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1996 Harley-Davidson SportsterProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 6 owner complaints about the 1996 Harley-Davidson Sportster, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints60 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Fuel system, gasoline

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 26, 1998. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Harley-Davidson Sportster has problems

6 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
Fuel system, gasoline20
Fuel system, other20
Engine and engine cooling10
Service brakes, hydraulic10

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

1 recall

1996 Harley-Davidson Sportster recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 96V-103 · Jun 14, 1996 · 251 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF REAR BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Harley-Davidson.

Best & worst years

1996 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 fuel system, gasoline complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN NOVEMBER 1996, CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. RECALL #96V204000. *AK
Complaint 810541 · May 6, 1997

Own a 1996 Sportster?

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