2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
3
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT
The 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT has received a total of 3 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (1 complaint), Power Trainmanual Transmissionfloor Shift Assembly (1 complaint), and Structure (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT, potentially affecting up to 31,070 vehicles.
Recall 04V218000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
| 31,070 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN DYNA, XL, AND TOURING MOTORCYCLES, THE TAIL LIGHT BULB CAN FALL OUT OF THE SOCKET.
Consequence: THE TAIL LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT BECOME INOPERATIVE, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BULBS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 3, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-342-4680.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainmanual Transmissionfloor Shift Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT ELECTRA GLIDE STANDARD. MY MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FAILURE OF ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS TO INCLUDE AN UNCOMMANDED ENGINE FAILURE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT. H-D HAS A FAULTY DESIGN THAT DOES NOT PERMIT THE ADEQUATE COOLING OF A 50 AMP SELF RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE BATTERY LOCATED SLIGHT AFT AND ABOVE THE AFT CYLINDER AND CYLINDER EXHAUST EXPOSED TO EXTREME HEATING AND INADEQUATE COOLING. RIDER HAS NO INSTRUMENTATION TO SHOW IMPENDING ELECTRICAL FAILURE AS THE COMPONENT LACKS DANGEROUS TEMPERATURE WARNINGS. THIS EVENT OCCURRED AT NIGHT WITH THE IMMEDIATE AND ULTIMATE LOSS OF ALL EXTERNAL LIGHTING AND ENGINE POWER. THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN DEFECT THAT NEEDS DOT INVESTIGATION FOR A RECALL FOR MANDATORY INSTALLATION OF A COOLING FAN AND TEMPERATURE SENSOR. RIDER IS A LIFELONG RIDER, FORMER MILITARY INSTRUCTOR PILOT, CURRENT FAA AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR (OPERATIONS) WITH EXTENSIVE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE IN AIRCRAFT AND AUTOMOTIVE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION. SHOULD THIS HAVE BEEN AN AIRCRAFT INVESTIGATION FAA AAI-100 WOULD HAVE BEEN URGED TO MANDATE AND EMERGENCY AD TO CORRECT THE DESIGN FAULT. *TR
PART FAILURE IS EMINENT. THE INNER PRIMARY WAS POORLY DESIGNED. THE LACK OF A PROPER BUSHING HAS RESULTED IN SEVER WEAR AND A SLOPPY FIT. THE STEEL SHIFTER SHAFT PASSES THROUGH THE ALUMINUM INNER PRIMARY COVER. THE ADDITIONAL OF A BUSHING IN THE DESIGN WOULD PREVENT THIS FAILURE. *TR
PART FAILURE IS EMINENT. THE INNER PRIMARY WAS POORLY DESIGNED. THE LACK OF A PROPER BUSHING HAS RESULTED IN SEVER WEAR AND A SLOPPY FIT. THE STEEL SHIFTER SHAFT PASSES THROUGH THE ALUMINUM INNER PRIMARY COVER. THE ADDITIONAL OF A BUSHING IN THE DESIGN WOULD PREVENT THIS FAILURE. *TR
Safety Rating for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT
- 1998 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT — 4 complaints
- 1999 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT — 8 complaints
- 2000 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT — 1 complaint
- 2001 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT — 7 complaints
- 2002 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT — 7 complaints
- 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT (current)
- 2004 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT — 1 complaint
- 2005 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT — 1 complaint
- 2006 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT — 1 complaint
- 2007 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT — 4 complaints
- 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT — 4 complaints
Other HARLEY-DAVIDSON Models
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU — 331 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHX — 233 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTK — 209 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTC — 130 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON HARLEY DAVIDSON — 129 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCUI — 127 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON XG750 — 123 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG — 107 total complaints