2003 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 62%of 13 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 6,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide, 62% of the 13 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“My harley davidson ultra classic motorcycle completely shut down (engine & electronics) while riding in traffic. Sometimes at 30 MPH, sometimes at up to 60 MPH regardless of what gear I was in.”
NHTSA complaint #10040911, filed 2003-09, 530 miles“I ride a 2003 harley davidson classic (flhtci). To this date I have encountered 8 occurences where the bike shuts off while starting out in first gear. The latest happened in milwaukee at the 100th. My wife was on the back, to follow a group of our friends onto a 2 lane highway, it is where the bike stalled and quit. In my case I still have dash lights. I cycle the ignition and cut off switch and proceed to start the bike. On the way home on sept. 3, I decided to phone harley customer service. They haven't heard of anything like that happening. …”
NHTSA complaint #10041041, filed 2003-10, 6,500 miles“I ride a 2003 harley davidson flhtcui (ultra classic) motorcycle. At 2,500 RPM, 60 MPH, the motorcylce experienced full electrical failure - no lights, no signals, no horn, no radio, no fuel injection, no engine - on four different occasions. The first dealer diagnosed the problem as a loose negative battery cable. The second dealer diagnosed the problem as a loose negative battery cable and installed a star washer to keep the connection tight. Coming home from wisconsin, the motorcycle shutdown again. I checked the battery cable and it was still tight. …”
NHTSA complaint #10037278, filed 2003-09, 9,075 miles“Dt: without warning the motorcycle lost power. The headlights and all electrical components malfunctioned. Dealer has motorcycle now and cannot anything wrong with it. Manufacturer is waiting to see what the dealer says.”
NHTSA complaint #10126223, filed 2005-06, 5,000 milesElectrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide
2 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology