IllustrationWHILE DRIVING VEHICLE VEERS TO THE LEFT.*AK
2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Electra Glide
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Electra Glide years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
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: 9 of 13 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.
- Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. 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
13 reportsI RIDE A 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUI (ULTRA CLASSIC) MOTORCYCLE. AT 2,500 RPM, 60 MPH, THE MOTORCYLCE EXPERIENCED FULL ELECTRICAL FAILURE - NO LIGHTS, NO SIGNALS, NO HORN, NO RADIO, NO FUEL INJECTION, NO ENGINE - ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE FIRST DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A LOOSE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE. THE SECOND…
Read full complaint
I RIDE A 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUI (ULTRA CLASSIC) MOTORCYCLE. AT 2,500 RPM, 60 MPH, THE MOTORCYLCE EXPERIENCED FULL ELECTRICAL FAILURE - NO LIGHTS, NO SIGNALS, NO HORN, NO RADIO, NO FUEL INJECTION, NO ENGINE - ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE FIRST DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A LOOSE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE. THE SECOND DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A LOOSE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE AND INSTALLED A STAR WASHER TO KEEP THE CONNECTION TIGHT. COMING HOME FROM WISCONSIN, THE MOTORCYCLE SHUTDOWN AGAIN. I CHECKED THE BATTERY CABLE AND IT WAS STILL TIGHT. EACH TIME, I WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 55 MPG AND 60 MPH, WHICH IS BETWEEN 2300 RPM AND 2500 RPM. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN OFF THE IGNITION, WAIT A MOMENT, AND TURN ON THE IGNITION AGAIN. THE SYSTEM RESET ITSELF AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE RIDING. A TOTAL ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN IS DANGEROUS. THUS FAR, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; IF IN AN INTERSECTION, I MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH THE INTERSECTION.*AK
EXHAUST SYSTEM CROSS OVER PIPE IS LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO SEAT, CAUSING DRIVER TO BE BURNE DWHILE DRIVING, EVEN IF PROPERLY DRESSED.*AK
Official recalls
0No 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
1PE03055 · Motorcycle Stalling
Opened Dec 4, 2003 · Closed Mar 19, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers
ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF MY 2003 FLH-SERIES HARLEYS ALLEGING SUDDEN ENGINE SHUTDOWN DUE TO TRIPPING OF THE MAIN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BREAKER FOR NO APPARENT REASON.SUBSEQUENTLY, HARLEY-DAVIDSON NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WAS RECALLING THE SUBJECT MOTORCYCLES TO REPLACE THE MAIN CIRCUIT BREAKER IN SUBJECT VEHICLES.