1997 Harley-Davidson Softail Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 1997 Harley-Davidson Softail, and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 1997 Harley-Davidson Softail
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Fuel injection system (fuel system)
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.
1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1997 Harley-Davidson Softail have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA. Complaints peaked in 2002 with 1 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“At 40-45 MPH front tire went flat. Rim had split, causing the tube to get pinched.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 24, 2002 · Wheels
Compare Harley-Davidson Softail model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Harley-Davidson Softail model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 Harley-Davidson Softail | 1 | 3 |
| 1996 Harley-Davidson Softail | 1 | 3 |
| 1997 Harley-Davidson Softail | 1 | 1 |
| 1998 Harley-Davidson Softail | 1 | 3 |
| 1999 Harley-Davidson Softail | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 Harley-Davidson Softail | 0 | 7 |
| 2001 Harley-Davidson Softail | 0 | 2 |
| 2002 Harley-Davidson Softail | 0 | 4 |
| 2003 Harley-Davidson Softail | 0 | 7 |
| 2004 Harley-Davidson Softail | 1 | 4 |
| 2005 Harley-Davidson Softail | 2 | 4 |
| 2007 Harley-Davidson Softail | 1 | 2 |
| 2008 Harley-Davidson Softail | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 Harley-Davidson Softail | 0 | 1 |
| 2011 Harley-Davidson Softail | 1 | 3 |
| 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail | 1 | 3 |
| 2013 Harley-Davidson Softail | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1997 Harley-Davidson Softail
How do I know if my 1997 Harley-Davidson Softail has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 1997 Harley-Davidson Softail; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Harley-Davidson dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 96V204000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
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.