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: 0 of 2 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 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. 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.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAM CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO ENGINE AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL OF MOTORCYCLE IF ENGINE LOCKS UP. I WAS INFORMED BY A SALES PERSON NAMED [XXX] AT EAGLE HARLEY DAVIDSON IN LAFAYETTE IN THAT I HAD A MOTORCYCLE WITH PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER. THE CHAIN TENSIONER WILL FAIL CAUSING …
Read full complaint
CAM CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO ENGINE AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL OF MOTORCYCLE IF ENGINE LOCKS UP. I WAS INFORMED BY A SALES PERSON NAMED [XXX] AT EAGLE HARLEY DAVIDSON IN LAFAYETTE IN THAT I HAD A MOTORCYCLE WITH PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER. THE CHAIN TENSIONER WILL FAIL CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL. I ASKED WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL NOTICE AND HE SAID IT WAS NORMAL WEAR BUT WAS REDESIGNED ON NEWER MOTORCYCLES. I WAS TRYING TO TRADE MY MOTORCYCLE IN FOR A NEW ONE AND THAT IS WHEN HE SAID MINE WAS NOT WORTH MUCH BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, IT WOULD ALWAYS HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AND THAT IS WHY HARLEY DAVIDSON WENT TO A HYDRAULIC TENSIONER ON NEWER MOTORCYCLES. I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT MOTORCYCLES AND AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF MAJOR REPAIRS OR INJURY TO MYSELF AND OTHERS IF FAILURE OCCURS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I PHONED CORPORATE HARLEY DAVIDSON CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT ON RECALL AND NOT TO WORRY, BUT I DO. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
NHTSA ODI #10428288
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2006
SteeringSuspensionCrashInjury
2005 1450CC FRONT TIRES SHIMMIED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING CONSUMER TO DROP THE BIKE. *TS THE CONSUMER SON WAS INJURED. *JB
CERTAIN SOFTAIL MOTORCYCLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, 'CERTIFICATION.' THE VIN/CERTIFICATION LABEL CONTAINS INCORRECT TIRE SIZE AND INFLATION PRESSURES FOR THE FRONT WHEEL. THE LABEL STATES THE TIRE SIZE IS MT90B21 AND THE INFLATION PRESSURE AS 30 PSI, WHEREAS THE CORRECT TIRE SIZE IS MT90B16, AND THE CORRECT INFLATION PRESSURE IS 36 PSI.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS INCORRECT GIVING IMPROPER INFORMATION.
Remedy: HARLEY- DAVIDSON WILL MAIL INSTRUCTIONS ALONG WITH CORRECTED FEDERAL CERTIFICATION LABEL. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 6, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
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 Flstc Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year