2005 Harley-Davidson Softail Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2005 Harley-Davidson Softail, and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2005 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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Carburetor system (fuel system)
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.
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Tank assembly (fuel system)
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 2005 Harley-Davidson Softail have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 9,884 miles. Complaints peaked in 2005 with 3 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 harley davidson soft tail motorcycle. The contact was driving 60 MPH when the rear wheel along with the drive chain unbolted and detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 16, 2011 · Power train
“From what i'm learning the hard way, some 2005 harley davidson motorcycles burn oil at a rate of 1 quart per thousand miles - mine is one of them. According to dealer and harley-davidson motor company”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 11, 2005 · Engine and engine cooling
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 2005 Harley-Davidson Softail
How do I know if my 2005 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. 2 campaigns currently list the 2005 Harley-Davidson Softail; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
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
- 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.