Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints across the 4 model years of the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide (1999–2004) that have at least 5 complaints. 2003 has the most, with 13. Across all years, the part named most often is electrical system (12 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Electra Glide model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 9 | 7,500 | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 13 | 9,075 | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 5 | 23,000 | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 5 | 80,615 | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Electrical system12 39%
- Transmission and drivetrain4 13%
- Suspension3 9.7%
- Body and structure3 9.7%
- Equipment3 9.7%
- Steering2 6.5%
- Seats2 6.5%
- Engine cooling2 6.5%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2003: “My 2003 harley davidson classic motorcycle intermintely shuts down while iam riding it.it has done this over the past year. Iwas almost involved in two accidents due to this condition. Harley replaced the main breaker,however the bike still shuts down totally while riding.when this happnes it is as if the ignation was shut down or the battery suddenly removed everything dies. I had it into a harley dealer a couple of weeks ago and they couldnt find the problem, it happened again and again I almost was involved in an accident . …”
NHTSA complaint #10110607, filed 2005-02, 15,000 miles1999: “The rear swing arm on the primary side (left) is broken in two. This swing arm holds the rear wheel, and brakes to the motorcycle. This is a very dangerous situation. After much research many of these swing arms for years 1996 to 2000 break yet no factory recall has ever happened. When I called the local harley davidson dealer, they confirmed that these always break, and that they have replaced them on the police motorcycles, but would not repair mine or any civilians motorcycle, and said that these year swing arms are obsolete. …”
NHTSA complaint #10731155, filed 2015-06, 126,000 miles2004: “While riding motorcycle between 50-70 MPH motorcycle pulled to the left, and had pulsation. Took motorcycle to dealership several times, and mechanic determined torque was redesigned by manufacturer and needed to be replacing of parts due to right/left motion of swing arm. The mechanics are unable to maintain the alignment of the motorcycle. Problem so severe at times the motorcycle veers suddenly withouth obvious reason to the left into oncoming traffic. Rear tire loosing air. The clutch would chatter as released and it entered the friction zone.”
NHTSA complaint #10094966, filed 2004-10, 3,300 milesOther Harley-Davidson models
263 complaintsHarley-Davidson Flhx
174 complaintsHarley-Davidson Flhtk
147 complaintsHarley-Davidson Flhtcui
100 complaintsHarley-Davidson XG750
85 complaintsHarley-Davidson Harley Davidson
84 complaintsHarley-Davidson Flhtc
82 complaintsHarley-Davidson Flhtcutg
76 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology