2003 Harley-Davidson FLSTCI: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
42,543 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data updated: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 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 (1). 0 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2009: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System 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 10279832 · 2009-08-09 (August 9, 2009)
DEFECTIVE OIL PUMP ON A 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLSTCI. (100 YEAR SPECIAL) MOTORCYCLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW FROM LOCAL DEALER AND ONLY HAS 14,000 MILES. NOTICED UNUSUAL VIBRATION AND CHECKED OIL INPUT INTO OIL BAG. VERY LOW PRESSURE AT FIRST AND NO PRESSURE ON SECOND DAY AFTER SLOW EASY WARM UP AND EVEN MORE ENGINE VIBRATION. DID NOT WANT TO CEASE ENGINE SO TURNED IT OFF AND REMOVED OIL PUMP. (PUMP IS AVAILABLE.) ASKED A DIFFERENT LOCAL DEALER IF THEY HAVE HAD ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT OIL PUMPS ON THIS MODEL AND THE RESPONSE WAS (THEY HAVE HAD A…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,575 miles reported. Look up ODI 10279832 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10576048 · 2014-03-31 (March 31, 2014)
TRAVELING DOWN INTERSTATE LOST ABILITY TO SLOW DOWN. THROTTLE WAS STUCK OPEN. HAD TO HIT KILL SWITCH AND MOVE INTO EMERGENCY LANE. AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY REPAIR SHOP THE 2003 MODEL YEAR HAS BEEN NOTORIOUS FOR THIS ISSUE. NEWS TO ME. THE THROTTLE CONTROL ROD CRACKS AND DISENGAGES FROM THROTTLE SENSOR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 70,511 miles reported. Look up ODI 10576048 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.
05V151000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2005-04-14 (April 14, 2005)
CERTAIN SOFTAIL MOTORCYCLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, 'CERTIFICATION.' THE VIN/CERTIFICATION LABEL CONTAINS INCORRECT TIRE SIZE AND INFLATION PRESSURES FOR THE FRONT WHEEL. THE LABEL STATES THE TIRE SIZE IS MT90B21 AND THE INFLATION PRESSURE AS 30 PSI, WHEREAS THE CORRECT TIRE SIZE IS MT90B16, AND THE CORRECT INFLATION PRESSURE IS 36 PSI.
Consequence: THE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS INCORRECT GIVING IMPROPER INFORMATION.
Remedy: HARLEY- DAVIDSON WILL MAIL INSTRUCTIONS ALONG WITH CORRECTED FEDERAL CERTIFICATION LABEL. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 6, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
2 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | 00.0%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 10405987 · 18,400 miMETEZLER MARATHON 880 TIRE BLOW OUT.WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND THE SIDE OF MY REAR TIRE WENT OUT,CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CRASH,THANK GOD THERE WAS NO CORNER! 150/80B16 WWW METEZLER MARATHON. TIRE PRESSURE ALWAYS CHECKED AS I AM A MOTORCYCLE CRASH SURVIVOR! READ ON LINE OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SAME TROUBLE WITH TIRES STAMPED PRODUCT OF BRAZIL,WHICH MINE ARE.HAVENT SEEN DEALER TO SEE IF HE WILL REFUND ME YET? ALSO HAVE METEZLER TIRE ON FRONT FROM BRAZIL! I DON'T TRUST IT. 250.00 A PIECE.THESE TIRES HAVE ABOUT 350 MILES ON THEM!!!. PLEASE HEL… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 10279832 · 14,575 miDEFECTIVE OIL PUMP ON A 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLSTCI. (100 YEAR SPECIAL) MOTORCYCLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW FROM LOCAL DEALER AND ONLY HAS 14,000 MILES. NOTICED UNUSUAL VIBRATION AND CHECKED OIL INPUT INTO OIL BAG. VERY LOW PRESSURE AT FIRST AND NO PRESSURE ON SECOND DAY AFTER SLOW EASY WARM UP AND EVEN MORE ENGINE VIBRATION. DID NOT WANT TO CEASE ENGINE SO TURNED IT OFF AND REMOVED OIL PUMP. (PUMP IS AVAILABLE.) ASKED A DIFFERENT LOCAL DEALER IF THEY HAVE HAD ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT OIL PUMPS ON THIS MODEL AND THE RESPONSE WAS (THEY HAVE HAD A… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Exterior Lighting | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 10433840 · 7,800 miBRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE. KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SOFTAIL MODELS AND NO RECALL BY COMPANY. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 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 10306869 · 1,550 miVEHICLE DOES NOT LIKE TO IDLE WHEN COLD. ALSO SPURATICLY STALLES GOING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS A SAFTY HAZARD BECAUSE YOU MAY BE JUST IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION OR GOING THREW CURVES. THERE MAY BE A SMALL HICKUP JUST BEFORE IT QUITES. THEN THE BIKE STARTS HARD AND SOMETIMES IT MAY BE SEVERAL MINUETS UNTILE IT WILL RESTART. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM BUT THE REPAIR CENTERS DON'T HELP WITH IT. I HAVE BEEN ALMOST HIT BECAUSE OF THIS.....THIS HAS GONE ON FOR ALMOST FOUR YEARS AND I HAVE HAD IT AT 3 DIFFERENT SHOP… |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 10576048 · 70,511 miTRAVELING DOWN INTERSTATE LOST ABILITY TO SLOW DOWN. THROTTLE WAS STUCK OPEN. HAD TO HIT KILL SWITCH AND MOVE INTO EMERGENCY LANE. AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY REPAIR SHOP THE 2003 MODEL YEAR HAS BEEN NOTORIOUS FOR THIS ISSUE. NEWS TO ME. THE THROTTLE CONTROL ROD CRACKS AND DISENGAGES FROM THROTTLE SENSOR. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 1100.0%ODI 10153827 · 17,500 miI BROUGHT THE MOTORCYCLE TO MY DEALER, NORTH TEXAS HARLEY DAVIDSON, ON MARCH 13TH TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION OIL LEAK FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY WHICH WAS SET TO EXPIRE ON MAY 14TH. THE LEAK WAS REPAIRED AND I WAS CHARGED THE $50 DEDUCTIBLE. I PICKED UP THE MOTORCYCLE AT ABOUT 6:00 PM. I DROVE IT THE 4 - 5 MILES FROM THE DEALER TO MY HOME AND PARKED IT IN MY GARAGE. THAT EVENING, I BEGAN CLEANING THE MOTORCYCLE AS THE DEALER DID NOT CLEAN IT TO MY SATISFACTION. I FOUND, TO MY COMPLETE ASTONISHMENT, THAT A PORTION OF THE REAR DRIVE PULLEY WAS… | 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. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 00.0%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 10278661 · 17,168 miBRAKE FAILURE DUE TO LINING COMING OFF BACKING PLATE. I WAS DRIVING ALONG, WENT TO STOP AT A LIGHT, APPLY BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. I REPLACED THE REAR BRAKES WHERE THE LINING HAD CAME OFF. ONE WEEK LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE FRONT BRAKES BUT THAT HAPPENED WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE. IN THE CASE OF THE FRONT BRAKES, I STILL HAVE BOTH LINING AND BACKING PLATE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 17K MILES AND HAD PLENTY OF LINING LIFE LEFT (HAD JUST PASS A STATE INSPECTION) JUST SEEMS ODD AND EVERYONE I TALK WITH SAYS MANUFACTURE DEFECT. … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 00.0%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 10138037DT: THE CONTACT STATED FRONT CALIPER FELL OFF OF THE MOTORCYCLE THE FIRST DAY HE PURCHASED IT. THE DEALER DID NOT THINK IT WAS A PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC TORQUED IT DOWN TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATIONS. THIS HAPPENED ON 3-25-05. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE DMV TELLING HIM THE PSI ON THE TIRES WAS WRONG. THE DEALER LEFT THE TIRE PRESSURE THE WAY IT WAS.*AK | 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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | Too few reports for a range | 14,575 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10279832 · 14,575 miDEFECTIVE OIL PUMP ON A 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLSTCI. (100 YEAR SPECIAL) MOTORCYCLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW FROM LOCAL DEALER AND ONLY HAS 14,000 MILES. NOTICED UNUSUAL VIBRATION AND CHECKED OIL INPUT INTO OIL BAG. VERY LOW PRESSURE AT FIRST AND NO PRESSURE ON SECOND DAY AFTER SLOW EASY WARM UP AND EVEN MORE ENGINE VIBRATION. DID NOT WANT TO CEASE ENGINE SO TURNED IT OFF AND REMOVED OIL PUMP. (PUMP IS AVAILABLE.) ASKED A DIFFERENT LOCAL DEALER IF THEY HAVE HAD ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT OIL PUMPS ON THIS MODEL AND THE RESPONSE WAS (THEY HAVE HAD A… |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | Too few reports for a range | 70,511 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10576048 · 70,511 miTRAVELING DOWN INTERSTATE LOST ABILITY TO SLOW DOWN. THROTTLE WAS STUCK OPEN. HAD TO HIT KILL SWITCH AND MOVE INTO EMERGENCY LANE. AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY REPAIR SHOP THE 2003 MODEL YEAR HAS BEEN NOTORIOUS FOR THIS ISSUE. NEWS TO ME. THE THROTTLE CONTROL ROD CRACKS AND DISENGAGES FROM THROTTLE SENSOR. *TR |
| Vehicle Speed Control | Too few reports for a range | 70,511 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10576048 · 70,511 miTRAVELING DOWN INTERSTATE LOST ABILITY TO SLOW DOWN. THROTTLE WAS STUCK OPEN. HAD TO HIT KILL SWITCH AND MOVE INTO EMERGENCY LANE. AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY REPAIR SHOP THE 2003 MODEL YEAR HAS BEEN NOTORIOUS FOR THIS ISSUE. NEWS TO ME. THE THROTTLE CONTROL ROD CRACKS AND DISENGAGES FROM THROTTLE SENSOR. *TR |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2005: 2 complaints · 2006: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
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 | Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | Fuel/Propulsion System | Vehicle Speed Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | — | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 0 | — | 1ODI 10576048 · 70,511 miTRAVELING DOWN INTERSTATE LOST ABILITY TO SLOW DOWN. THROTTLE WAS STUCK OPEN. HAD TO HIT KILL SWITCH AND MOVE INTO EMERGENCY LANE. AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY REPAIR SHOP THE 2003 MODEL YEAR HAS BEEN NOTORIOUS FOR THIS ISSUE. NEWS TO ME. THE THROTTLE CONTROL ROD CRACKS AND DISENGAGES FROM THROTTLE SENSOR. *TR |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 0 | 1ODI 10576048 · 70,511 miTRAVELING DOWN INTERSTATE LOST ABILITY TO SLOW DOWN. THROTTLE WAS STUCK OPEN. HAD TO HIT KILL SWITCH AND MOVE INTO EMERGENCY LANE. AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY REPAIR SHOP THE 2003 MODEL YEAR HAS BEEN NOTORIOUS FOR THIS ISSUE. NEWS TO ME. THE THROTTLE CONTROL ROD CRACKS AND DISENGAGES FROM THROTTLE SENSOR. *TR | — |
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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.