Harley-Davidson FXST problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
11,600 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 to 2023 model years. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 14 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 21.4% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 7.1% |
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 | 3 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Suspension: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap: 1; Power Train: 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 | 7 |
| 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: 7; 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 (7). 7 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 | 4 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2001: 4; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2020: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 862863 · 2000-06-01 (June 1, 2000)
FXSTD, LOCATION OF THE REAR BRAKE HOUSING WHICH WAS CONNECTED TO THE FRAME CRACKED IN HALF, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, AFTER FUELING VEHICLE AND PLACING THE GAS COVER ON, STARTED MOTORCYLE AND FUEL SPILLED THROUGH FUEL CAP. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 862863 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 9003949 · 2001-09-19 (September 19, 2001)
REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, THROWING DRIVER TO GROUND AND INTO REAR OF A PICKUP TRUCK. SECOND INCIDENT, BRAKE DID NOT LOCK UP, BUT BRAKES WERE DRAGGING VERY HARD AND BRAKES CAUGHT ON FIRE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 9003949 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071600 · 2004-04-26 (April 26, 2004)
WHILE TURNING THE MOTORCYCLE ENGINE STALLED. AS A RESULT, THE MOTORCYCLE FELL OVER, BREAKING THE DRIVER'S LEG. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 6,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071600 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10606948 · 2014-06-30 (June 30, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXSBSE BREAKOUT MOTORCYCLE (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE MOTORCYCLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE HAD ALSO EXPERIENCED HESITATION AND DECELERATION ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DEFECT WAS CAUSED BY BUFFING COMPOUND RESIDUE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEA…
Owner-reported narrative. 750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10606948 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 755786 · 2001-12-18 (December 18, 2001)
WAS ON ILLINIOS ROUTE 150 TRAVELING AT 55 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE MOTORCYCLE LOST ALL POWER. THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN, THE ELECTRAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN. I COSTED TO THE SHOULDER OF THIS BUSY 2 LANE HIGHWAY WITH ONLY A SOFT SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETE DEAD EXCEPT FOR THE ALARM SYSTEM. TAILERED THE BIKE TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND THE MAIN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO THE TANK MOUNTED "PRIMARY" IGNITION SWITCH HAD NOT BEEN INSTALLED PROPERLY. THE CONNECTOR JUST FEEL OFF WHILE THE BIKE WAS IN MOTION. IF THIS HAPPENED IN A TURN OF CROSSING AN INTER…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 755786 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 |
| 2023 | 0 |
2007: 1; 2023: 0