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: 13 of 14 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 6 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 →
Suspension. 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 reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
14 reports
20 miles · Jun 29, 2005
Suspension
2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON SCREAMING EAGLE ELECTRAGLIDE, MOTORCYCLE HAS A HIGH SPEED WOBBLE. ( 70+MPH) EXHIBITED PROBLEM SINCE DELIVERY. MOTORCYCLE HAS AT TIMES TAKEN TWO FULL TRAFFIC LANES TO GET UNDER CONTROL. INVESTIGATION SHOWED STEERING HEAD BEARINGS IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED FROM FACTORY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROPERLY ADJUST. D…
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2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON SCREAMING EAGLE ELECTRAGLIDE, MOTORCYCLE HAS A HIGH SPEED WOBBLE. ( 70+MPH) EXHIBITED PROBLEM SINCE DELIVERY. MOTORCYCLE HAS AT TIMES TAKEN TWO FULL TRAFFIC LANES TO GET UNDER CONTROL. INVESTIGATION SHOWED STEERING HEAD BEARINGS IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED FROM FACTORY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROPERLY ADJUST. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES PROBLEM, FACTORY REP DOES NOT SO DEALER REFUSES TO WORK ON THE BIKE WITHOUT FACTORY AUTHORIZATION. LETTERS TO HARLEY DAVIDSON CEO & PRESIDENT GO UNANSWERED.
NHTSA ODI #10126979
4,820 miles · May 11, 2005
Power Train
DT: NEW HARLEY DAVIDSON WHILE DRAINING THE TRANSMISSION FOR SERVICE A PIECE WAS FOUND. TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER CALLED MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH MOTOR CYCLE, AND THEY SAID TO DRIVE IT A FEW MORE THOUSAND MILES TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS. THE MOTOR CYCLE IS STILL UNDER …
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DT: NEW HARLEY DAVIDSON WHILE DRAINING THE TRANSMISSION FOR SERVICE A PIECE WAS FOUND. TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER CALLED MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH MOTOR CYCLE, AND THEY SAID TO DRIVE IT A FEW MORE THOUSAND MILES TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS. THE MOTOR CYCLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10120646
1,710 miles · May 5, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingInjury
DT: WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION (TURNING LEFT) THE CONSUMER LET OUT THE CLUTCH, AND WHILE MOVING FORWARD, THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED AND FELL OVER. PREVIOUSLY, ON ANOTHER, MORE GRADUAL LEFT TURN, THE MOTORCYCLE SIMPLY "COUGHED" AND KEPT GOING. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10119929
250 miles · Mar 24, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
I PURCHASED THIS NEW 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON ON 1/20/2005. WHILE RIDING ON THE INTERSTATE FREEWAY I ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL. I ATTEMPTED TO DISENGAGE IT SO I COULD ADJUST MY SPEED. THE CONTROLS DID NOT DISENGAGE IT. I USED MY BRAKES, THOSE DID NOT DISENGAGE IT. I PULLED THE CLUTCH, THAT DID NOT DISENGAGE IT BUT THE ENGINE SPEED …
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I PURCHASED THIS NEW 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON ON 1/20/2005. WHILE RIDING ON THE INTERSTATE FREEWAY I ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL. I ATTEMPTED TO DISENGAGE IT SO I COULD ADJUST MY SPEED. THE CONTROLS DID NOT DISENGAGE IT. I USED MY BRAKES, THOSE DID NOT DISENGAGE IT. I PULLED THE CLUTCH, THAT DID NOT DISENGAGE IT BUT THE ENGINE SPEED JUMP UP TO 6500 RPM. WHEN I RELEASED THE CLUTCH MY SPEED INCREASED TO AROUND 85 MPH. I TURNED OFF THE DASH SWITCH AND THAT DID NOT HAVE ANY EFFECT. I TURNED OFF THE MOTORCYCLE AND COASTED TO AN OFF RAMP. I RESTARTED THE MOTORCYCLE AND RODE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER MECHANIC PUT THE MOTORCYCLE ON TEST EQUIPMENT AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THEN HE TOOK IT FOR A TEST RIDE. THE CRUISE LOCKED ON FOR HIM ALSO. WHEN HE GOT BACK HE WORKED ON IT SOME MORE UNTIL I NEEDED TO LEAVE AND GET BACK TO WORK. HE DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE AND I RODE HOME. I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM THE NEXT WEEK AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY HOOKED EVERYTHING BACK UP AND SENT ME AWAY. IF I HAD BEEN IN HEAVIER TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS.
CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL SHUT-OFF VALVES. THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE 'ON' POSITION AND THE 'RESERVE' POSITION OF THE VALVE MAY HAVE BEEN REVERSED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE BIKE WERE OPERATING WITH THE VALVE IN THE 'ON' POSITION, THE BIKE COULD RUN OUT OF FUEL, THE EXPECTED FUEL RESERVE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE. THIS COULD LEAD TO THE DRIVER RUNNING OUT OF GAS WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL VALVE AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN FEBRUARY 7, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-342-4080.
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.
2005 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Touring Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year