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2004 HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL883C

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
3Owner complaints

Model-year median: 1.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
0
20033
20043
20052
20060
2007
Compare all XL883C years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
2Electrical System
1Service Brakes
1

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 3 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 →
  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. 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

3 reports
Mileage unknown · May 29, 2025
Service Brakes

To change the rear tire requires the following several steps including, removal of disc brake pads and compressing the brake caliper piston inward, removing the axle and drive belt also required . After completion of the Disassembly and then reassembly of components including brake pads.The rear brake master cylinder failed, to …

Read full complaint

To change the rear tire requires the following several steps including, removal of disc brake pads and compressing the brake caliper piston inward, removing the axle and drive belt also required . After completion of the Disassembly and then reassembly of components including brake pads.The rear brake master cylinder failed, to function, no hydraulic pressure was supplied to activate the brake caliper. I believe when compressing the caliper piston inward (which is a common and necessary practice) caused the master cylinder to fail. Researching this issue I found that this is a common failure to 2004 - 2006 Harley Sportster motorcycles.

NHTSA ODI #11663578

4,700 miles · Jun 23, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

2004 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 886 XLC CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILS AND RENDERS THE MOTORCYCLE USELESS. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN IN TRAFFIC, THE RIDER COULD BE KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274778

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE MOTORCYCLE SPUTTERS OFF IDLE LEAVING THE MOTORCYCLE UNABLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE TO THE RIDER AS THE MOTORCYCLE WILL STOP FORWARD MOTION. REPLACEMENT OF THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR SOLVES THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231973

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.