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Harley-Davidson Harley DavidsonYears to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 105 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on record for the Harley-Davidson Harley Davidson.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints105Top: Engine and engine coolingSafety recalls51982–2003 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Harley-Davidson Harley Davidson years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Harley Davidson median. Tap a year for its full report.

'82'85'86'87'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2003Not rated–/1007 complaints · 0 recalls2002Not rated–/1008 complaints · 0 recalls2001Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall2000Not rated–/10020 complaints · 0 recalls1999Not rated–/10014 complaints · 0 recalls1998Not rated–/1008 complaints · 0 recalls1997Not rated–/10011 complaints · 0 recalls1996Not rated–/1009 complaints · 0 recalls1995Not rated–/1004 complaints · 0 recalls1994Not rated–/1007 complaints · 0 recalls1993Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall1992Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall1991Not rated–/1003 complaints · 2 recalls1990Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1987Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1986Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1985Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1982Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Harley-Davidson Harley Davidson problems

All model years combined: 105 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling443
Suspension135
Power train130
Electrical system130
Service brakes, hydraulic83
Fuel system, gasoline61
Vehicle speed control50
Structure40
Visibility40
6 other systems112
5 recalls

Harley-Davidson Harley Davidson recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid01V-150 · 2001 · May 1, 2001 · 211 vehicles–Service brakes, hydraulic92V-167 · 1993 · Nov 12, 1992 · 4,272 vehicles–Turn signal: switch91V-001 · 1991 · Oct 2, 1991 · 19,950 vehicles–Disc: pads91V-138 · 1992 · Aug 21, 1991 · 8,405 vehicles–Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers91V-117 · 1990–1991 · Jul 1, 1991 · 61,386 vehicles
3 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Harley Davidson

  1. UNEXPECTED ENGINE STALLING WHEN RIDINGEA98009 · 1994–1997 · closed Aug 13, 1998
    Led to recall 98V-158
  2. UNEXPECTED ENGINE SHUT DOWNPE97044 · null · closed Apr 30, 1998
    No recall
  3. FUEL TANK LEAKSPE90006 · 1982–1988 · closed Feb 20, 1990
    No recall