U.S. public vehicle records

Harley-Davidson FLHT problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

67 owner complaints analyzed

9 distinct recall campaigns

22,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1994 to 2022 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 32 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 67 complaints (22.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	8	11.9%
Electrical and battery issues	3	4.5%
Transmission and shifting	2	3.0%
Engine operation	2	3.0%
Steering behavior	1	1.5%
Fuel system concerns	1	1.5%

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.

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Service Brakes

Power Train

Unknown Or Other

Suspension

Wheels

Electrical System:Ignition

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 15; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 8; Service Brakes: 6; Power Train: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Suspension: 3; Wheels: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2

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: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 35 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.

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2015

2016

2018

2020

2022

1997: 2; 1998: 14; 1999: 7; 2000: 4; 2001: 4; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2007: 5; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 5; 2013: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 4; 2018: 3; 2020: 3; 2022: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 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 10110149 · 2005-02-08 (February 8, 2005)

FRONT BRAKES MAKING A SWOOSH TYPE NOISE WHEN BRAKES ARE NOT APPLIED. FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES WITHIN 15000 MILES. REAR TIRE HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 15000 MILES DUE TO WEAR. WAS TOLD BY 3 HARLEY DAVIDON DEALERS THIS WAS COMMON DUE TO WEIGHT OF MOTORCYCLE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10110149 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 745950 · 2001-05-26 (May 26, 2001)

FRONT BRAKES STARTED SQUELLING AT THE FIRST DAY OF OWNERSHIP. HAS BEEN REPORTED WITH NO RESPONSE. RETURNED TO DEALER TWO TIMES. REFUSED TO REPAIR SAID THEY HAVE TRIED TO REPAIR IN PAST WITH NO SUCCESS.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 745950 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 826898 · 1998-08-18 (August 18, 1998)

RECALL 98V158000..091/ ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT RECALL NOTICE. DEALER INDICATED PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON AUGUST 3, 1998. PARTS WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE, AND DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WILL COME IN. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 826898 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10293298 · 2009-11-23 (November 23, 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 AND ABOVE THE AFT CYLINDER AND CYLINDER EXHAUST EXPOSED TO EXTREME HEATING AND INADEQUATE COOLING. RIDER HAS NO INSTRUMENTATION TO SHOW IMPENDING EL…

Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10293298 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10205402 · 2007-10-11 (October 11, 2007)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE THAT GREW LOUDER AS THE VEHICLE BECAME WARMER. THE OIL WAS CHANGED TO SYNTHETIC AND REPLACED WITH A HEAVIER OIL, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURE REPLACED A RUBBER IN THE 2008 TRANSMISSION TO CORRECT THE NOISE, HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT ASSIST WITH THE 2007 MODELS. THEY STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE AT THE COST OF $300. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND …

Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10205402 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10520806 · 2013-06-20 (June 20, 2013)

GROWLING NOISE FROM A BAD BEARING IN PRIMARY. HAD BIKE AT A HARLEY SHOP WHERE BIKE WAS PURCHASED TO BE INSPECTED FOR COMPLAINT. FOUND PRIMARY BEARING FAILED. NO OTHER FAILURE. WAS TOLD FAILURE NO FAULT OF OWNER. CONTACTED HARLEY DAVIDSON AND RECEIVED A REFERENCE NUMBER FOR TRACKING. HARLEY HAS A ISSUE WITH BEARINGS, BOTH IN PRIMARY AND TRANSMISSION. NEITHER HARLEY MANUFACTURING OR LOCAL DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE SEEMS TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT FAILURE. DEALER IS LIMITED TO A FACTORY REPAIR FOR THERE IS NO ALTERNATE BEARING FOR REPAIR. SHOP REPAIRED …

Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10520806 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 825235 · 1998-07-09 (July 9, 1998)

MODEL FLHTCUI; MOTORCYCLE WAS PURCHASED IN OCTOBER 1997. IN JUNE OF 1998 AT 6500 MILES, IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. WHILE PULLING UP IN A DRIVEWAY, CAUSING MOTORCYCLE TO STALL. MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER AND IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CONSUMER HEARD OF INVESTIGATION EA98-009 IN AI. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 825235 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10021505 · 2003-06-12 (June 12, 2003)

HARLEY-DAVIDSON 2002 FLHT FUEL TANK QUALITY PROBLEM LEADING TO SAFETY RISK OF FIRE AND VEHICLE STALLING EXPOSING OPERATORS AND/OR PASSENGERS TO PERSONAL DEATH OR PERMANENT DISABLEMENT. FUEL TANKS HAS A SIGNIFICANT RUST CHARACTERISTIC ALLOWING CONTAMINATES TO ENTER INTO THE MOTORCYCLES FUEL SYSTEM CAUSING A CARBURETOR OVERFLOW CONDITION RELEASING RAW FUEL ONTO THE MOTORCYCLE SURFACES LEADING TO FIRE RISK AND ENGINE STALL DURING OPERATION. I HAVE HAD YEARS OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH OTHER MODELS OF HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CYCLES WHICH HAVE NEV…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021505 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11340763 · 2020-07-21 (July 21, 2020)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THAT THE MOTORCYCLE SWING ARM WAS FACTORY TWISTED AND THE FRAME WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT WHILE RIDING. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING NECK AND STEERING HEAD WERE NOT IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE BACKBONE OF THE FRAME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS NOT CENTERED. THE MOTOR CYCLE WAS TAKEN TO NEW ORLEANS HARLEY DAVIDSON (6015 AIRLINE DRIVE METAIRIE LA, 70003, [phone removed] FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFOR…

Owner-reported narrative. 850 miles reported. Look up ODI 11340763 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.

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2019

2020

2021

2022

2006: 0; 2007: 0; 2008: 2; 2009: 3; 2010: 2; 2019: 0; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Harley-Davidson FLHT model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1994	0	1	Not available
1995	3	1	0
1996	7	1	0
1997	7	1	0
1998	4	1	0
1999	8	1	0
2000	1	0	-1
2001	6	1	+1
2002	6	1	0
2003	2	1	0
2004	1	0	-1
2005	1	0	0
2006	1	0	0
2007	4	0	0
2008	4	2	+2
2009	8	3	+1
2010	1	2	-1
2019	3	0	Not available
2020	0	1	+1
2021	0	1	0
2022	0	1	0

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

47.8%Usable mileage32 / 67 records

85.1%Valid incident date57 / 67 records

100.0%Valid filing date67 / 67 records

85.1%Ordered incident and filing dates57 / 67 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	2008	2009	2010	2019	2020	2021	2022
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch	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.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	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.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes	125.0% ODI 11075665 · 56,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE FLHT. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TIMMS HARLEY-DAVIDSON (4110 CLEMSON BLVD, ANDERSON, SC 29621, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO… Look up ODI 11075665 at NHTSA ↗	450.0% ODI 10883517 · 12,000 mi ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, MOTORCYCLE PURCHASED IN 2009, AT APPR. 12000 MILES, FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS TO BE ADDRESSED AROUND EVERY 12000 MILES SINCE NEW AND I HAVE 90,000 MILES ON IT NOW. AT APPR. 40,000 MILES, THE HOLE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED, ROTORS, CALIPERS, LINES, MASTER CYLINDER. THE BRAKES WOULD AUTOMATICALLY APPLY THEMSELVES UNTIL I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER. THEY WOULD LOCK DOWN. THEY WOULD WORK PROPERLY AFTER I SAT ON SIDE OF ROAD FOR AROUND 30 MINUTES. I TOOK IT TO HARLEY THE NE… Look up ODI 10883517 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 10918042 · 21,000 mi I PULLED OUT OF MY GARAGE ON MY 2010 ELECTRA GLIDE CLASSIC AND WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE STOP SIGN ON THE STREET AT APPROX 10 MPH I WENT TO APPLY MY FRONT BRAKE AND FOUND I COULD NOT MOVE MY FRONT BRAKE LEVER. LUCKILY MY REAR BRAKE HAD WORKED AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP MOTORCYCLE BEFORE AND DAMAGE OCCURRED. THERE WAS NO APPARENT ISSUES WITH MY BRAKE SYSTEM (NO FLUID LEAKS) SO I CALLED MY HD DEALER AND THEY HAD TOLD ME MY ABS MODULE HAD FAILED DUE TO LACK OF CHANGING MY BRAKE FLUID AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES WITH ABS BRAKIN… Look up ODI 10918042 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Power Train	250.0% ODI 10472683 · 31,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN HE HEARD A ROLLING NOISE COMING FORM THE SHIFTER. THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT A METAL COMPONENT HAD FALLEN AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ROTOR STATOR ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000..UPDATED11/19/12 BF UPDATED 11/20/2012 JS Look up ODI 10472683 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.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Unknown Or Other	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 11320073 · 10 mi ON MY 2019 FLHT I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY COUNTER STEER TO THE RIGHT TO MAKE THE BIKE GO IN A STRAIGHT LINE ON A STRAIGHT ROAD ON A CALM DAY WITH NO WIND, (BIKE STEERS TO THE LEFT AT ALL TIMES) AFTER TAKING THE BIKE TO TWO DEALERS ONE OF WHICH I BOUGHT IT FROM THEY BOTH CLAIM AFTER TESTING IT THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT,I FOUND OUT MYSELF THAT THE REAR FORK(SWINGARM) IS TWISTED AND I BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION ,THEY REFUSED TO CHECK IT,SO WHEN I GOT INTOUCH WITH THE HARLEY DAVIDSON COMPANY THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE GOING BY THEIR DE… Look up ODI 11320073 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Suspension	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 11340763 · 850 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THAT THE MOTORCYCLE SWING ARM WAS FACTORY TWISTED AND THE FRAME WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT WHILE RIDING. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING NECK AND STEERING HEAD WERE NOT IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE BACKBONE OF THE FRAME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS NOT CENTERED. THE MOTOR CYCLE WAS TAKEN TO NEW ORLEANS HARLEY DAVIDSON (6015 AIRLINE DRIVE METAIRIE LA, 70003, [phone removed] FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFOR… Look up ODI 11340763 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Wheels	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 10476718 · 22,000 mi AT AROUND 20,000 MILES I TOOK MY MOTORCYCLE IN TO HAVE THE TIRES CHANGED AND THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE BAD AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL BEARING. A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED ON ME IN MONTANA, I AM FROM WASHINGTON STATE, ON THE FREEWAY AND I ALMOST CRASHED, I COULD HAVE DIED RIGHT THERE BUT LUCKILY I WAS NOT IN A TURN AND MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. A DEALERSHIP IN MONTANA TRAILERED MY MOTORCYCLE IN AND REPLACE THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. NOW AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES I TOOK THE MOTORCYCL… Look up ODI 10476718 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 11338882 · 100 mi TRACKING NUMBER 11320073,I HAVE NOT HEARD ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING MY CASE,I WOULD LIKE TI KNOW WHAT THE NHTSA ARE DOING ABOUT MY UNSAFE BIKE,THANK YOU [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC Look up ODI 11338882 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Ignition	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.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable 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	29,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10241066 · 19,843 mi TLTHE 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 UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THE FAILURE IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,843. UPDATED 12/22/08. LJ UPDATED 12/22/08. JB… Look up ODI 10241066 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10184022 · 40,000 mi TL - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2002 FLHT ELECTRIC GLIDE STANDARD HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BEING REPAIRED THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE CAM TENSIONER WAS WORN OUT . THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CAM TENSIONER WITH A MECHANICAL TENSIONER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 40,000. THE CONTACT STATED HIS CONCERN WAS THAT THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS TO INDICATE THE CAM TENSIONER FAILURE. *AK Look up ODI 10184022 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10317621 · 29,000 mi 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 (INDEPENDENT) BELIEVES MY ENGINE CRANK SHAFT HAS "TURNED" OR IN OTHER WORDS IS OUT OF TOLERANCE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ON LINE, I HAVE DISCOVERED N… Look up ODI 10317621 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes	21,250–34,484 mi	25,967 mi	6	ODI 11075665 · 56,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE FLHT. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TIMMS HARLEY-DAVIDSON (4110 CLEMSON BLVD, ANDERSON, SC 29621, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO… Look up ODI 11075665 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10883517 · 12,000 mi ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, MOTORCYCLE PURCHASED IN 2009, AT APPR. 12000 MILES, FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS TO BE ADDRESSED AROUND EVERY 12000 MILES SINCE NEW AND I HAVE 90,000 MILES ON IT NOW. AT APPR. 40,000 MILES, THE HOLE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED, ROTORS, CALIPERS, LINES, MASTER CYLINDER. THE BRAKES WOULD AUTOMATICALLY APPLY THEMSELVES UNTIL I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER. THEY WOULD LOCK DOWN. THEY WOULD WORK PROPERLY AFTER I SAT ON SIDE OF ROAD FOR AROUND 30 MINUTES. I TOOK IT TO HARLEY THE NE… Look up ODI 10883517 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10883606 · 22,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE HANDLE WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. Look up ODI 10883606 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	Too few reports for a range	24,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10205402 · 400 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE THAT GREW LOUDER AS THE VEHICLE BECAME WARMER. THE OIL WAS CHANGED TO SYNTHETIC AND REPLACED WITH A HEAVIER OIL, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURE REPLACED A RUBBER IN THE 2008 TRANSMISSION TO CORRECT THE NOISE, HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT ASSIST WITH THE 2007 MODELS. THEY STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE AT THE COST OF $300. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND … Look up ODI 10205402 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10472683 · 31,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN HE HEARD A ROLLING NOISE COMING FORM THE SHIFTER. THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT A METAL COMPONENT HAD FALLEN AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ROTOR STATOR ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000..UPDATED11/19/12 BF UPDATED 11/20/2012 JS Look up ODI 10472683 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10520806 · 24,000 mi GROWLING NOISE FROM A BAD BEARING IN PRIMARY. HAD BIKE AT A HARLEY SHOP WHERE BIKE WAS PURCHASED TO BE INSPECTED FOR COMPLAINT. FOUND PRIMARY BEARING FAILED. NO OTHER FAILURE. WAS TOLD FAILURE NO FAULT OF OWNER. CONTACTED HARLEY DAVIDSON AND RECEIVED A REFERENCE NUMBER FOR TRACKING. HARLEY HAS A ISSUE WITH BEARINGS, BOTH IN PRIMARY AND TRANSMISSION. NEITHER HARLEY MANUFACTURING OR LOCAL DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE SEEMS TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT FAILURE. DEALER IS LIMITED TO A FACTORY REPAIR FOR THERE IS NO ALTERNATE BEARING FOR REPAIR. SHOP REPAIRED … Look up ODI 10520806 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	Too few reports for a range	18,505 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10816173 · 37,000 mi OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THE STARTER HAS BEEN GIVING ME ISSUE, I TRIED A NEW BATTERY IT HELPED FOR A WHILE. I NOTICED THEN THAT WHEN IT WAS HOT THE ISSUE WAS WORSE. AFTER HOURS OF RESEARCH I GUESS THEY STAT ITS A KNOWN ISSUE ON TH 2007-08 HARLEY-DAVIDSON TOURING BIKES, JUST A FEW- NOT ALL BUT THE SCREAMING EAGLE UPGRADE IS 400.00 PLUS BUCKS TO REPAIR-HELP WITH THESE COSLTLY REPAIRS WOULD BE NICE. 42,000 MILES ON THE BIKE.ON ONE FORUM A GUY HAD HIS BIKE LOCK UP ON HIM RIDING! I GUESS I HAVE BEEN LUCKY.. Look up ODI 10816173 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11320073 · 10 mi ON MY 2019 FLHT I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY COUNTER STEER TO THE RIGHT TO MAKE THE BIKE GO IN A STRAIGHT LINE ON A STRAIGHT ROAD ON A CALM DAY WITH NO WIND, (BIKE STEERS TO THE LEFT AT ALL TIMES) AFTER TAKING THE BIKE TO TWO DEALERS ONE OF WHICH I BOUGHT IT FROM THEY BOTH CLAIM AFTER TESTING IT THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT,I FOUND OUT MYSELF THAT THE REAR FORK(SWINGARM) IS TWISTED AND I BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION ,THEY REFUSED TO CHECK IT,SO WHEN I GOT INTOUCH WITH THE HARLEY DAVIDSON COMPANY THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE GOING BY THEIR DE… Look up ODI 11320073 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	Too few reports for a range	6,425 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10515476 · 12,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A SLIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOBBLED FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. TR Look up ODI 10515476 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11340763 · 850 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THAT THE MOTORCYCLE SWING ARM WAS FACTORY TWISTED AND THE FRAME WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT WHILE RIDING. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING NECK AND STEERING HEAD WERE NOT IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE BACKBONE OF THE FRAME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS NOT CENTERED. THE MOTOR CYCLE WAS TAKEN TO NEW ORLEANS HARLEY DAVIDSON (6015 AIRLINE DRIVE METAIRIE LA, 70003, [phone removed] FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFOR… Look up ODI 11340763 at NHTSA ↗
Wheels	Too few reports for a range	7,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 11129326 · 7,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FRONT TIRE DEFLATED AND THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR WARNING INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000. Look up ODI 11129326 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10476718 · 22,000 mi AT AROUND 20,000 MILES I TOOK MY MOTORCYCLE IN TO HAVE THE TIRES CHANGED AND THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE BAD AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL BEARING. A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED ON ME IN MONTANA, I AM FROM WASHINGTON STATE, ON THE FREEWAY AND I ALMOST CRASHED, I COULD HAVE DIED RIGHT THERE BUT LUCKILY I WAS NOT IN A TURN AND MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. A DEALERSHIP IN MONTANA TRAILERED MY MOTORCYCLE IN AND REPLACE THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. NOW AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES I TOOK THE MOTORCYCL… Look up ODI 10476718 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11338882 · 100 mi TRACKING NUMBER 11320073,I HAVE NOT HEARD ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING MY CASE,I WOULD LIKE TI KNOW WHAT THE NHTSA ARE DOING ABOUT MY UNSAFE BIKE,THANK YOU [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC Look up ODI 11338882 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Ignition	Too few reports for a range	3,100 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10186353 · 3,100 mi ON 3/27/07 I UNLOCKED MY 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE AND BACKED OUT OF MY GARAGE. BACKING OUT REQUIRES ME TO TURN THE HANDLE BARS TO THE RIGHT. ONCE OUT OF THE GARAGE I TURNED THE FORKS TO THE LEFT TO HEAD TO THE STREET, AT A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 7 FEET IN TO MY LEFT TURN THE FRONT FORK/IGNITION LOCK MOVED TO THE LOCKED" POSTION. THIS CAUSED A SLOW SPEED CRASH. THE BIKE WAS DAMAGED, AND I HAVE A BROKEN FINGER THAT WILL REQUIRE ADDITIONAL TREATMENT. ALL CRASH BARS DAMAGED ON BIKE.*AK Look up ODI 10186353 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

2021: 0 complaints · 2022: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2021	0	0	0
2022	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2021	0	0	0
2022	0	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	Electrical System:Ignition:Switch	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Service Brakes	Power Train	Unknown Or Other	Suspension	Wheels	Electrical System:Ignition
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Service Brakes	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Power Train	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Unknown Or Other	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Suspension	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Wheels	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Electrical System:Ignition	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

3 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

3 mentions · 4.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 29,934 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 11075665 · 56,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE FLHT. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TIMMS HARLEY-DAVIDSON (4110 CLEMSON BLVD, ANDERSON, SC 29621, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…

Look up ODI 11075665 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10883606 · 22,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE HANDLE WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

Look up ODI 10883606 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10888622 · 29,934 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT ELECTRA GLIDE. WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE16009 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,934.

Look up ODI 10888622 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

3 mentions · 4.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 9,600 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 825235

Look up ODI 825235 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10021505 · 1,200 mi

Look up ODI 10021505 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10482185 · 18,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE FLHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE MOTORCYCLE LOST POWER AND THE RPM DROPPED TO 1,000. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY BUT IT BEGAN TO DO SO MORE FREQUENTLY. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL ACTUATOR FAILED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 23,000.

Look up ODI 10482185 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Battery drain and no-start mentions

1 mentions · 1.5% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 825344

MOTORCYCLE WOULD NOT START. TOOK MOTORCYCLE TO DEALERSHIP & IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NO CRASH OR INJURIES. 1997 FLHTCUI BROUGHT JAN 1997, READ IT IN MCN. *AK

Look up ODI 825344 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule