Harley-Davidson FXDB problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
5,838 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 to 2016 model years. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 32 complaints (15.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 25.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Tires | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
Tires: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 4; Suspension: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Power Train:Driveline: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 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 | 30 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 30; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 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 (30). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 10; 2010: 4; 2011: 5; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 2
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 10200600 · 2007-08-23 (August 23, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXDB. WHILE DRIVING 20-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED SLIGHTLY, VIBRATED WHEN TURNING, AND MADE A POPPING SOUND. THE FAILURES ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE FRONT BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE DEALER CHANGED THE BEARINGS IN THE STEERING COLUMN, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,127 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10200600 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10386382 · 2011-03-03 (March 3, 2011)
REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. MOTORCYCLE STALLED AND I COULD NOT GET IT TO MOVE FORWARD. THOUGHT BRAKE WAS STUCK, BUT AFTER VISUAL INSPECTION NOTICED ALL THE BOLTS (5) IN THE REAR SPROCKET HAD SHEARED OFF. IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT THE BOLTS BACKED OUT OF THE WHEEL HUB, BECAUSE PART OF THE BOLTS REMAINED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE THREADED PORTION OF THE HUB. AFTER REMOVING THE WHEEL AND INSPECTING THE DAMAGE IT APPEARS THAT THE STAINLESS BOLTS, ALUMINUM HUB AND LOOSE FITTING HOLES IN THE SPROCKET ALL PLAYED A ROLE …
Owner-reported narrative. 5,876 miles reported. Look up ODI 10386382 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11165928 · 2019-01-08 (January 8, 2019)
FACTORY INSTALLED WRONG BEARING ON SECOND GEAR IN TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION FAILURE OCCURRED AT 6485 MILES. FAILURE SENT METAL DEBRIS THROUGH TRANSMISSION CAUSING SUBSTANSTIAL DAMAGE, AND POTENTIAL DANGER TO OPERATOR. VEHICLCLE WAS TRAVELING AT 35 MPH WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED. DAMAGED TRANSMISSION WAS DISASSEMBLED BY A PROFESSIONAL, DUE TO MANUFACTURER STATING THERE WAS NO WARRANTY. TRANSMISSION, PHOTOS, AND VIDEO PRIOR TO COMPLETE DISASSEMBLY IS AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 2 miles reported. Look up ODI 11165928 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10398389 · 2011-04-30 (April 30, 2011)
DEAR SIRS: ON DECEMBER 5, 2010 WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO A DRIVEWAY MY HARLEY DAVIDSON TRI-GLIDE (VIN [XXX]) MODEL FLHTCUTG (THIS MODEL # WAS NOT ALLOWED IN A FOLLOWING FIELD) ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY AND TIPPED ON ITS SIDE THROWING ME OFF AND THEN INTO A FENCE. I WAS TRANSPORTED FROM THE SCENE BY AMBULANCE WITH MINOR INJURIES (BROKEN RIBS) AND THE BIKE WAS TOWED TO A STORAGE YARD. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED HARLEY DAVIDSON OF SACRAMENTO TO ARRANGE FOR THE BIKE TO BE TOWED THERE AND REPAIRED. I WAS TOLD BY THEM THAT THEY DID NOT PERFORM INSUR…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10398389 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 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 0; 2012: 0; 2013: 0; 2015: 0; 2016: 0