Harley-Davidson FXBBS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 to 2024 model years. Data updated: . 0 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
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 6 complaints (83.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Braking behavior
6
100.0%
Transmission and shifting
2
33.3%
Electrical and battery issues
2
33.3%
Engine operation
1
16.7%
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.
Service Brakes
5
Electrical System
1
Engine
1
Exterior Lighting
1
Suspension
1
Unknown Or Other
1
Wheels
1
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Service Brakes
5
Electrical System
1
Engine
1
Exterior Lighting
1
Suspension
1
Unknown Or Other
1
Wheels
1
Service Brakes: 5; Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Suspension: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1; Wheels: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 6 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.
2021
1
2022
2
2023
1
2024
1
2025
1
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
2021
1
2022
2
2023
1
2024
1
2025
1
2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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.
Thank god it didn't happen while I was riding the practically new motorcycle I had less than 6 months. Something happened to the clutch cable in the transmission housing after a long group ride which could have resulted in a serious accident if it was in gear and in motion when it gave way. After a ride, I parked the motorcycle, then when ready to ride again I started the motor and grabbed the clutch lever only to have it freely move and not have any control over the clutch at all. Good thing I was not in motion or this would have created a ser…
Traveling at night on I-10 East. Near 22nd street off ramp. Banning calufornia, solo 40+ yes experienced rider on a 2022 Harley Davidson mc. Initially signed paperwork to finance vehicle at dealer in January 2022 (. Vin sticker reveals vehicle built in 2021. Anxious dealer selling it to me as a 2022 model as written all over contract. ) Multiple heavy trucks, and civilian vehicles in all directions. In the fast lane. My bike went completely and totally black off out nothing but I was able to roll pulling in the clutch started back up then went…
Traveling on Calif i10 west midnight February 2022. Approaching exit making lane changes to make exit safely. Speeds of 65 70 mph. Pushed down on rear brake of motorcycle and the pedal fell completely off of it mount and became suddenly ineffective. No back brakes able to stop the bike utilizing alternative methods and heavy engine transmission use and barely the front brakes since relying on only that tool to stop the vehicle snd i wiukd have been disasteroys if not fatal. Flew into empty cross street street banked hard right finally got vehic…
I have 2 problems that I believe are situations that could be considered safety problems, I purchased my motorcycle in November of 2024, new, from the Harley Davidson dealership in Orlando FL. and since that time I have had the bike in the shop 5 times. The problems are that the rear brakes are not working correctly it takes a tremendous amount of pressure before they will begin to slow the bike down, I was told that this is normal and that the brakes should only be 30% effective, I have that in writing from the dealership, the second problem i…
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
6 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
0.0%Usable mileage0 / 6 records
100.0%Valid incident date6 / 6 records
100.0%Valid filing date6 / 6 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates6 / 6 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.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
2021
2022
2023
2024
Service Brakes
1100.0%ODI 11434606
Thank god it didn't happen while I was riding the practically new motorcycle I had less than 6 months. Something happened to the clutch cable in the transmission housing after a long group ride which could have resulted in a serious accident if it was in gear and in motion when it gave way. After a ride, I parked the motorcycle, then when ready to ride again I started the motor and grabbed the clutch lever only to have it freely move and not have any control over the clutch at all. Good thing I was not in motion or this would have created a ser…
Traveling at night on I-10 East. Near 22nd street off ramp. Banning calufornia, solo 40+ yes experienced rider on a 2022 Harley Davidson mc. Initially signed paperwork to finance vehicle at dealer in January 2022 (. Vin sticker reveals vehicle built in 2021. Anxious dealer selling it to me as a 2022 model as written all over contract. ) Multiple heavy trucks, and civilian vehicles in all directions. In the fast lane. My bike went completely and totally black off out nothing but I was able to roll pulling in the clutch started back up then went…
Note that I had sent the following letter to Harley Davidson on 6/5/23 (referenced to HD Case #4985013). I had followed up with several phone calls and have received no definitive feedback regarding safety issue. As a follow-up, I am now submitting my safety concerns to NHTSA. Also see attached pictures. Dear Harley Davidson Customer Service: I am contacting you in regard to a potential safety issue which I experienced with my 2023 Harley Davidson Street Bob - FXBBS, VIN# [VIN removed]. When I purchased the bike, I ordered a Forward Contro…
I have 2 problems that I believe are situations that could be considered safety problems, I purchased my motorcycle in November of 2024, new, from the Harley Davidson dealership in Orlando FL. and since that time I have had the bike in the shop 5 times. The problems are that the rear brakes are not working correctly it takes a tremendous amount of pressure before they will begin to slow the bike down, I was told that this is normal and that the brakes should only be 30% effective, I have that in writing from the dealership, the second problem i…
Traveling at night on I-10 East. Near 22nd street off ramp. Banning calufornia, solo 40+ yes experienced rider on a 2022 Harley Davidson mc. Initially signed paperwork to finance vehicle at dealer in January 2022 (. Vin sticker reveals vehicle built in 2021. Anxious dealer selling it to me as a 2022 model as written all over contract. ) Multiple heavy trucks, and civilian vehicles in all directions. In the fast lane. My bike went completely and totally black off out nothing but I was able to roll pulling in the clutch started back up then went…
I have 2 problems that I believe are situations that could be considered safety problems, I purchased my motorcycle in November of 2024, new, from the Harley Davidson dealership in Orlando FL. and since that time I have had the bike in the shop 5 times. The problems are that the rear brakes are not working correctly it takes a tremendous amount of pressure before they will begin to slow the bike down, I was told that this is normal and that the brakes should only be 30% effective, I have that in writing from the dealership, the second problem i…
Traveling at night on I-10 East. Near 22nd street off ramp. Banning calufornia, solo 40+ yes experienced rider on a 2022 Harley Davidson mc. Initially signed paperwork to finance vehicle at dealer in January 2022 (. Vin sticker reveals vehicle built in 2021. Anxious dealer selling it to me as a 2022 model as written all over contract. ) Multiple heavy trucks, and civilian vehicles in all directions. In the fast lane. My bike went completely and totally black off out nothing but I was able to roll pulling in the clutch started back up then went…
The fork seals on the bike went bad at 5000 miles with no accident or damage to the bike. The oil inside of the fork tube is leaking onto the wheels and the brakes. The bike does not want to stop as fast. The front end of the bike dips upon a complete stop. Braking in general is compromised. If the bike does need to be stopped in an emergency the seal could blow, and dump oil all over the front of the bike, causing the bike to become near impossible to stop safely. The parts are not readily available, and an employee at Arsenal Harley Dav…
Thank god it didn't happen while I was riding the practically new motorcycle I had less than 6 months. Something happened to the clutch cable in the transmission housing after a long group ride which could have resulted in a serious accident if it was in gear and in motion when it gave way. After a ride, I parked the motorcycle, then when ready to ride again I started the motor and grabbed the clutch lever only to have it freely move and not have any control over the clutch at all. Good thing I was not in motion or this would have created a ser…
Thank god it didn't happen while I was riding the practically new motorcycle I had less than 6 months. Something happened to the clutch cable in the transmission housing after a long group ride which could have resulted in a serious accident if it was in gear and in motion when it gave way. After a ride, I parked the motorcycle, then when ready to ride again I started the motor and grabbed the clutch lever only to have it freely move and not have any control over the clutch at all. Good thing I was not in motion or this would have created a ser…
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
No usable records for this analysis.
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
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
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
1
None
ODI 11654064
I have 2 problems that I believe are situations that could be considered safety problems, I purchased my motorcycle in November of 2024, new, from the Harley Davidson dealership in Orlando FL. and since that time I have had the bike in the shop 5 times. The problems are that the rear brakes are not working correctly it takes a tremendous amount of pressure before they will begin to slow the bike down, I was told that this is normal and that the brakes should only be 30% effective, I have that in writing from the dealership, the second problem i…
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.
2022: 3 complaints · 2023: 1 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2022
2
2
3
2023
1
1
1
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2022
3
0
0
2023
1
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
Service Brakes
Electrical System
Engine
Exterior Lighting
Suspension
Unknown Or Other
Wheels
Service Brakes
—
1ODI 11486323
Traveling at night on I-10 East. Near 22nd street off ramp. Banning calufornia, solo 40+ yes experienced rider on a 2022 Harley Davidson mc. Initially signed paperwork to finance vehicle at dealer in January 2022 (. Vin sticker reveals vehicle built in 2021. Anxious dealer selling it to me as a 2022 model as written all over contract. ) Multiple heavy trucks, and civilian vehicles in all directions. In the fast lane. My bike went completely and totally black off out nothing but I was able to roll pulling in the clutch started back up then went…
I have 2 problems that I believe are situations that could be considered safety problems, I purchased my motorcycle in November of 2024, new, from the Harley Davidson dealership in Orlando FL. and since that time I have had the bike in the shop 5 times. The problems are that the rear brakes are not working correctly it takes a tremendous amount of pressure before they will begin to slow the bike down, I was told that this is normal and that the brakes should only be 30% effective, I have that in writing from the dealership, the second problem i…
Traveling at night on I-10 East. Near 22nd street off ramp. Banning calufornia, solo 40+ yes experienced rider on a 2022 Harley Davidson mc. Initially signed paperwork to finance vehicle at dealer in January 2022 (. Vin sticker reveals vehicle built in 2021. Anxious dealer selling it to me as a 2022 model as written all over contract. ) Multiple heavy trucks, and civilian vehicles in all directions. In the fast lane. My bike went completely and totally black off out nothing but I was able to roll pulling in the clutch started back up then went…
Thank god it didn't happen while I was riding the practically new motorcycle I had less than 6 months. Something happened to the clutch cable in the transmission housing after a long group ride which could have resulted in a serious accident if it was in gear and in motion when it gave way. After a ride, I parked the motorcycle, then when ready to ride again I started the motor and grabbed the clutch lever only to have it freely move and not have any control over the clutch at all. Good thing I was not in motion or this would have created a ser…
Thank god it didn't happen while I was riding the practically new motorcycle I had less than 6 months. Something happened to the clutch cable in the transmission housing after a long group ride which could have resulted in a serious accident if it was in gear and in motion when it gave way. After a ride, I parked the motorcycle, then when ready to ride again I started the motor and grabbed the clutch lever only to have it freely move and not have any control over the clutch at all. Good thing I was not in motion or this would have created a ser…
Traveling at night on I-10 East. Near 22nd street off ramp. Banning calufornia, solo 40+ yes experienced rider on a 2022 Harley Davidson mc. Initially signed paperwork to finance vehicle at dealer in January 2022 (. Vin sticker reveals vehicle built in 2021. Anxious dealer selling it to me as a 2022 model as written all over contract. ) Multiple heavy trucks, and civilian vehicles in all directions. In the fast lane. My bike went completely and totally black off out nothing but I was able to roll pulling in the clutch started back up then went…
Traveling at night on I-10 East. Near 22nd street off ramp. Banning calufornia, solo 40+ yes experienced rider on a 2022 Harley Davidson mc. Initially signed paperwork to finance vehicle at dealer in January 2022 (. Vin sticker reveals vehicle built in 2021. Anxious dealer selling it to me as a 2022 model as written all over contract. ) Multiple heavy trucks, and civilian vehicles in all directions. In the fast lane. My bike went completely and totally black off out nothing but I was able to roll pulling in the clutch started back up then went…
I have 2 problems that I believe are situations that could be considered safety problems, I purchased my motorcycle in November of 2024, new, from the Harley Davidson dealership in Orlando FL. and since that time I have had the bike in the shop 5 times. The problems are that the rear brakes are not working correctly it takes a tremendous amount of pressure before they will begin to slow the bike down, I was told that this is normal and that the brakes should only be 30% effective, I have that in writing from the dealership, the second problem i…
Traveling at night on I-10 East. Near 22nd street off ramp. Banning calufornia, solo 40+ yes experienced rider on a 2022 Harley Davidson mc. Initially signed paperwork to finance vehicle at dealer in January 2022 (. Vin sticker reveals vehicle built in 2021. Anxious dealer selling it to me as a 2022 model as written all over contract. ) Multiple heavy trucks, and civilian vehicles in all directions. In the fast lane. My bike went completely and totally black off out nothing but I was able to roll pulling in the clutch started back up then went…
Traveling at night on I-10 East. Near 22nd street off ramp. Banning calufornia, solo 40+ yes experienced rider on a 2022 Harley Davidson mc. Initially signed paperwork to finance vehicle at dealer in January 2022 (. Vin sticker reveals vehicle built in 2021. Anxious dealer selling it to me as a 2022 model as written all over contract. ) Multiple heavy trucks, and civilian vehicles in all directions. In the fast lane. My bike went completely and totally black off out nothing but I was able to roll pulling in the clutch started back up then went…
Thank god it didn't happen while I was riding the practically new motorcycle I had less than 6 months. Something happened to the clutch cable in the transmission housing after a long group ride which could have resulted in a serious accident if it was in gear and in motion when it gave way. After a ride, I parked the motorcycle, then when ready to ride again I started the motor and grabbed the clutch lever only to have it freely move and not have any control over the clutch at all. Good thing I was not in motion or this would have created a ser…
Thank god it didn't happen while I was riding the practically new motorcycle I had less than 6 months. Something happened to the clutch cable in the transmission housing after a long group ride which could have resulted in a serious accident if it was in gear and in motion when it gave way. After a ride, I parked the motorcycle, then when ready to ride again I started the motor and grabbed the clutch lever only to have it freely move and not have any control over the clutch at all. Good thing I was not in motion or this would have created a ser…
Thank god it didn't happen while I was riding the practically new motorcycle I had less than 6 months. Something happened to the clutch cable in the transmission housing after a long group ride which could have resulted in a serious accident if it was in gear and in motion when it gave way. After a ride, I parked the motorcycle, then when ready to ride again I started the motor and grabbed the clutch lever only to have it freely move and not have any control over the clutch at all. Good thing I was not in motion or this would have created a ser…
Thank god it didn't happen while I was riding the practically new motorcycle I had less than 6 months. Something happened to the clutch cable in the transmission housing after a long group ride which could have resulted in a serious accident if it was in gear and in motion when it gave way. After a ride, I parked the motorcycle, then when ready to ride again I started the motor and grabbed the clutch lever only to have it freely move and not have any control over the clutch at all. Good thing I was not in motion or this would have created a ser…
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.
2 patterns with matching reports.
Brake response concerns
2 mentions · 33.3% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
ODI 11486326
Traveling on Calif i10 west midnight February 2022. Approaching exit making lane changes to make exit safely. Speeds of 65 70 mph. Pushed down on rear brake of motorcycle and the pedal fell completely off of it mount and became suddenly ineffective. No back brakes able to stop the bike utilizing alternative methods and heavy engine transmission use and barely the front brakes since relying on only that tool to stop the vehicle snd i wiukd have been disasteroys if not fatal. Flew into empty cross street street banked hard right finally got vehic…
Note that I had sent the following letter to Harley Davidson on 6/5/23 (referenced to HD Case #4985013). I had followed up with several phone calls and have received no definitive feedback regarding safety issue. As a follow-up, I am now submitting my safety concerns to NHTSA. Also see attached pictures. Dear Harley Davidson Customer Service: I am contacting you in regard to a potential safety issue which I experienced with my 2023 Harley Davidson Street Bob - FXBBS, VIN# [VIN removed]. When I purchased the bike, I ordered a Forward Contro…
I have 2 problems that I believe are situations that could be considered safety problems, I purchased my motorcycle in November of 2024, new, from the Harley Davidson dealership in Orlando FL. and since that time I have had the bike in the shop 5 times. The problems are that the rear brakes are not working correctly it takes a tremendous amount of pressure before they will begin to slow the bike down, I was told that this is normal and that the brakes should only be 30% effective, I have that in writing from the dealership, the second problem i…