U.S. public vehicle records

Harley-Davidson FXDL problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

33 owner complaints analyzed

10 distinct recall campaigns

5,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1999 to 2016 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 19 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 33 complaints (15.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	5	15.2%
Electrical and battery issues	3	9.1%
Fuel system concerns	3	9.1%
Transmission and shifting	1	3.0%
Engine operation	1	3.0%
Steering behavior	1	3.0%

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

Engine

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Power Train:Manual Transmission

Engine And Engine Cooling

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

Fuel System, Gasoline

Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Electrical System	5
Engine	3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	3
Power Train:Manual Transmission	3
Engine And Engine Cooling	2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	2
Fuel System, Gasoline	2
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System	2

Electrical System: 5; Engine: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System: 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: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 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 (16). 14 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.

1999

2001

2002

2003

2004

2006

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2020

1999: 1; 2001: 5; 2002: 1; 2003: 4; 2004: 2; 2006: 1; 2008: 5; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 4; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2020: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 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 8017508 · 2002-08-29 (August 29, 2002)

TURNING SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT WIRING IS IN WAY OF REAR WHEEL,WIRE COULD BE CUT AND RESULT IN VEHICLE FAILURE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8017508 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10461313 · 2012-06-12 (June 12, 2012)

WHEN RIDING THE BIKE ON THE ROAD IT DIES AT RANDOM SPEEDS AND ROAD CONDITIONS, I AM ABLE TO RESTART AFTER CYCLING THE OFF/ON START SWITCH. WHEN BIKE DIES IT APPEARS THAT ALL POWER IS LOST INCLUDING HEADLIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, DASH AND SIGNAL LIGHTS, ONCE RECYCLING THE SWITCHES BIKE REFIRES AND IS ABLE TO CONTINUE UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN, SOMETIMES IT OCCURS THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN TWO MILES, SOMETIMES IT WONT HAPPEN IN 70 MILES, IT APPEARS THAT IT CAN RUN IN A STATIONARY POSITION WITHOUT THE PROBLEM OCCURRING. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES …

Owner-reported narrative. 2,875 miles reported. Look up ODI 10461313 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10543448 · 2013-09-13 (September 13, 2013)

APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, GEARING DOWN TO STOP, THE IDLE CONTINUED ABOVE 3000RPM. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE BIKE STARTED EATING THE BATTERY. NOW, WHEN IT HAPPENS, I KNOW TO GET IT HOME TO THE BATTERY TENDER ASAP. THREE TIMES THE HD MECHANICS CHARGE THE BATTERY AND THEN, "CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG". I HAD TO FIRE OLD GLORY HD IN LAUREL, MD. LOOKING FOR A REAL MECHANIC HERE IN FLORIDA. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 4,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10543448 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10165580 · 2006-08-15 (August 15, 2006)

MY HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE STALLED OUT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE LATER BEING THE DATE OF INDICANT. THE STALL WAS CAUSED BY THE SEPARATION OF THE LINING ON THE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. SMALL PIECES OF THIS LINING GOT INTO THE CARBURETOR AND CUT OFF THE FUEL SUPPLY FROM GETTING THROUGH THE PRIMARY AND SCENERY JETS. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 22,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165580 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10232008 · 2008-06-23 (June 23, 2008)

2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE W/3,893 MILES. ON SUNDAY, JUNE 15TH ABOUT 40 MILES FROM HOME MY BIKE STARTED JERKING AROUND AND ACTING AS IF I SLAMMED THE BRAKES ON. I COULD TELL IT WAS A FUEL ISSUE OF SOME SORT. WITH HELP FROM FRIENDS AND 3 HOURS LATER WE MANAGED TO LIMP IT HOME BY SHUTTING IT DOWN AND REFIRING WHEN IT WAS STARVING FOR FUEL. THE DEFECTIVE PART IS THE FUEL FILTER BRACKET THAT HAS PLASTIC TABS THAT BREAK. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WITH BRACKETS ON ALL 2008 TOURING BIKES WHICH HAVE THE 6 GALLON FUEL TANK. MY BIKE IS STILL…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,893 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232008 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10029599 · 2003-07-10 (July 10, 2003)

PROBLEMS WITH DYNA LOW RIDER.*MR WHILE DRIVING BIKE AT 55 TO 60 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE VIBRATED SO BAD IT PUT THE CONSUMER HANDS TO SLEEP. THE SHOCKS BOTTOMED OUT WHEN GOING OVER LITTLE BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION MADE A NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. *TS. THERE WAS ALSO A RATTLE IN THE MOTOR WHEN FIRST STARTED FOR 5-10 MINUTES, BUT CEASED WHEN THE MOTOR BECAME HOT, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHEN THERE WAS 2 GALLONS OF GAS LEFT. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029599 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10897310 · 2016-08-20 (August 20, 2016)

I JUST PURCHASE A 1999 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXDL FROM SMOKEY MOUNTAIN HARLEY DAVIDSON. ON MY WAY TO WORK DOING ABOUT 70MPH I EXPERIENCED A HIGH SPEED "WOBBLE" ON THE BIKE CAUSING A IMMEDIATE LOSS OF CONTROL AND MANUVERABILITY OF THE MOTORCYCLE. I HAD TO SLOWLY REDUCE SPEED AND TRY WITH WHAT LITTLE STEERING TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT ALMOST MADE ME CRASH THE MOTORCYCLE BECAUSE I WASNT PERPARED OR EXPECTING IT TO HAPPEN OR HAD ANY KNOWLEDGE THE BIKE WAS DEFECTIVE. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED SMHD AND EXPLAINED TO THEM THE PROBLE AND DROPPED …

Owner-reported narrative. 29,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10897310 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.

2000

2001

2003

2004

2006

2007

2008

2009

2014

2015

2016

2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2003: 1; 2004: 0; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 1

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Harley-Davidson FXDL model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1999	3	2	Not available
2000	3	0	-2
2001	3	0	0
2003	7	1	Not available
2004	1	0	-1
2006	0	1	Not available
2007	1	1	0
2008	6	1	0
2009	5	2	+1
2014	3	2	Not available
2015	0	1	-1
2016	1	1	0

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

57.6%Usable mileage19 / 33 records

81.8%Valid incident date27 / 33 records

100.0%Valid filing date33 / 33 records

81.8%Ordered incident and filing dates27 / 33 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	2003	2004	2006	2007	2008	2009	2014	2015	2016
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10461313 · 2,875 mi WHEN RIDING THE BIKE ON THE ROAD IT DIES AT RANDOM SPEEDS AND ROAD CONDITIONS, I AM ABLE TO RESTART AFTER CYCLING THE OFF/ON START SWITCH. WHEN BIKE DIES IT APPEARS THAT ALL POWER IS LOST INCLUDING HEADLIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, DASH AND SIGNAL LIGHTS, ONCE RECYCLING THE SWITCHES BIKE REFIRES AND IS ABLE TO CONTINUE UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN, SOMETIMES IT OCCURS THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN TWO MILES, SOMETIMES IT WONT HAPPEN IN 70 MILES, IT APPEARS THAT IT CAN RUN IN A STATIONARY POSITION WITHOUT THE PROBLEM OCCURRING. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES … Look up ODI 10461313 at NHTSA ↗	233.3% ODI 10246545 · 2,371 mi 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE, WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF ON IT'S OWN, HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES, DEALER AND HARLEY ARE OF NO ASSISTANCE IN RECTIFYING THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE! PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND MOST RECENT DATE, HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE DAY! *TR Look up ODI 10246545 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	266.7% ODI 10894383 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V283000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. Look up ODI 10894383 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10461313 · 2,875 mi WHEN RIDING THE BIKE ON THE ROAD IT DIES AT RANDOM SPEEDS AND ROAD CONDITIONS, I AM ABLE TO RESTART AFTER CYCLING THE OFF/ON START SWITCH. WHEN BIKE DIES IT APPEARS THAT ALL POWER IS LOST INCLUDING HEADLIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, DASH AND SIGNAL LIGHTS, ONCE RECYCLING THE SWITCHES BIKE REFIRES AND IS ABLE TO CONTINUE UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN, SOMETIMES IT OCCURS THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN TWO MILES, SOMETIMES IT WONT HAPPEN IN 70 MILES, IT APPEARS THAT IT CAN RUN IN A STATIONARY POSITION WITHOUT THE PROBLEM OCCURRING. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES … Look up ODI 10461313 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 11006265 · 12,200 mi WHILE RIDING THE BIKE SHUTS DOWN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON. THE SHUT OFF LASTS A FEW SECONDS AND THEN THE BIKE TURNS BACK ON. ON A COUPLE OF OCCASSIONS THE BIKE ALSO HAD A SURGE OF UNWANTED REVVING AND ACCELERATION AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL. THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BROKEN AT LEAST 3 TIMES AND HAS BEEN REPLACED BY HARLEY. THE MOST RECENT REPLACEMENT WAS ROUGHLY 1 MONTH BEFORE THIS IGNITION FAILURE OCCURRED. Look up ODI 11006265 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	228.6% ODI 10029599 PROBLEMS WITH DYNA LOW RIDER.MR WHILE DRIVING BIKE AT 55 TO 60 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE VIBRATED SO BAD IT PUT THE CONSUMER HANDS TO SLEEP. THE SHOCKS BOTTOMED OUT WHEN GOING OVER LITTLE BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION MADE A NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. TS. THERE WAS ALSO A RATTLE IN THE MOTOR WHEN FIRST STARTED FOR 5-10 MINUTES, BUT CEASED WHEN THE MOTOR BECAME HOT, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHEN THERE WAS 2 GALLONS OF GAS LEFT. *JB Look up ODI 10029599 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable 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.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Manual Transmission	228.6% ODI 10029599 PROBLEMS WITH DYNA LOW RIDER.MR WHILE DRIVING BIKE AT 55 TO 60 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE VIBRATED SO BAD IT PUT THE CONSUMER HANDS TO SLEEP. THE SHOCKS BOTTOMED OUT WHEN GOING OVER LITTLE BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION MADE A NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. TS. THERE WAS ALSO A RATTLE IN THE MOTOR WHEN FIRST STARTED FOR 5-10 MINUTES, BUT CEASED WHEN THE MOTOR BECAME HOT, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHEN THERE WAS 2 GALLONS OF GAS LEFT. *JB Look up ODI 10029599 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable 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.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10245200 · 5,000 mi POOR CRANKSHAFT DESIGN AND EXCESSIVE TOLERANCES ON ALL HD MOTORS FROM 99 TO PRESENT ON TWIN CAM ENGINES. *TR Look up ODI 10245200 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 10226769 · 11 mi UNCONTROLLABLE IDLE, HARLEY DAVIDSON FLY BY WIRE THROTTLE. IDLE INTERMITTENTLY WILL GO ABOVE 1800 RPM. A FACTORY KNOWN ISSUE WITH NO PERMANENT REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. I JUST BOUGHT A NEW HARLEY AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS 2 TIMES BOTH TIMES THE DEALER EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AS WELL..SAID IT WAS FIXED AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. ONLY FOR THE HIGH RPM ISSUE TO RETURN. CALLED HARLEY TECHLINE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THEY ARE WORKING ON IT.. AND HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS PROBLEM SINCE JULY OF 07 WITH NO IDEA HOW TO RESOLVE IT. PROBL… Look up ODI 10226769 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable 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.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	233.3% ODI 10232008 · 3,893 mi 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE W/3,893 MILES. ON SUNDAY, JUNE 15TH ABOUT 40 MILES FROM HOME MY BIKE STARTED JERKING AROUND AND ACTING AS IF I SLAMMED THE BRAKES ON. I COULD TELL IT WAS A FUEL ISSUE OF SOME SORT. WITH HELP FROM FRIENDS AND 3 HOURS LATER WE MANAGED TO LIMP IT HOME BY SHUTTING IT DOWN AND REFIRING WHEN IT WAS STARVING FOR FUEL. THE DEFECTIVE PART IS THE FUEL FILTER BRACKET THAT HAS PLASTIC TABS THAT BREAK. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WITH BRACKETS ON ALL 2008 TOURING BIKES WHICH HAVE THE 6 GALLON FUEL TANK. MY BIKE IS STILL… Look up ODI 10232008 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System	114.3% ODI 10029599 PROBLEMS WITH DYNA LOW RIDER.MR WHILE DRIVING BIKE AT 55 TO 60 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE VIBRATED SO BAD IT PUT THE CONSUMER HANDS TO SLEEP. THE SHOCKS BOTTOMED OUT WHEN GOING OVER LITTLE BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION MADE A NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. TS. THERE WAS ALSO A RATTLE IN THE MOTOR WHEN FIRST STARTED FOR 5-10 MINUTES, BUT CEASED WHEN THE MOTOR BECAME HOT, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHEN THERE WAS 2 GALLONS OF GAS LEFT. *JB Look up ODI 10029599 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable 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.	0Unavailable 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
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	3,538 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10461313 · 2,875 mi WHEN RIDING THE BIKE ON THE ROAD IT DIES AT RANDOM SPEEDS AND ROAD CONDITIONS, I AM ABLE TO RESTART AFTER CYCLING THE OFF/ON START SWITCH. WHEN BIKE DIES IT APPEARS THAT ALL POWER IS LOST INCLUDING HEADLIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, DASH AND SIGNAL LIGHTS, ONCE RECYCLING THE SWITCHES BIKE REFIRES AND IS ABLE TO CONTINUE UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN, SOMETIMES IT OCCURS THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN TWO MILES, SOMETIMES IT WONT HAPPEN IN 70 MILES, IT APPEARS THAT IT CAN RUN IN A STATIONARY POSITION WITHOUT THE PROBLEM OCCURRING. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES … Look up ODI 10461313 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10246545 · 2,371 mi 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE, WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF ON IT'S OWN, HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES, DEALER AND HARLEY ARE OF NO ASSISTANCE IN RECTIFYING THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE! PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND MOST RECENT DATE, HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE DAY! TR Look up ODI 10246545 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10543448 · 4,200 mi APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, GEARING DOWN TO STOP, THE IDLE CONTINUED ABOVE 3000RPM. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE BIKE STARTED EATING THE BATTERY. NOW, WHEN IT HAPPENS, I KNOW TO GET IT HOME TO THE BATTERY TENDER ASAP. THREE TIMES THE HD MECHANICS CHARGE THE BATTERY AND THEN, "CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG". I HAD TO FIRE OLD GLORY HD IN LAUREL, MD. LOOKING FOR A REAL MECHANIC HERE IN FLORIDA. TR Look up ODI 10543448 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	Too few reports for a range	12,200 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10897310 · 29,800 mi I JUST PURCHASE A 1999 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXDL FROM SMOKEY MOUNTAIN HARLEY DAVIDSON. ON MY WAY TO WORK DOING ABOUT 70MPH I EXPERIENCED A HIGH SPEED "WOBBLE" ON THE BIKE CAUSING A IMMEDIATE LOSS OF CONTROL AND MANUVERABILITY OF THE MOTORCYCLE. I HAD TO SLOWLY REDUCE SPEED AND TRY WITH WHAT LITTLE STEERING TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT ALMOST MADE ME CRASH THE MOTORCYCLE BECAUSE I WASNT PERPARED OR EXPECTING IT TO HAPPEN OR HAD ANY KNOWLEDGE THE BIKE WAS DEFECTIVE. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED SMHD AND EXPLAINED TO THEM THE PROBLE AND DROPPED … Look up ODI 10897310 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10461313 · 2,875 mi WHEN RIDING THE BIKE ON THE ROAD IT DIES AT RANDOM SPEEDS AND ROAD CONDITIONS, I AM ABLE TO RESTART AFTER CYCLING THE OFF/ON START SWITCH. WHEN BIKE DIES IT APPEARS THAT ALL POWER IS LOST INCLUDING HEADLIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, DASH AND SIGNAL LIGHTS, ONCE RECYCLING THE SWITCHES BIKE REFIRES AND IS ABLE TO CONTINUE UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN, SOMETIMES IT OCCURS THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN TWO MILES, SOMETIMES IT WONT HAPPEN IN 70 MILES, IT APPEARS THAT IT CAN RUN IN A STATIONARY POSITION WITHOUT THE PROBLEM OCCURRING. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES … Look up ODI 10461313 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11006265 · 12,200 mi WHILE RIDING THE BIKE SHUTS DOWN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON. THE SHUT OFF LASTS A FEW SECONDS AND THEN THE BIKE TURNS BACK ON. ON A COUPLE OF OCCASSIONS THE BIKE ALSO HAD A SURGE OF UNWANTED REVVING AND ACCELERATION AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL. THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BROKEN AT LEAST 3 TIMES AND HAS BEEN REPLACED BY HARLEY. THE MOST RECENT REPLACEMENT WAS ROUGHLY 1 MONTH BEFORE THIS IGNITION FAILURE OCCURRED. Look up ODI 11006265 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	58,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10398537 · 58,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON DYNA GLIDE FXDL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE HAD AN UNUSUAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TWIN CAM CHAIN TENSIONER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 6/8/11 CN UPDATED 06/23/11 Look up ODI 10398537 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	2,506 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10245200 · 5,000 mi POOR CRANKSHAFT DESIGN AND EXCESSIVE TOLERANCES ON ALL HD MOTORS FROM 99 TO PRESENT ON TWIN CAM ENGINES. *TR Look up ODI 10245200 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10226769 · 11 mi UNCONTROLLABLE IDLE, HARLEY DAVIDSON FLY BY WIRE THROTTLE. IDLE INTERMITTENTLY WILL GO ABOVE 1800 RPM. A FACTORY KNOWN ISSUE WITH NO PERMANENT REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. I JUST BOUGHT A NEW HARLEY AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS 2 TIMES BOTH TIMES THE DEALER EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AS WELL..SAID IT WAS FIXED AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. ONLY FOR THE HIGH RPM ISSUE TO RETURN. CALLED HARLEY TECHLINE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THEY ARE WORKING ON IT.. AND HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS PROBLEM SINCE JULY OF 07 WITH NO IDEA HOW TO RESOLVE IT. PROBL… Look up ODI 10226769 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Too few reports for a range	1,500 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10007628 · 1,500 mi EXTENSIVE OIL LEAK FROM ENGINE Look up ODI 10007628 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline	Too few reports for a range	3,893 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10232008 · 3,893 mi 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE W/3,893 MILES. ON SUNDAY, JUNE 15TH ABOUT 40 MILES FROM HOME MY BIKE STARTED JERKING AROUND AND ACTING AS IF I SLAMMED THE BRAKES ON. I COULD TELL IT WAS A FUEL ISSUE OF SOME SORT. WITH HELP FROM FRIENDS AND 3 HOURS LATER WE MANAGED TO LIMP IT HOME BY SHUTTING IT DOWN AND REFIRING WHEN IT WAS STARVING FOR FUEL. THE DEFECTIVE PART IS THE FUEL FILTER BRACKET THAT HAS PLASTIC TABS THAT BREAK. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WITH BRACKETS ON ALL 2008 TOURING BIKES WHICH HAVE THE 6 GALLON FUEL TANK. MY BIKE IS STILL… Look up ODI 10232008 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System	Too few reports for a range	1,500 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10007628 · 1,500 mi EXTENSIVE OIL LEAK FROM ENGINE Look up ODI 10007628 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

2015: 0 complaints · 2016: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2015	0	0	0
2016	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
2015	0	0	0
2016	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	Electrical System	Engine	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Power Train:Manual Transmission	Engine And Engine Cooling	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Fuel System, Gasoline	Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System
Electrical System	—	2 ODI 10461313 · 2,875 mi WHEN RIDING THE BIKE ON THE ROAD IT DIES AT RANDOM SPEEDS AND ROAD CONDITIONS, I AM ABLE TO RESTART AFTER CYCLING THE OFF/ON START SWITCH. WHEN BIKE DIES IT APPEARS THAT ALL POWER IS LOST INCLUDING HEADLIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, DASH AND SIGNAL LIGHTS, ONCE RECYCLING THE SWITCHES BIKE REFIRES AND IS ABLE TO CONTINUE UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN, SOMETIMES IT OCCURS THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN TWO MILES, SOMETIMES IT WONT HAPPEN IN 70 MILES, IT APPEARS THAT IT CAN RUN IN A STATIONARY POSITION WITHOUT THE PROBLEM OCCURRING. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES … Look up ODI 10461313 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11006265 · 12,200 mi WHILE RIDING THE BIKE SHUTS DOWN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON. THE SHUT OFF LASTS A FEW SECONDS AND THEN THE BIKE TURNS BACK ON. ON A COUPLE OF OCCASSIONS THE BIKE ALSO HAD A SURGE OF UNWANTED REVVING AND ACCELERATION AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL. THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BROKEN AT LEAST 3 TIMES AND HAS BEEN REPLACED BY HARLEY. THE MOST RECENT REPLACEMENT WAS ROUGHLY 1 MONTH BEFORE THIS IGNITION FAILURE OCCURRED. Look up ODI 11006265 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0	0
Engine	2 ODI 10461313 · 2,875 mi WHEN RIDING THE BIKE ON THE ROAD IT DIES AT RANDOM SPEEDS AND ROAD CONDITIONS, I AM ABLE TO RESTART AFTER CYCLING THE OFF/ON START SWITCH. WHEN BIKE DIES IT APPEARS THAT ALL POWER IS LOST INCLUDING HEADLIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, DASH AND SIGNAL LIGHTS, ONCE RECYCLING THE SWITCHES BIKE REFIRES AND IS ABLE TO CONTINUE UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN, SOMETIMES IT OCCURS THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN TWO MILES, SOMETIMES IT WONT HAPPEN IN 70 MILES, IT APPEARS THAT IT CAN RUN IN A STATIONARY POSITION WITHOUT THE PROBLEM OCCURRING. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES … Look up ODI 10461313 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11006265 · 12,200 mi WHILE RIDING THE BIKE SHUTS DOWN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON. THE SHUT OFF LASTS A FEW SECONDS AND THEN THE BIKE TURNS BACK ON. ON A COUPLE OF OCCASSIONS THE BIKE ALSO HAD A SURGE OF UNWANTED REVVING AND ACCELERATION AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL. THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BROKEN AT LEAST 3 TIMES AND HAS BEEN REPLACED BY HARLEY. THE MOST RECENT REPLACEMENT WAS ROUGHLY 1 MONTH BEFORE THIS IGNITION FAILURE OCCURRED. Look up ODI 11006265 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	—	1 ODI 10029599 PROBLEMS WITH DYNA LOW RIDER.MR WHILE DRIVING BIKE AT 55 TO 60 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE VIBRATED SO BAD IT PUT THE CONSUMER HANDS TO SLEEP. THE SHOCKS BOTTOMED OUT WHEN GOING OVER LITTLE BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION MADE A NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. TS. THERE WAS ALSO A RATTLE IN THE MOTOR WHEN FIRST STARTED FOR 5-10 MINUTES, BUT CEASED WHEN THE MOTOR BECAME HOT, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHEN THERE WAS 2 GALLONS OF GAS LEFT. *JB Look up ODI 10029599 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	1 ODI 10029599 PROBLEMS WITH DYNA LOW RIDER.MR WHILE DRIVING BIKE AT 55 TO 60 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE VIBRATED SO BAD IT PUT THE CONSUMER HANDS TO SLEEP. THE SHOCKS BOTTOMED OUT WHEN GOING OVER LITTLE BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION MADE A NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. TS. THERE WAS ALSO A RATTLE IN THE MOTOR WHEN FIRST STARTED FOR 5-10 MINUTES, BUT CEASED WHEN THE MOTOR BECAME HOT, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHEN THERE WAS 2 GALLONS OF GAS LEFT. *JB Look up ODI 10029599 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Manual Transmission	0	0	1 ODI 10029599 PROBLEMS WITH DYNA LOW RIDER.MR WHILE DRIVING BIKE AT 55 TO 60 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE VIBRATED SO BAD IT PUT THE CONSUMER HANDS TO SLEEP. THE SHOCKS BOTTOMED OUT WHEN GOING OVER LITTLE BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION MADE A NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. TS. THERE WAS ALSO A RATTLE IN THE MOTOR WHEN FIRST STARTED FOR 5-10 MINUTES, BUT CEASED WHEN THE MOTOR BECAME HOT, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHEN THERE WAS 2 GALLONS OF GAS LEFT. *JB Look up ODI 10029599 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	1 ODI 10029599 PROBLEMS WITH DYNA LOW RIDER.MR WHILE DRIVING BIKE AT 55 TO 60 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE VIBRATED SO BAD IT PUT THE CONSUMER HANDS TO SLEEP. THE SHOCKS BOTTOMED OUT WHEN GOING OVER LITTLE BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION MADE A NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. TS. THERE WAS ALSO A RATTLE IN THE MOTOR WHEN FIRST STARTED FOR 5-10 MINUTES, BUT CEASED WHEN THE MOTOR BECAME HOT, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHEN THERE WAS 2 GALLONS OF GAS LEFT. *JB Look up ODI 10029599 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	1 ODI 10007628 · 1,500 mi EXTENSIVE OIL LEAK FROM ENGINE Look up ODI 10007628 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System	0	0	1 ODI 10029599 PROBLEMS WITH DYNA LOW RIDER.MR WHILE DRIVING BIKE AT 55 TO 60 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE VIBRATED SO BAD IT PUT THE CONSUMER HANDS TO SLEEP. THE SHOCKS BOTTOMED OUT WHEN GOING OVER LITTLE BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION MADE A NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. TS. THERE WAS ALSO A RATTLE IN THE MOTOR WHEN FIRST STARTED FOR 5-10 MINUTES, BUT CEASED WHEN THE MOTOR BECAME HOT, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHEN THERE WAS 2 GALLONS OF GAS LEFT. *JB Look up ODI 10029599 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10029599 PROBLEMS WITH DYNA LOW RIDER.MR WHILE DRIVING BIKE AT 55 TO 60 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE VIBRATED SO BAD IT PUT THE CONSUMER HANDS TO SLEEP. THE SHOCKS BOTTOMED OUT WHEN GOING OVER LITTLE BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION MADE A NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. TS. THERE WAS ALSO A RATTLE IN THE MOTOR WHEN FIRST STARTED FOR 5-10 MINUTES, BUT CEASED WHEN THE MOTOR BECAME HOT, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHEN THERE WAS 2 GALLONS OF GAS LEFT. *JB Look up ODI 10029599 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10007628 · 1,500 mi EXTENSIVE OIL LEAK FROM ENGINE Look up ODI 10007628 at NHTSA ↗	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.

Stalling or loss of power

3 mentions · 9.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 2,371 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10165580 · 22,850 mi

Look up ODI 10165580 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10246545 · 2,371 mi

2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE, WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF ON IT'S OWN, HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES, DEALER AND HARLEY ARE OF NO ASSISTANCE IN RECTIFYING THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE! PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND MOST RECENT DATE, HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE DAY! *TR

Look up ODI 10246545 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10648793 · 37 mi

I KNOW MY BIKE IS IN A RECALL, I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT GETTING READY FOR IT TO TURN GREEN TO MAKE MY LEFT HAND TURN ONTO A THREE LANE ROAD AND ONCE MY LIGHT TURNED GREEN I PROCEEDED TO MAKE MY LEFT HAND TURN ON TO THE THREE LANE ROAD AND I WAS GOING FINE AND THE NEXT THING I KNEW, I WAS ON THE GROUND AND THE BIKE WAS LYING BEHIND ME ON ITS SIDE. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF MY TURN. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY THEY SOLD ME THE BIKE WITH THE CURRENT RECALL ACTIVE. IF THE PROBLEM IS IN FACT WHY MY BIKE STOPPED RUNNIN…

Look up ODI 10648793 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 3.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 3,893 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10232008 · 3,893 mi

Look up ODI 10232008 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 3.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 12,200 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11006265 · 12,200 mi

WHILE RIDING THE BIKE SHUTS DOWN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON. THE SHUT OFF LASTS A FEW SECONDS AND THEN THE BIKE TURNS BACK ON. ON A COUPLE OF OCCASSIONS THE BIKE ALSO HAD A SURGE OF UNWANTED REVVING AND ACCELERATION AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL. THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BROKEN AT LEAST 3 TIMES AND HAS BEEN REPLACED BY HARLEY. THE MOST RECENT REPLACEMENT WAS ROUGHLY 1 MONTH BEFORE THIS IGNITION FAILURE OCCURRED.

Look up ODI 11006265 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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