Filed Dec 23, 20049,501 vehiclesHarley-Davidson Motor Company
Defect. CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL SHUT-OFF VALVES. THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE 'ON' POSITION AND THE 'RESERVE' POSITION OF THE VALVE MAY HAVE BEEN REVERSED.
Risk. IF THE BIKE WERE OPERATING WITH THE VALVE IN THE 'ON' POSITION, THE BIKE COULD RUN OUT OF FUEL, THE EXPECTED FUEL RESERVE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE. THIS COULD LEAD TO THE DRIVER RUNNING OUT OF GAS WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL VALVE AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN FEBRUARY 7, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-342-4080.
Filed Dec 21, 2004364 vehiclesHarley-Davidson Motor Company
Defect. CERTAIN FUEL SHUT-OFF VALVES USED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT, P/NOS 61338-02, 62169-02A, 61338-94D, AND 62169-95C FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2005 CARBURETED SPORTSTERS, DYNA, SOFTAIL, AND TOURING MODEL MOTORCYCLES. THESE VALVES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE 'ON' POSITION AND THE 'RESERVE' POSITION OF THE VALVE MAY HAVE BEEN REVERSED.
Risk. IF THE BIKE WERE OPERATING WITH THE VALVE IN THE 'ON' POSITION, THE BIKE COULD RUN OUT OF FUEL, THE EXPECTED FUEL RESERVE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE. THIS COULD LEAD TO THE DRIVER RUNNING OUT OF GAS WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL VALVE AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN JANUARY 27, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-342-4080. IF YOU HAVE HAD OR INSTALLED A REPLACEMENT FUEL SHUT-OFF VALVE IN YOUR MOTORCYCLE, PLEASE TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO YOUR DEALER TO HAVE THE VALVE INSPECTED FOR PROPER OPERATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly04V465000
Filed Sep 30, 20042,828 vehiclesHarley-Davidson Motor Company
Defect. ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, A CONDITION OCCURS THAT COULD ALLOW PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL TANK. ON FUEL INJECTED VEHICLES, THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE FUEL TO SPRAY OUT UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN THE FUEL CAP IS REMOVED. ON CARBURETED VEHICLES, EXCESSIVE FUEL COULD BE TRANSFERRED TO THE CARBURETOR, WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY ALLOW FUEL TO DRIP FROM THE AIR CLEANER.
Risk. THESE SITUATIONS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR CREATE A FIRE HAZARD FOR PERSONS OR PROPERTY ON OR NEAR THE MOTORCYCLE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL TEST EACH CANISTER FOR BLOCKAGE, THEN REPLACE AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN NOVEMBER 4, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Electrical System › Horn
Filed Sep 26, 20059,000 milesGA
THE HORN ON MY 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUI DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE HORN IS VERY MUFFLED AND IS ONLY AUDIBLE FOR APPROX 50 FEET. *8NM
Electrical System › Horn
Filed Sep 23, 20055,400 milesTX
FAULTY HORN ON HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES(FLHT),SAFETY HAZARD,WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. *JB
Electrical System › Horn
Filed Sep 23, 20052,500 milesFL
HORN CONTINUALLY FAILS TO OPERATE. HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT IT IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES AND THERE IS NO FIX.*JB
Electrical System › Horn
Filed Sep 22, 2005100 milesTX
THE HORN ON MY BRAND NEW 2005 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE I HAVE HAD THE BIKE AND THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE BIKE TOLD ME THAT THEY CANNOT REPAIR THE HORN. *NM
Electrical System › Horn
Filed Sep 22, 2005200 milesMD
THE HORN ON MY 05 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYLE DOES NOT WORK. THE DEALERSHIP AND ALL THE OTHER DEALERSHIPS THAT SERVICE HARLEY DAVIDSON'S IN THE AREA KNOW OF NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THEY SAY ALL THE NEW BIKES HAVE DISFUNCTIONAL HORNS AND THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE JUST AS BAD. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE A FUNCTIONAL HORN ON A MOTORCYCLE BECAUSE PEOPLE SIMPLY DON'T ALWAYS SEE US AND WE NEED TO LET THEM KNOW WE'RE IN THE LANE THEY ARE TRYING TO OCCUPY. ESPECIALLY IN DC TRAFFIC. *NM
Structure
Filed Sep 2, 2005650 milesPA
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE RIDING HIS BIKE, THE CONNECTION PIN CAME OUT OF THE MOUNTING BRACKET AND THE SADDLE BAG DRAGGED ON THE GROUND. HE WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH. HE SAYS THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE DEALERS FIRST RESPONSE WAS THIS COULD NOT HAPPEN. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CALLED AND HE IS WAITING FOR THEM TO GET BACK TO HIM. HE SAID IT APPEARS THEY ARE NOT COOPERATING WITH EACH OTHER TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*JB UPDATED 11/2/2005 - THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE DAMAGED BAG UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE DEALER INSTALLED THE PIN IMPROPERLY OR IF THE PIN WAS DEFECTIVE. *NM
SuspensionCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 3, 20052,300 milesOH
MOTORCYCLE DEVELOPED A HIGH SPEED WOBBLE,WAS TRAVELING IN NEVADA IR15 AT APPROXIMATELY 90 MPH,HANDLEBARS WENT VIOLENTLY RIGHT AND LEFT. COULD NOT STOP THEM FROM MOVING BACK AND FORTH. MOTORCYCLE FORCED ME TO THE ROAD,FIRST IMPACT WAS THE RIGHT SIDE OF MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE FORCED ME TO THE GROUND. *NM
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Jul 29, 20053,600 milesVA
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL STARTED TO ACCELERATE T ON ITS OWN. I COULD NOT GET IT TO TURN OFF UNTIL IT HIT 85 MPH. AFTER THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE UNTIL THE POWER WAS TURNED OFF. *NM
Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Jul 26, 200519,475 milesIL
DT: WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THEN, POWER RESTORED IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. DISCOVERED THAT A GROUNDED WIRING LEADING TO THE FRONT FENDER RUNNING LIGHT RUBBED AGAINST THE TIRE REMOVING THE INSULATION, WHICH RESULTED IN THE FAILURE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO DETERMINE WHY VEHICLE LOST ELECTRICAL POWER. WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN COMPUTER CODES DIAGNOSTICIANS. TOOK VEHICLE HOME, AND THERE DISCOVERED THE WIRING PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RUBBING SOUND AT LOW SPEEDS, INDICATING A WIRING PROBLEM. THERE WAS A PREVIOUS NHTSA RECALL 02V002000 REPAIRS FOR THE SAME REASON AN 2001, HARLEY, BUT RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO 2005 MODEL. 2005. CONSUMER MADE REPAIRS AT HOME. HAD NOT CONTACTED HARLEY DAVIDSON. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 19, 2005WA
BOUGHT VEHICLE BRAND NEW ON 04/08/05. VEHICLE ENGINE PINGS AT NORMAL OPERATING RPM, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DEALER WAS ABLE TO HEAR NOISE BUT DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX, DEALER CONTACTED MANUFACTURE, THEY SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE FACTORY REP. SAID THE SOUND WAS NORMAL DUE TO EMISSIONS. I HAVE 2 FRIENDS WHO HAVE SAME YEAR AND MODEL BIKES AND THERE BIKES DO NOT PING. I CONTACTED THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP AND HARLEY DAVIDSON CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEIR RESPONSES WERE IF THE REP. SAID IT WAS NORMAL THEN IT WAS NORMAL. IF NORMAL, WHY DO OTHER BIKES NOT DO THIS, AND I KNOW THAT PINGING IS NOT GOOD FOR A ENGINE. I WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO SELL THIS MACHINE IN THE FUTURE WITH IT PINGING LIKE THIS, I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS ANSWER, THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURE, I FEEL LIKE I MADE A VERY BAD DECISION IN PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE. IF THE DEALER OFFERED TEST RIDES (WHICH THEY DON'T), I NEVER WOULD HAVE BOUGHT THIS BIKE MAKING THIS NOISE.
Suspension › Front
Filed Jun 29, 200520 milesCA
2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON SCREAMING EAGLE ELECTRAGLIDE, MOTORCYCLE HAS A HIGH SPEED WOBBLE. ( 70+MPH) EXHIBITED PROBLEM SINCE DELIVERY. MOTORCYCLE HAS AT TIMES TAKEN TWO FULL TRAFFIC LANES TO GET UNDER CONTROL. INVESTIGATION SHOWED STEERING HEAD BEARINGS IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED FROM FACTORY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROPERLY ADJUST. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES PROBLEM, FACTORY REP DOES NOT SO DEALER REFUSES TO WORK ON THE BIKE WITHOUT FACTORY AUTHORIZATION. LETTERS TO HARLEY DAVIDSON CEO & PRESIDENT GO UNANSWERED.
Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed May 11, 20054,820 milesFL
DT: NEW HARLEY DAVIDSON WHILE DRAINING THE TRANSMISSION FOR SERVICE A PIECE WAS FOUND. TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER CALLED MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH MOTOR CYCLE, AND THEY SAID TO DRIVE IT A FEW MORE THOUSAND MILES TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS. THE MOTOR CYCLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *NM
Engine and Engine Cooling1 injured
Filed May 5, 20051,710 milesIL
DT: WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION (TURNING LEFT) THE CONSUMER LET OUT THE CLUTCH, AND WHILE MOVING FORWARD, THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED AND FELL OVER. PREVIOUSLY, ON ANOTHER, MORE GRADUAL LEFT TURN, THE MOTORCYCLE SIMPLY "COUGHED" AND KEPT GOING. *NM
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Mar 24, 2005250 milesWA
I PURCHASED THIS NEW 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON ON 1/20/2005. WHILE RIDING ON THE INTERSTATE FREEWAY I ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL. I ATTEMPTED TO DISENGAGE IT SO I COULD ADJUST MY SPEED. THE CONTROLS DID NOT DISENGAGE IT. I USED MY BRAKES, THOSE DID NOT DISENGAGE IT. I PULLED THE CLUTCH, THAT DID NOT DISENGAGE IT BUT THE ENGINE SPEED JUMP UP TO 6500 RPM. WHEN I RELEASED THE CLUTCH MY SPEED INCREASED TO AROUND 85 MPH. I TURNED OFF THE DASH SWITCH AND THAT DID NOT HAVE ANY EFFECT. I TURNED OFF THE MOTORCYCLE AND COASTED TO AN OFF RAMP. I RESTARTED THE MOTORCYCLE AND RODE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER MECHANIC PUT THE MOTORCYCLE ON TEST EQUIPMENT AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THEN HE TOOK IT FOR A TEST RIDE. THE CRUISE LOCKED ON FOR HIM ALSO. WHEN HE GOT BACK HE WORKED ON IT SOME MORE UNTIL I NEEDED TO LEAVE AND GET BACK TO WORK. HE DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE AND I RODE HOME. I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM THE NEXT WEEK AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY HOOKED EVERYTHING BACK UP AND SENT ME AWAY. IF I HAD BEEN IN HEAVIER TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS.
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Dec 23, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.