Harley-Davidson Flht Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 42 consumer complaints across the 6 model years of the Harley-Davidson Flht (1996–2009) that have at least 5 complaints. 2009 has the most, with 8. 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 Flht 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 8 | 22,000 | 3 | 12 | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 6 | 31,500 | 1 | 6 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 6 | 6,500 | 1 | 6 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 8 | 49,324 | 1 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 7 | — | 1 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 7 | — | 1 | 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 33%
- Engine cooling8 22%
- Brakes6 17%
- Suspension4 11%
- Transmission and drivetrain2 5.6%
- Other or unknown2 5.6%
- Wheels1 2.8%
- Vehicle speed control1 2.8%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2009: “While pulling away from a stop light, the seat started to slide off the rear fender. The bottom of the seat is hard plastic some how it cracked all the way around the seat mounting bracket so the seat will not stay in place when you drive. The seat retention nut and the seat bracket and the fender are all damaged. From normal use. I talk to the dealer they told me that they see this all the time. It sounds like maybe harley needs to fix this problem before someone gets killed...”
NHTSA complaint #10477353, filed 2012-09, 25,928 miles2002: “I own a 2002 harley davidson FLHT. Last year (2009) I noticed that my fairing started to vibrate excessively when the engine was at 1500 to 2200 RPM. I bought the motorcycle new and previously did not have this problem. The bike vibrated so bad that the fairing bracket broke. I had my mechanic replace the bracket as well as the front motor mount, which did not help the vibration. My mechanic (independent) believes my engine crank shaft has turned or in other words is out of tolerance. …”
NHTSA complaint #10317621, filed 2010-03, 29,000 miles2001: “I own a harley davidson and the horns on these bikes are a hazard. My bikes horn sounds like a dead duck when it does make noise, and there are 1000's of others who make this same complaint on numerous internet harley forums. These horns are a safety issue and harley davidson knows that these horn quit working on even their new bikes. My bike is a 2001 electra glide. Harley davidson should be forced into a recall on their cheap horns, or come up with a better product that works.”
NHTSA complaint #10137297, filed 2005-09, 6,500 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 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology