U.S. public vehicle records

Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

59 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

4,250 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1971 to 2008 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 17 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train:Manual Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 59 complaints (11.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	8	13.6%
Engine operation	7	11.9%
Transmission and shifting	6	10.2%
Electrical and battery issues	3	5.1%
Steering behavior	2	3.4%
Fuel system concerns	1	1.7%

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.

Power Train:Manual Transmission

Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices

Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Fuel System, Gasoline

Electrical System:Ignition

Engine And Engine Cooling

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Power Train:Manual Transmission	7
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices	6
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior	6
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	5
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	4
Fuel System, Gasoline	4
Electrical System:Ignition	2
Engine And Engine Cooling	2

Power Train:Manual Transmission: 7; Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices: 6; Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline: 4; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 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: 17; 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 (17). 42 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.

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2010

2011

2014

1996: 2; 1997: 5; 1998: 5; 1999: 3; 2000: 9; 2001: 4; 2002: 8; 2003: 8; 2004: 4; 2005: 5; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2014: 1

Pattern summary

Power Train:Manual Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 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 720108 · 2000-03-14 (March 14, 2000)

IN A SIMPLE COLISION WITH A DEER' I LAYED THE BIKE DOWN "VERY HARD" ON IT'S RIGHT SIDE,BUT DUE TO THE FOOT PEG/REAR BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY BEING SUPPORTED ONLY BY AN ALUMINUM SPROCKET CASE,THE PEG SNAPED OFF 'BREAKING MY FOOT!

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 720108 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 539413 · 1998-08-26 (August 26, 1998)

DEFECTIVE RELIEF PORT ON THE MASTER CYLINDER CAUSING BRAKES TO LOCK UP AND OVERHEAT.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 539413 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 700667 · 1998-11-16 (November 16, 1998)

THE TRANSMISSION DOOR ON THE 4-SPEED HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER EVOLUTION MODEL (PRODUCED FROM 1984-1991) HAS A BEARING THAT SUPPORTS THE TRANSMISSION MAINSHAFT. THE BEARING GETS WORN TO THE POINT WHERE THE MAGNETS ON THE INSIDE OF THE CLUTCH BASKET AT THE END OF THE MAINSHAFT COME IN CONTACT WITH THE STATOR MOUNTED OVER THE TRANSMISSION DOOR. THE RESULT IS THAT THE CLUTCH BASKET MAGNETS BREAK UP AND THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION START TO SHATTER. THIS CAN CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO LOCK UP, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCL…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 700667 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 817705 · 1997-10-27 (October 27, 1997)

MOTORCYCLE IS AT A STOP, MOTORCYCLE WILL THEN BACKFIRE THROUGH CARBURETOR WHEN ACCELERATING, IT WILL STALL OUT. NEEDS TO RESTART,DEALERSHIP SAYS CANNOT FIX PROBLEM. HAS BEEN IN SHOP TWICE A WEEK SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT,SERIOUS LOUD PINCH WHICH CAUSES LOSS OF POWER ON ACCLERATION JUST ON HOT DAYS. THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 817705 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 703193 · 1999-02-11 (February 11, 1999)

THE MAGNETS INSIDE THE CLUTCH BASKET ON THE END OF THE TRANSMISSION MAINSHAFT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE STATOR WHICH IS BOLTED ONTO THE CRANKCASE. THE RESULT IS THAT THE ELECTRICAL GENERATING SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY RUINED AND THE TRANSMISSION GEARS SHEAR OFF TEETH. THIS CAN HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO LOCK UP THE TRANSMISSION AND THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY DRIVE MECHANISMS RESULTING IN LOCKING UP THE REAR WHEEL, CAUSING THE RIDER TO GO DOWN.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 703193 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10078940 · 2004-06-28 (June 28, 2004)

SPEEDOMETER-TACHOMETER BRACKET BREAKS FROM EXCESSIVE ENGINE VIBRATION THROUGH MOUNTING BOLT HOLES CAUSING GAUGE ASSEMBLY TO FALL OFF WHILE RIDING. UNIT HANGS BY THE WIRES & INTERFERES WITH THE STEERING FORKS & CONTROL OF VEHICLE. ALSO EXCESSIVE ENGINE VIBRATION AS DEEMED NORMAL BY THE MANUFACTURER CAUSES NUMBNESS IN THE HANDS & FEET WITHIN 7 MILES OF RIDING & ULTIMATELY DIFFICULTY IN CONTROLLING VEHICLE.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 2,142 miles reported. Look up ODI 10078940 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10424484 · 2011-09-09 (September 9, 2011)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN A NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT FENDER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE STEERING COLUMN HAD STRUCK THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10424484 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10044429 · 2003-11-18 (November 18, 2003)

THE CONSUMER NOTICED A DRY RUST COLORED DUST COMING FROM THE MOTORCYCLE WHILE RIDING. AFTER COMING TO A STOP, THE CONSUMER NOTICED GAS LEAKING ON THE GROUND. THE RUST COLORED DUST WAS DRY GAS. CONSUMER STATED THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REBUILT IN 1999, INCLUDING A NEW GAS TANK. *AK THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY STRESS CRACKS AT THE BASE OF THE TANK. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE GAS TANK WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *JB *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044429 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.

1992

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2005

2007

2008

1992: 0; 1996: 1; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 1; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0; 2003: 0; 2005: 1; 2007: 0; 2008: 0

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1971	0	1	Not available
1972	0	2	+1
1985	1	0	Not available
1988	2	0	Not available
1992	1	0	Not available
1996	6	1	Not available
1997	1	0	-1
1998	6	0	0
1999	6	1	+1
2000	9	0	-1
2001	6	0	0
2002	6	0	0
2003	8	0	0
2005	4	1	Not available
2007	1	0	Not available
2008	2	0	0

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

28.8%Usable mileage17 / 59 records

78.0%Valid incident date46 / 59 records

100.0%Valid filing date59 / 59 records

78.0%Ordered incident and filing dates46 / 59 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	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2005	2007	2008
Power Train:Manual Transmission	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.	111.1% ODI 873796 INTERMITTENTLY THERE IS A NEUTRAL POSITION BETWEEN ALL GEARS. MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 6 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS PROBELM, NOTHING COULD BE DONE. AK SLC Look up ODI 873796 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 752641 I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE NEW AND IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A MAJOR PROBLEM FROM THE MIRRORS FALLING OFF WILL MOVING, HEAD LIGHT AIMED AT THE SKY NOT TOO THE ROAD, PART OF THE FORWARD GEAR SHIFT CONTROL FALLING OFF OVER AND OVER, LEAKING OIL FROM THE HEAD AND THE LOWER END AND FROM THE AIR CLEANER. I KEEP TAKING THE BIKE BACK TO THE DEALER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD ITS NOT LEAKING BUT THERE IS OIL ALL OVER THE BIKE(THEY ACT LIKE I MAY BE DUMPING IT ON TIL THEY PUT A DYE IN IT THEN ITS WILL THIS PART IS BAD AND THIS PART IS BAD), ON THE MIRRIOR I HAD T… Look up ODI 752641 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 10048968 · 6,000 mi AFTER MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN RIDDEN FOR 30-45 MINUTES SHIFT LEVER BECOMES ALMOST UNUSABLE IF MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN LEFT TO IDLE OF IS TURNED OFF, AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF MOVING UP AND DOWN IT CAN BE USED. VERY DANGEROUS IF I CAN NOT SHIFT INTO APPROPRIATE GEAR. *AK Look up ODI 10048968 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	250.0% ODI 10126717 · 37 mi DT: 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON WITH 37 MILES ON IT. AFTER THE OWNER LEFT WITH THE MOTORCYCLE SHE NOTICED THAT IT WAS CHOKING AND MAKING TERRIBLE NOISES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS ENGAGED. THE NOISE BEING A SEVERE CLICKING IN 4TH AND 5TH GEARS. IT WA S A TERRIBLE RATTLE AND RINGING IN THE TRANSMISSION. MOTORCYCLE WAS STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT WOULD MAKE A NOISE AND DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK CARE OF THE STALLING, AND IT WAS NOW NOT AS BAD, BUT IS STILL STALLING/ CRACKING/RATTLING, AND RINGING WORSE. MOTORCYCLE… Look up ODI 10126717 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	233.3% ODI 562710 CONSUMER STATES THE SIGNAL LIGHT IS LOOSE AND SLIDES OUT OF POSITION FROM THE BRAKE HANDLE ASSEMBLY AND WAS DANGLING.NLM Look up ODI 562710 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 734984 R SIDE MIRROR BROKE UPON ACCELERATION FROM A TURN. MIRRORS ON THIS BIKE ARE A KNOWN PROBLEM. Look up ODI 734984 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 752641 I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE NEW AND IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A MAJOR PROBLEM FROM THE MIRRORS FALLING OFF WILL MOVING, HEAD LIGHT AIMED AT THE SKY NOT TOO THE ROAD, PART OF THE FORWARD GEAR SHIFT CONTROL FALLING OFF OVER AND OVER, LEAKING OIL FROM THE HEAD AND THE LOWER END AND FROM THE AIR CLEANER. I KEEP TAKING THE BIKE BACK TO THE DEALER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD ITS NOT LEAKING BUT THERE IS OIL ALL OVER THE BIKE(THEY ACT LIKE I MAY BE DUMPING IT ON TIL THEY PUT A DYE IN IT THEN ITS WILL THIS PART IS BAD AND THIS PART IS BAD), ON THE MIRRIOR I HAD T… Look up ODI 752641 at NHTSA ↗	233.3% ODI 8016476 CUSTOM 1200, MIRRORS ON VEHICLE ARE VERY HIGH STEMMED, VIBRATION WILL NOT ALLOW RIDER TO SEE TRAFFIC BEHIND HIM WHEN CHANGING LANES. DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO.AK SLC Look up ODI 8016476 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 846238 WHILE DRIVING THE LEFT EXTERIOR MIRROR FELL OFF THE MOTORCYCLE. MANUFACTOR HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK Look up ODI 846238 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 10117526 · 4,250 mi PE 02-083/REAR VIEW MIRROR STEM FAILURES: THE LEFT SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT ISSUE WAS COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL.*AK Look up ODI 10117526 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 10089833 · 1,300 mi WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE LEFT REAR VIEW MIRROR SNAPPED OFF. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE 2002 MODEL INSTEAD.AK NM Look up ODI 10089833 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 8016478 CUSTOM 1200, AT 65 MPH, LEFT MIRROR SNAPPED OFF AND HIT CONSUMER IN THE FACE. CONSUMER SUFFERED FACIAL INJURIES.*AK JLG Look up ODI 8016478 at NHTSA ↗	225.0% ODI 10032557 · 10 mi MIRRORS ON 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200 CUSTOM DO NOT SIT OUT WIDE ENOUGH TO SEE WHAT IS BEHIND YOU. HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE I WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE BEHIND ME. SPENT 200.00 ON AFTERMARKET MIRRORS AND HAVE SAME PROBLEM. *NLM Look up ODI 10032557 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 817705 MOTORCYCLE IS AT A STOP, MOTORCYCLE WILL THEN BACKFIRE THROUGH CARBURETOR WHEN ACCELERATING, IT WILL STALL OUT. NEEDS TO RESTART,DEALERSHIP SAYS CANNOT FIX PROBLEM. HAS BEEN IN SHOP TWICE A WEEK SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT,SERIOUS LOUD PINCH WHICH CAUSES LOSS OF POWER ON ACCLERATION JUST ON HOT DAYS. THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *AK Look up ODI 817705 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 539502 ENGINE NOCKS AND PINGS CONTINUALLY. Look up ODI 539502 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	111.1% ODI 8007229 XL883C MODEL HAS STALLED OUT SEVERAL TIMES SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE, USUALLY AT 50 MPH. CONTACTED DEALER, WHO IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM, CONSUMER IS NOW EXPERIENCING GAS LEAKS AND FEELS THIS VEHICLE HAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT.AK TT Look up ODI 8007229 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 8007255 WHILE DRIVING, INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS AND MOTORCYCLE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. AK CONSUMER ADDS THAT BIKE WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY AND IS ALSO MAKING A POPPING NOISE AND BACKFIRING. TT Look up ODI 8007255 at NHTSA ↗	112.5% ODI 10032319 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER LEAKING OIL OUT OF THE AIR CLEANER.MR TS Look up ODI 10032319 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	116.7% ODI 604865 ENGINE TIMING PLUG MILLING FAILED. Look up ODI 604865 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 607429 IGNITION MODULAR FAILED. *YC Look up ODI 607429 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	111.1% ODI 8012187 ENGINE ROCKER BOX GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL WHILE DRIVING, DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK Look up ODI 8012187 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 10144509 · 3,682 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR UPPER VALVE COVER LEAKED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR UPPER VALVE COVERS. SINCE THE VALVES WERE REPLACED THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RETURNED. AK UPDATED 1/4/2006 - THE REAR ROCKER BOX COVER LEAKED. THE FRONT AND REAR BOX COVER WERE REPLACED. THE GASKETS WERE REPLACED WITH UPDATED ONES. NM Look up ODI 10144509 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline	233.3% ODI 805332 OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR FUEL SUPPLY VALVES, CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. AK JB Look up ODI 805332 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	111.1% ODI 8007229 XL883C MODEL HAS STALLED OUT SEVERAL TIMES SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE, USUALLY AT 50 MPH. CONTACTED DEALER, WHO IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM, CONSUMER IS NOW EXPERIENCING GAS LEAKS AND FEELS THIS VEHICLE HAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT.AK TT Look up ODI 8007229 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 10135543 NOT LONG AFTER MY 1000 MILE NEW VEHICLE CHECKUP, MY 2005 XL883R SPORTSTER'S FRONT BRAKE LEVER WOULD COLLAPSE TO THE HANDLE BAR. THE FRONT BRAKE WOULD OPERATE, BUT THE LEVER WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE REGULAR POSITION. ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. AFTER RIDING A FEW HUNDRED YARDS, AND REPEATEDLY SQUEEZING THE BRAKE LEVER, THE LEVER WOULD FINALLY STAY FULLY AWAY FROM THE HANDLEBAR. THE ABOVE PROBLEM HAPPENS EVERYTIME I RIDE THE SPORTSTER, AND NOW THE LEVER COLLAPSES AGAINST THE HANDLEBAR, AND THE FRONT BRAKE DOES NOT WORK. THE … Look up ODI 10135543 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Ignition	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	233.3% ODI 537168 MOTORCYCLE WOULD BACKFIRE AND STALL WHEN GIVING IT THROTTLE GOING FROM A STOP OR IDLING. I QUICKLY DIS-ENGAUGED THE CLUTCH TO START THE MOTOR BACKUP, BUT THE CAR IN THE SECOND LANE WAS ALREADY LOCKING HIS BRAKES. I DID MANAGE TO GET THE BIKE STARTED IN THE KNICK OF TIME, AND THE ONCOMING CAR MISSED ME BY ONLY A FEW FEET. I AM AN EXPERIENCED MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR, AND DID NOT POP THE CLUTCH AND STALL IN THAT MANNER. THE MOTORCYCLE MAKES A LOUD POP COMING UP THROUGH THE CARBURATOR, WHEN IT BACKFIRES. Look up ODI 537168 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	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.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling	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.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	225.0% ODI 10064207 OK, MY COMPLAINT IS ON A 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200 CUSTOM SPORTSTER. THE FRONT HEADLIGHT HAS FALLEN OFF DUE TO THE BOLT SHEARING FROM VIBRATION AND SO HAS THE REAR VIEW MIRROR ON THE LEFT SIDE. HARLEY HAS REPLACED THE ENGINE AT ABOUT 1300 MILES, STATING THAT IT HAD AN UNSAFE VIBRATION. THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT DID NOT FIX THE EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND I HAVE SINCE LOST THESE PARTS. THEY NOW TELL ME THAT THE UNSAFE VIBRATION IS INDEED SAFE. *AK Look up ODI 10064207 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

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
Power Train:Manual Transmission	Too few reports for a range	6,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10048968 · 6,000 mi AFTER MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN RIDDEN FOR 30-45 MINUTES SHIFT LEVER BECOMES ALMOST UNUSABLE IF MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN LEFT TO IDLE OF IS TURNED OFF, AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF MOVING UP AND DOWN IT CAN BE USED. VERY DANGEROUS IF I CAN NOT SHIFT INTO APPROPRIATE GEAR. AK Look up ODI 10048968 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10126717 · 37 mi DT: 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON WITH 37 MILES ON IT. AFTER THE OWNER LEFT WITH THE MOTORCYCLE SHE NOTICED THAT IT WAS CHOKING AND MAKING TERRIBLE NOISES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS ENGAGED. THE NOISE BEING A SEVERE CLICKING IN 4TH AND 5TH GEARS. IT WA S A TERRIBLE RATTLE AND RINGING IN THE TRANSMISSION. MOTORCYCLE WAS STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT WOULD MAKE A NOISE AND DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK CARE OF THE STALLING, AND IT WAS NOW NOT AS BAD, BUT IS STILL STALLING/ CRACKING/RATTLING, AND RINGING WORSE. MOTORCYCLE… Look up ODI 10126717 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10317090 · 8,500 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200 CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DOWN SHIFT TO 3RD GEAR BECAUSE IT WOULD LOCK. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO UP SHIFT TO FOURTH AND FIFTH GEAR BEFORE DOWN SHIFTING TO FIRST GEAR. THIS WENT ON FOR A MONTH. THE DEALER KEPT REPAIRING THE FAILURE, AT LEAST FOUR TIMES UNTIL THE WARRANTY HAS RAN OUT. THERE IS STILL A FAILURE WITH THE MOTOR CYCLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND THEY STATED THERE SHOULD BE NO FAILURE BECAUSE THEY HAVE REPAIRED THE PROBLEMS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,… Look up ODI 10317090 at NHTSA ↗
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior	Too few reports for a range	2,700 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10117526 · 4,250 mi PE 02-083/REAR VIEW MIRROR STEM FAILURES: THE LEFT SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT ISSUE WAS COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL.AK Look up ODI 10117526 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10089833 · 1,300 mi WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE LEFT REAR VIEW MIRROR SNAPPED OFF. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE 2002 MODEL INSTEAD.AK NM Look up ODI 10089833 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10032557 · 10 mi MIRRORS ON 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200 CUSTOM DO NOT SIT OUT WIDE ENOUGH TO SEE WHAT IS BEHIND YOU. HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE I WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE BEHIND ME. SPENT 200.00 ON AFTERMARKET MIRRORS AND HAVE SAME PROBLEM. NLM Look up ODI 10032557 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	3,682 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10144509 · 3,682 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR UPPER VALVE COVER LEAKED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR UPPER VALVE COVERS. SINCE THE VALVES WERE REPLACED THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RETURNED. AK UPDATED 1/4/2006 - THE REAR ROCKER BOX COVER LEAKED. THE FRONT AND REAR BOX COVER WERE REPLACED. THE GASKETS WERE REPLACED WITH UPDATED ONES. NM Look up ODI 10144509 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	2,142 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10078940 · 2,142 mi SPEEDOMETER-TACHOMETER BRACKET BREAKS FROM EXCESSIVE ENGINE VIBRATION THROUGH MOUNTING BOLT HOLES CAUSING GAUGE ASSEMBLY TO FALL OFF WHILE RIDING. UNIT HANGS BY THE WIRES & INTERFERES WITH THE STEERING FORKS & CONTROL OF VEHICLE. ALSO EXCESSIVE ENGINE VIBRATION AS DEEMED NORMAL BY THE MANUFACTURER CAUSES NUMBNESS IN THE HANDS & FEET WITHIN 7 MILES OF RIDING & ULTIMATELY DIFFICULTY IN CONTROLLING VEHICLE.*AK Look up ODI 10078940 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

2007: 0 complaints · 2008: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2007	0	0	0
2008	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
2007	1	0	0
2008	2	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	Power Train:Manual Transmission	Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices	Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Fuel System, Gasoline	Electrical System:Ignition	Engine And Engine Cooling
Power Train:Manual Transmission	—	1 ODI 752641 I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE NEW AND IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A MAJOR PROBLEM FROM THE MIRRORS FALLING OFF WILL MOVING, HEAD LIGHT AIMED AT THE SKY NOT TOO THE ROAD, PART OF THE FORWARD GEAR SHIFT CONTROL FALLING OFF OVER AND OVER, LEAKING OIL FROM THE HEAD AND THE LOWER END AND FROM THE AIR CLEANER. I KEEP TAKING THE BIKE BACK TO THE DEALER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD ITS NOT LEAKING BUT THERE IS OIL ALL OVER THE BIKE(THEY ACT LIKE I MAY BE DUMPING IT ON TIL THEY PUT A DYE IN IT THEN ITS WILL THIS PART IS BAD AND THIS PART IS BAD), ON THE MIRRIOR I HAD T… Look up ODI 752641 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0	0
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices	1 ODI 752641 I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE NEW AND IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A MAJOR PROBLEM FROM THE MIRRORS FALLING OFF WILL MOVING, HEAD LIGHT AIMED AT THE SKY NOT TOO THE ROAD, PART OF THE FORWARD GEAR SHIFT CONTROL FALLING OFF OVER AND OVER, LEAKING OIL FROM THE HEAD AND THE LOWER END AND FROM THE AIR CLEANER. I KEEP TAKING THE BIKE BACK TO THE DEALER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD ITS NOT LEAKING BUT THERE IS OIL ALL OVER THE BIKE(THEY ACT LIKE I MAY BE DUMPING IT ON TIL THEY PUT A DYE IN IT THEN ITS WILL THIS PART IS BAD AND THIS PART IS BAD), ON THE MIRRIOR I HAD T… Look up ODI 752641 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0	0	0	—	0	1 ODI 8007229 XL883C MODEL HAS STALLED OUT SEVERAL TIMES SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE, USUALLY AT 50 MPH. CONTACTED DEALER, WHO IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM, CONSUMER IS NOW EXPERIENCING GAS LEAKS AND FEELS THIS VEHICLE HAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT.AK TT Look up ODI 8007229 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	0	0	—	0	1 ODI 607429 IGNITION MODULAR FAILED. *YC Look up ODI 607429 at NHTSA ↗	0
Fuel System, Gasoline	0	0	0	1 ODI 8007229 XL883C MODEL HAS STALLED OUT SEVERAL TIMES SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE, USUALLY AT 50 MPH. CONTACTED DEALER, WHO IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM, CONSUMER IS NOW EXPERIENCING GAS LEAKS AND FEELS THIS VEHICLE HAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT.AK TT Look up ODI 8007229 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0
Electrical System:Ignition	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 607429 IGNITION MODULAR FAILED. *YC Look up ODI 607429 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

3 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

8 mentions · 13.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 4,619 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 700667

Look up ODI 700667 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 817705

Look up ODI 817705 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 537168

MOTORCYCLE WOULD BACKFIRE AND STALL WHEN GIVING IT THROTTLE GOING FROM A STOP OR IDLING. I QUICKLY DIS-ENGAUGED THE CLUTCH TO START THE MOTOR BACKUP, BUT THE CAR IN THE SECOND LANE WAS ALREADY LOCKING HIS BRAKES. I DID MANAGE TO GET THE BIKE STARTED IN THE KNICK OF TIME, AND THE ONCOMING CAR MISSED ME BY ONLY A FEW FEET. I AM AN EXPERIENCED MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR, AND DID NOT POP THE CLUTCH AND STALL IN THAT MANNER. THE MOTORCYCLE MAKES A LOUD POP COMING UP THROUGH THE CARBURATOR, WHEN IT BACKFIRES.

Look up ODI 537168 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Fuel smell or leak mentions

2 mentions · 3.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 19,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10044429 · 19,000 mi

Look up ODI 10044429 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 8007229

XL883C MODEL HAS STALLED OUT SEVERAL TIMES SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE, USUALLY AT 50 MPH. CONTACTED DEALER, WHO IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM, CONSUMER IS NOW EXPERIENCING GAS LEAKS AND FEELS THIS VEHICLE HAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT.*AK *TT

Look up ODI 8007229 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 1.7% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 720108

Look up ODI 720108 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule