Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 3 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
3 reports
Mileage unknown · May 13, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
I OWN A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTC. SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE ABOUT THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER WEARING OUT FROM NORMAL OPERATIONS. ONE SUCH COMPLAINT THAT WAS MADE RESULTED IN THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER BREAKING OFF AND CAUSING THE OIL PUMP TO MALFUNCTION, AND DAMGAGING THE OIL PUMP AS WELL. I SPOKE WITH THE HARLEY DAVIDSO…
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I OWN A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTC. SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE ABOUT THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER WEARING OUT FROM NORMAL OPERATIONS. ONE SUCH COMPLAINT THAT WAS MADE RESULTED IN THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER BREAKING OFF AND CAUSING THE OIL PUMP TO MALFUNCTION, AND DAMGAGING THE OIL PUMP AS WELL. I SPOKE WITH THE HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER, WHO SAYS THEY HAVE NOTICED THE WEARING OF THE TENSIONER, AND REPLACES THOSE AT THE OWNERS REQUEST, HOWEVER THIS IS NOT PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY HARLEY DAVIDSON TO RECALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10072583
16,450 miles · Sep 16, 2003
Exterior Lighting
I OWN A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCI MOTORCYCLE. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED TWICE SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN APRIL OF 2002. THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH CAUSES THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO STAY ON. AS A RESULT, ANYONE FOLLOWING ME HAS NO WAY OF KNOWING WHEN I HAVE APPLIED THE BRAKES. AFTER THE SECOND FAILURE I REPLACED THE SWIT…
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I OWN A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCI MOTORCYCLE. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED TWICE SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN APRIL OF 2002. THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH CAUSES THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO STAY ON. AS A RESULT, ANYONE FOLLOWING ME HAS NO WAY OF KNOWING WHEN I HAVE APPLIED THE BRAKES. AFTER THE SECOND FAILURE I REPLACED THE SWITCH AND OPENED THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH UP TO SEE WHAT HAD FAILED. WHAT I FOUND WAS THE MECHANICAL BOD OF THE EXTERNAL CONTACT AND THE INTERNAL SWITCH MOVING CONTACT WAS RESISTIVE. THE RESULTANT HEAT FROM THIS RESTIVE CONTACT HEATED AND WARPED THE INSULATOR DISK. THE DISK WARPED IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO ACTIVATE THE SWITCH. I FOUND OUT FROM THE LOCAL DEALER THAT THEY HAVE SOLD OVER 50 OF THESE SWITCHES SINCE JULY 1ST. THIS IS A VERY HIGH NUMBER EVEN TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE NUMBER OF RIDERS IN THE AREA FOR THE STURGIS MOTORCYCLE RALLY. I KNOW OF TWO OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD SWITCH FAILURE IN THE PAST YEAR. EVERY FAILURE HAD THE BRAKE LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY ON A MOTORCYCLE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10038985
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE HAS STALLED 4 TIMES AT DIFFERENT SPEED. DEALER CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. MR
NHTSA ODI #8022655
Official recalls
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No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
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No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2002 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Electra Glide Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year