Harley-Davidson VRSCDX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
49 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
4,227 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 to 2016 model years. Data snapshot: . 44 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 49 complaints (26.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 19 | 38.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 4.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 13 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 12 |
| Service Brakes | 11 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 13; Fuel System, Gasoline: 12; Service Brakes: 11; Electrical System: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 4; Service Brakes, Electric: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 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 | 41 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 41; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (41). 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2008: 1; 2010: 10; 2011: 8; 2012: 4; 2013: 3; 2014: 5; 2015: 3; 2016: 6; 2017: 2; 2018: 4; 2019: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 10349741 · 2010-08-16 (August 16, 2010)
I OWN A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON VRSCDX. THE REAR BRAKE SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE ON 8/14/10. THIS SWITCH IS LOCATED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF AND NEXT TO THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK UNDER THE SEAT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO NUMEROUS VROD MODELS OF VARIOUS YEARS AND INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON 1130CC.COM. VARIOUS PEOPLE HAVE CONTACTED HARLEY DAVIDSON WITH NO RESPONSE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 10,788 miles reported. Look up ODI 10349741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10349914 · 2010-08-17 (August 17, 2010)
BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE DURING USE, LEAKED, CAUGHT FIRE AND REAR BRAKES FAILED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10349914 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10348280 · 2010-08-09 (August 9, 2010)
FUEL GAUGE INOP CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. KNOWN PROBLEM WITH HD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,265 miles reported. Look up ODI 10348280 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10354872 · 2010-09-10 (September 10, 2010)
FUEL GAUGE IS ALWAYS ERRATIC IN DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF REMAINING FUEL (GENERALLY REPORTS MORE THAN IS REMAINING). THIS MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF FUEL, LOSS OF POWER AND STALL. NO CORRECTION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10354872 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10349921 · 2010-08-17 (August 17, 2010)
WHILE RIDING MY 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON V-ROD NIGHTROD SPECIAL I LOST CONTROL OF REAR BRAKE PRESSURE AND THE BRAKE LIGHT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE SWITCH NEAR THE EXHAUST AND JUST BEFORE THE GAS TANK AND BLEED THE BRAKE SYSTEM TWICE IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 9,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10349921 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10402553 · 2011-05-24 (May 24, 2011)
ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE. OFTEN READS FULL WHEN IT'S ACTUALLY MUCH LOWER. THIS IS MORE CRITICAL ON A MOTORCYCLE (AND ON MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS) AS THE DRIVEN WHEEL AND TIRE ARE DIRECTLY CONNECTED FROM THE ENGINE TO THE ROAD. IF THE MOTORCYCLE ENGINE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY SHUTS DOWN, THE RIDER COULD BE CAUGHT OFF GUARD AND A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR. ANOTHER CONCERN WOULD BE CROSSING A BUSY INTERSECTION WHERE THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY SHUTS OFF, LEAVING THE RIDER GROSSLY EXPOSED TO SEVERE INJURY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10402553 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10547167 · 2013-10-07 (October 7, 2013)
FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE DROPS FROM FULL TO COMPLETELY EMPTY IN 5-10 MINUTES EVEN WHEN TANK IS COMPLETELY FULL. SOMETIMES NEEDLE GETS STUCK ON EMPTY, FULL OR ANY OTHER POSITION REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL ON TANK. AFTER MOTORCYCLE IS RESTING ON OFF POSITION FOR A WHILE, NEEDLE SEEMS TO RESET TO CORRECT MEASUREMENT UNTIL TANK IS REFUELED AND PROBLEM RECURS ALL OVER AGAIN. SITUATION APPEARS TO BE COMPLETELY RANDOM AND I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO TRACE IT DOWNS TO ANY ELECTRICAL OR VACUUM LEAKS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10547167 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 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
2007: 0; 2008: 0; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 0; 2015: 0; 2016: 0