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: 5 of 5 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 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. 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
5 reports
20,000 miles · Sep 18, 2013
Engine
HARLEY DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO UPGRADE THE CAM TENSIONER ON THE TWIN CAM 88 MOTOR FROM 1991-1996. THEY HAVE A TENDENCEY TO "EXPLODE" AFTER 20-25K MILES. $500 FOR THE PART #25284-11, $500-$1000 FOR LABOR. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE SERVICE MANUALS FOR CHECKING THIS PART. TO REPLACE IT REQUIRES A COMPLETE MOTOR TEAR DOWN. THIS SHOULD …
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HARLEY DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO UPGRADE THE CAM TENSIONER ON THE TWIN CAM 88 MOTOR FROM 1991-1996. THEY HAVE A TENDENCEY TO "EXPLODE" AFTER 20-25K MILES. $500 FOR THE PART #25284-11, $500-$1000 FOR LABOR. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE SERVICE MANUALS FOR CHECKING THIS PART. TO REPLACE IT REQUIRES A COMPLETE MOTOR TEAR DOWN. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR A MOTOR PART NOT TO LAST OVER 20K MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10544184
15,107 miles · Oct 17, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlWheels
2005 HARLEY ULTRA REAR BRAKES FAILED. *TS THE FRICTION MATERIAL HAD FALLEN OFF THE BACKING PLATE. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE PADS HIMSELF. ALMOST TWO MONTHS LATER THE REAR WHEEL DEVELOPED A 10 INCH SPLIT WHICH CAUSED THE BIKE TO OPERATE ERRATICALLY. THE BIKE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE WHEEL UNDER WARRANT…
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2005 HARLEY ULTRA REAR BRAKES FAILED. *TS THE FRICTION MATERIAL HAD FALLEN OFF THE BACKING PLATE. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE PADS HIMSELF. ALMOST TWO MONTHS LATER THE REAR WHEEL DEVELOPED A 10 INCH SPLIT WHICH CAUSED THE BIKE TO OPERATE ERRATICALLY. THE BIKE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE WHEEL UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER THE TECH PUT THE NEW WHEEL ON HE TOOK THE BIKE FOR A TEST DRIVE. UPON RETURNING TO THE SHOP THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED. THE FRICTION MATERIAL HAD FALLEN OFF THE BACKING PLATE. THE TECH REPLACED THE FRONT PADS, BUT NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #10172221
12,047 miles · Sep 6, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, THE HYDRAULIC REAR BRAKE DID NOT WORK AT ALL. THE FRONT BRAKE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE BRAKING. THE ROAD CONDITION WAS HARD SURFACED. ALSO, THE SECOND TIME THE FRONT BRAKE LINING PAD HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE S…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, THE HYDRAULIC REAR BRAKE DID NOT WORK AT ALL. THE FRONT BRAKE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE BRAKING. THE ROAD CONDITION WAS HARD SURFACED. ALSO, THE SECOND TIME THE FRONT BRAKE LINING PAD HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR DUE TO HIGH VOLUME OF WORK AND INSTEAD THE CONTACT FIXED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED BUT WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. UPDATED 10/17/2006 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10167493
2,000 miles · May 9, 2006
Electrical System
HARLEY DAVIDSON HORN DOESN'T WORK. THE HORN WAS REPLACED AT 1000 MILES. STILL DOESN'T WORK. IT SOUNDS LIKE A WOUNDED DUCK. HARLEY DEALER SAYS THE HORN IS FINE AND THAT YOU MUST BE RUNNING THE ENGINE AT 2000 RPM FOR THE HORN TO WORK. IT WORKED FINE WHEN PURCHASED. I SAY ITS A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. IF YOU NEED THE HORN YOU…
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HARLEY DAVIDSON HORN DOESN'T WORK. THE HORN WAS REPLACED AT 1000 MILES. STILL DOESN'T WORK. IT SOUNDS LIKE A WOUNDED DUCK. HARLEY DEALER SAYS THE HORN IS FINE AND THAT YOU MUST BE RUNNING THE ENGINE AT 2000 RPM FOR THE HORN TO WORK. IT WORKED FINE WHEN PURCHASED. I SAY ITS A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. IF YOU NEED THE HORN YOU MUST BE DRIVING AT 2000 RPM OR BETTER. MAKES NO SENSE. YOU MUST INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. SOMEONE WILL GET HURT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10157051
20,000 miles · May 9, 2006
Electrical System
NO EVENTS OTHER THAN POOR WORKMANSHIP. HORN DOESN'T WORK. SAFETY IS MY CONCERN. HARLEY-DAVIDSON SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY HORN. THEY SAY THAT AT 2000 RPM WHEN YOU PRESS THE HORN BUTTON IT WORKS. SITTING STILL OR IDLING THE HORN WILL NOT WORK. THEY SAY NO ONE USES THE HORN AT IDLE OR SITTING STILL. IF I AM SITTING…
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NO EVENTS OTHER THAN POOR WORKMANSHIP. HORN DOESN'T WORK. SAFETY IS MY CONCERN. HARLEY-DAVIDSON SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY HORN. THEY SAY THAT AT 2000 RPM WHEN YOU PRESS THE HORN BUTTON IT WORKS. SITTING STILL OR IDLING THE HORN WILL NOT WORK. THEY SAY NO ONE USES THE HORN AT IDLE OR SITTING STILL. IF I AM SITTING AT A LIGHT AND SOMEONE TURNS INTO MY LANE I NEED TO WARN THEM. HARLEY SAYS PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND REV THE ENGINE TO 2000 RPM THEN BLOW THE HORN. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10157047
Official recalls
0
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2005 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Flhtcui Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year