Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Brakes recall
These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush the entire brake system with new Platinum Label DOT 4 brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0171.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Exterior lighting recall
THE EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY CAUSE THE SWITCH TO NOT ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP OR ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP WHEN NO BRAKE IS APPLIED AND/OR CAUSE A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, AFFECTING REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE. EITHER CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL A INSTALL A REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH KIT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Fuel system recall
A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE, WHICH COULD LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LEFT AND RIGHT BRACE, WHICH ARE INTENDED TO REDUCE FRONT MOUNT DISTORTION DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS. THIS REPAIR WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
4
Most reports here involve premature wear.
Read full complaint
THERE ARE TWO BOLTS THREADED INTO TRANSMISSION CASE THAT HOLDS MUFFLER BRACKET, ,BOLT BACKS OUT CAUSING TRANSMISSION OIL TO LEAK ONTO MUFFLER BRACKET WHICH IS EXTREMELY HOT CAUSING A POSSIBLE FIRE. *TR
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10631376 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
2
Most reports here involve electrical shorts.
Read full complaint
I'M EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY TBW. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NOVEMBER AT THE END OF A CHARITY RIDE AND I THOUGHT PERHAPS THE PACK RIDE CAUSED IT TO OVERHEAT, AFTER SHUTTING THE BIKE OFF IT WENT AWAY BRIEFLY. DID SOME TROUBLESHOOTING ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PLUGS ON THE ECM AND TB WERE TYPICALLY THE ISSUE SO CLEANED, ADDED DIELITHIUM GREASE TO THE CONNECTORS AND ISSUES WENT AWAY. HAPPENED AGAIN, THIS TIME I PULLED THE CEL CODES TO DISCOVER THE TGS AND ETC CODES WERE IN FAULT. AFTER MORE RESEARCH DECIDED TO ELIMINATE THE GREEN QUICK CONNECT PLUGS IN THE HANDLEBARS AND FAIRING BY SODERING AND HEAT SHRINKING CONNECTIONS AS IT WAS DISCUSSED THAT THE CONNECTORS WERE A POSSIBLE CULPRIT FOR SAID CEL CODES. THAT RESOLVED THE ISSUES TEMPORARILY LIKE THE PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS. BACK TO THE SEEMINGLY COMMON ISSUE OF THE DREADED LIMP MODE, TO WHICH I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ON THE INTERSTATE EXIT RAMP AFTER THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. ALL THE ARTICLES ARE HITTING THE SAME SPOT, 08-13YRS, 96, 103, 110CI ENGINES EFFECTED BY THIS SAME ISSUES, HOW MANY OF US HAVE TO GO INTO LIMP MODE OR WORSE BE STRUCK AND KILLED FOR A FACTORY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURE.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11403192 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
15
Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11593078 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
3
Most reports here involve loss of steering.
Read full complaint
I TURNED ONTO NORTHBOUND US HIGHWAY 281 FROM EASTBOUND SOUTH DAKOTA HIGHWAY 26 AND ACCELERATED NORMALLY TO 65 MPH AND ACTIVATED THE ELECTRONIC CRUISE CONTROL IN 6TH GEAR. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS I HEARD A NUMBER OF SQUEALS FROM THE FRONT END AND THE HANDLEBARS BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO RAPIDLY SLOW THE MOTORCYCLE DOWN. AT 50 MPH THE SHAKING STOPPED. I DISENGAGED THE CLUTCH AND DIDN'T FEEL ANY NOTICEABLE RESISTANCE. I STOPPED AND INSPECTED THE FRONT WHEEL AND SAW THE BEARING SHIELD HAD MOVED AWAY FROM THE BEARING . I WAS ABOUT 2 MILES FROM REDFIELD SOUTH DAKOTA SO I RODE TO REDFIELD AT A VERY SLOW RATE WITHOUT THE HANDLEBARS SHAKING. I WENT TO THE SUPER 8 MOTEL AND CALLED THE HARLEY OWNERS GROUP ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. *TR
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10637924 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
5
Most reports here involve premature wear.
Read full complaint
FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS PREMATURELY FAILING. MANY PEOPLE ARE REPORTING FAILURES ON THESE BEARINGS WITH LESS THAN 2000 MILES. I HAVE REPORTED MY COMPLAINTS DIRECTLY TO HARLEY DAVIDSON CUSTOMER CARE DEPARTMENT WHO HAVE LOGGED AGAINST MY VIN. THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT REPLACING WHEEL BEARINGS AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER REGARDLESS OF THE MILEAGE FAILURE. THIS IS A MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURED FOR TOURING, WHICH MY WIFE AND I RIDE WITH LUGGAGE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO US AT 65 MILES PER HOUR AND HAVING A BEARING FREEZE UP, CHEWING THREW AND AXLE. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE WHICH HARLEY DAVIDSON MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *TR
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10546182 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 29 complaints on file, more than the 2011 (20). Of the 7 model years of the Harley-Davidson Flhtk we cover, the 2014 has the most (37). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.