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: 1 of 6 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 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. 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 reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
6 reports
19,000 miles · Nov 18, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE CONSUMER NOTICED A DRY RUST COLORED DUST COMING FROM THE MOTORCYCLE WHILE RIDING. AFTER COMING TO A STOP, THE CONSUMER NOTICED GAS LEAKING ON THE GROUND. THE RUST COLORED DUST WAS DRY GAS. CONSUMER STATED THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REBUILT IN 1999, INCLUDING A NEW GAS TANK. *AK THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY STRESS CRACKS AT THE BASE O…
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THE CONSUMER NOTICED A DRY RUST COLORED DUST COMING FROM THE MOTORCYCLE WHILE RIDING. AFTER COMING TO A STOP, THE CONSUMER NOTICED GAS LEAKING ON THE GROUND. THE RUST COLORED DUST WAS DRY GAS. CONSUMER STATED THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REBUILT IN 1999, INCLUDING A NEW GAS TANK. *AK THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY STRESS CRACKS AT THE BASE OF THE TANK. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE GAS TANK WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *JB *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10044429
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2002
Exterior LightingCrash
REAR TAIL LIGHT CAME OFF MOTORCYCLE AND LODGED IN REAR WHEEL AT 65MPH, 3 OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM SAME TYPE MOTORCYCLE OWNERS IN QUICK SURVEY. HARLEY DAVIDSON ISN'T EVEN INTERESTED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #765289
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
FRONT / REAR HEAD GASKET FAILED. *YC
NHTSA ODI #607429
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE NOCKS AND PINGS CONTINUALLY.
NHTSA ODI #539502
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 1998
Electrical System
MOTORCYCLE WOULD BACKFIRE AND STALL WHEN GIVING IT THROTTLE GOING FROM A STOP OR IDLING. I QUICKLY DIS-ENGAUGED THE CLUTCH TO START THE MOTOR BACKUP, BUT THE CAR IN THE SECOND LANE WAS ALREADY LOCKING HIS BRAKES. I DID MANAGE TO GET THE BIKE STARTED IN THE KNICK OF TIME, AND THE ONCOMING CAR MISSED ME BY ONLY A FEW FEET. I AM…
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MOTORCYCLE WOULD BACKFIRE AND STALL WHEN GIVING IT THROTTLE GOING FROM A STOP OR IDLING. I QUICKLY DIS-ENGAUGED THE CLUTCH TO START THE MOTOR BACKUP, BUT THE CAR IN THE SECOND LANE WAS ALREADY LOCKING HIS BRAKES. I DID MANAGE TO GET THE BIKE STARTED IN THE KNICK OF TIME, AND THE ONCOMING CAR MISSED ME BY ONLY A FEW FEET. I AM AN EXPERIENCED MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR, AND DID NOT POP THE CLUTCH AND STALL IN THAT MANNER. THE MOTORCYCLE MAKES A LOUD POP COMING UP THROUGH THE CARBURATOR, WHEN IT BACKFIRES.
NHTSA ODI #537168
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 1998
Power Train
CLUTCH ON MOTORCYCLE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PUSH. OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE. DEALERS HAVE NOT CORRECTED PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #823963
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.
1998 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Sportster Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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