fire
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXSTSI
(2006) - SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Aug 27, 2008
Incident date: Aug 22, 2008
WITHIN THE FIRST 90 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING MY 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXSTSI IN MESA, ARIZONA I STARTED EXPERIENCING REAR BRAKE PROBLEMS. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT AS A PRIVATE SHOP HAD ALREADY LOOKED AT IT FOR ME. I HAD APPROXIMATELY 4500 MILES AT THIS TIME AND WAS IN NEED OF NEW REAR PADS. ALSO MY REAR ROTOR WAS DISPLAYING A BRONZE OR GOLD COLORING ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXSTSI
(2006) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Aug 27, 2008
Incident date: Aug 22, 2008
WITHIN THE FIRST 90 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING MY 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXSTSI IN MESA, ARIZONA I STARTED EXPERIENCING REAR BRAKE PROBLEMS. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT AS A PRIVATE SHOP HAD ALREADY LOOKED AT IT FOR ME. I HAD APPROXIMATELY 4500 MILES AT THIS TIME AND WAS IN NEED OF NEW REAR PADS. ALSO MY REAR ROTOR WAS DISPLAYING A BRONZE OR GOLD COLORING ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXSTSI
(2006) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Aug 27, 2008
Incident date: Aug 22, 2008
WITHIN THE FIRST 90 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING MY 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXSTSI IN MESA, ARIZONA I STARTED EXPERIENCING REAR BRAKE PROBLEMS. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT AS A PRIVATE SHOP HAD ALREADY LOOKED AT IT FOR ME. I HAD APPROXIMATELY 4500 MILES AT THIS TIME AND WAS IN NEED OF NEW REAR PADS. ALSO MY REAR ROTOR WAS DISPLAYING A BRONZE OR GOLD COLORING ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCDX
(2007) - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Aug 26, 2008
Incident date: Jul 28, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 (NA) HARLEY DAVIDSON NIGHT ROD VRSCDX. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING BALANCING FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSTANTLY LEAN TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD TWISTED AND THE EXHAUST PIPE AND PANEL THAT HOLD THE ENGINE RAN DOWN ON TOP OF THE FRAME, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME IMBALANCED. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
VRSCDX
(2007) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Aug 26, 2008
Incident date: Jul 28, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 (NA) HARLEY DAVIDSON NIGHT ROD VRSCDX. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING BALANCING FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSTANTLY LEAN TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD TWISTED AND THE EXHAUST PIPE AND PANEL THAT HOLD THE ENGINE RAN DOWN ON TOP OF THE FRAME, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME IMBALANCED. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) - POWER TRAIN
Aug 25, 2008
Incident date: Jul 19, 2008
OUT FOR AN AFTERNOON RIDE WITH FRIENDS ON MY 08 ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC. WHILE ENTERING A LEFT CURVE, THE THROTTLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THIS CAUSED THE BIKE TO SPEED UP UNEXPECTEDLY AND DRIFT RIGHT. TRIED RETARDING THE THROTTLE AND GOT NO RESPONSE. DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH AND APPLIED REAR BRAKES IN ATTEMPT TO SLOW THE BIKE DOWN WITHOUT RESULTS. THIS RESULTED IN A SERIOUS SINGLE RIDER CR... Read more
Crash
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
SOFTAIL
(2008) - VISIBILITY
Aug 25, 2008
Incident date: Jul 26, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL CUSTOM. WHENEVER THE CONTACT RIDES HIS BIKE DURING THE DAY OR NIGHT AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHT MOUNT IS UNSTABLE AND SHAKES. THE FAILURE CAUSES A STROBE LIGHT EFFECT AT NIGHT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE MOUNT WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 718 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1. UPDATED 09/29/08. *LJ THE C... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
SOFTAIL
(2008) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Aug 25, 2008
Incident date: Jul 26, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL CUSTOM. WHENEVER THE CONTACT RIDES HIS BIKE DURING THE DAY OR NIGHT AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHT MOUNT IS UNSTABLE AND SHAKES. THE FAILURE CAUSES A STROBE LIGHT EFFECT AT NIGHT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE MOUNT WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 718 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1. UPDATED 09/29/08. *LJ THE C... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
XL1200L
(2007) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
Aug 21, 2008
Incident date: Jul 30, 2007
I PAID FOR A BRAND NEW 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200XL, ON JULY 28, 07. I PICKED IT UP FROM STUBBS HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER ON JULY 30, 07. THE DEALER FAILED TO DISCLOSE A RECALL ON THE MOTORCYCLE WHICH WAS ISSUED IN JUNE 07 FOR THE HEAT SHIELD MANIFOLD. SUBSEQUENTLY, I BURNT MY LEG ON THE PIPES, AND INCURRED A LOT OF PAIN, AND A SCAR ON MY LEG WHICH IS PERMANENT AND UNSIGHTLY. I FOUND OUT AFTER... Read more
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
XL1200L
(2007) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
Aug 21, 2008
Incident date: Jul 30, 2007
I PAID FOR A BRAND NEW 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200XL, ON JULY 28, 07. I PICKED IT UP FROM STUBBS HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER ON JULY 30, 07. THE DEALER FAILED TO DISCLOSE A RECALL ON THE MOTORCYCLE WHICH WAS ISSUED IN JUNE 07 FOR THE HEAT SHIELD MANIFOLD. SUBSEQUENTLY, I BURNT MY LEG ON THE PIPES, AND INCURRED A LOT OF PAIN, AND A SCAR ON MY LEG WHICH IS PERMANENT AND UNSIGHTLY. I FOUND OUT AFTER... Read more
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Aug 20, 2008
Incident date: May 22, 2008
THE THROTTLE CONTROL ON THE MOTORCYCLE IS A "THROTTLE BY WIRE" TYPE OF CONTROL AND THE IDLE POSITION DOES NOT REMAIN CONSTANT. ONE TIME THE MOTOR WILL IDLE AT 1050 RPM'S AND THE NEXT TIME IT WILL IDLE AT 1400 RPM'S. ALSO WHILE DRIVING THE MOTORCYCLE THE IDLE POINT WILL INCREASE AND YOU CAN END UP WITH THE "IDLE POINT" AT 1800 RPM'S WHEN IT SHOULD BE SETTING AT 1050RPM'S. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS NOT TA... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDWG
(1999) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Aug 15, 2008
Incident date: Apr 25, 2008
TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE INSIDE THE ENGINE. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCUI
(2006) - SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Aug 12, 2008
Incident date: Aug 3, 2008
BRAKE LINE WAS FOUND TO BE CHAFFED FROM RUBBING ON THE CLUTCH LINE WHICH IS BUNDLE TOGETHER. THIS RESULTED IN A APPROXIMATELY 1/8" HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE. FOUND WHEN CHANGING THE BRAKES. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHP
(2008) - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Aug 10, 2008
Incident date: Jul 31, 2008
I AM IN RECEIPT OF A RECALL NOTICE FROM HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE COMPANY REGARDING A POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE FUEL FILTER HOUSING, THE FAILURE OF WHICH "COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WHICH WOULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER." IN CONTACTING THE SERVICING DEALER, I AM INFORMED THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER, AND ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A DATE WHEN PARTS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE ADDING THAT THE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
XL883C
(2005) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Aug 10, 2008
Incident date: Aug 10, 2008
BOUGHT MY BIKE NEW HAD 15 MILES ON IT. AND HAVE BEEN FIXING THIS BIKE SINCE DAY ONE.. DEALER REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR TWICE UNDER WARRANTY AND I REPLACED IT ONCE AFTER WARRANTY .THAT IS FOUR SENSORS IN LESS THEN . 3,000 MILES..NOT TO MENTION THAT IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN THIS PART FAILS ...YOU LOSE TOTAL POWER OF MOTORCYCLE AND COULD VERY EASY LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH..THIS IS AN URG... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHRCI
(2006) - WHEELS
Aug 9, 2008
Incident date: Jun 24, 2008
I WAS THE PROUD OWNER OF 2006 ROAD KING CLASSIC. I PAMPERED MY BIKE, HAD IT SERVICED BY THE HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALERSHIP, AND HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS. AFTER 5000 MILES, (HARDLY EXCESSIVE USE) A STRONG WOBBLE DEVELOP AND IT GOT WORSE AT ALMOST ANY SPEED. I TOOK THE BIKE TO BE CHECKED AT HACIENDA HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALERSHIP IN SCOTTSDALE AZ IN JUNE OF 2008 WHICH AT THE TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER SHOWED ME THE... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXSTI
(2002) - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Aug 7, 2008
Incident date: Jul 23, 2008
I STARTED MY MOTORCYCLE AND BEGAN TO DRIVE OFF WHEN THE FUEL LINE FROM THE TANK TO THE THROTTLE BODY CAME LOOSE. IT SPRAYED GASOLINE OVER THE ENGINE AND MYSELF. THEN FUEL LINE WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND SOME TYPE OF CLAMP ADDED ON TO PREVENT IF FROM COMING OFF. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2008) - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Aug 5, 2008
Incident date: Aug 4, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE PERTAINING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD RECEIVE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER DID A SYSTEM OF "WAVE SHIPMENTS", SENDING ONLY A FEW PARTS TO EVERY DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THERE HAD ... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHR
(2008) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Aug 4, 2008
Incident date: Jul 29, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 (NA) HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING. WHILE PULLING OUT OF A SERVICE STATION AT 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE PRIMARY CASE. THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE COMPENSATION BRACKETS IN THE PRIMARY CASE CAME OUT, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING. HE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALER THAT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE STATED THAT THE BO... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2007) - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Aug 4, 2008
Incident date: Aug 2, 2008
2007 HARLEY-DAVIDSON TWIN CAM ENGINE HAS EXCESSIVE HEAT. WHENEVER AIR TEMPERATURE EXCEEDS 95 THE AIR COOLED ENGINE DOES NOT COOL PROPERLY. DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM ENGINE, THE BACK OF MY LEGS ARE GETTING EXTREMELY HOT. IT IS DIFFICULT TO CONCENTRATE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCU
(2007) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Aug 4, 2008
Incident date: Aug 2, 2008
2007 HARLEY-DAVIDSON TWIN CAM ENGINE HAS EXCESSIVE HEAT. WHENEVER AIR TEMPERATURE EXCEEDS 95 THE AIR COOLED ENGINE DOES NOT COOL PROPERLY. DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM ENGINE, THE BACK OF MY LEGS ARE GETTING EXTREMELY HOT. IT IS DIFFICULT TO CONCENTRATE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *TR
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHTCSE2
(2005) - INTERIOR LIGHTING
Aug 2, 2008
Incident date: Jul 25, 2005
WHILE RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE FROM MAHWAH, NJ TO PAINTED POST, NY, THE TOUR -PAK (TRUNK) CAUGHT ON FIRE. I STOPPED AND OPENED THE TOUR -PAK. AFTER THE SMOKE CLEARED, I DISCOVERED THAT THE INTERIOR TOUR-PAK LIGHT HAD MELTED THE LENS, BURNED THROUGH THE TOUR-PAK LINER, AND BURNED A HOLE IN MY $75.00 SPORT SHIRT. I DISCONNECTED THE CONNECTOR, AND PROCEEDED ON MY TRIP. WHEN I RETURNED 3 DAYS LATER, I... Read more
Fire
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2007) - STEERING
Aug 1, 2008
Incident date: Jul 29, 2008
I HAVE A 2007 HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE. THE BIKE IS ONE YEAR OLD THIS PAST JULY. I HAVE NEVER TOUCHED ANY OF THE MECHANICAL ELEMENTS OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY SERVICES DONE BUY THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE BIKE FROM. (HARLEY-DAVIDSON OF OCEAN COUNTY). I WAS TRAVELING EAST ON HIGHWAY 37 ON TUESDAY EVENING 29 JULY 2008. I WAS CUT OFF BY A DRIVER IN A CAR ENTERING MY LANE FROM THE LEFT SI... Read more
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLHX
(2007) - TIRES
Jul 29, 2008
Incident date: Aug 11, 2007
REAR TIRE BLOW OUT RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY TO MYSELF AND MY MOTORCYCLE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE @ APPROXIMATELY 65 MILES PER HOUR. *TR
Crash
1 injured
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDWG
(2008) - FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
Jul 24, 2008
Incident date: Jul 23, 2008
FUEL FILTER CANISTER FAILURE FOR 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC. BIKE HAS A BUILD DATE OF 09/07. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON THE EARLY MODEL O8'S AND HARLEY IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. YET THEY HAVE UPDATED THE FILTER CANISTER. THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS FAILURES. THESE HAVE BEEN NOTED ON THE VARIOUS HARLEY DAVIDSON FORUM WEBSITES. MANY RIDERS LIKE MYSELF ARE TAKING A PROACTIVE APPRO... Read more
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FLSTC
(2007) - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Jul 22, 2008
Incident date: May 15, 2007
I HAVE A HARLEY DAVIDSON 2007 HERITAGE SOFTTAIL CLASSIC. IT HAS A DANGEROUS HEAT PROBLEM. HARLEY DAVIDSON DESIGNED THE BIKE WITH THE OIL PAIN RIGHT UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT. I HAVE A TEMPERATURE OIL GAUGE AND THE TEMPERATURE REACHES 250DEGREES RIGHT UNDER YOUR THIGH. IT IS EXTREMELY PAINFUL, FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE A BLOW TORCH RIGHT UNDER YOUR THIGH. IT IS QUITE DISTRACTING AND WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING A... Read more