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 1 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 →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reports
1,400 miles · Dec 22, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
12/20/2005HARLEY-DAVIDSON CUSTOMER SERVICE 3700 W. JUNEAU AVENUE MILWAUKEE, WI 53208. *NM DEAR SIRS, ON 13 NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR I BOUGHT A 2006 XL883. THREE DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT THE BIKE I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A 2ND SEAT INSTALLED, AT THAT TIME I COMMENTED ON A BACKFIRING THAT WAS OCCURRING OCCASIONALLY OFF ID…
Read full complaint
12/20/2005HARLEY-DAVIDSON CUSTOMER SERVICE 3700 W. JUNEAU AVENUE MILWAUKEE, WI 53208. *NM DEAR SIRS, ON 13 NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR I BOUGHT A 2006 XL883. THREE DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT THE BIKE I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A 2ND SEAT INSTALLED, AT THAT TIME I COMMENTED ON A BACKFIRING THAT WAS OCCURRING OCCASIONALLY OFF IDLE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS COMMON ON THE 883. TWO DAYS AGO I TOOK MY BIKE IN FOR THE 1000 MILE SERVICE ( IT NOW HAS 1300 ON IT) AGAIN I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BACKFIRES, AGAIN I WAS TOLD IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 883. I RIDE MY BIKE NEARLY EVERYDAY TO AND FROM WORK A MIXTURE OF CITY AND HIGHWAY RIDING, SO FAR THE RECOMMENDATIONS I HAVE GOTTEN TO FIX THIS PROBLEM ARE NEW JETS, PIPES OR MAKING IT AN 1200. I BELIEVE THIS IS NOT MY JOB. I FEEL THAT THE LITTLE STUMBLING BACKFIRE CAN BE A REAL SAFETY HAZARD FORTUNATELY MOST OF MY LIFE I HAVE RIDDEN AND DRIVEN CRAP SO I KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH IT; AGAIN I DO NOT FEEL THAT IS MY JOB, I FEEL IT IS YOUR JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT MY NEW BIKE PERFORMS LIKE A HARLEY SHOULD.
NHTSA ODI #10145907
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.
2006 HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL883 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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