U.S. public vehicle records

Harley-Davidson XL883 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

15 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

5,011 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2002 to 2014 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 14 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 2 of 15 complaints (13.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Electrical and battery issues	4	26.7%
Engine operation	3	20.0%
Braking behavior	3	20.0%

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

Service Brakes

Structure:Body

Wheels

Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery

Electrical System:Ignition

Electrical System:Ignition:Module

Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Relay

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Electrical System	2
Service Brakes	2
Structure:Body	2
Wheels	2
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery	1
Electrical System:Ignition	1
Electrical System:Ignition:Module	1
Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Relay	1

Electrical System: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Wheels: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Relay: 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: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 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 (12). 1 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.

2002

2003

2005

2006

2007

2008

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 3

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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 10163425 · 2006-07-25 (July 25, 2006)

PURCHASED HARLEY IN APRIL, BIKE INOPERATIVE, THEY REPLACED BATTERY & IT DIED AGAIN, THEY REPLACED VOLTAGE REGULATOR AND ON 7/19/06 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 PM IN CONSTRUCTION AREA OF RT I-287, BIKE LOST ALL POWER, LIGHTS HORN, THEN ENGINE. I HAD THE STATE POLICE ARRIVE & SET UP FLARES BECAUSE IT WAS VERY DARK & THERE WAS HEAVY TRACTOR TRAILER AND CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC. STATE POLICE WANTED ME TO PUSH NEW BIKE OFF HIGHWAY. AAA CAME & TOWED BACK TO MY HOME, THEN DEALER PICKED UP FOR THE THIRD TIME AND I AM NOT IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. I AM A CL…

Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163425 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10208230 · 2007-11-08 (November 8, 2007)

ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SEEMINGLY ENDEMIC TO ALL 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER MODELS WHEREIN THE BATTERY IS DRAINED AND MOTORCYCLE UNABLE TO START. THIS IS DANGEROUS IN REMOTE LOCATIONS UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS. SEE FOLLOWING: HTTP://XLFORUM.NET/VBPORTAL/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=70840 *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 5,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208230 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10020701 · 2003-05-29 (May 29, 2003)

2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON 883 C BOUGHT THE BIKE BRAND NEW AUG 08, 2002 (1ST HARLEY) AND IMMEDIATLEY NOTICED AFTER RIDDING HOME UPON DELIVERY THAT THE BIKE WOULD STALL 3 OUT OF 4 TIMES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. CALLED THE SELLING AGENT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD ALL SPORSTER HAD THIS PROBLEM DUE TO HAVING TO MEET EPA STANDARDS THE BIKE CARB WAS SET AT A VERY LEAN CONDITION CAUSING THE BIKE TO STALL UNDER ACCELERATION. THE SELLING AGENT THEN AT THAT POINT SAID IT COULD BE FIXED FOR AN ADDITIONAL FEE OF ANYWHERE BETWEEN $250.00 - $300.00 ALSO CO…

Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020701 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 8023899 · 2002-12-06 (December 6, 2002)

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS AS A RESULT OF THE CARBURETOR BUT THEY CAN'T FIX IT BECAUSE OF EPA REGULATIONS/STANDARDS. *TS *TT *NLM.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8023899 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10475962 · 2012-09-19 (September 19, 2012)

MY WIFE WAS RIDING HER MOTORCYCLE TO WORK AND HAD JUST LEFT OUR RESIDENCE. SHE WAS APPROACHING A CURVE IN THE ROAD AND WENT TO APPLY HER BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN BEFORE ENTERING IT. THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL FAILED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO PRESSURE. SHE WAS ABLE TO DOWNSHIFT, SLOW DOWN, AND SAFELY RETURN TO OUR RESIDENCE. UPON INSPECTING THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM, WE COULD FIND NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS (NO LEAKS, FLUID FULL AND PROPER TYPE, PADS GOOD, AND CALIPER FUNCTIONING). INITIALLY WE THOUGHT THE REAR BRAKE PADS MAY BE TOO WORN (ALTHOUGH THERE WAS APPROXIMATEL…

Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10475962 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10704750 · 2015-04-09 (April 9, 2015)

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10704750 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.

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2014

2002: 0; 2003: 1; 2004: 0; 2005: 0; 2006: 0; 2007: 3; 2008: 0; 2009: 0; 2014: 0

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Harley-Davidson XL883 model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
2002	2	0	Not available
2003	1	1	+1
2004	3	0	-1
2005	1	0	0
2006	1	0	0
2007	2	3	+3
2008	1	0	-3
2009	1	0	0
2014	3	0	Not available

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

93.3%Usable mileage14 / 15 records

100.0%Valid incident date15 / 15 records

100.0%Valid filing date15 / 15 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates15 / 15 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	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2014
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.	1100.0% ODI 10163425 · 600 mi PURCHASED HARLEY IN APRIL, BIKE INOPERATIVE, THEY REPLACED BATTERY & IT DIED AGAIN, THEY REPLACED VOLTAGE REGULATOR AND ON 7/19/06 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 PM IN CONSTRUCTION AREA OF RT I-287, BIKE LOST ALL POWER, LIGHTS HORN, THEN ENGINE. I HAD THE STATE POLICE ARRIVE & SET UP FLARES BECAUSE IT WAS VERY DARK & THERE WAS HEAVY TRACTOR TRAILER AND CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC. STATE POLICE WANTED ME TO PUSH NEW BIKE OFF HIGHWAY. AAA CAME & TOWED BACK TO MY HOME, THEN DEALER PICKED UP FOR THE THIRD TIME AND I AM NOT IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. I AM A CL… Look up ODI 10163425 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.	1100.0% ODI 10640468 · 6,200 mi DEAR SIR , THE SPEED SENSOR IN THE MOTORBIKE FAILED AT LOW SPEED . AS THIS SENDS THE INFORMATION TO THE FUEL SYSTEM AND YOUR SPEEDOMETER . MODEL IS HARLEY DAVIDSON XL 883N IRON THE MOTORBIKE HAS CHANGES OF POWER AND HICCUPS DUE TO THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM NOT RECEIVING ANY INFORMATION , SO FUEL FLOW IS INTERRUPTED . AS YOU PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STANDSTILL YOU CAN HAVE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER . YOU ALSO WILL NOT KNOW YOUR SPEED AS THE SPEEDOMETER NO LONGER WORKS. THE MOTORBIKE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN NOVEMBER 2013 , IT IS S… Look up ODI 10640468 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	266.7% ODI 10475962 · 28,000 mi MY WIFE WAS RIDING HER MOTORCYCLE TO WORK AND HAD JUST LEFT OUR RESIDENCE. SHE WAS APPROACHING A CURVE IN THE ROAD AND WENT TO APPLY HER BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN BEFORE ENTERING IT. THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL FAILED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO PRESSURE. SHE WAS ABLE TO DOWNSHIFT, SLOW DOWN, AND SAFELY RETURN TO OUR RESIDENCE. UPON INSPECTING THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM, WE COULD FIND NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS (NO LEAKS, FLUID FULL AND PROPER TYPE, PADS GOOD, AND CALIPER FUNCTIONING). INITIALLY WE THOUGHT THE REAR BRAKE PADS MAY BE TOO WORN (ALTHOUGH THERE WAS APPROXIMATEL… Look up ODI 10475962 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.
Structure:Body	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.	266.7% ODI 10682754 · 1,165 mi THE LEFT SIDE BATTERY COVER COMES DOWN AND IMPAIRS THE OPERATORS ABILITY TO SHIFT AND MANAGE THE MOTORCYCLE. THE LEFT SIDE COVER BREAKS FREE AT THE TOP AND HANGS DOWN ON THE LOWER HOOK BRACKET. THE BARREL CLIPS "ON THE COVER" AND SOCKET CLIPS "ON THE FRAME" DO NOT SECURE THE COVER CORRECTLY. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP TECHNICIANS, THE ISSUE HAPPENS FROM ENGINE HEAT, VIBRATION, AND INTERNAL MOTORCYCLE COMPONENTS PUSHING AGAINST THE COVER. HARLEY DAVIDSON UPGRADED THE CLIPS IN 2013; HOWEVER, THE ISSUE MADE NEWER 2014 MODELS WORSE. THE COVER COM… Look up ODI 10682754 at NHTSA ↗
Wheels	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10704750 · 20,000 mi MY WIFE WAS RIDING HER MOTORCYCLE TO WORK AND HAD JUST LEFT OUR RESIDENCE. SHE WAS APPROACHING A CURVE IN THE ROAD AND WENT TO APPLY HER BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN BEFORE ENTERING IT. THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL FAILED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO PRESSURE. SHE WAS ABLE TO DOWNSHIFT, SLOW DOWN, AND SAFELY RETURN TO OUR RESIDENCE. UPON INSPECTING THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM, WE COULD FIND NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS (NO LEAKS, FLUID FULL AND PROPER TYPE, PADS GOOD, AND CALIPER FUNCTIONING). INITIALLY WE THOUGHT THE REAR BRAKE PADS MAY BE TOO WORN (ALTHOUGH THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 0.2… Look up ODI 10704750 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.	1100.0% ODI 10526446 · 6,500 mi EXPERIENCED LOOSE HANDLING. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED CATASTROPHIC REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. BECAUSE OF THIS, REAR BRAKE DISK AND PADS WERE GLAZED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. INTERNET SEARCHES AND PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS OF OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY SHOW THIS PART FAILURE IS VERY COMMON. *TR Look up ODI 10526446 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery	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.	150.0% ODI 10208230 · 5,200 mi ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SEEMINGLY ENDEMIC TO ALL 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER MODELS WHEREIN THE BATTERY IS DRAINED AND MOTORCYCLE UNABLE TO START. THIS IS DANGEROUS IN REMOTE LOCATIONS UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS. SEE FOLLOWING: HTTP://XLFORUM.NET/VBPORTAL/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=70840 *TR Look up ODI 10208230 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.
Electrical System:Ignition	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.	150.0% ODI 10208230 · 5,200 mi ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SEEMINGLY ENDEMIC TO ALL 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER MODELS WHEREIN THE BATTERY IS DRAINED AND MOTORCYCLE UNABLE TO START. THIS IS DANGEROUS IN REMOTE LOCATIONS UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS. SEE FOLLOWING: HTTP://XLFORUM.NET/VBPORTAL/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=70840 *TR Look up ODI 10208230 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.
Electrical System:Ignition:Module	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10167262 · 36,000 mi WHILE RIDING (IN MOTION) THE MOTORCYCLES ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPS RUNNING, WITH NO SPARK TO THE ENGINE, CAUSING NO ACCELERATION SPEED CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE (YOUR BASICALLY COASTING WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING). THIS CAN BECOME A VERY DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE TO SAY THE LEAST, ESPECIALLY WHEN OTHER VEHICLES ARE AROUND YOU. I HAVE HEARD OF MANY OTHER PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY I HAD THE DEALER INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BIKE. NOW THAT T… Look up ODI 10167262 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.
Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Relay	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.	150.0% ODI 10208230 · 5,200 mi ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SEEMINGLY ENDEMIC TO ALL 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER MODELS WHEREIN THE BATTERY IS DRAINED AND MOTORCYCLE UNABLE TO START. THIS IS DANGEROUS IN REMOTE LOCATIONS UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS. SEE FOLLOWING: HTTP://XLFORUM.NET/VBPORTAL/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=70840 *TR Look up ODI 10208230 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
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	3,400 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10163425 · 600 mi PURCHASED HARLEY IN APRIL, BIKE INOPERATIVE, THEY REPLACED BATTERY & IT DIED AGAIN, THEY REPLACED VOLTAGE REGULATOR AND ON 7/19/06 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 PM IN CONSTRUCTION AREA OF RT I-287, BIKE LOST ALL POWER, LIGHTS HORN, THEN ENGINE. I HAD THE STATE POLICE ARRIVE & SET UP FLARES BECAUSE IT WAS VERY DARK & THERE WAS HEAVY TRACTOR TRAILER AND CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC. STATE POLICE WANTED ME TO PUSH NEW BIKE OFF HIGHWAY. AAA CAME & TOWED BACK TO MY HOME, THEN DEALER PICKED UP FOR THE THIRD TIME AND I AM NOT IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. I AM A CL… Look up ODI 10163425 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10640468 · 6,200 mi DEAR SIR , THE SPEED SENSOR IN THE MOTORBIKE FAILED AT LOW SPEED . AS THIS SENDS THE INFORMATION TO THE FUEL SYSTEM AND YOUR SPEEDOMETER . MODEL IS HARLEY DAVIDSON XL 883N IRON THE MOTORBIKE HAS CHANGES OF POWER AND HICCUPS DUE TO THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM NOT RECEIVING ANY INFORMATION , SO FUEL FLOW IS INTERRUPTED . AS YOU PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STANDSTILL YOU CAN HAVE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER . YOU ALSO WILL NOT KNOW YOUR SPEED AS THE SPEEDOMETER NO LONGER WORKS. THE MOTORBIKE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN NOVEMBER 2013 , IT IS S… Look up ODI 10640468 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes	Too few reports for a range	24,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10475962 · 28,000 mi MY WIFE WAS RIDING HER MOTORCYCLE TO WORK AND HAD JUST LEFT OUR RESIDENCE. SHE WAS APPROACHING A CURVE IN THE ROAD AND WENT TO APPLY HER BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN BEFORE ENTERING IT. THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL FAILED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO PRESSURE. SHE WAS ABLE TO DOWNSHIFT, SLOW DOWN, AND SAFELY RETURN TO OUR RESIDENCE. UPON INSPECTING THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM, WE COULD FIND NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS (NO LEAKS, FLUID FULL AND PROPER TYPE, PADS GOOD, AND CALIPER FUNCTIONING). INITIALLY WE THOUGHT THE REAR BRAKE PADS MAY BE TOO WORN (ALTHOUGH THERE WAS APPROXIMATEL… Look up ODI 10475962 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10704750 · 20,000 mi MY WIFE WAS RIDING HER MOTORCYCLE TO WORK AND HAD JUST LEFT OUR RESIDENCE. SHE WAS APPROACHING A CURVE IN THE ROAD AND WENT TO APPLY HER BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN BEFORE ENTERING IT. THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL FAILED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO PRESSURE. SHE WAS ABLE TO DOWNSHIFT, SLOW DOWN, AND SAFELY RETURN TO OUR RESIDENCE. UPON INSPECTING THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM, WE COULD FIND NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS (NO LEAKS, FLUID FULL AND PROPER TYPE, PADS GOOD, AND CALIPER FUNCTIONING). INITIALLY WE THOUGHT THE REAR BRAKE PADS MAY BE TOO WORN (ALTHOUGH THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 0.2… Look up ODI 10704750 at NHTSA ↗
Structure:Body	Too few reports for a range	1,089 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10682754 · 1,165 mi THE LEFT SIDE BATTERY COVER COMES DOWN AND IMPAIRS THE OPERATORS ABILITY TO SHIFT AND MANAGE THE MOTORCYCLE. THE LEFT SIDE COVER BREAKS FREE AT THE TOP AND HANGS DOWN ON THE LOWER HOOK BRACKET. THE BARREL CLIPS "ON THE COVER" AND SOCKET CLIPS "ON THE FRAME" DO NOT SECURE THE COVER CORRECTLY. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP TECHNICIANS, THE ISSUE HAPPENS FROM ENGINE HEAT, VIBRATION, AND INTERNAL MOTORCYCLE COMPONENTS PUSHING AGAINST THE COVER. HARLEY DAVIDSON UPGRADED THE CLIPS IN 2013; HOWEVER, THE ISSUE MADE NEWER 2014 MODELS WORSE. THE COVER COM… Look up ODI 10682754 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10705170 · 1,012 mi DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY AT 60MPH AND BATTERY COVER GOES FLYING OFF NARROWLY MISS HITTING A VEHICLE BEHIND ME. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT HAS YET TO BE FIXED PROPERLY AND NO FOREWARNING OR DISCLAIMER IS GIVEN. THROUGH FORUMS I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN TO HARLEY AND YET THEY CONTINUE TO NOT INFORM THERE BUYERS SENSE 2004. THIS IS A FLAW IN THERE DESIGN. ONLY KNOWN FIX IS TO ZIPTIE IN PLACE. DUE TO THERE CLIPS NOT PROPERLY PERFORMING. THEY NEED TO INSTALL ZIP TIES BEFORE WE PURCHASE THEM OR INSTALL A STRAP TO ENSURE THIS … Look up ODI 10705170 at NHTSA ↗
Wheels	Too few reports for a range	13,250 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10704750 · 20,000 mi MY WIFE WAS RIDING HER MOTORCYCLE TO WORK AND HAD JUST LEFT OUR RESIDENCE. SHE WAS APPROACHING A CURVE IN THE ROAD AND WENT TO APPLY HER BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN BEFORE ENTERING IT. THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL FAILED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO PRESSURE. SHE WAS ABLE TO DOWNSHIFT, SLOW DOWN, AND SAFELY RETURN TO OUR RESIDENCE. UPON INSPECTING THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM, WE COULD FIND NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS (NO LEAKS, FLUID FULL AND PROPER TYPE, PADS GOOD, AND CALIPER FUNCTIONING). INITIALLY WE THOUGHT THE REAR BRAKE PADS MAY BE TOO WORN (ALTHOUGH THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 0.2… Look up ODI 10704750 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10526446 · 6,500 mi EXPERIENCED LOOSE HANDLING. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED CATASTROPHIC REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. BECAUSE OF THIS, REAR BRAKE DISK AND PADS WERE GLAZED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. INTERNET SEARCHES AND PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS OF OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY SHOW THIS PART FAILURE IS VERY COMMON. *TR Look up ODI 10526446 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery	Too few reports for a range	5,200 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10208230 · 5,200 mi ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SEEMINGLY ENDEMIC TO ALL 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER MODELS WHEREIN THE BATTERY IS DRAINED AND MOTORCYCLE UNABLE TO START. THIS IS DANGEROUS IN REMOTE LOCATIONS UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS. SEE FOLLOWING: HTTP://XLFORUM.NET/VBPORTAL/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=70840 *TR Look up ODI 10208230 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Ignition	Too few reports for a range	5,200 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10208230 · 5,200 mi ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SEEMINGLY ENDEMIC TO ALL 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER MODELS WHEREIN THE BATTERY IS DRAINED AND MOTORCYCLE UNABLE TO START. THIS IS DANGEROUS IN REMOTE LOCATIONS UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS. SEE FOLLOWING: HTTP://XLFORUM.NET/VBPORTAL/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=70840 *TR Look up ODI 10208230 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Ignition:Module	Too few reports for a range	36,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10167262 · 36,000 mi WHILE RIDING (IN MOTION) THE MOTORCYCLES ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPS RUNNING, WITH NO SPARK TO THE ENGINE, CAUSING NO ACCELERATION SPEED CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE (YOUR BASICALLY COASTING WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING). THIS CAN BECOME A VERY DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE TO SAY THE LEAST, ESPECIALLY WHEN OTHER VEHICLES ARE AROUND YOU. I HAVE HEARD OF MANY OTHER PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY I HAD THE DEALER INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BIKE. NOW THAT T… Look up ODI 10167262 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Relay	Too few reports for a range	5,200 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10208230 · 5,200 mi ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SEEMINGLY ENDEMIC TO ALL 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER MODELS WHEREIN THE BATTERY IS DRAINED AND MOTORCYCLE UNABLE TO START. THIS IS DANGEROUS IN REMOTE LOCATIONS UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS. SEE FOLLOWING: HTTP://XLFORUM.NET/VBPORTAL/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=70840 *TR Look up ODI 10208230 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

2009: 0 complaints · 2014: 3 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2009	0	0	0
2014	2	3	3

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	1	0	0
2014	3	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	Service Brakes	Structure:Body	Wheels	Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery	Electrical System:Ignition	Electrical System:Ignition:Module	Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Relay
Electrical System	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Service Brakes	0	—	0	1 ODI 10704750 · 20,000 mi MY WIFE WAS RIDING HER MOTORCYCLE TO WORK AND HAD JUST LEFT OUR RESIDENCE. SHE WAS APPROACHING A CURVE IN THE ROAD AND WENT TO APPLY HER BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN BEFORE ENTERING IT. THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL FAILED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO PRESSURE. SHE WAS ABLE TO DOWNSHIFT, SLOW DOWN, AND SAFELY RETURN TO OUR RESIDENCE. UPON INSPECTING THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM, WE COULD FIND NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS (NO LEAKS, FLUID FULL AND PROPER TYPE, PADS GOOD, AND CALIPER FUNCTIONING). INITIALLY WE THOUGHT THE REAR BRAKE PADS MAY BE TOO WORN (ALTHOUGH THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 0.2… Look up ODI 10704750 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0
Structure:Body	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Wheels	0	1 ODI 10704750 · 20,000 mi MY WIFE WAS RIDING HER MOTORCYCLE TO WORK AND HAD JUST LEFT OUR RESIDENCE. SHE WAS APPROACHING A CURVE IN THE ROAD AND WENT TO APPLY HER BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN BEFORE ENTERING IT. THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL FAILED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO PRESSURE. SHE WAS ABLE TO DOWNSHIFT, SLOW DOWN, AND SAFELY RETURN TO OUR RESIDENCE. UPON INSPECTING THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM, WE COULD FIND NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS (NO LEAKS, FLUID FULL AND PROPER TYPE, PADS GOOD, AND CALIPER FUNCTIONING). INITIALLY WE THOUGHT THE REAR BRAKE PADS MAY BE TOO WORN (ALTHOUGH THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 0.2… Look up ODI 10704750 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0	0
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery	0	0	0	0	—	1 ODI 10208230 · 5,200 mi ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SEEMINGLY ENDEMIC TO ALL 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER MODELS WHEREIN THE BATTERY IS DRAINED AND MOTORCYCLE UNABLE TO START. THIS IS DANGEROUS IN REMOTE LOCATIONS UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS. SEE FOLLOWING: HTTP://XLFORUM.NET/VBPORTAL/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=70840 *TR Look up ODI 10208230 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10208230 · 5,200 mi ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SEEMINGLY ENDEMIC TO ALL 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER MODELS WHEREIN THE BATTERY IS DRAINED AND MOTORCYCLE UNABLE TO START. THIS IS DANGEROUS IN REMOTE LOCATIONS UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS. SEE FOLLOWING: HTTP://XLFORUM.NET/VBPORTAL/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=70840 *TR Look up ODI 10208230 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Ignition	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10208230 · 5,200 mi ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SEEMINGLY ENDEMIC TO ALL 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER MODELS WHEREIN THE BATTERY IS DRAINED AND MOTORCYCLE UNABLE TO START. THIS IS DANGEROUS IN REMOTE LOCATIONS UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS. SEE FOLLOWING: HTTP://XLFORUM.NET/VBPORTAL/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=70840 *TR Look up ODI 10208230 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	1 ODI 10208230 · 5,200 mi ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SEEMINGLY ENDEMIC TO ALL 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER MODELS WHEREIN THE BATTERY IS DRAINED AND MOTORCYCLE UNABLE TO START. THIS IS DANGEROUS IN REMOTE LOCATIONS UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS. SEE FOLLOWING: HTTP://XLFORUM.NET/VBPORTAL/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=70840 *TR Look up ODI 10208230 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Ignition:Module	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Relay	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10208230 · 5,200 mi ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SEEMINGLY ENDEMIC TO ALL 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER MODELS WHEREIN THE BATTERY IS DRAINED AND MOTORCYCLE UNABLE TO START. THIS IS DANGEROUS IN REMOTE LOCATIONS UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS. SEE FOLLOWING: HTTP://XLFORUM.NET/VBPORTAL/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=70840 *TR Look up ODI 10208230 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10208230 · 5,200 mi ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SEEMINGLY ENDEMIC TO ALL 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER MODELS WHEREIN THE BATTERY IS DRAINED AND MOTORCYCLE UNABLE TO START. THIS IS DANGEROUS IN REMOTE LOCATIONS UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS. SEE FOLLOWING: HTTP://XLFORUM.NET/VBPORTAL/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=70840 *TR Look up ODI 10208230 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

2 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

3 mentions · 20.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 3,105 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10020701 · 10 mi

Look up ODI 10020701 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 8023899

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS AS A RESULT OF THE CARBURETOR BUT THEY CAN'T FIX IT BECAUSE OF EPA REGULATIONS/STANDARDS. *TS *TT *NLM.

Look up ODI 8023899 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10640468 · 6,200 mi

DEAR SIR , THE SPEED SENSOR IN THE MOTORBIKE FAILED AT LOW SPEED . AS THIS SENDS THE INFORMATION TO THE FUEL SYSTEM AND YOUR SPEEDOMETER . MODEL IS HARLEY DAVIDSON XL 883N IRON THE MOTORBIKE HAS CHANGES OF POWER AND HICCUPS DUE TO THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM NOT RECEIVING ANY INFORMATION , SO FUEL FLOW IS INTERRUPTED . AS YOU PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STANDSTILL YOU CAN HAVE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER . YOU ALSO WILL NOT KNOW YOUR SPEED AS THE SPEEDOMETER NO LONGER WORKS. THE MOTORBIKE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN NOVEMBER 2013 , IT IS S…

Look up ODI 10640468 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Brake response concerns

2 mentions · 13.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 24,000 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10475962 · 28,000 mi

Look up ODI 10475962 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10704750 · 20,000 mi

Look up ODI 10704750 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule