1998 Harley-Davidson FLTRI: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data updated: . 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.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch 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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 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 | 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 |
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. 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 2 |
1999: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch 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 711874 · 1999-09-23 (September 23, 1999)
ENGINE STOPS SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 711874 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 849475 · 1999-09-30 (September 30, 1999)
RECEIVED NOTICE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND TOOK MOTORCYCLE FOR REPAIRS. 1 YEAR LATER, EXPERIENCED CUT OFF PROBLEM. DID NOT HAVE PROBLEM PRIOR TO RECALL REPAIRS. RECALL REPAIR WAS A FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 849475 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 ↗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 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2005 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 240.0%ODI 10158482 · 4,500 miENGINE REPEATEDLY STALLS AT IDLE WHILE MOVING IN NORMAL STOP AND GO TRAFFIC CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH "HEAT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM" WHICH REPORTEDLY RESTRICTS FUEL TO ENGINE IN ADVANCE OF AN OVERHEAT CONDITION THEREBY LOWERING RPMS BELOW NORMAL IDLE SPEED TO THE POINT AT WHICH THE ENGINE WILL STALL, EVERY TIME. ENGINE IDLE SPEED FAILURE HAPPENS ONLY WHEN AIR TEMPERATURE IS GREATER THAN 70 DEGREES, ENGINE IS WARMED UP, AND OPERATING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. AS TEMPERATURE AND TRAFFIC INCREASES, ENGINE IDLE SPEED FALLS OFF GRAD… |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 849475RECEIVED NOTICE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND TOOK MOTORCYCLE FOR REPAIRS. 1 YEAR LATER, EXPERIENCED CUT OFF PROBLEM. DID NOT HAVE PROBLEM PRIOR TO RECALL REPAIRS. RECALL REPAIR WAS A FAILURE. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10108825UNEXPECTED INTERRUPTION OF ALL ELECTRICAL POWER CAUSING ENGINE SUDDENLY TO QUIT WHILE RIDING HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES. *BF RECALL CAMPAIGN: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V134000 THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED SERIOUS BODILY INJURIES WHEN HE CRASHED INTO A TREE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER GIVEN NOTICE THAT THE MOTORCYCLE MAY HAVE CONDITIONS WHEREBY THE 40 AMP MAIN CIRCUIT BREAKER COULD OPEN DUE TO REASONS OTHER THAN FOR WHICH IT WAS DESIGNED. *TC (LAWYER [XXX] ON BEHALF OF CLIENT [XXX]) *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUAN… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10593755 · 52,000 miTHE ENGINE ON THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS A DEFECT IN THE CAM TENSIONER THAT CAN CAUSE THE MOTOR TO FAIL AT ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO OIL PRESSURE BEING LOST. THE MOTORCYCLE CAN LOCK-UP, CAUSING THE RIDER TO FALL THE ENGINE CASE CAN BECOME CRACKED CAUSING OIL ON THE REAR TIRE CAUSING THE RIDER TO FALL. HARLEY DAVIDSON IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY OFFER A KIT TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM EXIST ON ANY MOTORCYCLE BUILT WITH THE TWIN CAM 88, 96, 103, 110 ENGINE DATING BACK TO 1999. MY QUESTION IS WHY HASN'T SOMEONE LOOKED INTO T… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10130324DT: CONTACT'S SON OWNED A 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE THAT WAS OVERHEATING. THE SPEED HAD NO IMPACT ON THE MOTORCYCLE OVERHEATING AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES. THE SERVICE DEALER TRIED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT LEAST 6 TIMES. THEY REPLACED A NEW COMPUTER CHIP AND THE PIPES. THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER'S CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY OFFERED NO RECOMMENDATIONS. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10006334THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS FAILURES OF THE ENGINE CAM BEARINGS IN 1999 TWIN CAM MOTORS WHICH IS A NEW DESIGN FROM HARLEY DAVIDSON. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS SINCE REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE BEARINGS WITH A STRONGER ONE, HOWEVER, THE REFUSE TO RECALL MOTORS WITH THE BAD BEARINGS IN THEM UNLESS THE CUSTOMER PAYS FOR THE FIX. IF THE BEARINGS FAIL WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS RUNNING, THE REAR WHEEL COULD LOCK UP AND CAUSE SEVERE INJURY AND OR DEATH TO THE RIDER, PASSENGER, AND OTHER MOTORISTS. MY BIKE HAS THAT WEAK BEARINGS IN IT, AND I WISH FOR A FACTORY RECALL T… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 150.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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. |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10191742 · 23,600 miTHE FRONT BRAKE ON MY HARLEY FLTRI FAILED DECEMBER 4, 2004 AT 15933 MILES. THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS STICKING ON. BECAUSE OF WORK AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS I DID NOT RIDE MUCH FOR A WHILE. THE DEALER REBUILT THE MASTER CYLINDER. BECAUSE OF WORK AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS I DID NOT RIDE MUCH FOR A WHILE. ON NOVEMBER 18, 2005, AT 20507 MILES, I TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE BACK BECAUSE THE FRONT BRAKES WERE AGAIN VERY SOFT. THE DEALER BLED THEM. ON OCTOBER 26, 2006, AT 22515 MILES, I COMPLAINED AGAIN THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE EXTREMELY SOFT. THE DEALER BLED THEM AGA… | 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 | 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.
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: 3 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 2006 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 5 | 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 | Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | — | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.