Harley-Davidson SOFT TAIL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
1,700 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 to 2009 model years. Data updated: . 21 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
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 23 complaints (26.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Fuel system concerns
5
21.7%
Braking behavior
4
17.4%
Electrical and battery issues
3
13.0%
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
6
Fuel System, Gasoline
4
Power Train
3
Engine And Engine Cooling
2
Exterior Lighting
2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2
Tires
2
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
1
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Electrical System
6
Fuel System, Gasoline
4
Power Train
3
Engine And Engine Cooling
2
Exterior Lighting
2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2
Tires
2
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
1
Electrical System: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline: 4; Power Train: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Tires: 2; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
21
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
21
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: 21; 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 (21). 2 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.
2009
5
2010
12
2011
2
2012
2
2014
2
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
2009
5
2010
12
2011
2
2012
2
2014
2
2009: 5; 2010: 12; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2014: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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.
HARLEY DAVIDSON FXSTC SOFTAIL CUSTOM 2009 FUEL CAP LEAK UNDER PRESSURE. WHENEVER FUEL TANK IS FILLED TO AT OR ABOVE THE TAB IN THE TANK FUEL IS COMING OUT UNDER PRESSURE THROUGH THE CAP AND SPRAYING ON THE RIDERS LEG AND RUNNING DOWN THE TANK DRIPPING ONTO THE ENGINE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING MY 2009 FLHSTN SOFTTAIL DELUXE ON A TWO WEEK ROAD TRIP, I EXPERIENCED LEAKAGE FROM THE GAS CAP AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES. THIS LEAKAGE CONSISTED OF SEVERAL OUNCES OF GASOLINE RUNNING DOWN THE GAS TANK AND ONTO BOTH MYSELF AND THE HOT ENGINE. THIS REQUIRED ME TO STOP THE BIKE AND CLEAN THE GAS OFF WITH RAGS OR RISK A FIRE. AFTER THE FIRST TIME, I DOUBLE CHECKED AFTER EVERY FILL UP TO ENSURE THAT I HAD TIGHTENED THE GAS CAP PROPERLY, HOWEVER THE LEAKAGE CONTINUED. AFTER THIS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TEN TIM…
2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXSTSSE3 HD OEM DUNLOP D407 TIRES SHOWING WEAR AT 5,000 MILES, LOCAL DEALER & EMAIL TO DUNLOP WOULD NOT COVER THEM. LATER, PROVIDED LOCAL DEALER SERVICE MANAGER PRINTED COPIES OF HD BULLETINS & INTERNET COMMENTS FROM HD FORUMS ON PROBLEM AND HE GOT APPROVAL TO REPLACE FRONT TIRE WITH D408 AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE IT HAD SIGNS OF CUPPING. WOULD NOT COVER REAR D407 240/40R18 TIRE EVEN THOUGH AT 6,000 MILES SHOWING EARLY WEAR. DUNLOP WEB SITE ADVERTISES THE D407 & D408 TIRES HAVE MT FOR LONGER LIFE, YET MANY 2008 - 2009 HD…
BATTERY COVER DOES NOT STAY CLOSED DURING THE OPERATION OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE COVER WILL FALL OPEN WHILE RIDING CAUSING IT TO HIT THE RIDERS LEG. ALTHOUGH THE COVER IT'S SELF DOES NOT WEIGH ENOUGH TO CAUSE INJURY, IT IS A SIGNIFICANT DISTRACTION WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL. BOTH BIKES HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIRS, UNFORTUNATELY THE REPAIR PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. CONTINUED DIFFICULTY IN GETTING THE COVER TO STAY CLOSED ON THE 08 BIKE CAUSED THE DEALER TO REMOVE THE COVER AS A TEMPORARY FIX UNTIL THE REPAI…
BATTERY COVER DOES NOT STAY CLOSED DURING THE OPERATION OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE COVER WILL FALL OPEN WHILE RIDING CAUSING IT TO HIT THE RIDERS LEG. ALTHOUGH THE COVER IT'S SELF DOES NOT WEIGH ENOUGH TO CAUSE INJURY, IT IS A SIGNIFCANT DISTRACTION WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL. BOTH BIKES HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIRS, UNFORTINATLY THE REPAIR PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. CONTINUED DIFFICULTY IN GETTING THE COVER TO STAY CLOSED ON THE 08 BIKE CAUSED THE DEALER TO REMOVE THE COVER AS A TEMPORARY FIX UNTIL THE REPAIR …
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
23 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
91.3%Usable mileage21 / 23 records
100.0%Valid incident date23 / 23 records
100.0%Valid filing date23 / 23 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates23 / 23 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
2009
Electrical System
626.1%ODI 10279212 · 1,600 mi
BATTERY COVER DOES NOT STAY CLOSED DURING THE OPERATION OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE COVER WILL FALL OPEN WHILE RIDING CAUSING IT TO HIT THE RIDERS LEG. ALTHOUGH THE COVER IT'S SELF DOES NOT WEIGH ENOUGH TO CAUSE INJURY, IT IS A SIGNIFICANT DISTRACTION WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL. BOTH BIKES HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIRS, UNFORTUNATELY THE REPAIR PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. CONTINUED DIFFICULTY IN GETTING THE COVER TO STAY CLOSED ON THE 08 BIKE CAUSED THE DEALER TO REMOVE THE COVER AS A TEMPORARY FIX UNTIL THE REPAI…
HARLEY DAVIDSON FXSTC SOFTAIL CUSTOM 2009 FUEL CAP LEAK UNDER PRESSURE. WHENEVER FUEL TANK IS FILLED TO AT OR ABOVE THE TAB IN THE TANK FUEL IS COMING OUT UNDER PRESSURE THROUGH THE CAP AND SPRAYING ON THE RIDERS LEG AND RUNNING DOWN THE TANK DRIPPING ONTO THE ENGINE. *TR
PURCHASED A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON ( NEW ) IN JUNE OF 2010. AT 1700 MILES THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE REAR SPROCKET TO THE WHEEL HAVE BACKED OUT CAUSING WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IE: REAR WHEEL LOCKING UP AT A HIGHWAY SPEED AND CAUSING A CRASH. HARLEY DAVIDSON MECHANICS STATED TO ME THIS IS NOT THE FIRST ONE THEY HAVE SEEN. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT HD HAS NOT INSTITUTED A RECALL, THEY HAVE TO BE AWARE OF PROBLEM THROUGH FEEDBACKS FROM SHOPS. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING TO MESS AROUND WITH, THIS CAN BE LIFE THREATENING, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE …
I HAVE A 2009 HARLEYDAVIDSON ULTRA THAT RUNS SO HOT IT IS SOMETIMES UNBEARABLE TO SIT ON AT LONG TRAFFIC LIGHTS. I KNOW THAT IF I HAD SHORTS ON MY RIGHT LEG WOULD GET BURNED,IT IS THAT HOT. I KNOW THAT THIS HEAT HAS TO AFFECT THE LONGEVITY OF THE MOTOR AND AFTER PAYING $20,000 FOR A MOTORCYCLE I DON'T BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO SPEND ANOTHER $2,000 TO TRY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WHILE VOIDING THE FACTORY WARRANTY. I ALSO KNOW THAT IT IS AN AIR COOLED MOTOR SINCE I HAVE TWO OTHERS A1986, AND A 1996 BOTH RUN MUCH COOLER THAN THIS 2009. I REMOVE…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFT TAIL. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNAL AND WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY ANOTHER DRIVER. THE OTHER DRIVER INFORMED HIM THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SIGNAL DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE SIGNAL AND NOTICED THAT THE INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE AND THE SIGNAL LIGHT WAS BLOWN. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE DEFECT IS UNSAFE BECAUSE WHEN THE LIGHT BULB IS BLOWN AND THE SIGNAL INDICATOR STILL ILLUMINATES, THERE IS NO WAY TO DE…
2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXSTSSE3 HD OEM DUNLOP D407 TIRES SHOWING WEAR AT 5,000 MILES, LOCAL DEALER & EMAIL TO DUNLOP WOULD NOT COVER THEM. LATER, PROVIDED LOCAL DEALER SERVICE MANAGER PRINTED COPIES OF HD BULLETINS & INTERNET COMMENTS FROM HD FORUMS ON PROBLEM AND HE GOT APPROVAL TO REPLACE FRONT TIRE WITH D408 AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE IT HAD SIGNS OF CUPPING. WOULD NOT COVER REAR D407 240/40R18 TIRE EVEN THOUGH AT 6,000 MILES SHOWING EARLY WEAR. DUNLOP WEB SITE ADVERTISES THE D407 & D408 TIRES HAVE MT FOR LONGER LIFE, YET MANY 2008 - 2009 HD…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFT TAIL. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNAL AND WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY ANOTHER DRIVER. THE OTHER DRIVER INFORMED HIM THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SIGNAL DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE SIGNAL AND NOTICED THAT THE INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE AND THE SIGNAL LIGHT WAS BLOWN. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE DEFECT IS UNSAFE BECAUSE WHEN THE LIGHT BULB IS BLOWN AND THE SIGNAL INDICATOR STILL ILLUMINATES, THERE IS NO WAY TO DE…
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
1,500–1,750 mi
1,600 mi
5
ODI 10279212 · 1,600 mi
BATTERY COVER DOES NOT STAY CLOSED DURING THE OPERATION OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE COVER WILL FALL OPEN WHILE RIDING CAUSING IT TO HIT THE RIDERS LEG. ALTHOUGH THE COVER IT'S SELF DOES NOT WEIGH ENOUGH TO CAUSE INJURY, IT IS A SIGNIFICANT DISTRACTION WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL. BOTH BIKES HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIRS, UNFORTUNATELY THE REPAIR PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. CONTINUED DIFFICULTY IN GETTING THE COVER TO STAY CLOSED ON THE 08 BIKE CAUSED THE DEALER TO REMOVE THE COVER AS A TEMPORARY FIX UNTIL THE REPAI…
BATTERY COVER DOES NOT STAY CLOSED DURING THE OPERATION OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE COVER WILL FALL OPEN WHILE RIDING CAUSING IT TO HIT THE RIDERS LEG. ALTHOUGH THE COVER IT'S SELF DOES NOT WEIGH ENOUGH TO CAUSE INJURY, IT IS A SIGNIFCANT DISTRACTION WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL. BOTH BIKES HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIRS, UNFORTINATLY THE REPAIR PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. CONTINUED DIFFICULTY IN GETTING THE COVER TO STAY CLOSED ON THE 08 BIKE CAUSED THE DEALER TO REMOVE THE COVER AS A TEMPORARY FIX UNTIL THE REPAIR …
2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON VRSC V-ROD MUSCLE. HAVE BEEN READING OF NUMEROUS MUSCLES GOING DEAD FROM AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE TO INCLUDE ISSUES WITH GAS GAUGE FAILING. I RECENTLY PURCHASED NEW 2009 MUSCLE APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS AGO, AND JUST HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME TONIGHT. BIKE STARTED AND THEN IMMEDIATELY WENT DEAD AS I STARTED TO PULL AWAY. BIKE HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY HOME AND IS AWAITING DEALERSHIP PICK-UP. THIS CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND CAUSE A CRASH, AND AT VERY LEAST LEAVE ONE STRANDED IN A VERY UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT. *TR
HARLEY DAVIDSON FXSTC SOFTAIL CUSTOM 2009 FUEL CAP LEAK UNDER PRESSURE. WHENEVER FUEL TANK IS FILLED TO AT OR ABOVE THE TAB IN THE TANK FUEL IS COMING OUT UNDER PRESSURE THROUGH THE CAP AND SPRAYING ON THE RIDERS LEG AND RUNNING DOWN THE TANK DRIPPING ONTO THE ENGINE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING MY 2009 FLHSTN SOFTTAIL DELUXE ON A TWO WEEK ROAD TRIP, I EXPERIENCED LEAKAGE FROM THE GAS CAP AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES. THIS LEAKAGE CONSISTED OF SEVERAL OUNCES OF GASOLINE RUNNING DOWN THE GAS TANK AND ONTO BOTH MYSELF AND THE HOT ENGINE. THIS REQUIRED ME TO STOP THE BIKE AND CLEAN THE GAS OFF WITH RAGS OR RISK A FIRE. AFTER THE FIRST TIME, I DOUBLE CHECKED AFTER EVERY FILL UP TO ENSURE THAT I HAD TIGHTENED THE GAS CAP PROPERLY, HOWEVER THE LEAKAGE CONTINUED. AFTER THIS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TEN TIM…
2009 HARLEY DELUXE GAS CAP UNDER PRESSURE SPRAYS FUEL ONTO THE GAS TANK ENGINE AND RIDER. IF BIKE IS TIPPED ON ITS SIDE GAS LEAKS FROM GAS CAP. WE TOOK THIS TO A DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY. PROBLEM STILL EXIST. WE WILL TAKE IT BACK TOMORROW. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
PURCHASED A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON ( NEW ) IN JUNE OF 2010. AT 1700 MILES THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE REAR SPROCKET TO THE WHEEL HAVE BACKED OUT CAUSING WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IE: REAR WHEEL LOCKING UP AT A HIGHWAY SPEED AND CAUSING A CRASH. HARLEY DAVIDSON MECHANICS STATED TO ME THIS IS NOT THE FIRST ONE THEY HAVE SEEN. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT HD HAS NOT INSTITUTED A RECALL, THEY HAVE TO BE AWARE OF PROBLEM THROUGH FEEDBACKS FROM SHOPS. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING TO MESS AROUND WITH, THIS CAN BE LIFE THREATENING, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE …
HARLEY DAVIDSON 2009 FLHTCU (PLACED HERE AS VEHICLE SECTION ONLY LISTS 5 MODELS AND NOT THIS ONE) AUDIBLE LOUD KNOCK COMING FROM THE PRIMARY CHAIN CASE ON EACH ENGINE STARTUP. KNOCK APPEARS TO ORIGINATE FROM THE COMPENSATOR SPROCKET ASSEMBLY WHICH CUSHIONS THE DRIVE SIDE CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET AND THE PRIMARY DRIVE ASSEMBLY WHEN STRIKING EACH OTHER AT ENGINE STARTUP. MANY COMPENSATOR SPROCKET ASSEMBLIES HAVE BEEN FOUND IN FAILURE MODE AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH A MORE ROBUST UNIT (FACTORY INSTALLED ON 2010 AND LATER MODELS) UNDER WARRANTY…
CLUTCH LEVER SEEMED FAR TO REACH, TOOK IN FOR INSPECTION AND/OR POSSIBLE ADJUSTMENT. CAME BACK WITH CLUTCH LEVER STICKING OR RATCHETING, NO LONGER SMOOTH TO OPERATE. THIS MADE IT VERY HARD TO OPERATE IN THE FRICTION ZONE NEEDED FOR SLOW OPERATION AND TURNING AROUND. CLUTCH WOULD POP AND JUMP FORWARD ALMOST CAUSING TO FALL OVER MANY TIMES. TOOK IN FOR REPAIR.....LUBED AND GROUND OUT THE INSIDE OF WEAR AREA ON LEVER AND UNIT THAT THE CLUTCH CABLE COMES INTO. WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD WEAR DOWN IN TIME AND BECOME SMOOTH, THAT THIS IS TYPICAL OF THIS…
MOTORCYCLE DIED IN INTERSECTION. WHEN I WENT TO RESTART IT, IT TOOK SEVERAL TRIES AND EACH TIME I TRIED I GOT A GRINDING NOISE. FINALLY STARTED BUT LIGHT HAD ALREADY TURNED AND I WAS IN INTERSECTION PAST RED. THIS HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN MOTOR IS WARMED UP. STARTER? COMPENSATOR? I HAVE READ ON LINE THE BIKES OF THAT TIME PERIOD HAVE THIS PROBLEM. COULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY A CAR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFT TAIL. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNAL AND WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY ANOTHER DRIVER. THE OTHER DRIVER INFORMED HIM THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SIGNAL DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE SIGNAL AND NOTICED THAT THE INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE AND THE SIGNAL LIGHT WAS BLOWN. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE DEFECT IS UNSAFE BECAUSE WHEN THE LIGHT BULB IS BLOWN AND THE SIGNAL INDICATOR STILL ILLUMINATES, THERE IS NO WAY TO DE…
2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXSTSSE3 HD OEM DUNLOP D407 TIRES SHOWING WEAR AT 5,000 MILES, LOCAL DEALER & EMAIL TO DUNLOP WOULD NOT COVER THEM. LATER, PROVIDED LOCAL DEALER SERVICE MANAGER PRINTED COPIES OF HD BULLETINS & INTERNET COMMENTS FROM HD FORUMS ON PROBLEM AND HE GOT APPROVAL TO REPLACE FRONT TIRE WITH D408 AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE IT HAD SIGNS OF CUPPING. WOULD NOT COVER REAR D407 240/40R18 TIRE EVEN THOUGH AT 6,000 MILES SHOWING EARLY WEAR. DUNLOP WEB SITE ADVERTISES THE D407 & D408 TIRES HAVE MT FOR LONGER LIFE, YET MANY 2008 - 2009 HD…
I OWN A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL CUSTOM FXSTC WITH 5,800 MILES ON IT AND THE FRONT TIRE IS SHOWING NOTABLE CUPPING AND EXCESSIVE WEAR. THIS MODEL OF TIRE DUNLOP D407F IS NO LONGER BEING SOLD AND IS SUPERSEDED BY THE D408F. SERVICE BULLETIN M-1258A COVERS OTHER HARLEY MODELS WITH A SIMILAR TIRE AND ISSUE. SINCE A MOTORCYCLE ONLY HAS TWO WHEELS THE CUPPING AND PREMATURE WEAR ARE A HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS A SAFETY CONCERN. REPORTED AS CASE #[XXX] TO HARLEY DAVIDSON. THIS ISSUE IS MENTIONED ON SEVERAL HARLEY DAVIDSON RIDER FORUMS. …
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFT TAIL. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNAL AND WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY ANOTHER DRIVER. THE OTHER DRIVER INFORMED HIM THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SIGNAL DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE SIGNAL AND NOTICED THAT THE INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE AND THE SIGNAL LIGHT WAS BLOWN. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE DEFECT IS UNSAFE BECAUSE WHEN THE LIGHT BULB IS BLOWN AND THE SIGNAL INDICATOR STILL ILLUMINATES, THERE IS NO WAY TO DE…
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
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
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (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.
2009: 21 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2009
8
18
21
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2009
23
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
Fuel System, Gasoline
Power Train
Engine And Engine Cooling
Exterior Lighting
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Tires
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
Electrical System
—
0
0
0
1ODI 10394163 · 1,750 mi
TURN SIGNALS FAIL TO FLASH AFTER THE APPLICATION OF THE SERVICE BRAKES ON HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFT TAIL. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNAL AND WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY ANOTHER DRIVER. THE OTHER DRIVER INFORMED HIM THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SIGNAL DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE SIGNAL AND NOTICED THAT THE INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE AND THE SIGNAL LIGHT WAS BLOWN. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE DEFECT IS UNSAFE BECAUSE WHEN THE LIGHT BULB IS BLOWN AND THE SIGNAL INDICATOR STILL ILLUMINATES, THERE IS NO WAY TO DE…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFT TAIL. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNAL AND WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY ANOTHER DRIVER. THE OTHER DRIVER INFORMED HIM THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SIGNAL DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE SIGNAL AND NOTICED THAT THE INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE AND THE SIGNAL LIGHT WAS BLOWN. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE DEFECT IS UNSAFE BECAUSE WHEN THE LIGHT BULB IS BLOWN AND THE SIGNAL INDICATOR STILL ILLUMINATES, THERE IS NO WAY TO DE…
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.
Fuel smell or leak mentions
2 mentions · 8.7% of complaints
Median mileage: 1,838 mi (2 usable records).
ODI 10352644 · 1,200 mi
2009 HARLEY DELUXE GAS CAP UNDER PRESSURE SPRAYS FUEL ONTO THE GAS TANK ENGINE AND RIDER. IF BIKE IS TIPPED ON ITS SIDE GAS LEAKS FROM GAS CAP. WE TOOK THIS TO A DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY. PROBLEM STILL EXIST. WE WILL TAKE IT BACK TOMORROW. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
WHILE GETTING OFF OF THE BIKE PASSENGER NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINE AT THE GAS TANK CONNECTION. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION FOUND THAT THE QUICK CONNECT FITTING AT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING.UPON CLOSER INSPECTION OF THE QUICK CONNECT IT APPEARS TO HAVE TWO INTERNAL "O" RINGS. PRIOR TO THIS ISSUE I HAVE NEVER DISCONNECTED THE FUEL LINE, BIKE HAS NEVER BEEN DROPPED AND THERE HAS BEEN NO OTHER ADVERSE EVENTS TO THIS AREA. WITH THE EXTREMELY LOW MILEAGE (LESS THAN 3,000), METICULOUS CARE AND RUNNING THE FUEL TANK DRY BEFORE STORAGE THERE SHO…
I HAVE A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE,BACKED OUT OF GARAGE STARTED ENGINE, AND THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD NO THROTTLE, BUT IDLES, FLY-BY-WIRE THROTTLE,SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED A COUPLE TIMES IT STARTED WORKING PROPERLY, STARTED OUT ON TWO DAY TRIP, ABOUT 30 MILES ON FOUR LANE UP HILL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND NO THROTTLE BUT HAD IDLE, HAD TO COAST OFF ROAD, UNPLUGGED COMPUTER AND PLUGGED BACK IN AND WENT ON OUR TRIP, RAN OK TO DESTINATION, AFTER STOP AT MOTEL AND EAT SUPPER IT HAPPENED AGAIN,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND NO THR…