By model year
The 2000 model year drew the most complaints, 7
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, all years filed, by model year.
Source: NHTSA ODI. Complaints are not verified by NHTSA, and NHTSA publishes no sales volumes, so counts are not rates.
Model line
Harley-Davidson Softail
Every Harley-Davidson Softail model year on file, 1995 to 2013. Pick a year for its recalls, investigations, service bulletins and the full text of owner complaints.
Owner complaints, all model years494 involved a crash, fire, injury or death
Model years191995 to 2013
Recall campaigns9Distinct campaigns listing it
Service bulletins35Summed across model years
Components
Engine and cooling leads the Harley-Davidson Softail complaint record
Owner complaints across all model years, by component.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Model years
The record for each Harley-Davidson Softail model year
Peer index compares complaints with the median vehicle of the same model year and body class (100 is the median). It corrects for age, not for how many were sold.
| Year | Body | Complaints | Severity index | Peer index | Recalls | Investigations | Bulletins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Not decoded | 1 | 0.0 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | Motorcycle | 3 | 0.0 | 150 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 2011 | Motorcycle | 3 | 0.0 | 150 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2010 | Motorcycle | 1 | 0.0 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2009 | Not decoded | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2008 | Motorcycle | 1 | 0.0 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2007 | Motorcycle | 2 | 0.0 | 100 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 2006 | Not decoded | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2005 | Motorcycle | 4 | 0.0 | 160 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| 2004 | Motorcycle | 4 | 0.0 | 200 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2003 | Motorcycle | 7 | 28.6 | 350 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2002 | Motorcycle | 4 | 0.0 | 133 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2001 | Motorcycle | 2 | 0.0 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2000 | Motorcycle | 7 | 0.0 | 280 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 1999 | Not decoded | 0 | None | None | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1998 | Motorcycle | 3 | 33.3 | 150 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1997 | Not decoded | 1 | 0.0 | 100 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1996 | Motorcycle | 3 | 0.0 | 150 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1995 | Motorcycle | 3 | 33.3 | 150 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA ODI. Body class from NHTSA's VIN decoder where decoded.
Latest recalls
Recent campaigns covering the Harley-Davidson Softail
- 14V-794 Dec 16, 2014
In the affected motorcycles, the threads for the brake line banjo bolt in the front brake master cylinder may corrode
Brakes · 19k vehicles - 11V-037 Jan 31, 2011
Body control modules (bcm) installed on these motorcycles (part numbers 69991-11 and 69993-11) have a case that may not have been properly sealed…
Engine and cooling · 6,964 vehicles - 07V-173 Apr 26, 2007
Certain motorcycles were built with a condition that permits the positive battery cable to contact a weld bead on the oil tank
Electrical system · 52k vehicles - 04V-607 Dec 23, 2004
Certain motorcycles may have been produced with defective fuel shut-off valves
Fuel system · 9,501 vehicles - 04E-094 Dec 21, 2004
Certain fuel shut-off valves used as replacement equipment, p/nos 61338-02, 62169-02a, 61338-94d, and 62169-95c for use on certain 2005 carbureted…
Fuel system · 364 vehicles - 04V-465 Sep 30, 2004
On certain motorcycles, a condition occurs that could allow pressure to build up in the fuel tank
Fuel system · 2,828 vehicles - 99V-200 Jul 23, 1999
Vehicle description: motorcycles
Fuel system · 10k vehicles - 97V-227 Dec 15, 1997
Vehicle description: motorcycles
Brakes · 2,012 vehicles - 96V-204 Oct 22, 1996
Effects of reformulated gasoline along with certain usage of the fuel supply valve affects the supply of gasoline to the carburetor
Fuel system · 177k vehicles
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.