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Harley-Davidson XL Series Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints across 8 model years of the Harley-Davidson XL Series (1982–1999). The most-complained-about year is 1999.

6
safety recalls, all years
5
owner complaints, all years
1987
year with most recalls
1999
year with most complaints

Pick your Harley-Davidson XL Series model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1999 Harley-Davidson XL Series02
1995 Harley-Davidson XL Series01
1992 Harley-Davidson XL Series01
1991 Harley-Davidson XL Series10
1989 Harley-Davidson XL Series10
1987 Harley-Davidson XL Series21
1984 Harley-Davidson XL Series10
1982 Harley-Davidson XL Series10

What Harley-Davidson XL Series owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The 1999 model year has the most, with 2.

All Harley-Davidson XL Series recalls (6)

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

  1. Unknown or other

    NHTSA 90V182000 Reported 3,269 vehicles potentially affected HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.

    Right side footrest mounts may fracture if subjected to heavy impact loads, such as when a parked motorcycle falls on its right side.

    Remedy: Replace right side footrest mount.

    Model years: 1991

  2. Cables (electrical system)

    NHTSA 89V069000 Reported 5,439 vehicles potentially affected HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.

    The positive battery cable could develop a short circuit due to excessive wear and chafing if routed in a certain position.

    Remedy: The positive battery cable will be replaced on all subject vehicles.

    Model years: 1989

  3. Wheels

    NHTSA 87V129000 Reported 13,303 vehicles potentially affected HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.

    Cracks in front and rear wheels could develop and continue through wheel spokes.

    Remedy: Replace wheels with different tested wheels.

    Model years: 1987

  4. Power train

    NHTSA 86V153000 Reported 2,829 vehicles potentially affected HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.

    A piece of gear could break at the mainshaft first gear in the transmission case. Consequence of defect: if gear tooth becomes lodged between transmission gears, drive train and rear wheel could lock up possibly resulting in an accident.

    Remedy: Replace gear with one that has been proven and tested.

    Model years: 1987

  5. Alternator/generator/regulator (electrical system)

    NHTSA 84V056000 Reported 2,417 vehicles potentially affected HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.

    Parts in the alternator may break off and cause the alternator to stop functioning, which will allow the vehicle to operate only until the battery is exhausted. Also, sheared alternator mounting bolts may cause the drive train and rear wheel to lock up.

    Remedy: Motorcycles will be serviced to correct the problem in the alternator, without charge.

    Model years: 1984

  6. Caliper (service brakes)

    NHTSA 82V044000 Reported 11,714 vehicles potentially affected HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.

    The rear hydraulic brake system might be capable of generating excessive hydraulic pressure which could exceed the burst strength of some of the rear brake calipers. This could cause caliper fracture and total loss of rear brakes.

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect and modify the brake system at no cost to owner.

    Model years: 1982

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.