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2004 Harley-Davidson Softail Recalls, Complaints & Specs

1 safety recall lists the 2004 Harley-Davidson Softail, and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

1
safety recall
4
owner complaints to NHTSA

1 safety recall for the 2004 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.

  1. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 04V465000 Reported 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.

4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2004 Harley-Davidson Softail have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 3,667 miles. Complaints peaked in 2004 with 2 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“This is a failure of the electronic security system on a 2004 hd heritage motorcycle. We noticed an electronic failure several times and over the course of one year found that it occurred only and con”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 25, 2010 · Unknown or other

“After 500 miles, wobble was discovered in handlebars between 38 to 42 miles per hour. Taken to dealer was told it was trait on model. Called harley, they told me to take it to another dealer of my cho”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 9, 2005 · Suspension

Compare Harley-Davidson Softail model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Harley-Davidson Softail model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1995 Harley-Davidson Softail13
1996 Harley-Davidson Softail13
1997 Harley-Davidson Softail11
1998 Harley-Davidson Softail13
1999 Harley-Davidson Softail10
2000 Harley-Davidson Softail07
2001 Harley-Davidson Softail02
2002 Harley-Davidson Softail04
2003 Harley-Davidson Softail07
2004 Harley-Davidson Softail14
2005 Harley-Davidson Softail24
2007 Harley-Davidson Softail12
2008 Harley-Davidson Softail01
2010 Harley-Davidson Softail01
2011 Harley-Davidson Softail13
2012 Harley-Davidson Softail13
2013 Harley-Davidson Softail01

Checking a specific 2004 Harley-Davidson Softail

How do I know if my 2004 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 2004 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 04V465000).

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

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.