SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1997 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Harley Davidson

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
11Owner complaints

Model-year median: 3

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
7
19944
19959
199611
19978
199814
199920
2000
Compare all Harley Davidson years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
3Engine And Engine Cooling
3Structure
2Power Train
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1
All reported categories
Unknown Or Other
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

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 11 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 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 2 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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

MOTORCYCLE STALLED AND LEAKED OIL DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART. BECAUSE OF THIS, HARLEY DAVIDSON PROMISED TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS THEN THEY CHANGED THEIR MINDS. *PH THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PINION SHAFT INNER RACE WAS DEFECTIVE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10066931

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

FAX FWD LTR FM MORGAN B. LACEY (FL) RE DEFECTIVE ENGINE (THE PINION SHAFT INNER RACE) FOR A 1997 HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE, REPLY ATTN. TERRY MULFORD AT MELBOURNE, FL OFC. *LA (THE DEFECTIVE PINION SHAFT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE) WHILE RECEIVING A FAMILIARITY RUN, THE ENGINE STALLED AND BEGAN TO LEAK OIL. THE HARLEY D…

Read full complaint

FAX FWD LTR FM MORGAN B. LACEY (FL) RE DEFECTIVE ENGINE (THE PINION SHAFT INNER RACE) FOR A 1997 HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE, REPLY ATTN. TERRY MULFORD AT MELBOURNE, FL OFC. *LA (THE DEFECTIVE PINION SHAFT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE) WHILE RECEIVING A FAMILIARITY RUN, THE ENGINE STALLED AND BEGAN TO LEAK OIL. THE HARLEY DAVIDSON SERVICE DEALER FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS (PINION SHAFT INNER RACE). BULLETIN M1042 *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10059220

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling

"LONG CANNONS" EXHAUST SYSTEM INSTALLED ON MOTORCYCLE CONTAINS TAIL PIPES THAT DO NOT FIT PROPERLY (TOO LONG) WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN PIPES HIT GROUND WHEN TURNING.

NHTSA ODI #539363

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

1

EA98009 · Unexpected Engine Stalling When Riding

Opened Apr 30, 1998 · Closed Aug 13, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

ALLEGED IGNITION SWITCH FAILS RESULTING IN SUDDEN AND UNFORSEEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHEN RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE