Harley-Davidson Softail Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 49 owner complaints across 17 model years of the Harley-Davidson Softail (1995–2013). The most-complained-about year is 2000.

Pick your Harley-Davidson Softail model year

• 1995
• 1996
• 1997
• 1998
• 1999
• 2000
• 2001
• 2002
• 2003
• 2004
• 2005
• 2007
• 2008
• 2010
• 2011
• 2012
• 2013

What Harley-Davidson Softail owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA. The 2000 model year has the most, with 7.

• Engine and engine cooling: engine4
• Power train4
• Engine and engine cooling3
• Wheels3
• Engine3
• Suspension: front2
• Equipment2
• Fuel system, gasoline: tank assembly2

All Harley-Davidson Softail recalls (8)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Harley-Davidson Softail, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

1. Master cylinder (service brakes)

   NHTSA 14V794000 Reported December 16, 2014 19,015 vehicles potentially affected Harley-Davidson Motor Company

   Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2012 FXST103, FLSTC, FLSTC103, FLSTF, FLSTF103, FXDL, FXDWG, FXDWG103, FXDC, FXDB, FLSTN, FLSTN103, FLSTC103Shrine, FLSTFB, FLSTFB103, FXS, FXS103, FLS, FLS103, FLD, FLD103, FXDF, and FXDF103 Dyna and Softail motorcycles manufactured August 22, 2011, through…

   Remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush and inspect the front brake master cylinder and, if necessary, replace the master cylinder, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on January 22,…

   Model years: 2012

2. Engine (engine and engine cooling)

   NHTSA 11V037000 Reported January 31, 2011 6,964 vehicles potentially affected HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY

   Harley-davidson is recalling certain model year 2011 softail motorcycles manufactured from june 7, 2010 through october 8, 2010. The body control modules (BCM) installed on these motorcycles (part numbers 69991-11 and 69993-11) have a case that may not have been properly sealed during production. An improper seal may allow water…

   Remedy: Harley-davidson will notify owners and dealers will replace the BCM free of charge. The safety recall began on february 21, 2011. Owners may contact harley-davidson at 1-414-343-4056.

   Model years: 2011

3. Cables (electrical system)

   NHTSA 07V173000 Reported April 26, 2007 52,240 vehicles potentially affected HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY

   Certain motorcycles were built with a condition that permits the positive battery cable to contact a weld bead on the oil tank. This may cause the weld bead to abrade through the insulation on the cable and cause an electrical short from the battery through the oil tank and oil lines.

   Remedy: Dealers will install a battery caddy that will protect the cable and ensure proper cable routing. This recall began on may 4, 2007. Owners may contact harley-davidson at 1-414-342-4080.

   Model years: 2007

4. Carburetor system (fuel system)

   NHTSA 04V607000 Reported December 23, 2004 9,501 vehicles potentially affected HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY

   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.

   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.

   Model years: 2005

5. Tank assembly (fuel system)

   NHTSA 04V465000 Reported September 30, 2004 2,828 vehicles potentially affected HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY

   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…

   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.

   Model years: 2004, 2005

6. Tank assembly (fuel system)

   NHTSA 99V200000 Reported July 23, 1999 10,241 vehicles potentially affected HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY

   Vehicle description: motorcycles. These motorcycles were built with a fuel tank vent fitting that could be plugged allowing the carburetor to overflow fuel.

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank vent fitting and, if plugged, will correct this condition.

   Model years: 1999

7. Pedals and linkages (service brakes)

   NHTSA 97V227000 Reported December 15, 1997 2,012 vehicles potentially affected HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY

   Vehicle description: motorcycles. The rear brake pedal assembly may have an inadequate weld.

   Remedy: Dealers will perform the recall service on these vehicles.

   Model years: 1998

8. Fuel injection system (fuel system)

   NHTSA 96V204000 Reported October 22, 1996 176,515 vehicles potentially affected HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.

   The effects of reformulated gasoline along with certain usage of the fuel supply valve affects the supply of gasoline to the carburetor. This condition requires two factors: (1) the use of reformulated fuels containing mbte and (2) starting the motorcycle with the fuel valve handle in the off position.

   Remedy: Dealers the replace the diaphragm in the fuel valve.

   Model years: 1995, 1996, 1997

Other Harley-Davidson models

• Flhtcu276 complaints
• Flhx185 complaints
• Flhtk161 complaints
• Flhtc112 complaints
• Flhtcui108 complaints
• Harley Davidson105 complaints
• XG75088 complaints
• Flhr87 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.