Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Problems by Year
NHTSA has 40 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file for the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide, across 8 model years (1997–2004). The 2003 model year has the most complaints (13). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Harley-Davidson Electra Glide years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Electra Glide year: 2003. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2003 Electra Glide: 13 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2004 Electra Glide: 9 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2001 Electra Glide: 5 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 1998 Electra Glide: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 1997 Electra Glide: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2000 Electra Glide: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Harley-Davidson Electra Glide problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 13 | 5 | 0 |
| Power Train | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Structure | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Harley-Davidson Electra Glide model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Electra Glide | 9 | 0 | — | Power Train | |
| 2003 Electra Glide | 13 | 0 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2002 Electra Glide | 3 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2001 Electra Glide | 5 | 0 | — | Structure | |
| 2000 Electra Glide | 2 | 0 | — | Equipment | |
| 1999 Electra Glide | 5 | 0 | — | Equipment | |
| 1998 Electra Glide | 1 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1997 Electra Glide | 2 | 0 | — | Power Train |
More from Harley-Davidson: all Harley-Davidson models · Harley-Davidson VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Harley-Davidson Electra Glide years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2003 (13) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Electra Glide year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide?
Electrical System, with 13 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide have?
0 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.