Harley-Davidson FXDL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
5,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 to 2016 model years. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System 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 | 5 | 15.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 9.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 9.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.1% |
| Engine operation | 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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System | 2 |
Electrical System: 5; Engine: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System: 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 | 1 |
| 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: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 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). 13 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2001: 5; 2002: 1; 2003: 4; 2004: 2; 2006: 1; 2008: 5; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 4; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 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 8017508 · 2002-08-29 (August 29, 2002)
TURNING SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT WIRING IS IN WAY OF REAR WHEEL,WIRE COULD BE CUT AND RESULT IN VEHICLE FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8017508 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10461313 · 2012-06-12 (June 12, 2012)
WHEN RIDING THE BIKE ON THE ROAD IT DIES AT RANDOM SPEEDS AND ROAD CONDITIONS, I AM ABLE TO RESTART AFTER CYCLING THE OFF/ON START SWITCH. WHEN BIKE DIES IT APPEARS THAT ALL POWER IS LOST INCLUDING HEADLIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, DASH AND SIGNAL LIGHTS, ONCE RECYCLING THE SWITCHES BIKE REFIRES AND IS ABLE TO CONTINUE UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN, SOMETIMES IT OCCURS THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN TWO MILES, SOMETIMES IT WONT HAPPEN IN 70 MILES, IT APPEARS THAT IT CAN RUN IN A STATIONARY POSITION WITHOUT THE PROBLEM OCCURRING. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES …
Owner-reported narrative. 2,875 miles reported. Look up ODI 10461313 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10543448 · 2013-09-13 (September 13, 2013)
APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, GEARING DOWN TO STOP, THE IDLE CONTINUED ABOVE 3000RPM. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE BIKE STARTED EATING THE BATTERY. NOW, WHEN IT HAPPENS, I KNOW TO GET IT HOME TO THE BATTERY TENDER ASAP. THREE TIMES THE HD MECHANICS CHARGE THE BATTERY AND THEN, "CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG". I HAD TO FIRE OLD GLORY HD IN LAUREL, MD. LOOKING FOR A REAL MECHANIC HERE IN FLORIDA. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 4,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10543448 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165580 · 2006-08-15 (August 15, 2006)
MY HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE STALLED OUT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE LATER BEING THE DATE OF INDICANT. THE STALL WAS CAUSED BY THE SEPARATION OF THE LINING ON THE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. SMALL PIECES OF THIS LINING GOT INTO THE CARBURETOR AND CUT OFF THE FUEL SUPPLY FROM GETTING THROUGH THE PRIMARY AND SCENERY JETS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 22,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165580 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10232008 · 2008-06-23 (June 23, 2008)
2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE W/3,893 MILES. ON SUNDAY, JUNE 15TH ABOUT 40 MILES FROM HOME MY BIKE STARTED JERKING AROUND AND ACTING AS IF I SLAMMED THE BRAKES ON. I COULD TELL IT WAS A FUEL ISSUE OF SOME SORT. WITH HELP FROM FRIENDS AND 3 HOURS LATER WE MANAGED TO LIMP IT HOME BY SHUTTING IT DOWN AND REFIRING WHEN IT WAS STARVING FOR FUEL. THE DEFECTIVE PART IS THE FUEL FILTER BRACKET THAT HAS PLASTIC TABS THAT BREAK. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WITH BRACKETS ON ALL 2008 TOURING BIKES WHICH HAVE THE 6 GALLON FUEL TANK. MY BIKE IS STILL…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,893 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232008 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029599 · 2003-07-10 (July 10, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH DYNA LOW RIDER.*MR WHILE DRIVING BIKE AT 55 TO 60 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE VIBRATED SO BAD IT PUT THE CONSUMER HANDS TO SLEEP. THE SHOCKS BOTTOMED OUT WHEN GOING OVER LITTLE BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION MADE A NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. *TS. THERE WAS ALSO A RATTLE IN THE MOTOR WHEN FIRST STARTED FOR 5-10 MINUTES, BUT CEASED WHEN THE MOTOR BECAME HOT, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHEN THERE WAS 2 GALLONS OF GAS LEFT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029599 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10897310 · 2016-08-20 (August 20, 2016)
I JUST PURCHASE A 1999 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXDL FROM SMOKEY MOUNTAIN HARLEY DAVIDSON. ON MY WAY TO WORK DOING ABOUT 70MPH I EXPERIENCED A HIGH SPEED "WOBBLE" ON THE BIKE CAUSING A IMMEDIATE LOSS OF CONTROL AND MANUVERABILITY OF THE MOTORCYCLE. I HAD TO SLOWLY REDUCE SPEED AND TRY WITH WHAT LITTLE STEERING TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT ALMOST MADE ME CRASH THE MOTORCYCLE BECAUSE I WASNT PERPARED OR EXPECTING IT TO HAPPEN OR HAD ANY KNOWLEDGE THE BIKE WAS DEFECTIVE. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED SMHD AND EXPLAINED TO THEM THE PROBLE AND DROPPED …
Owner-reported narrative. 29,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10897310 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 0 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2003: 1; 2004: 0; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 1