U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Harley-Davidson FLSTFI: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

16,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 1 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

Engine 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.

Engine

Engine: 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: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (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.

2016

2016: 1

Pattern summary

Engine 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 10910637 · 2016-09-29 (September 29, 2016)

199-2005 TWIN CAM HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES HAVE A DEFECTIVE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER DESIGN. THESE PARTS CAN WEAR OUT IN SOME CASE IN LESS THAN 15,000 MILES AND REQUIRE AN EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT COST RANGING FROM $800 TO OVER $8000. THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER IS A SPRING DESIGN WITH A SMALL PLASTIC PAD. THERE ARE 2 CAM FOLLOWERS USED IN THE DESIGN. THE PADS WEAR AND THE PLASTIC IS DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE OIL SYSTEM OF THE BIKE AND CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THIS IS THE FIRST TYPE OF FAILURE DUE TO THE CAM FOLLOWER. THE SECOND POSSIBLE FAILURE …

Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10910637 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 ↗

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.

100.0%Usable mileage1 / 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	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	2100.0% ODI 10155764 · 16,002 mi 2004 HARLEY DAVIDSON, SOFT TAIL FATBOY. STOCK WHEELS AND TIRES. TRAVELING AT APPROX. 75 MPH ON I-8 ENTERING YUMA AZ. ALL 5 BOLTS HOLDING THE MAIN DRIVE PULLEY TO THE REAR WHEEL BROKE OFF. ONE BOLT FLEW BACK AND HIT ANOTHER RIDER THUS CAUSING MINOR INJURY TO THE LEG. NOT REPORTED. BIKE DID NOT CRASH BUT WAS DAMAGED. PULLEY AND WHEEL WERE TAKEN TO HARLEY DAVIDSON, THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN FINDING THE CAUSE. MANY MECHANICS HAVE LOOKED AT THIS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. BIKE HAS 16002 MILES AND THE BOLTS WERE LAST CHECKED AT 10KMILES FO… Look up ODI 10155764 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10910637 · 16,000 mi 199-2005 TWIN CAM HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES HAVE A DEFECTIVE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER DESIGN. THESE PARTS CAN WEAR OUT IN SOME CASE IN LESS THAN 15,000 MILES AND REQUIRE AN EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT COST RANGING FROM $800 TO OVER $8000. THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER IS A SPRING DESIGN WITH A SMALL PLASTIC PAD. THERE ARE 2 CAM FOLLOWERS USED IN THE DESIGN. THE PADS WEAR AND THE PLASTIC IS DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE OIL SYSTEM OF THE BIKE AND CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THIS IS THE FIRST TYPE OF FAILURE DUE TO THE CAM FOLLOWER. THE SECOND POSSIBLE FAILURE … Look up ODI 10910637 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	1100.0% ODI 10198460 · 9,900 mi FUEL LINE INSIDE OF MOTORCYCLE GAS TANK IS TOO LONG ON EARLIER MODELS OF H-D FUEL INJECTED MOTORCYCLES. IN TIME, VIBRATION WEARS A SMALL HOLE IN THIS LINE, CAUSING THE MOTOR TO STALL OUT WHEN STOPPING. IN EARLY 2004 I HAD TO BRAKE SUDDENLY AND THE BIKE STALLED. THE CAR BEHIND CAME VERY CLOSE TO REAR-ENDING ME. BEFORE I REALIZED WHAT HAPPEN, HE WAS ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE FROM MY REAR TIRE. I PULLED IN THE CLUTCH AND QUICKLY LET IT OUT TO START THE BIKE AGAIN BUT WAS IN FOURTH OR FIFTH GEAR SO I HAD TO QUICKLY DOWN-SHIFT TO FIRST TO GET MOVING AGA… Look up ODI 10198460 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Driveline	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10155764 · 16,002 mi 2004 HARLEY DAVIDSON, SOFT TAIL FATBOY. STOCK WHEELS AND TIRES. TRAVELING AT APPROX. 75 MPH ON I-8 ENTERING YUMA AZ. ALL 5 BOLTS HOLDING THE MAIN DRIVE PULLEY TO THE REAR WHEEL BROKE OFF. ONE BOLT FLEW BACK AND HIT ANOTHER RIDER THUS CAUSING MINOR INJURY TO THE LEG. NOT REPORTED. BIKE DID NOT CRASH BUT WAS DAMAGED. PULLEY AND WHEEL WERE TAKEN TO HARLEY DAVIDSON, THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN FINDING THE CAUSE. MANY MECHANICS HAVE LOOKED AT THIS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. BIKE HAS 16002 MILES AND THE BOLTS WERE LAST CHECKED AT 10KMILES FO… Look up ODI 10155764 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Seats	00.0% 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.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10428728 · 10,600 mi WHEN REMOVING SEAT, LEFT SIDE ANGLE BRACKET THAT HOLDS SCREW, (1/4-20 THUMB SCREW), FELL TO FLOOR. THIS BRACKET WAS RIVETED TO THE PLASTIC SEAT PAN, IN A TRIANGULAR PATTERN. THE BRACKET, RIVETS, AND PLASTIC, ABOUT THE SIZE / SHAPE OF A NICKEL, FELL OUT IN ONE PIECE. THERE ARE SPIDER CRACKS IN THE SEAT PAN AROUND THE HOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE AND ON THE RIGHT SIDE BRACKET ASSEMBLY AREA ALSO. IF THE SEAT FAILS, CAUSING A SEAT/RIDER SHIFT, AT ANY SPEED, WILL MAKE MOTORCYCLE UNCONTROLLABLE. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. LOOKING ONLINE FOR A REPLACEMENT, M… Look up ODI 10428728 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension:Rear	00.0% 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.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10213256 · 8,500 mi REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WORN BADLY AT ONLY 8,500 MILES CREATING UNSTABLE CONDITION. BEARINGS ARE SEALED AND CAN NOT BE LUBRICATED. THERE IS ALSO NO MENTION OF MAINTENANCE OR INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS IN OWNERS MANUAL/MAINTENANCE INTERVALS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM SINCE HARLEY DAVIDSON SWITCHED FROM GREASY BEARINGS TO THOSE OF THE SEALED TYPE. *TR Look up ODI 10213256 at NHTSA ↗
Wheels:Rim	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10156142 · 16,002 mi ON SATURDAY APRIL 15 AT APPROX. 3:30 PM PT TRAVELING EAST ON I-8, 1/2 MILE IN TO YUMA AZ, TRAVELING AT APPROX. 75 MPH, I HAD 5 BOLTS FAIL ON THE MAIN DRIVE PULLEY ATTACHED TO MY REAR WHEEL. ONE BOLT FLEW FORWARD AND ONE FLEW BACK AND STRUCK ANOTHER MOTORCYCLE RIDER IN THE LEFT SHIN CAUSING MINOR INJURY (FIRST AID ONLY). THE REAR WHEEL DIDN'T LOCK UP SO AN ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED. THIS COULD HAVE HAD A VERY DIFFERENT OUT COME HAD I BEEN ON WET PAVEMENT WHICH WOULD HAVE MOST LIKELY CAUSED THE WHEEL TO LOCK WHEN ONE OF THE BOLTS HIT THE SWING ARM. … Look up ODI 10156142 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable 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	Too few reports for a range	16,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10910637 · 16,000 mi 199-2005 TWIN CAM HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES HAVE A DEFECTIVE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER DESIGN. THESE PARTS CAN WEAR OUT IN SOME CASE IN LESS THAN 15,000 MILES AND REQUIRE AN EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT COST RANGING FROM $800 TO OVER $8000. THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER IS A SPRING DESIGN WITH A SMALL PLASTIC PAD. THERE ARE 2 CAM FOLLOWERS USED IN THE DESIGN. THE PADS WEAR AND THE PLASTIC IS DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE OIL SYSTEM OF THE BIKE AND CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THIS IS THE FIRST TYPE OF FAILURE DUE TO THE CAM FOLLOWER. THE SECOND POSSIBLE FAILURE … Look up ODI 10910637 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

2005: 0 complaints · 2006: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2005	0	0	0
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
2005	0	0	0
2006	2	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Engine
Engine	—

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.