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Harley-Davidson SoftailYears to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 49 owner complaints and 8 safety recalls on record for the Harley-Davidson Softail.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints49Top: Engine and engine coolingSafety recalls81995–2013 model years

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

Best & worst years

Harley-Davidson Softail 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 Softail median. Tap a year for its full report.

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'07'08'10'11'12'13
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2013Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls2012Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall2011Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall2010Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls2008Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls2007Not rated–/1002 complaints · 1 recall2005Not rated–/1004 complaints · 2 recalls2004Not rated–/1004 complaints · 1 recall2003Not rated–/1007 complaints · 0 recalls2002Not rated–/1004 complaints · 0 recalls2001Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls2000Not rated–/1007 complaints · 0 recalls1999Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1998Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall1997Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1996Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall1995Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common Harley-Davidson Softail problems

All model years combined: 49 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 cooling100
Fuel system, gasoline71
Power train60
Electrical system40
Wheels40
Service brakes, hydraulic30
Suspension32
Engine30
Structure21
7 other systems110
8 recalls

Harley-Davidson Softail recalls

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

51%Foundation components: master cylinder14V-794 · 2012 · Dec 16, 2014 · 19,015 vehicles–Engine and engine cooling: engine11V-037 · 2011 · Jan 31, 2011 · 6,964 vehicles–12v/24v/48v battery: cables07V-173 · 2007 · Apr 26, 2007 · 52,240 vehicles–Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system04V-607 · 2005 · Dec 23, 2004 · 9,501 vehicles–Storage: tank assembly04V-465 · 2004–2005 · Sep 30, 2004 · 2,828 vehicles–Storage: tank assembly99V-200 · 1999 · Jul 23, 1999 · 10,241 vehicles–Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages97V-227 · 1998 · Dec 15, 1997 · 2,012 vehicles–Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system96V-204 · 1995–1997 · Oct 22, 1996 · 176,515 vehicles