Harley-Davidson FLHTCUI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
99 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
15,454 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 to 2007 model years. Data snapshot: . 72 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 99 complaints (19.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 21 | 21.2% |
| Braking behavior | 17 | 17.2% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 9.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 3.0% |
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 | 19 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 14 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 |
| Tires | 5 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 4 |
Electrical System: 19; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 14; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Engine: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 5; Tires: 5; Electrical System:Horn: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 44 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 20 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 44; 25,000 to 49,999: 20; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (44). 27 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 | 3 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 11 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2000: 3; 2001: 7; 2002: 6; 2003: 6; 2004: 13; 2005: 11; 2006: 10; 2007: 5; 2008: 8; 2009: 2; 2010: 7; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 3; 2014: 5; 2015: 2; 2016: 4; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2021: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 21 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 9 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 10082730 · 2004-07-27 (July 27, 2004)
I HAVE A 1999 HARLEY MODEL #FLHTCU-I, VIN # [XXX].I RECEIVED A RECALL ON PART # 29987-99A A CIRCUIT BREAKER THAT COULD OPEN DUE TO REASONS OTHER THAN FOR WHICH IT WAS DESIGNED,CAUSING AN UNEXPECTED INTERRUPTION OF ALL ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE MOTORCYCLE. I WAS ON VACATION WHEN THIS UNEXPECTED INTERRUPTION OCCURRED. I HAD MY BIKE TOWED TO KNOXVILLE, TN.,THE NEAREST H-D DEALER.THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT THE HAVE SEEN ON SEVERAL OF THESE BIKES. WHEN I CALLED H-D COSTONER SERVICE THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE NOT RECALLING THE STATOR ASSY., #2998…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10082730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10935471 · 2016-12-15 (December 15, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA FLHTCUI. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AND FLIPPED THE MOTORCYCLE. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS PLACED IN A MEDICALLY INDUCED COMA DUE TO THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND LATER DEEMED DESTROYED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10935471 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10149875 · 2006-02-09 (February 9, 2006)
REAR BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO POOR DESIGN OF MASTER CYLINDER MOUNTED TOO CLOSE TO EXHAUST ALONG WITH DOT 5 BRAKE FLUID WHICH GENERATES AIR IN SYSTEM AT ALTITUDES. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10149875 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8003075 · 2002-01-29 (January 29, 2002)
MOTORCYCLE WAS AFFECTED BY A RECALL, CONSUMER IS REQUESTONG A COPY OF RECALL NOTICE TO CORRECT ELECTRICAL WIRING FOR LIGHT ON FENDER TIP, DEALERSHIP WAS CHARGING CONSUMER FOR PARTIAL LABOR, $32.00 BECAUSE THEY HAD TO REMOVE A CHROME BRAKE ROTOR COVER, AN AFTER-MARKET PRODUCT, TO SERVICE RECALLED COMPONENT.*AK *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8003075 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 888851 · 2001-05-22 (May 22, 2001)
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH IN RUSH HOUR ENGINE STALLED. CONSUMER HAD PREVIOUSLY RECALL WORK DONE FOR 'BANK ANGLE SENSOR' THAT CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL. RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO RECTIFY DEFECT. *AK CONSUMER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT RELATES TO A FUEL TANK VENT.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 888851 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 ↗
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 |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2007 | 0 |
1994: 1; 1995: 1; 1996: 1; 1997: 1; 1998: 1; 1999: 2; 2000: 1; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2004: 0; 2005: 0; 2006: 0; 2007: 0