1988 Harley-Davidson SportsterProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 1988 Harley-Davidson Sportster, most often about the power train. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 11, 1999. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Harley-Davidson Sportster has problems

2 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
Power train20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1988 Harley-Davidson Sportster recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other Sportster year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sportster median. How we score

'71'72'85'88'92'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'05'07'08
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Sportster owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE MAGNETS INSIDE THE CLUTCH BASKET ON THE END OF THE TRANSMISSION MAINSHAFT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE STATOR WHICH IS BOLTED ONTO THE CRANKCASE. THE RESULT IS THAT THE ELECTRICAL GENERATING SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY RUINED AND THE TRANSMISSION GEARS SHEAR OFF TEETH. THIS CAN HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO LOCK UP…
Complaint 703193 · Feb 11, 1999
THE TRANSMISSION DOOR ON THE 4-SPEED HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER EVOLUTION MODEL (PRODUCED FROM 1984-1991) HAS A BEARING THAT SUPPORTS THE TRANSMISSION MAINSHAFT. THE BEARING GETS WORN TO THE POINT WHERE THE MAGNETS ON THE INSIDE OF THE CLUTCH BASKET AT THE END OF THE MAINSHAFT COME IN CONTACT WITH…
Complaint 700667 · Nov 16, 1998

Own a 1988 Sportster?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.