Harley-Davidson Harley Davidson Problems by Year
NHTSA has 84 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file for the Harley-Davidson Harley Davidson, across 9 model years (1995–2003). The 2000 model year has the most complaints (20). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.
Harley-Davidson Harley Davidson years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Harley Davidson year: 2000. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2000 Harley Davidson: 20 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1999 Harley Davidson: 14 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1997 Harley Davidson: 11 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2001 Harley Davidson: 3 complaints, 1 recall
- 1995 Harley Davidson: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2003 Harley Davidson: 7 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 Harley Davidson problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 41 | 9 | 3 |
| Electrical System | 11 | 6 | 0 |
| Power Train | 9 | 7 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| Suspension | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Harley-Davidson Harley Davidson model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Harley Davidson | 7 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2002 Harley Davidson | 8 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2001 Harley Davidson | 3 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2000 Harley Davidson | 20 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1999 Harley Davidson | 14 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | More complaints than other years |
| 1998 Harley Davidson | 8 | 0 | — | Power Train | |
| 1997 Harley Davidson | 11 | 0 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 1996 Harley Davidson | 9 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1995 Harley Davidson | 4 | 0 | — | Electrical System |
More from Harley-Davidson: all Harley-Davidson models · Harley-Davidson VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Harley-Davidson Harley Davidson years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2000 (20) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Harley Davidson 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 Harley Davidson?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 41 complaints across 9 model years.
How many recalls does the Harley-Davidson Harley Davidson have?
1 safety recall across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.