U.S. public vehicle records

1997 Harley-Davidson FLHTCI: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1997 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 0 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

Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Unknown Or Other

Unknown Or Other: 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: 0; 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

No usable failure mileage is recorded. 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.

2001

2001: 1

Pattern summary

Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. 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.

Examples from the source records

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

Owner report 892112 · 2001-07-06 (July 6, 2001)

WHILE DRIVING TOUR PACK MOUNTED ON BACK OF MOTORCYCLE SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 892112 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

98V158000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch

Reported: 1998-07-14 (July 14, 1998)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FL TOURING MOTORCYCLES. A LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN OCCUR DUE TO EXCESSIVE CURRENT AND OTHER FACTORS.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL TO START, OPERATE ERRATICALLY, OR STALL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH/CIRCUIT BREAKER AND INSTALL A RELAY KIT.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

0.0%Usable mileage0 / 1 records

100.0%Valid incident date1 / 1 records

100.0%Valid filing date1 / 1 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates1 / 1 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	1994	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2006
Electrical System	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 10063853 I RECENTLY SAW THAT HARLEY-DAVIDSON ISSUED RECALL CAMPAIGN # 0113, EVEN THOUGH MY FLHTCI IS A 2000 (MANUFACTURED IN 1999), I HAVE HAD THE SITUATION WHERE MY BIKE HAD COMPLETELY STOPPED (INCLUDING ELECTRICAL SHUTTING OFF) ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THREE OF THESE I WAS MOVING AT SPEED AND THE LAST TIME WHEN I WAS AT A DEAD STOP. AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS AND TURNING THE MAIN SWITCH OFF/ON I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE BIKE. I AM WONDERING IF THIS RECALL INCLUDES MY BIKE ALSO - AND IF IT DOESN'T COULD THE RECALL BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MODEL YEAR 2000 ALSO....MY … Look up ODI 10063853 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10334349 · 51,000 mi 50 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER RECALL HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM OF BIKE SHUTTING DOWN AND LOSING ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. IT JUST DID IT TO ME ON THE FREEWAY AROUND WASHINGTON D.C. AND I HAS TO CROSS SPEEDING TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. FOR THE PAST YEARS THE DEALER GIVES ME NOTHING BUT A RUNAROUND. SINCE HARLEY ACKNOWLEDGES THE POOR DESIGN BY REPLACING THE BREAKER WITH A FUSE AND MOVING THE LOCATION, IT'S OBVIOUS THEY SHOULD BE DOING ANOTHER FIX ON BIKES THAT STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. *TR Look up ODI 10334349 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 10838432 · 33,543 mi MULTIPLE FAILURES ON A HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE ARE BEING REPORTED IN THIS COMPLAINT. 1. REAR BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE DUE TO REAR WHEEL RUBBING AGAINST WIRE HARNESS LOCATED INSIDE REAR FENDER WELL. WIRING INSULATION WAS DESTROYED AND WIRING WAS DAMAGED TO THE POINT OF BEING INOPERABLE. WIRING HARNESS PART NUMBER 68772-06 2. REAR BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. BRAKE SWITCH PART NUMBER 72023-51. THIS SWITCH WAS REPLACED WITH A VERSION E. THE ORIGINAL SWITCH WAS SUPERSEDED BY A VERSION -A, … Look up ODI 10838432 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	120.0% ODI 10132195 · 35,000 mi DT: THE CONSUMER WASHAVING A PROBLEM WITH RECALL REPAIRS DONE. HE HAS CALLED THE DEALERSHIP FOR 5 WEEKS AND NO ONE COULD HELP HIM. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT EVERY TIME THAT HE WENT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY GIAVE OUT ALL THE PARTS. THE DEALER KEPT TELLING THE CONSUMER THAT HE NEEDED TO GO TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER AND THE CONSUMER KEPT GETTING A TAPED MESSAGE THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL OPEN AT 8 AM AND IT HAS BEEN AFTER 9 AM WHEN THE CONSUMER H CALLED. THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED AN… Look up ODI 10132195 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 763270 THE FRONT FENDER TIP MARKER LIGHT HAS WIRING THAT RUNS UNDER THE FRONT FENDER, IT RUBS ON THE TIRE WHICH WEARS THE INSULATION OFF THE WIRES , THIS CAUSES A SHORT AND BLOWS THE FUSE, THIS FUSE IS ALSO FOR THE HEADLIGHT SO WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE MOTORCYCLE LOSES HEADLIGHT AND RUNNING LIGHT, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN DRIVING THE MOTORCYCLE AT NIGHT ON A DARK UNLIT ROAD, MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE DEALER IS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS OF THIS MODEL.*AK Look up ODI 763270 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10072095 CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V134000 SUBJECT REGARDING DEFECTIVE CIRCUIT BREAKER. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT. DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS BECAUSE CONSUMER DID NOT PURCHASE THE VEHICLE THERE. *AK Look up ODI 10072095 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	240.0% ODI 723490 NO SUMMARY LISTED.*AK Look up ODI 723490 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 740517 THIS REPORT IS MADE TO YOU BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM WITH FAILURE OF CAM BEARINGS IN THE TC-88 ENGINES.I'VE RECENTLY RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM. THEY ARE ADMITTING GUILT TO THE PROBLEM, AND EXTENDING AN ADDITIOAL WARRANTY TO IT. ACCORDING TO THEM, IT IS IN A VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE THAT ARE FAILING. MANY RIDERS ARE CHANGING THEM AS A PREVENTIVE MEASURE, THUS HARLEY DAVIVDSON IS NOT AWARE OF EXACTLY HOW MANY HAVE FAILED. THE COMPANY SOLD THE MOTORCYCLE WITH A KNOWN DEFECT AND IT WAS BOUGHT WITHOUT BEING INFORMED OF … Look up ODI 740517 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.
Electrical System:Horn	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 10137473 THE HORN ON MY HARLEY DAVIDSON, SOUNDS LIKE A HALF DEAD DUCK. MY WIFE WAS IN THE CAR AND I WAS BEHIND HER ON MY 2001 FLHTCI AND I WAS BLOWING MY HORN AND SHE COULD NOT HEAR IT IN THE CAR WITH THE WINDOWS UP. THESE HORNS ARE NOT LOUD ENOUGH TO BE HEARD. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.*JB Look up ODI 10137473 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 10137453 · 11,000 mi DEFECTIVE HORNS. *JB Look up ODI 10137453 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.
Suspension	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	233.3% ODI 10630935 · 90,000 mi THE REAR SWING ARM HAS FAILED ABOVE THE WHEEL AXLE. TRYING TO ORDER A NEW ONE FROM HARLEY AND THEY DO NOT HAVE A REPLACEMENT ONE. I WAS TOLD IT'S OBSOLETE. I LOOKED THIS UP ON GOOGLE AND FOUND OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MY BIKE SHOP WANTS TO GET A USED ONE AND REINFORCE IT BY WELDING A PLATE ABOVE THE AXLE SHAFT. I WOULD FEEL BETTER WITH A FIX FROM HARLEY. THIS MAY BE MY LAST HARLEY. *TR Look up ODI 10630935 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.
Unknown Or Other	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 892112 WHILE DRIVING TOUR PACK MOUNTED ON BACK OF MOTORCYCLE SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK Look up ODI 892112 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.	150.0% ODI 10339390 · 32,500 mi WHEN RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE THE FRONT WHEEL STARTED TO WOBBLE CAUSING ME TO HAVE A WRECK. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME I WAS GOING STRAIGHT AND COULD USE THE BRAKES TO STOP. THE SECOND TIME I WAS IN A LEFT TURN AND WRECKED. I'VE LOST MY RIGHT LEG. *TR Look up ODI 10339390 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 828371 CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER. CONTACTED DEALER NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. RECALL NUMBER 98V15800. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK Look up ODI 828371 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:Wiring	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10214403 · 27,980 mi MY 2003 HARLEYDAVIDSON FLHTCI HAD THE CLIPS COME LOOSE ON THE FRONT FENDER WIRING TO THE TIP LIGHT JUST LIKE THE 2001 RECALL RESULTING IN FRAYED WIRES AND A SHORT CIRCUIT. *TR Look up ODI 10214403 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
No usable records for this analysis.

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

2004: 1 complaints · 2006: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2004	0	1	1
2006	0	1	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2004	2	0	0
2006	4	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	Unknown Or Other
Unknown Or Other	—

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

0 patterns with matching reports.

No narratives match the published patterns.