Harley-Davidson ELECTRA GLIDE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
39 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
13,894 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1967 to 2004 model years. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 39 complaints (15.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 12.8% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 10.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Equipment | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Structure | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
Electrical System: 6; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Equipment: 2; Power Train: 2; Steering: 2; Structure: 2; Suspension: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 16 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 19 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
2000: 1; 2001: 2; 2002: 3; 2003: 11; 2004: 9; 2005: 3; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2015: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10037278 · 2003-09-05 (September 5, 2003)
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 WA…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,075 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037278 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043826 · 2003-10-28 (October 28, 2003)
MY 03 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC ELECTRAGLIDE EXPERIENCED TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE AT 60 MPH. TOWED TO DEALER WHO COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG; THEY CALLED HARLEY WHO ARE SENDING A 40AMP FUSE ASSEMBLE TO REPLACE THE MAIN CIRCUIT BREAKER WHICH IS DEFECTIVE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS INTERNET POSTINGS REGARDING THIS DEFECT THAT HARLEY NEEDS TO RECALL. IN 04 ALL NEW HARLEY MODELS HAVE THE FUSE AND NOT THE CIRCUIT BREAKER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 14,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043826 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10731155 · 2015-06-30 (June 30, 2015)
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. I INQUIRED ABOU…
Owner-reported narrative. 126,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10731155 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10036647 · 2003-08-26 (August 26, 2003)
REAR SWING ARM BROKE INTO TWO PARTS. ON THE LEFT SIDE OF SWING ARM WHERE THE AXEL GOES THROUGH. THE PART THAT BROKE OFF WAS STILL HELD ON BY THE LEFT REAR SHOCK. I FOUND THE BROKEN PARTS WHEN I REMOVED THE REAR WHEEL TO HAVE A NEW TIRE INSTALLED. UNKNOWN WHEN THE BRAKE OCCURRED. LAST TIRE CHANGE WAS 4-19-03 AT 74,920 MILES. MILEAGE IS NOW AT APX. 84,000 ON 8-16-03. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10036647 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8022655 · 2002-11-13 (November 13, 2002)
VEHICLE HAS STALLED 4 TIMES AT DIFFERENT SPEED. DEALER CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8022655 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041041 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
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.…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041041 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049825 · 2003-12-01 (December 1, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE SHIFT LEVER FELL OFF WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. THE DRIVER HAD THE MOTORCYCLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE SHIFT LEVER CLAMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10049825 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10472791 · 2012-08-28 (August 28, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTK (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD WOBBLE, SHAKING THE CONTACT'S ARMS AND MAKING THE VEHICLE HARD TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DECIDED TO GREASE THE BARRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE IN 100 MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,400.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10472791 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10203480 · 2007-09-19 (September 19, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HARLEY DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE. WHILE RIDING 45-50 MPH OVER A BUMP, THE GPS THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE INNER FAIRING BECAME DETACHED. THE FAILURE DENTED THE FUEL TANK. THE PART NUMBER WAS 92100-05, WHICH CLIPPED ONTO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 14,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10203480 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 0 |
| 2004 | 0 |
1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0; 2003: 0; 2004: 0