2006 Harley-Davidson FXDBI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
12,508 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data updated: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 13 complaints (38.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 7.7% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 5 |
| Wheels | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 1 |
| Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Power Train: 5; Wheels: 4; Electrical System: 3; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables: 1; Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 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: 10; 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 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 3 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 5; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2016: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 10278784 · 2009-07-30 (July 30, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXD MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NEW RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE MOTORCYCLE. SHE ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE MOTORCYCLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT BOTH WHEELS LOCKED UP. SHE MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND LOOSEN UP THE FOOT BRAKES; HOWEVER, THE WHEELS WERE STILL LOCKED UP. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE LOOSE BOLTS IN THE TIRE, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS KNOWN TO HAVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,015 miles reported. Look up ODI 10278784 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
13 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
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 | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 538.5%ODI 10287282 · 13,000 miINNER PRIMARY BEARING FAILURE. HARLEY DAVIDSON DID A VOLUNTARY RECALL BACK IN 2006 AND PULLED IT BACK THE SAME YEAR. *TR |
| Wheels | 430.8%ODI 10278784 · 12,015 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXD MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NEW RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE MOTORCYCLE. SHE ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE MOTORCYCLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT BOTH WHEELS LOCKED UP. SHE MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND LOOSEN UP THE FOOT BRAKES; HOWEVER, THE WHEELS WERE STILL LOCKED UP. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE LOOSE BOLTS IN THE TIRE, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS KNOWN TO HAVE… |
| Electrical System | 323.1%ODI 102617522006 HARLEY DAVIDSON WITH BOLTS THAT COME OUT OF THE ROTOR AND LOCK UP THE STATOR AND STOP BIKE -HARLEY IS AWARE OF PROBLEM AND WILL NOT FIX- ONLY 11, 000 MILES ON BIKE. *TR |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 17.7%ODI 10205575I HAVE BEEN SENT A SECOND SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR 06V-444 HARLEY DAVIDSON 2006 FXDBI. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO A DEALER (BIGGS HARLEY DAVIDSON SAN MARCOS) AND THEY DID OTHER WORK PUT MY BIKE IN THE SHOP FOR OVER 2 WEEKS. THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO THE ABOVE MENTIONED RECALL, BUT CLAIMED THEY NEVER COULD GET THE PART FROM HARLEY. LATER I COMPLAINED TO THE BBB AND THE RESPONSE I GOT FROM THE DEALER WAS THAT SINCE I DIDN'T BUY THE BIKE THERE THAT IT WASN'T THERE FAULT. THAT I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER THAT IS 3 TIMES FURTHER AWAY FROM MY … |
| Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber | 17.7%ODI 10167577 · 2,167 miRODE MOST OF THE DAY ON A FAIRLY DESCENT HIGHWAY WITH SOME DIPS AND SOME SMALL BUMPS IN THE HIGHWAY. AFTER FINAL DESTINATION TO A RESTAURANT, NOTICED UPON INSPECTION THE UPPER PART OF THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK WAS INVERTED. CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED THE UPPER SHOCK BOLT JUST BELOW THE SEAT WAS SEPARATED IN HALF AND HANGING ON BY THE SLEEVE OF THE BOLT INSIDE THE THREADED HOLE OF THE FRAME. THIS HAD TO HAVE HAPPEN DURING MY RIDE SINCE THE SEAT HAD SOME WEAR FROM RUBBING ON THE SHOCK FASTENER SLEEVE. THE SHOCK WAS ALSO BENT AT THE TOP INDICATING IMPA… |
| Unknown Or Other | 17.7%ODI 10246191 · 15,140 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXDBI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, AFTER COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD THREE FEET UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ROLLING ON ITS OWN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS WAS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY INOPERABLE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER.… |
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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | Too few reports for a range | 10,330 mi | 4 (sparse) | ODI 10287282 · 13,000 miINNER PRIMARY BEARING FAILURE. HARLEY DAVIDSON DID A VOLUNTARY RECALL BACK IN 2006 AND PULLED IT BACK THE SAME YEAR. *TR ODI 10461465 · 5,125 miON SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2012, I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON US ROUTE 301 APPROXIMATELY .5 MILES SOUTH OF RT 4 IN MARYLAND. I WAS RIDING SOLO ON A 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET BOB AT 50 MPH. SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR DRIVE SPROCKET DETACHED FROM THE REAR WHEEL CAUSING MOMENTARY LOCK-UP OF THE REAR WHEEL AND LOSS OF CONTROL. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE FAILURE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE BOLTS ATTACHING THE REAR SPROCKET TO THE REAR WHEEL HAD BACKED OUT AND CAUGHT ON THE SWING ARM CAUSING ALL BOLTS TO SHEER AWAY FROM THE REAR TIRE HUB. THIS… ODI 10514520 · 7,659 miON 5/27/13 WHILE RIDING HOME FROM WORK I HEARD A BANG FROM THE REAR OF MY BIKE. I THEN HEARD RATTLING. I STOPPED AND FOUND THAT 3 OF THE 5 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE REAR SPROCKET ON THE HUB WERE SHEARED OFF AT THE THREADS. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME. ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME. I HAD TO REMOVED THE SHEARED BOLTS FROM INSIDE THE HUB AND REPLACED THEM WITH '6' MARK GRADE 'A' BOLTS. THESE BOLTS FAILED ON 5/27/13. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A LITTLE 'PLAY' BETWEEN THE SPACING BETWEEN THE SPROKET HOLE AND BOLT. THIS MAY BE CAUSIN… |
| Wheels | Too few reports for a range | 8,830 mi | 4 (sparse) | ODI 10278784 · 12,015 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXD MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NEW RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE MOTORCYCLE. SHE ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE MOTORCYCLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT BOTH WHEELS LOCKED UP. SHE MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND LOOSEN UP THE FOOT BRAKES; HOWEVER, THE WHEELS WERE STILL LOCKED UP. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE LOOSE BOLTS IN THE TIRE, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS KNOWN TO HAVE… ODI 10279655 · 10,000 miTHE BOLTS ON THE REAR SPROCKET OF MY 2006 FXDB HARLEY STREET BOB CAME LOOSE AND SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE REAR WHEEL TO LOCK. THERE WAS NO RESIDUE INDICATING ANY TYPE OF THREADLOCKER HAD BEEN USED. I BOUGHT THE BIKE NEW AND HAVE NEVER HAD THESE PARTS REMOVED. THIS MALFUNCTION COULD HAVE VERY EASILY RESULTED IN MY DEATH AT A HIGHER SPEED. *TR ODI 10461465 · 5,125 miON SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2012, I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON US ROUTE 301 APPROXIMATELY .5 MILES SOUTH OF RT 4 IN MARYLAND. I WAS RIDING SOLO ON A 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET BOB AT 50 MPH. SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR DRIVE SPROCKET DETACHED FROM THE REAR WHEEL CAUSING MOMENTARY LOCK-UP OF THE REAR WHEEL AND LOSS OF CONTROL. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE FAILURE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE BOLTS ATTACHING THE REAR SPROCKET TO THE REAR WHEEL HAD BACKED OUT AND CAUGHT ON THE SWING ARM CAUSING ALL BOLTS TO SHEER AWAY FROM THE REAR TIRE HUB. THIS… |
| Electrical System | Too few reports for a range | 15,500 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10287281 · 13,000 miCHARGING SYSTEM COMPLETE FAILURE. STATOR BOLTS CAME OUT AND LED TO STATOR COMING FREE DESTROYING INNER PRIMARY. *TR ODI 11121572 · 18,000 miTHE ROTOR CUP WHICH IS SECURED IS COMING APART TEARING UP THE STATER FOR THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING PARTICLES OF THE TWO UNITS FLYING AROUND IN THE PRIMARY CASE POSSIBLY CAUSING THE CHAIN TO JAM OR BREAK THE CLUTCH PACK TO JAM OR BREAK WHICH COULD SEIZE THE BIKES REAR WHEEL THE WORST CASE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND AT FREEWAY SPEED COULD BE CATASTROPHIC |
| Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber | Too few reports for a range | 2,167 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10167577 · 2,167 miRODE MOST OF THE DAY ON A FAIRLY DESCENT HIGHWAY WITH SOME DIPS AND SOME SMALL BUMPS IN THE HIGHWAY. AFTER FINAL DESTINATION TO A RESTAURANT, NOTICED UPON INSPECTION THE UPPER PART OF THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK WAS INVERTED. CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED THE UPPER SHOCK BOLT JUST BELOW THE SEAT WAS SEPARATED IN HALF AND HANGING ON BY THE SLEEVE OF THE BOLT INSIDE THE THREADED HOLE OF THE FRAME. THIS HAD TO HAVE HAPPEN DURING MY RIDE SINCE THE SEAT HAD SOME WEAR FROM RUBBING ON THE SHOCK FASTENER SLEEVE. THE SHOCK WAS ALSO BENT AT THE TOP INDICATING IMPA… |
| Unknown Or Other | Too few reports for a range | 15,140 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10246191 · 15,140 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXDBI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, AFTER COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD THREE FEET UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ROLLING ON ITS OWN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS WAS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY INOPERABLE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER.… |
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
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 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 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | 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.
2006: 4 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 13 | 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 | Power Train | Wheels | Electrical System | Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber | Unknown Or Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | — | 2ODI 10461465 · 5,125 miON SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2012, I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON US ROUTE 301 APPROXIMATELY .5 MILES SOUTH OF RT 4 IN MARYLAND. I WAS RIDING SOLO ON A 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET BOB AT 50 MPH. SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR DRIVE SPROCKET DETACHED FROM THE REAR WHEEL CAUSING MOMENTARY LOCK-UP OF THE REAR WHEEL AND LOSS OF CONTROL. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE FAILURE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE BOLTS ATTACHING THE REAR SPROCKET TO THE REAR WHEEL HAD BACKED OUT AND CAUGHT ON THE SWING ARM CAUSING ALL BOLTS TO SHEER AWAY FROM THE REAR TIRE HUB. THIS… ODI 10514520 · 7,659 miON 5/27/13 WHILE RIDING HOME FROM WORK I HEARD A BANG FROM THE REAR OF MY BIKE. I THEN HEARD RATTLING. I STOPPED AND FOUND THAT 3 OF THE 5 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE REAR SPROCKET ON THE HUB WERE SHEARED OFF AT THE THREADS. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME. ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME. I HAD TO REMOVED THE SHEARED BOLTS FROM INSIDE THE HUB AND REPLACED THEM WITH '6' MARK GRADE 'A' BOLTS. THESE BOLTS FAILED ON 5/27/13. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A LITTLE 'PLAY' BETWEEN THE SPACING BETWEEN THE SPROKET HOLE AND BOLT. THIS MAY BE CAUSIN… | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2ODI 10461465 · 5,125 miON SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2012, I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON US ROUTE 301 APPROXIMATELY .5 MILES SOUTH OF RT 4 IN MARYLAND. I WAS RIDING SOLO ON A 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET BOB AT 50 MPH. SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR DRIVE SPROCKET DETACHED FROM THE REAR WHEEL CAUSING MOMENTARY LOCK-UP OF THE REAR WHEEL AND LOSS OF CONTROL. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE FAILURE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE BOLTS ATTACHING THE REAR SPROCKET TO THE REAR WHEEL HAD BACKED OUT AND CAUGHT ON THE SWING ARM CAUSING ALL BOLTS TO SHEER AWAY FROM THE REAR TIRE HUB. THIS… ODI 10514520 · 7,659 miON 5/27/13 WHILE RIDING HOME FROM WORK I HEARD A BANG FROM THE REAR OF MY BIKE. I THEN HEARD RATTLING. I STOPPED AND FOUND THAT 3 OF THE 5 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE REAR SPROCKET ON THE HUB WERE SHEARED OFF AT THE THREADS. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME. ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME. I HAD TO REMOVED THE SHEARED BOLTS FROM INSIDE THE HUB AND REPLACED THEM WITH '6' MARK GRADE 'A' BOLTS. THESE BOLTS FAILED ON 5/27/13. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A LITTLE 'PLAY' BETWEEN THE SPACING BETWEEN THE SPROKET HOLE AND BOLT. THIS MAY BE CAUSIN… | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.