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: 6 of 7 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 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. 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.
1 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
7 reports
647 miles · Jul 19, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY 2003 FATBOY HARLEY DAVIDSON HAD A PLASTIC SCREEN FAIL IN THE GAS TANK. THIS THEN MADE THE FUEL PUMP FAIL WHILE ALSO DAMAGING THE LINER ON THE INSIDE OF THE TANK. JUST TO REPAIR THE PLASTIC SCREEN AND FUEL PUMP COST IN EXCESS OF $ 700. THERE MUST BE MANT CASES SUCH AS MINE. I HAVE LESS THAN 2000 MILES ON MY BIKE AND FEEL THIS …
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MY 2003 FATBOY HARLEY DAVIDSON HAD A PLASTIC SCREEN FAIL IN THE GAS TANK. THIS THEN MADE THE FUEL PUMP FAIL WHILE ALSO DAMAGING THE LINER ON THE INSIDE OF THE TANK. JUST TO REPAIR THE PLASTIC SCREEN AND FUEL PUMP COST IN EXCESS OF $ 700. THERE MUST BE MANT CASES SUCH AS MINE. I HAVE LESS THAN 2000 MILES ON MY BIKE AND FEEL THIS WAS A FACTORY DEFECT. THE CHANDLER HD DEALER WOULDN'T HELP ME. THE ONLY THING IN MY TANK WAS GASOLINE AND FOR THIS TO FAIL THIS SOON INDICATES THE NEED FOR A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10196787
2,700 miles · Mar 2, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHILE DOWN SHIFTING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE MOTORCYCLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FAILURES FROM 0 TO 2000 MILES. THE VEHICLE MAY STALL T…
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WHILE DOWN SHIFTING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE MOTORCYCLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FAILURES FROM 0 TO 2000 MILES. THE VEHICLE MAY STALL TWICE IN 30 MILES SOMETIMES MAY GO A 100 MILES BEFORE STALLING. MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BEHAVING NORMALLY THEREFORE REFUSES TO REPAIR. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED 6 TIMES AFTER PURCHASE ON THE WAY HOME. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM MAY COME FROM AN ILLEGAL EXHAUST SYSTEM INSTALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TC
NHTSA ODI #10110894
190 miles · Jul 8, 2004
SuspensionInjury
WHILE DOWN SHIFTING/TURNING AT 15 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. MOTORCYCLE FELL ONTO THE CONSUMER WHEN GETTING OFF, AND CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. MODEL V-ROD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10081570
Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineCrashFireInjury
FUEL LINE FAILURE ON FUEL INJECTED HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES CAUSING ENGINE FIRE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10066388
100 miles · Mar 3, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING 2003. WHEN APPLYING THE FRONT AND BACK BRAKES UPON APPROACHING A STOP MOTORCYCLE MADE A LOUD SQUEAK. MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS, CHANGED THE ROTORS, AND CURRENTLY WAS REPLACING OTHER PARTS AS A PROCESS OF ELIMINATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10061229
3,000 miles · Nov 6, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
2003 VRSCA (V-ROD): 200 MILES AFTER 2500 MILE SERVICING NOTICED STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN ENGINE OIL AND AIR FILTER. AFTER 500 MILES AFTER 2500 MILE SERVICING OIL LEVEL HAD RISEN A LITTLE BIT. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, BUT WAITING FOR OPPOINTMENT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10045596
15 miles · Jul 16, 2003
Power Train
HARLEY DAVIDSON VRSCA (V-ROD) HAS A CHRONIC ENGINE STALLING PROBLEM WHEN THE CLUTCH IS DISENGAGED WHILE STOPPING OR AT IDLE. THIS HAS PROVEN TO BE VERY DANGEROUS IN HIGH DENSITY TRAFFIC SITUATIONS I.E. RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC IN MAJOR METROPOLITAN CITIES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10028399
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.
2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Harley Davidson Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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