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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

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1Investigations

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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

Power Train complaints

1 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 1999
Power Train

WHILE ON VACATION I FOUND A CRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT AXLE ROCKER. THE AXLE ROCKER IS THE PIECE THAT HOLDS THE FRONT AXLE FOR THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO THE SPRINGER FORK ASSEMBLY. CRACK HAS GROWEN LONGER AND TOWARD THE TOP OF THE ROCKER SINCE MY RETURN TRIP OF 500 MILES. I NOTICED THE CRACK BECAUSE OF THE RUST THAT…

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WHILE ON VACATION I FOUND A CRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT AXLE ROCKER. THE AXLE ROCKER IS THE PIECE THAT HOLDS THE FRONT AXLE FOR THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO THE SPRINGER FORK ASSEMBLY. CRACK HAS GROWEN LONGER AND TOWARD THE TOP OF THE ROCKER SINCE MY RETURN TRIP OF 500 MILES. I NOTICED THE CRACK BECAUSE OF THE RUST THAT WAS FORMING ON THE OUTSIDE OF IT WHICH MADE IT VERY PLAIN TO SEE HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT IF THIS SPOT HAD NOT RUSTED I WOULD NEVER HAVE SEEN THE CRACK SINCE IT IS ON THE INSIDE PART OF THE ROCKER AND CAN BE EASILY HIDDEN BY THE SPRINGER SUPPORT. *AKY

NHTSA ODI #708780

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