Harley-Davidson XL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
7,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 to 2005 model years. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 6 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 1 | 16.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 16.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 16.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 1 |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices: 2; Electrical System: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 1; Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs: 1; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 2 |
| 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: 2; 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 (2). 4 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 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2003: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 10392866 · 2011-03-25 (March 25, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON XB (N/A). THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT LATER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITHIN THE FUEL PUMP AND THE WIRES HAD BLOWN THE FUSES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10392866 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138786 · 2005-10-06 (October 6, 2005)
DT: 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON WIDE GLIDE. THE FRONT FORKS WERE SO WEAK THAT THEY SAGGED WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS NOT BRAKING. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SPRINGS WERE TOO WEAK IN THE FORKS. THE CONSUMER FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. HE TRIED TO GET THE AFTER MARKET SPRINGS, BUT THEY WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THIS A WEEK AGOON SEPTEMBER 29, 2005. *AK UPDATED 03/09/06
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10138786 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 |
|---|---|
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2005 | 1 |
1989: 1; 1990: 2; 1995: 1; 1996: 1; 1997: 1; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2005: 1