2003 Harley-Davidson FLHTCUI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
26 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
11,400 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 26 complaints (30.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 30.8% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 15.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 7.7% |
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 | 8 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 8 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 1 |
Electrical System: 8; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 8; Engine: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Electrical System:Horn: 1; Equipment: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors: 1
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 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2004: 6; 2005: 7; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2012: 1; 2014: 3; 2016: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 10064126 · 2004-03-29 (March 29, 2004)
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH A 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE THAT CAUSED A CRASH. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 175 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064126 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073135 · 2004-05-25 (May 25, 2004)
25 MAY, 2004 I WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL FOR MY 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUI IN MID APRIL. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP, PETERSON'S HD OF MIAMI, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART AND THAT THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN IT WAS AVAILABLE. THEY REPEATED THIS STATEMENT THE NEXT TIME I CALLED THEM. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL WOULD NOT AFFECT MY BIKE BECAUSE IT DID NOT HAVE A BUNCH OF ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES. I HAVE THREE ADDITIONAL REAR SPOILER LIGHTS AND FRONT XENON AND TWO HALOGEN BULBS THEY TOLD ME THAT THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH POWER TO CAUSE…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,695 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073135 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10131289 · 2005-08-03 (August 3, 2005)
2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUI DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH STALLING AND LOSS OF ALL POWER.*MR PRIOR TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK DONE THE CONSUMER'S MOTORCYCLE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH STALLING. SINCE HAVING THE CIRCUIT BREAKER REPLACED THE VEHICLE STALLS AND LOSES POWER. THE RECALL WAS ON THE 40 AMP MAIN CIRCUIT BREAKER WHICH COULD OPEN FOR REASONS OTHER THAN WHICH IT WAS DESIGNED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 18,690 miles reported. Look up ODI 10131289 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10282735 · 2009-09-03 (September 3, 2009)
TL*. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING HE EXPERIENCES UNEXPECTED INTERRUPTION OF ALL ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE MOTORCYCLE TO STALL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. IN 2004 HE HAD HIS VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL# 04V134000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS). AFTER THE REPAIR THE FAILURE RESURFACED.HE HE SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER, IN WHICH A REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED ITS WARRANTY THEY WOULD …
Owner-reported narrative. 47,856 miles reported. Look up ODI 10282735 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093000 · 2004-09-21 (September 21, 2004)
MASSIVE FUEL LEAK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 4,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10093000 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10242453 · 2008-09-16 (September 16, 2008)
ON JULY 24, 2008 I WAS RIDING MY 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC. AS I SLOWED TO ENTER A PARKING LOT, GAS BEGAN SPEWING FROM UNDER THE GAS TANK ONTO THE HOT ENGINE AND EXHAUST HEADERS. WHITE SMOKE FUMES BEGAN COMING OFF THE ENGINE. I WAS ABLE TO GET STOPPED, GET OFF THE BIKE AND TURN IT OFF. I WAS AN INSTANT AWAY FROM A FIRE. I HAD GASOLINE SOAKED INTO MY JEANS. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT ME AND THE BIKE DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. I HAD THE BIKE TRUCKED TO THE LOCAL HARLEY DAVIDSON STORE IN FORT WASHINGTON, MD. THEY SAID THAT SOMETIMES TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10242453 at NHTSA ↗