U.S. public vehicle records

Harley-Davidson ULTRA CLASSIC problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

35 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

19,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1992 to 2002 model years. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 19 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 35 complaints (17.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Engine operation	5	14.3%
Electrical and battery issues	5	14.3%
Transmission and shifting	2	5.7%
Fuel system concerns	2	5.7%

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.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Electrical System

Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch

Engine And Engine Cooling

Tires

Wheels

Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	6
Electrical System	4
Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers	3
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch	2
Engine And Engine Cooling	2
Tires	2
Wheels	2
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	1

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Electrical System: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Tires: 2; Wheels: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1

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: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 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 (11). 16 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.

1998

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2009

2010

2011

2012

2014

1998: 2; 2000: 1; 2001: 3; 2002: 5; 2003: 3; 2004: 6; 2005: 1; 2006: 3; 2007: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2014: 3

Pattern summary

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10340231 · 2010-06-26 (June 26, 2010)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. FAULTY STATOR. CAUSED THE BIKE TO LOOSE LIGHTS AND STALL ON THE INTERSTATE IN MODERATE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED ME HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTOR CO. KNOWS ABOUT THIS DEFECT AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE REPLACEMENT STATOR IS A UPGRADED PART DUE TO THE FAILURES OF THE ORIGINAL STATORS. THEY ADVISED ME TO KEEP MY RECEIPTS IN THE EVENT IT IS RECALLED SO I MAY POSSIBLY GET A REFUND. BIKE HAD 19,000 MILES WHEN THE STATOR FAILED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10340231 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10639457 · 2014-09-26 (September 26, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN TWO MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INJECTION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10639457 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10063767 · 2004-03-24 (March 24, 2004)

I READ ABOUT THE RECALL ON 2001 TO 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON TOURING BIKES. I HAVE A 2000 ULTRA CLASSIC & I HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM BACK IN AUGUST OF 2003. THE BIKE WOULD JUST LOSE ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE ON A 3 LANE HIGHWAY. ODDLY ENOUGH, IT WAS IN FRONT OF THE H-D PLANT IN MILWAUKEE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED 14 TIMES IN A MATTER OF 2 WEEKS, AFTER REPLACING IGNITION RELAYS AND STARTER RELAYS AT THE GUIDANCE OF H-D MECHANICS, AND AFTER 3 SHOP VISITS, THE PROBLEM IS SUPPOSED TO BE RESOLVED. THIS BIKE ALSO DIED ON DARK HIGHW…

Owner-reported narrative. 10,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063767 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10152558 · 2006-03-13 (March 13, 2006)

WHILE RIDING OUR 2001 ULTRA CLASSIC (HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE) ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE, THE RADIO AND HEADSETS QUIT WORKING. I NOTICED THE VOTE GAGE STOPPED WORKING. I PUT ON MY TURN SIGNAL TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT; THEY DID NOT WORK. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE BIKE SHUT DOWN AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE ONLY REASON THAT I DID NOT SHUT DOWN IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE WAS MY BATTERY WAS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD AND WAS ABLE TO MOVE OFF THE ROAD BEFORE IT DIED. THE BIKE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND I WAS ADVISED THAT THE STATOR WAS BAD. …

Owner-reported narrative. 13,507 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152558 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 762151 · 2002-05-22 (May 22, 2002)

DRIVESHAFT BROKE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN SHIFTING FROM NEUTRAL TO FIRST GEAR AS VEHICLE WAS ROLLING. TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL RESULTED. AN ACCIDENT WAS BARELY AVOIDED WHEN CAR BEHIND ALMOST STRUCK THE MOTORCYCLE. MFG. / DEALER WOULD NOT COVER UNDER ORIGINAL WARRANTY OR EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AT OWNER EXPENSE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 762151 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 8022602 · 2002-11-12 (November 12, 2002)

THE ORIGINAL SEAL FROM THE TRANSMISSION IS LEAK WHILE TRAVELING THE OIL BLOW ONTO THE REAR TIRE. CAUSING HIM TO SLIP ON THE ROAD. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8022602 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10609422 · 2014-07-09 (July 9, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR PRESENT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK WHERE THE FUEL LINE WAS CONNECTED BECAME FRACTURED IN HALF ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10609422 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10422030 · 2011-08-23 (August 23, 2011)

CPSC# I1180305A. 2001 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE RECENTLY DEVELOPED TWO FUEL LEAKS. ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FUEL INJECTED HARLEY DAVIDSON'S. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINE QUICK DISCONNECT FITTINGS THAT WERE USED TO CONNECT THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL TANK AND LANDING ON THE HOT ENGINE.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10422030 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

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

1992: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Harley-Davidson ULTRA CLASSIC model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Change in recalls
1992	1	Not available
1998	2	Not available
1999	9	0
2000	4	0
2001	10	0
2002	9	0

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

35 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

54.3%Usable mileage19 / 35 records

91.4%Valid incident date32 / 35 records

100.0%Valid filing date35 / 35 records

91.4%Ordered incident and filing dates32 / 35 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	1992	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	555.6% ODI 10129918 DT: THE CONSUMER STATED ABOUT A WEEK AGO, LAST SATURDAY 7/16/05. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A MISSING IN THE ENGINE. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THEN CONSUMER SKIDDED AND PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE BACK WHEEL LOCKED UP BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOCK UP IN THE CRANK SHAFT BEARING THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRANK SHAFT BEARING WENT OUT AND CAUSED A SEIZING OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO DEALERSHIP. THE CONSUMER HAS NOTICED THAT THERE IS A MOTORCYCLE SHOP NEARBY WHERE H… Look up ODI 10129918 at NHTSA ↗	125.0% ODI 10103822 · 30,000 mi WHILE DRIVING ALTERNATOR/ENERATOR BURNED UP IN THE MOTOR, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO MALFUNCTION AT 30,000 MILES. *AK Look up ODI 10103822 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	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 10063767 · 10,500 mi I READ ABOUT THE RECALL ON 2001 TO 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON TOURING BIKES. I HAVE A 2000 ULTRA CLASSIC & I HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM BACK IN AUGUST OF 2003. THE BIKE WOULD JUST LOSE ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE ON A 3 LANE HIGHWAY. ODDLY ENOUGH, IT WAS IN FRONT OF THE H-D PLANT IN MILWAUKEE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED 14 TIMES IN A MATTER OF 2 WEEKS, AFTER REPLACING IGNITION RELAYS AND STARTER RELAYS AT THE GUIDANCE OF H-D MECHANICS, AND AFTER 3 SHOP VISITS, THE PROBLEM IS SUPPOSED TO BE RESOLVED. THIS BIKE ALSO DIED ON DARK HIGHW… Look up ODI 10063767 at NHTSA ↗	220.0% ODI 10152558 · 13,507 mi WHILE RIDING OUR 2001 ULTRA CLASSIC (HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE) ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE, THE RADIO AND HEADSETS QUIT WORKING. I NOTICED THE VOTE GAGE STOPPED WORKING. I PUT ON MY TURN SIGNAL TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT; THEY DID NOT WORK. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE BIKE SHUT DOWN AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE ONLY REASON THAT I DID NOT SHUT DOWN IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE WAS MY BATTERY WAS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD AND WAS ABLE TO MOVE OFF THE ROAD BEFORE IT DIED. THE BIKE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND I WAS ADVISED THAT THE STATOR WAS BAD. … Look up ODI 10152558 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 10449044 · 22,700 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER 20 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL LOST POWER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE BUT WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY HAVING SEVERAL PARTS REPLACED INCLUDING A NEW BATTERY AND AN IGNITION SWITCH BUT THE REPAIRS DID NOT COMPLETELY REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,066. Look up ODI 10449044 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers	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.	333.3% ODI 10041550 · 12,800 mi I HAVE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL POWER FAILURE ON MY HARLEY DAVIDSON 2002 ULTRA CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE WHILE IN MOTION. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MOTORCYCLE IN VARIOUS WEBSITE FORUMS. WHEN THE POWER FAILS, THE MOTOR SHUTS DOWN, AND THERE IS NO HORN, NO LIGHTS, NO DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS, ETC. THAT MAKES THIS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE IN TRAFFIC. THE PROBLEM IS BELIEVED TO BE RELATED TO A CIRCUIT BREAKER DEFECT THAT SOME DEALERS CORRECT BY REPLACING IT WITH A MAXI FUSE. MY LOCAL HD D… Look up ODI 10041550 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10017328 THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND IT WAS GOING ON 3 WEEKS. *JB Look up ODI 10017328 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 831461 CONSUMER HAS RECEIVED RECALL #0091 FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH IN JULY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. LAST TIME THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WAS ON NOVEMBER 10,1998. DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE YET. CONSUMER STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT GO ON AFTER TURNING THE SWITCH. AK TT Look up ODI 831461 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	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.	110.0% ODI 10099057 · 16,000 mi THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE STATOR, BECAUSE IT BURNED UP. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE BIKE WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE DEALER NOTED THE STATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND IT WAS REPLACED. IN AUG. 2004 THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO HELP ON THE SECOND DEFECT. JB SC Look up ODI 10099057 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 10099179 THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE MOTORCYCLE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONSUMER HAD THE MOTORCYCLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB Look up ODI 10099179 at NHTSA ↗
Tires	1100.0% ODI 557986 WHILE DRIVING THE MOTORCYCLE THE REAR (CONTINENTAL 130/90/16 TK-17, DOT#CPXKNAXP 368) EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND COLLSION WHICH RESULTED IN ONE FATALITY AND ONE INJURY. *MJS Look up ODI 557986 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.	111.1% ODI 10483198 · 70,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA (N/A) EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN COMMANDER 2 TIRES, SIZE: 140/90/B16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED CRACKS WITHIN THE TREAD OF THE REAR TIRE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ADVISED THAT HE SHOULD PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS 8,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. Look up ODI 10483198 at NHTSA ↗
Wheels	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.	222.2% ODI 10196667 · 27,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR WHEEL BEGAN TO WOBBLE. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE AND DROVE INTO A DITCH. HE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. HE WAS DIAGNOSED AS BRAIN DEAD AND PASSED AWAY THE NEXT DAY. THE ROAD SURFACE WAS SMOOTH AND DRY. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, POWERTRAIN, AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27,000. Look up ODI 10196667 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	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 10103822 · 30,000 mi WHILE DRIVING ALTERNATOR/ENERATOR BURNED UP IN THE MOTOR, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO MALFUNCTION AT 30,000 MILES. *AK Look up ODI 10103822 at NHTSA ↗	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
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	22,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10197955 · 14,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE. A RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2001 IN WHICH THE CAM BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. HE STATED THAT THE NOISE HAS RETURNED AND THE CAM BEARINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE FAILURE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,700 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. Look up ODI 10197955 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10103822 · 30,000 mi WHILE DRIVING ALTERNATOR/ENERATOR BURNED UP IN THE MOTOR, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO MALFUNCTION AT 30,000 MILES. AK Look up ODI 10103822 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	16,254 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10063767 · 10,500 mi I READ ABOUT THE RECALL ON 2001 TO 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON TOURING BIKES. I HAVE A 2000 ULTRA CLASSIC & I HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM BACK IN AUGUST OF 2003. THE BIKE WOULD JUST LOSE ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE ON A 3 LANE HIGHWAY. ODDLY ENOUGH, IT WAS IN FRONT OF THE H-D PLANT IN MILWAUKEE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED 14 TIMES IN A MATTER OF 2 WEEKS, AFTER REPLACING IGNITION RELAYS AND STARTER RELAYS AT THE GUIDANCE OF H-D MECHANICS, AND AFTER 3 SHOP VISITS, THE PROBLEM IS SUPPOSED TO BE RESOLVED. THIS BIKE ALSO DIED ON DARK HIGHW… Look up ODI 10063767 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10152558 · 13,507 mi WHILE RIDING OUR 2001 ULTRA CLASSIC (HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE) ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE, THE RADIO AND HEADSETS QUIT WORKING. I NOTICED THE VOTE GAGE STOPPED WORKING. I PUT ON MY TURN SIGNAL TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT; THEY DID NOT WORK. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE BIKE SHUT DOWN AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE ONLY REASON THAT I DID NOT SHUT DOWN IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE WAS MY BATTERY WAS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD AND WAS ABLE TO MOVE OFF THE ROAD BEFORE IT DIED. THE BIKE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND I WAS ADVISED THAT THE STATOR WAS BAD. … Look up ODI 10152558 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10340231 · 19,000 mi ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. FAULTY STATOR. CAUSED THE BIKE TO LOOSE LIGHTS AND STALL ON THE INTERSTATE IN MODERATE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED ME HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTOR CO. KNOWS ABOUT THIS DEFECT AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE REPLACEMENT STATOR IS A UPGRADED PART DUE TO THE FAILURES OF THE ORIGINAL STATORS. THEY ADVISED ME TO KEEP MY RECEIPTS IN THE EVENT IT IS RECALLED SO I MAY POSSIBLY GET A REFUND. BIKE HAD 19,000 MILES WHEN THE STATOR FAILED. *TR Look up ODI 10340231 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers	Too few reports for a range	15,400 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10041550 · 12,800 mi I HAVE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL POWER FAILURE ON MY HARLEY DAVIDSON 2002 ULTRA CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE WHILE IN MOTION. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MOTORCYCLE IN VARIOUS WEBSITE FORUMS. WHEN THE POWER FAILS, THE MOTOR SHUTS DOWN, AND THERE IS NO HORN, NO LIGHTS, NO DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS, ETC. THAT MAKES THIS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE IN TRAFFIC. THE PROBLEM IS BELIEVED TO BE RELATED TO A CIRCUIT BREAKER DEFECT THAT SOME DEALERS CORRECT BY REPLACING IT WITH A MAXI FUSE. MY LOCAL HD D… Look up ODI 10041550 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10073990 · 18,000 mi A CIRCUIT BREAKER TRIPS AND THE MOTORCYCLE SHUTS DOWN . IT HAS BEEN DISCOVERED THAT A FUSE REPLACEMENT PREVENTS THIS FROM HAPPENING. HOWEVER, MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THAT IF CONSUMER DOESN'T USE A CIRCUIT BREAKER IT WILL VOID THE WARRANTY. *AK Look up ODI 10073990 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	16,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10099057 · 16,000 mi THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE STATOR, BECAUSE IT BURNED UP. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE BIKE WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE DEALER NOTED THE STATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND IT WAS REPLACED. IN AUG. 2004 THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO HELP ON THE SECOND DEFECT. JB SC Look up ODI 10099057 at NHTSA ↗
Tires	Too few reports for a range	70,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10483198 · 70,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA (N/A) EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN COMMANDER 2 TIRES, SIZE: 140/90/B16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED CRACKS WITHIN THE TREAD OF THE REAR TIRE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ADVISED THAT HE SHOULD PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS 8,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. Look up ODI 10483198 at NHTSA ↗
Wheels	Too few reports for a range	27,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10196667 · 27,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR WHEEL BEGAN TO WOBBLE. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE AND DROVE INTO A DITCH. HE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. HE WAS DIAGNOSED AS BRAIN DEAD AND PASSED AWAY THE NEXT DAY. THE ROAD SURFACE WAS SMOOTH AND DRY. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, POWERTRAIN, AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27,000. Look up ODI 10196667 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	Too few reports for a range	30,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10103822 · 30,000 mi WHILE DRIVING ALTERNATOR/ENERATOR BURNED UP IN THE MOTOR, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO MALFUNCTION AT 30,000 MILES. *AK Look up ODI 10103822 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
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
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 (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

2001: 5 complaints · 2002: 5 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2001	1	3	5
2002	1	2	5

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2001	10	0	0
2002	8	1	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	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Electrical System	Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers	Electrical System:Ignition:Switch	Engine And Engine Cooling	Tires	Wheels	Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10103822 · 30,000 mi WHILE DRIVING ALTERNATOR/ENERATOR BURNED UP IN THE MOTOR, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO MALFUNCTION AT 30,000 MILES. *AK Look up ODI 10103822 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Tires	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Wheels	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	1 ODI 10103822 · 30,000 mi WHILE DRIVING ALTERNATOR/ENERATOR BURNED UP IN THE MOTOR, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO MALFUNCTION AT 30,000 MILES. *AK Look up ODI 10103822 at NHTSA ↗	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

2 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

5 mentions · 14.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 12,500 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 10340231 · 19,000 mi

Look up ODI 10340231 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10639457 · 6,000 mi

Look up ODI 10639457 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10669400 · 6,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TUNED UP AND THE OIL WAS CHANGED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO A DEALER WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS RESET, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

Look up ODI 10669400 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 2.9% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10422030

Look up ODI 10422030 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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