U.S. public vehicle records

Harley-Davidson FLHRCI problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

29 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

8,629 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1999 to 2006 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 18 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 29 complaints (13.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	5	17.2%
Fuel system concerns	4	13.8%
Transmission and shifting	2	6.9%
Engine operation	2	6.9%
Electrical and battery issues	1	3.4%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Electrical System

Fuel System, Gasoline

Wheels

Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator

Electrical System:Horn

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	4
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	3
Electrical System	2
Fuel System, Gasoline	2
Wheels	2
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	1
Electrical System:Horn	1

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3; Electrical System: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Wheels: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Horn: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2000

2001

2002

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2013

2014

2018

2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2004: 5; 2005: 1; 2006: 6; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2018: 1

Pattern summary

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10064240 · 2004-03-31 (March 31, 2004)

BACKGROUND ON M/C FIRST OWNER: UNKNOWN SECOND OWNER: BOUGHT BIKE WITH 7750 MILES ON IT / REPLACED BRAKES ONCE / HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF BIKE BEING IN AN ACCIDENT THIRD OWNER: MYSELF / THOUGHT I NEEDED REAR BRAKE PADS. *AK I'M HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY BRAKES ON A 1999 FLHRC-I VIN # [XXX] HARLEY DAVIDSON M/C. IT SEEMS TO BE THAT THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MOUNTING BRACKET WAS WELDED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT CAUSES THE CLEVIS END TO PITCH DOWN FAR ENOUGH TO PUT THE PUSH ROD WAY OUT OF LINE CAUCUSING IT TO STRIKE THE PUSH ROD WASHER. THIS ACTION KEE…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10064240 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10171284 · 2006-10-18 (October 18, 2006)

REAR BRAKE FAILURE, RIDING IN HIGH ALTITUDES. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AFTER RIDING THIS MOTORCYCLE 500+ MILES A DAY, AND TRAVELING THROUGH MOUNTAINS, THE REAR BRAKE WILL SUDDENLY NOT WORK, THE PEDAL JUST DROPS TO THE FLOORBOARD. AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT 2 MIN. BRAKE OPERATION RETURNS TO NORMAL. I RETURNED THE BIKE TO 2 DIFFERENT HARLEY DEALERS IN MI. WHERE I LIVE. BOTH COULD NOT VERIFY THE PROBLEM AND NOTHING WAS DONE. I WROTE A LETTER TO HARLEY EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM AND THE DEALERS LACK OF CONCERN. ( I AM A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC IN A CHRYSLER, JE…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10171284 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10416873 · 2011-08-03 (August 3, 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.

Owner-reported narrative. 6,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10416873 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 764211 · 2002-07-14 (July 14, 2002)

WIRING HARNESS FAILURE TO FRONT FUEL INJECTOR. FAILED AT 660 MILES, 4432 MILES, AND AGAIN AT 5630 MILES. FAILURE SHUTS DOWN FRONT CYLINDER CAUSING CYCLE TO RUN ON ONE CYLINDER AND BACKFIRE WHILE OBTAINING MAXIMUM SPEED OF 20 - 25 MPH.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 764211 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10227389 · 2008-05-11 (May 11, 2008)

AFTER STORAGE MY HARLEY WAS HARD STARTING. AFTER SOME FRESH GAS THE BIKE BEGAN TO RUN. MAYBE A MONTH AFTER THIS GAS BEGAN SQUIRTING OUT OF THE TANK WHERE THE FUEL LINE AND THE RETURN LINE ARE ATTACHED. I SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE, CLEANED UP THE GAS AND REPEATED THE STARTUP. SAME THING. AS THE BIKE WAS JUST STARTED I DID NOT GET GASOLINE ON ME, ONLY ON THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION AND RUNNING BOARD. THE ENGINE WAS COOL, I SHUT IT DOWN WITHOUT INCIDENT. I DISCUSSED WITH DEALER AND READ HARLEY MANUAL. THEY SPECULATED THAT SOMETHING WAS IN THE TA…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10227389 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10551654 · 2013-11-10 (November 10, 2013)

MY 02 ROAD KING CLASSIC. WHEN DOING A TRANSMISSION SERVICE I FOUND TRANSMISSION FLUID ALL FILLED WITH METAL SHAVINGS AND THE FLUID CONTAMINATED WITH METAL PIECES OF VARIOUS SIZES. PARTS OF THE TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK AS LARGE AS ONE AND ONE FOURTH INCHES LONG IN THE FLUID. THE DIPSTICK HAD BROKEN OFF, IT APPEARS THIS METAL IS NOT DESIGNED TO HOLD UP TO THE APPLICATION. I HAVE FEAR THAT IF OTHERS ARE NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE A TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, THAT COULD END IN A DEATH. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10551654 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10164971 · 2006-08-08 (August 8, 2006)

ON 7/19/2006 I PURCHASED ON NEW 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING CLASSIC.. IT WAS DELIVERED ON JULY 20TH. ON AUGUST 5TH, WITH ABOUT 275 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, THE MOTORCYCLE COMPLETELY STALLED WHILE DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER IN TRAFFIC ON AN ARTERIAL ROADWAY. WE MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO THE CURB LANE. I CHECKED THE GAS TANK, WHICH WAS 2/3 FULL. I THEN SWITCHED OFF THE RUN SWITCH AND THE IGNITION SWITCH, TURNED THEM BACK ON AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. AFTER ABOUT TWO MILES, THE ENGINE DIED AGAIN. I FOLLOWED THE SAME SEQUENCE AND THE BIKE RESTARTE…

Owner-reported narrative. 275 miles reported. Look up ODI 10164971 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11097298 · 2018-05-22 (May 22, 2018)

MOTORCYCLE HESITATES, SPUTTERS, STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING USUALLY WHEN ITS COLD. I FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN M-1185 FROM HARLEY DAVIDSON. I CALLED THEIR CUSTOMER CARE REF #3378245, TOLD ME TO DROP IT OFF AT A DEALERSHIP. THEN DEALERSHIP SAID HD DENIED REPLACEMENT OF THE UPDATED / MOD FUEL INJECTORS. THE BIKE HAS 5K MILES ON IT.

Owner-reported narrative. 5,020 miles reported. Look up ODI 11097298 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2005

2006

1999: 1; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0; 2003: 1; 2005: 0; 2006: 0

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Harley-Davidson FLHRCI model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1999	7	1	Not available
2000	4	0	-1
2001	1	0	0
2002	4	0	0
2003	4	1	+1
2005	2	0	Not available
2006	7	0	0

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

29 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

62.1%Usable mileage18 / 29 records

93.1%Valid incident date27 / 29 records

100.0%Valid filing date29 / 29 records

93.1%Ordered incident and filing dates27 / 29 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2005	2006
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	228.6% ODI 725327 CAMS ALWAYS IS VERY NOISY AND BELIEVE THEY WILL GO COMPLETELY OUT ANY DAY NOW POSSIBLY IN A CURVE, CAUSING SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. Look up ODI 725327 at NHTSA ↗	125.0% ODI 10088136 · 66,500 mi THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SERVICE LIFE OF THE NEW TWIN CAM ENGINE'S BOTTOM END. THERE SEEMS TO BE A LARGE NUMBER OF CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILURES ONCE THE BIKE HAS REACHED 40,000 MILES. MINE FAILED AT 68,000 MILES BUT I HAVE TALKED WITH ONE RIDER WHOSE BOTTOM END FAILED AT 43,000 MILES. HARLEY APPEARS TO HAVE CHANGED THE WAY THEY BUILD THE FLYWHEEL ASSEMBLIES. THEY ARE NO LONGER PUTTING AN INSERT IN THE CONNECTING RODS FOR THE BEARINGS TO RIDE ON. INSTEAD THEY ARE MERELY FLAME HARDENING THE AREA. ONCE THE HARDENING FAILS THE ENTIRE ASSEMB… Look up ODI 10088136 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 10080877 · 7,420 mi CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE IN A NEW 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE AT 3284 MILES AND AGAIN AT 7420 MILES. THE FIRST WAS DUE TO A CRACKED FLYWHEEL, WHICH WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE SECOND DUE TO A BROKEN OIL PUMP. THE CAUSE WAS DETERMINED BY AN ENGINEER'S MEASUREMENTS TO BE MIS-ALIGNED CRANKCASE, AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE ENGINE. *LA Look up ODI 10080877 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	228.6% ODI 728450 NO SUMMARY Look up ODI 728450 at NHTSA ↗	125.0% ODI 899631 WHILE RIDING MOTORCYCLE, CAM BEARING FAILED, CAUSING MOTORCYCLE TO COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. AK CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER REPAIRS, ENGINE IS NOISY AND EXHIBITS AN OIL LEAK. TT Look up ODI 899631 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 10171284 REAR BRAKE FAILURE, RIDING IN HIGH ALTITUDES. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AFTER RIDING THIS MOTORCYCLE 500+ MILES A DAY, AND TRAVELING THROUGH MOUNTAINS, THE REAR BRAKE WILL SUDDENLY NOT WORK, THE PEDAL JUST DROPS TO THE FLOORBOARD. AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT 2 MIN. BRAKE OPERATION RETURNS TO NORMAL. I RETURNED THE BIKE TO 2 DIFFERENT HARLEY DEALERS IN MI. WHERE I LIVE. BOTH COULD NOT VERIFY THE PROBLEM AND NOTHING WAS DONE. I WROTE A LETTER TO HARLEY EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM AND THE DEALERS LACK OF CONCERN. ( I AM A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC IN A CHRYSLER, JE… Look up ODI 10171284 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 10149870 · 24,000 mi REAR BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO USE OF DOT 5 BREAK FLUID AT HIGH ALTITUDE IN HOT WEATHER. ON TRIP OVER SIERRAS ON JULY 16, 2006, I AND FOUR OTHERS HAD REAR BRAKE OR OTHER HYDRALIC FAILURE. *NM Look up ODI 10149870 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 10305057 · 30,000 mi 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 PNEUMOTHORAX THAT REQUIRED 3 HOSPITALIZATIONS AND SURGERY TO INCLUDE PLATING OF HER RIBS. THIS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED HAD THE BIKE BEEN EQUIPPE… Look up ODI 10305057 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 10275344 · 36,000 mi MY 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING CLASSIC HAS UNEXPECTEDLY SHUT DOWN ELECTRICALLY ON ME NOW THREE TIMES. I WAIT FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES AND IT WILL RETURN. I THINK I HAVE ONE OF THEIR BAD MAIN CIRCUIT BREAKERS. FORTUNATELY, THE BIKE WAS STOPPED WHEN THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED. *TR Look up ODI 10275344 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	114.3% ODI 10164971 · 275 mi ON 7/19/2006 I PURCHASED ON NEW 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING CLASSIC.. IT WAS DELIVERED ON JULY 20TH. ON AUGUST 5TH, WITH ABOUT 275 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, THE MOTORCYCLE COMPLETELY STALLED WHILE DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER IN TRAFFIC ON AN ARTERIAL ROADWAY. WE MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO THE CURB LANE. I CHECKED THE GAS TANK, WHICH WAS 2/3 FULL. I THEN SWITCHED OFF THE RUN SWITCH AND THE IGNITION SWITCH, TURNED THEM BACK ON AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. AFTER ABOUT TWO MILES, THE ENGINE DIED AGAIN. I FOLLOWED THE SAME SEQUENCE AND THE BIKE RESTARTE… Look up ODI 10164971 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline	114.3% ODI 10227389 · 2,200 mi AFTER STORAGE MY HARLEY WAS HARD STARTING. AFTER SOME FRESH GAS THE BIKE BEGAN TO RUN. MAYBE A MONTH AFTER THIS GAS BEGAN SQUIRTING OUT OF THE TANK WHERE THE FUEL LINE AND THE RETURN LINE ARE ATTACHED. I SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE, CLEANED UP THE GAS AND REPEATED THE STARTUP. SAME THING. AS THE BIKE WAS JUST STARTED I DID NOT GET GASOLINE ON ME, ONLY ON THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION AND RUNNING BOARD. THE ENGINE WAS COOL, I SHUT IT DOWN WITHOUT INCIDENT. I DISCUSSED WITH DEALER AND READ HARLEY MANUAL. THEY SPECULATED THAT SOMETHING WAS IN THE TA… Look up ODI 10227389 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 10416873 · 6,800 mi 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. Look up ODI 10416873 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Wheels	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10267809 · 15,129 mi SPOKE IN REAR WHEEL BROKE PUNCTURING INNER TUBE, CAUSING TIRE TO GO FLAT ON HIGHWAY AND CAUSING WOBBLY HANDLING. I TALKED TO PARTS MAN AT BLUE SPRING HARLEY DAVIDSON AND HE SAID I WOULD BE SURPRISED HOW MANY PEOPLE COME IN WITH BROKEN SPOKES. I ALSO KNOW ANOTHER GUY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR Look up ODI 10267809 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	114.3% ODI 10237556 · 4,805 mi 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 LOOSE REAR WHEEL SPOKES. MY CONCERN WAS NOT ONLY ABOUT THE WOBBLE BUT WOULD IT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT? THE MANAGER SUGGESTED TO REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL… Look up ODI 10237556 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	114.3% ODI 10090860 THEY SAY,AT HARLEY-DAVIDSON THAT MY MOTORCYCLE HAS A ELECTICAL PROBLEM,AND SHOULD BE FIXED RIGHT AWAY.I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP THE VERY DAY I GOT MY RECALL LETTER,ON OR ABOUT 6/29/04.AT THIS TIME I WAS TOLD THEY WERE "WAITING ON PARTS"TRHAT WAS ABOUT TEN WEEKS AGO.....AT WHAT POINT AN TIME DO I GET SATISFACTION FROM HARLEY DAVIDSON AND T.S.I. MOTORCYCLE IN WILLIMANTIC CT. ????THE LETTER STATES "THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A QUIT WHILE RIDING SITUATION,WHICH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING AND ULTIMATELY LEAD TO A CRASH,THERBY PRESENTING A RISK OF DEA… Look up ODI 10090860 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Horn	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 10138424 THE STOCK HORN ON MY 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE HAD BEEN ANEMIC AT BEST FROM NEW AND HAD PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WEAKER IN VOLUME AND NOW ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERS HAS CLAIMED THAT THE LOW VOLUME IS TYPICAL OF HD HORNS AND THAT, SINCE THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE 12 MONTH ORIGINAL WARRANTY, IT IS NOT A HD PROBLEM. THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT YET. IF THERE IS, I MIGHT NOT BE AROUND TO COMPLAIN. *JB Look up ODI 10138424 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	36,960 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10088136 · 66,500 mi THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SERVICE LIFE OF THE NEW TWIN CAM ENGINE'S BOTTOM END. THERE SEEMS TO BE A LARGE NUMBER OF CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILURES ONCE THE BIKE HAS REACHED 40,000 MILES. MINE FAILED AT 68,000 MILES BUT I HAVE TALKED WITH ONE RIDER WHOSE BOTTOM END FAILED AT 43,000 MILES. HARLEY APPEARS TO HAVE CHANGED THE WAY THEY BUILD THE FLYWHEEL ASSEMBLIES. THEY ARE NO LONGER PUTTING AN INSERT IN THE CONNECTING RODS FOR THE BEARINGS TO RIDE ON. INSTEAD THEY ARE MERELY FLAME HARDENING THE AREA. ONCE THE HARDENING FAILS THE ENTIRE ASSEMB… Look up ODI 10088136 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10080877 · 7,420 mi CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE IN A NEW 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE AT 3284 MILES AND AGAIN AT 7420 MILES. THE FIRST WAS DUE TO A CRACKED FLYWHEEL, WHICH WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE SECOND DUE TO A BROKEN OIL PUMP. THE CAUSE WAS DETERMINED BY AN ENGINEER'S MEASUREMENTS TO BE MIS-ALIGNED CRANKCASE, AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE ENGINE. *LA Look up ODI 10080877 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Too few reports for a range	27,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10149870 · 24,000 mi REAR BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO USE OF DOT 5 BREAK FLUID AT HIGH ALTITUDE IN HOT WEATHER. ON TRIP OVER SIERRAS ON JULY 16, 2006, I AND FOUR OTHERS HAD REAR BRAKE OR OTHER HYDRALIC FAILURE. *NM Look up ODI 10149870 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10305057 · 30,000 mi 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 PNEUMOTHORAX THAT REQUIRED 3 HOSPITALIZATIONS AND SURGERY TO INCLUDE PLATING OF HER RIBS. THIS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED HAD THE BIKE BEEN EQUIPPE… Look up ODI 10305057 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	18,138 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10275344 · 36,000 mi MY 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING CLASSIC HAS UNEXPECTEDLY SHUT DOWN ELECTRICALLY ON ME NOW THREE TIMES. I WAIT FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES AND IT WILL RETURN. I THINK I HAVE ONE OF THEIR BAD MAIN CIRCUIT BREAKERS. FORTUNATELY, THE BIKE WAS STOPPED WHEN THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED. *TR Look up ODI 10275344 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10164971 · 275 mi ON 7/19/2006 I PURCHASED ON NEW 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING CLASSIC.. IT WAS DELIVERED ON JULY 20TH. ON AUGUST 5TH, WITH ABOUT 275 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, THE MOTORCYCLE COMPLETELY STALLED WHILE DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER IN TRAFFIC ON AN ARTERIAL ROADWAY. WE MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO THE CURB LANE. I CHECKED THE GAS TANK, WHICH WAS 2/3 FULL. I THEN SWITCHED OFF THE RUN SWITCH AND THE IGNITION SWITCH, TURNED THEM BACK ON AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. AFTER ABOUT TWO MILES, THE ENGINE DIED AGAIN. I FOLLOWED THE SAME SEQUENCE AND THE BIKE RESTARTE… Look up ODI 10164971 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline	Too few reports for a range	4,500 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10227389 · 2,200 mi AFTER STORAGE MY HARLEY WAS HARD STARTING. AFTER SOME FRESH GAS THE BIKE BEGAN TO RUN. MAYBE A MONTH AFTER THIS GAS BEGAN SQUIRTING OUT OF THE TANK WHERE THE FUEL LINE AND THE RETURN LINE ARE ATTACHED. I SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE, CLEANED UP THE GAS AND REPEATED THE STARTUP. SAME THING. AS THE BIKE WAS JUST STARTED I DID NOT GET GASOLINE ON ME, ONLY ON THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION AND RUNNING BOARD. THE ENGINE WAS COOL, I SHUT IT DOWN WITHOUT INCIDENT. I DISCUSSED WITH DEALER AND READ HARLEY MANUAL. THEY SPECULATED THAT SOMETHING WAS IN THE TA… Look up ODI 10227389 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10416873 · 6,800 mi 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. Look up ODI 10416873 at NHTSA ↗
Wheels	Too few reports for a range	9,967 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10267809 · 15,129 mi SPOKE IN REAR WHEEL BROKE PUNCTURING INNER TUBE, CAUSING TIRE TO GO FLAT ON HIGHWAY AND CAUSING WOBBLY HANDLING. I TALKED TO PARTS MAN AT BLUE SPRING HARLEY DAVIDSON AND HE SAID I WOULD BE SURPRISED HOW MANY PEOPLE COME IN WITH BROKEN SPOKES. I ALSO KNOW ANOTHER GUY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR Look up ODI 10267809 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10237556 · 4,805 mi 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 LOOSE REAR WHEEL SPOKES. MY CONCERN WAS NOT ONLY ABOUT THE WOBBLE BUT WOULD IT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT? THE MANAGER SUGGESTED TO REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL… Look up ODI 10237556 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2005: 1 complaints · 2006: 5 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2005	0	1	1
2006	3	4	5

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2005	2	0	0
2006	7	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Electrical System	Fuel System, Gasoline	Wheels	Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	Electrical System:Horn
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Wheels	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Electrical System:Horn	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

4 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

3 mentions · 10.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 24,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10064240

Look up ODI 10064240 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10171284

Look up ODI 10171284 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10149870 · 24,000 mi

REAR BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO USE OF DOT 5 BREAK FLUID AT HIGH ALTITUDE IN HOT WEATHER. ON TRIP OVER SIERRAS ON JULY 16, 2006, I AND FOUR OTHERS HAD REAR BRAKE OR OTHER HYDRALIC FAILURE. *NM

Look up ODI 10149870 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

2 mentions · 6.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 2,648 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10164971 · 275 mi

Look up ODI 10164971 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11097298 · 5,020 mi

Look up ODI 11097298 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 3.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 6,800 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10416873 · 6,800 mi

Look up ODI 10416873 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 3.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 9,837 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10200808 · 9,837 mi

I HAVE A 2006 ROADKING CLASSIC WITH 10,609 MILES. MILEAGE WHEN PROBLEM STARTED WAS 9,837. WHILE RIDING IN THE BLACK HILLS, GOING DOWN A 6% GRADE, THE ENGINE DIES AND THE SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO 0. I COASTED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GRADE AND PULLED OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. WHEN I STOPPED, THE FUEL PUMP PUMPED UP, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF, AND I STARTED THE BIKE AND WENT ON. ABOUT 3 DAYS LATER IT DONE IT AGAIN, AGAIN GOING DOWN A STEEP GRADE. THIS TIME I PULLED IN THE CLUTCH AND FLIPPED THE ENGINE KILL SWITCH OFF AND ON A…

Look up ODI 10200808 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b