2007 Harley-Davidson XL883R: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
48,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Power Train 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 1 |
Power Train: 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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 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 |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 |
2016: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train 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 10876043 · 2016-06-23 (June 23, 2016)
THE COMPENSATOR SPROCKET BEGAN TO THUMP AND KNOCK ON CURBSIDE STARTING, INDICATING WEAR. IT ONLY HAPPENS WITH THE BIKE IN GEAR AND THE CLUTCH DEPRESSED. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN IN NEUTRAL. IT CLEARED UP WITHIN 30 MINUTES, AND I CHANGED THE GEAR OIL, HOWEVER NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE IF IT GOES COMPLETELY IT WILL DISTRIBUTE METAL SHARDS THROUGHOUT THE GEAR BOX AND LOCK UP THE ENGINE POTENTIALLY CAUSING A SKID AND ACCIDENT. CLEARLY THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. REPAIR COSTS ARE $410.00. I HAVE 48,000 MILES ON THIS BIKE. HARLEY IS AWARE OF…
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10876043 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
06V476000 · Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Reported: 2006-12-19 (December 19, 2006)
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, AS A RESULT OF A GREATER BODY THICKNESS THAN USED IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS, THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR MAY CONTACT THE FRONT FENDER UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. IN SOME CASES THIS CONTACT MAY ALLOW THE FRONT FENDER TO CATCH ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE REGULATOR BODY WHICH COULD IMPEDE THE OPERATOR'S ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.
Remedy: ON MOTORCYCLES WHICH DO NOT HAVE ACCESSORY ENGINE GUARDS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN INTERMEDIATE MOUNTING BRACKET THAT WILL RELOCATE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR TO A POSITION WHICH PROVIDES MORE CLEARANCE FROM THE FRONT FENDER. ON VEHICLES WITH AN ACCESSORY ENGINE GUARDS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE THINNNER DIMENSION VOLTAGE REGULATOR TO AVOIDE THE FRONT FENDER CLEARANCE PROBLEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 22, 2007. A SECOND CUSTOMER LETTER REFLECTING THE ABOVE REMEDY WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS ON MARCH 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
NHTSA campaign record ↗07V025000 · Tires
Reported: 2007-02-01 (February 1, 2007)
CERTAIN SPORTSTER AND DYNA MODEL MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT FRONT TIRE.
Consequence: THIS INCORRECT TIRE COULD CAUSE PERFORMANCE ISSUES, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT TIRE AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 5, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
NHTSA campaign record ↗07V296000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Reported: 2007-07-11 (July 11, 2007)
CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A CONDITION WHEREBY THE PANT LEG OF SOME RIDERS CAN HAVE DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST PIPE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE PANT LEG TO CHAR OR BURN, WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO THE RIDER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A NEW EXHAUST SHIELD WHICH PROVIDES ADDITIONAL COVERAGE OFTHE EXHAUST PIPE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2007. 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
1 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 | 2003 | 2006 | 2007 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 250.0%ODI 10167858 · 800 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE COMING TO A STOP AND ALSO WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE BACK FIRED. THE DEALER DETERMINED THIS WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10193918 · 1,600 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL883R. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TYPE OF FUEL HE USED CAUSED THE SMOKE. THE ENGINE SIZE, PURCHASE DATE, AND # OF CYLINDERS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1,600. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10876043 · 48,000 miTHE COMPENSATOR SPROCKET BEGAN TO THUMP AND KNOCK ON CURBSIDE STARTING, INDICATING WEAR. IT ONLY HAPPENS WITH THE BIKE IN GEAR AND THE CLUTCH DEPRESSED. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN IN NEUTRAL. IT CLEARED UP WITHIN 30 MINUTES, AND I CHANGED THE GEAR OIL, HOWEVER NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE IF IT GOES COMPLETELY IT WILL DISTRIBUTE METAL SHARDS THROUGHOUT THE GEAR BOX AND LOCK UP THE ENGINE POTENTIALLY CAUSING A SKID AND ACCIDENT. CLEARLY THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. REPAIR COSTS ARE $410.00. I HAVE 48,000 MILES ON THIS BIKE. HARLEY IS AWARE OF… |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10330883 · 5,800 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE BRAKE LEVER WAS LOOSE. THE BRAKES WERE BLED; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE BRAKE LEVER AND REBUILT MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,800. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,200. UPDATED 7/16/10 *CN UPDATED 07/22/10*JB | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | Too few reports for a range | 48,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10876043 · 48,000 miTHE COMPENSATOR SPROCKET BEGAN TO THUMP AND KNOCK ON CURBSIDE STARTING, INDICATING WEAR. IT ONLY HAPPENS WITH THE BIKE IN GEAR AND THE CLUTCH DEPRESSED. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN IN NEUTRAL. IT CLEARED UP WITHIN 30 MINUTES, AND I CHANGED THE GEAR OIL, HOWEVER NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE IF IT GOES COMPLETELY IT WILL DISTRIBUTE METAL SHARDS THROUGHOUT THE GEAR BOX AND LOCK UP THE ENGINE POTENTIALLY CAUSING A SKID AND ACCIDENT. CLEARLY THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. REPAIR COSTS ARE $410.00. I HAVE 48,000 MILES ON THIS BIKE. HARLEY IS AWARE OF… |
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.
2006: 3 complaints · 2007: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 2007 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 1 | 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 | Power Train |
|---|---|
| Power Train | — |
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.