AutoStatsIQ
Data through Oct 2026
Model year

2003 Harley-Davidson Softail

Motorcycle, gasoline, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Apr 4, 2003 to Apr 17, 2012.

Recalls (0)Complaints (7)Investigations (0)Bulletins (1)
Recall campaigns covering this model year0No recall campaign lists this model year
Owner complaints73.5 times the median 2003 motorcycle
Severity index28.62003 motorcycles average 7.3
First 24 months6Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2003 Harley-Davidson Softail peaked in 2003, with 4 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

012342003420052007200920112013201520172019202120232026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

43% of complaints about the 2003 Harley-Davidson Softail name fuel system

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Fuel system
3
Structure
2
Engine and cooling
1
Adaptive equipment
1
Tires
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

No recall campaign lists the 2003 Harley-Davidson Softail

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Look up a VIN at NHTSA
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2003 Harley-Davidson Softail

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

7 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Apr 17, 2012Failure Apr 13, 201130,000 milesLakewood, COEngine, Fuel system, Gasoline

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFT TALE DEUCE MOTORCYCLE. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS CAUSING FRICTION TO THE INNER FUEL TANK AND BORE SEVERAL HOLES IN THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL LINES WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30,000. UPDATED 06/05/12 *BF THE CAM TENSIONER WEAR BLOCK FAILED.

    NHTSA complaint 10455520
  2. Filed Jul 5, 2004Failure May 21, 2004Ontario, MIEquipment adaptive/mobility

    MOST OF THE HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES HAVE THE PASSENGER FOOTREST RIGHT BESIDE OR OVERTOP OF THE EXHAUST. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO ACTUALLY BURN THROUGH MY PROTECTIVE BOOTS I WEAR. I HAVE NOT BEEN INJURED YET, BUT SHOULD A CHILD OR PERSON WHO DOES NOT WEAR PROTECTIVE SHOES COULD SERIOUSLY HAVE MAJOR BURNS TO THEIR FEET AND ANKLES.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10080371
  3. Filed Feb 10, 20041,000 milesHadley, MATires

    4 TIRES WERE REPLACED WITHIN 1,000 MILES DUE TO TIRES BEING OUT OF ROUND. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 10057810
  4. Filed Nov 19, 2003Groveton, TXStructure

    PROBLEMS WITH FRAME ON 2003 SUNDANCE SOFTAIL. *MR THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY AND WOULD NOT TRACK ON THE HIGHWAY. THE FRAME WAS TAKEN TO AN UNINTERESTED THIRD PARTY AND PLACED ON A LASER FRAME MACHINE. THE RESULTS SUPPORTED THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER EVALUATION. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE CONSUMER. *SCC *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10048358
  5. Filed Nov 2, 2003Failure Nov 2, 2003250 milesCanton, CTFuel system, GasolineCrashFire1 injured

    MY BROTHER HAD A LOW SPEED (UNDER 20 MPH) CRASH ON A 2003 HARLEY HERITAGE SOFTAIL. UPON HITTING THE GROUND, THE BIKE BURST INTO FLAMES. THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL AS THE SPEED WAS LOW, THE IMPACT WAS NOT SEVERE (MY BROTHER ENDED UP WITH A SEVERELY SPRAINED ANKLE), BUT THE BIKE WAS TOTALED. I BELIEVE THERE IS CAUSE FOR CONCERN. THE BIKE IS A FUEL INJECTED TWIN CAM 88 ENGINE. *LA

    NHTSA complaint 10045300
  6. Filed Jul 12, 2003Failure Jul 6, 2003Deleon Springs, FLStructure1 injured

    WHEN GETTING OFF OF BACK OF HARLEY DAVIDSON MY LEG GOT CAUGHT ON THE LICENSE PLATE AND TORE MY LEG OPEN. WENT TO ER WHERE I HAD TO HAVE STITCHES ON THE INSIDE OF THE WOUND AND ON THE OUTSIDE. VERY PAINFUL! PLACEMENT OF LICENSE PLATE HOLDER IS NOT SAFE.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10025972
  7. Filed Apr 4, 2003Failure Mar 28, 2003240 milesKittanning, PAFuel system, Hoses, Lines/piping, And fittings

    GASOLINE LEAK FROM FUEL LINE ON HARLEY-DAVIDSON FWSTI 2003. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10013954
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year

Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
All investigations
Service bulletins

1 manufacturer communication cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • M-1233 Oct 20, 2008 ยท Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    HARLEY DAVIDSON: A CHANGE TO THE FINAL TORQUE OF THE FORK CAP (PART NUMBER 45419-80) AND FOR TUBE PLUG (PART NUMBER 45838-77). THE NEW TORQUE FOR BOTH PARTS IS 60-70 FT LBS (81.3-94.9NM). *PE
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.
About service bulletins