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: 3 of 4 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 →
Suspension. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Wheels. 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
4 reports
10,000 miles · Mar 25, 2010
Unknown Or Other
THIS IS A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC SECURITY SYSTEM ON A 2004 HD HERITAGE MOTORCYCLE. WE NOTICED AN ELECTRONIC FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES AND OVER THE COURSE OF ONE YEAR FOUND THAT IT OCCURRED ONLY AND CONSISTENTLY EVERY TIME WE PARKED IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF OVERHEAD HIGH TENSION LINES. WHILE ONLY AN INCONVENIENCE TO US, PERHAP…
Read full complaint
THIS IS A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC SECURITY SYSTEM ON A 2004 HD HERITAGE MOTORCYCLE. WE NOTICED AN ELECTRONIC FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES AND OVER THE COURSE OF ONE YEAR FOUND THAT IT OCCURRED ONLY AND CONSISTENTLY EVERY TIME WE PARKED IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF OVERHEAD HIGH TENSION LINES. WHILE ONLY AN INCONVENIENCE TO US, PERHAPS THIS WILL HELP IN THE TOYOTA INVESTIGATION.
NHTSA ODI #10322215
500 miles · Jul 9, 2005
Suspension
AFTER 500 MILES, WOBBLE WAS DISCOVERED IN HANDLEBARS BETWEEN 38 TO 42 MILES PER HOUR. TAKEN TO DEALER WAS TOLD IT WAS TRAIT ON MODEL. CALLED HARLEY, THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALER OF MY CHOICE. TOOK BACK TO DEALER WHERE PURCHASE WAS MADE. THEY ADJUSTED STEERING HEAD BEARINGS. PROBLEM SOLVE. AFTER ANOTHER 500 MIL…
Read full complaint
AFTER 500 MILES, WOBBLE WAS DISCOVERED IN HANDLEBARS BETWEEN 38 TO 42 MILES PER HOUR. TAKEN TO DEALER WAS TOLD IT WAS TRAIT ON MODEL. CALLED HARLEY, THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALER OF MY CHOICE. TOOK BACK TO DEALER WHERE PURCHASE WAS MADE. THEY ADJUSTED STEERING HEAD BEARINGS. PROBLEM SOLVE. AFTER ANOTHER 500 MILES, SAME SITUATION OCCURRED. WOBBLE IN FRONT END BETWEEN 38 TO 42 MILES PER HOURS. TOOK BIKE BACK TO DEALER, ADJUSTED STEERING HEAD BEARINGS AND GREASED FRONT END. PROBLEM SOLVED. AFTER 1,000 MILES, WOBBLE COME BACK IN HANDLER BARS BETWEEN, 38 TO 42 MILES PER HOUR. TOOK BACK TO THE DEALER. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH BIKE. THAT WAS THE TRAIT OF HERITAGE SOFTAIL. THEY RODE A NEW BIKE AND IT DONE THE SAME THING. THE BIKE IS SAFE TO RIDE AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. CALLED HARLEY AND THEY SAID THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BIKE. I TOLD HARLEY THEY HAD FIXED THE BIKE ON TWO PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS. HARLEY SAID SOMEONE WOULD CALL ME BACK WITHIN 30 MINUTES. I CALLED GENERAL MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP AND HE SAID THAT HE WOULD DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO FIX THE BIKE. THIS IS THE FOURTH ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END.
NHTSA ODI #10128165
500 miles · Oct 5, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW PIPES, AIR BREATHER AND CARBURETOR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10095116
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2004
Wheels
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS VEHICLE SHOOK, CAUSING CONSUMER TO SLOW DOWN. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS ISSUE, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE BIKES WHEELS WERE UNSTABLE. THE SOLID WHEELS CAUGHT WIND VORTICIES WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE UNSTABLE. THE DEALER REFUSE TO CHANGE THE WHEELS. *NM
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, A CONDITION OCCURS THAT COULD ALLOW PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL TANK. ON FUEL INJECTED VEHICLES, THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE FUEL TO SPRAY OUT UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN THE FUEL CAP IS REMOVED. ON CARBURETED VEHICLES, EXCESSIVE FUEL COULD BE TRANSFERRED TO THE CARBURETOR, WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY ALLOW FUEL TO DRIP FROM THE AIR CLEANER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE SITUATIONS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR CREATE A FIRE HAZARD FOR PERSONS OR PROPERTY ON OR NEAR THE MOTORCYCLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST EACH CANISTER FOR BLOCKAGE, THEN REPLACE AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN NOVEMBER 4, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD 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.
2004 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Softail Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year