2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTFI — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
1
Owner Complaint
1
Recall
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTFI
The 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTFI has received a total of 1 safety complaint filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. The most commonly reported problem area is the Engine (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTFI
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTFI, potentially affecting up to 167,628 vehicles.
Recall 05V151000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
| 167,628 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN SOFTAIL MOTORCYCLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, 'CERTIFICATION.' THE VIN/CERTIFICATION LABEL CONTAINS INCORRECT TIRE SIZE AND INFLATION PRESSURES FOR THE FRONT WHEEL. THE LABEL STATES THE TIRE SIZE IS MT90B21 AND THE INFLATION PRESSURE AS 30 PSI, WHEREAS THE CORRECT TIRE SIZE IS MT90B16, AND THE CORRECT INFLATION PRESSURE IS 36 PSI.
Consequence: THE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS INCORRECT GIVING IMPROPER INFORMATION.
Remedy: HARLEY- DAVIDSON WILL MAIL INSTRUCTIONS ALONG WITH CORRECTED FEDERAL CERTIFICATION LABEL. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 6, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTFI
1 complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTFI. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
199-2005 TWIN CAM HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES HAVE A DEFECTIVE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER DESIGN. THESE PARTS CAN WEAR OUT IN SOME CASE IN LESS THAN 15,000 MILES AND REQUIRE AN EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT COST RANGING FROM $800 TO OVER $8000. THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER IS A SPRING DESIGN WITH A SMALL PLASTIC PAD. THERE ARE 2 CAM FOLLOWERS USED IN THE DESIGN. THE PADS WEAR AND THE PLASTIC IS DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE OIL SYSTEM OF THE BIKE AND CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THIS IS THE FIRST TYPE OF FAILURE DUE TO THE CAM FOLLOWER. THE SECOND POSSIBLE FAILURE IS WHEN THE PAD WEARS OUT COMPLETELY AND THE SPRING GOES INTO THE CAM CHAIN WHICH CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL. IF THE ENGINE FAILS AND LOCKS UP DUE TO EITHER FAILURE THE REAR TIRE CAN LOCKUP AND SKID POSSIBLY CAUSING THE MOTORCYCLE TO CRASH BEFORE THE RIDER CAN DETERMINE WHAT IS HAPPENING AND REACT PROPERLY. HARLEY DAVIDSON RELEASED A SOMEWHAT BETTER DESIGN IN 2005 ON SELECT MODELS AND IN ALL MODELS IN 2006. THE NEW DESIGN IS SAID TO LAST FOR AT LEAST 50,000 MILE. THERE ARE OTHER 3RD PARTY DESIGNS ON THE MARKET THAT WILL LAST THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE. THERE IS NO MENTION OF THE NEED TO INSPECT/REPLACE THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONERS EVERY 15,000 MILES IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. I FOUND OUT FROM A FRIEND AND STARTED TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON NOW CONSIDERS IT A WEAR PART. I AM SURE THAT IF IT WAS DISCLOSED WHEN THE MOTOR WAS FIRST RELEASED THAT SALES WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS THAN STELLAR. IF THIS WAS A CAR EXHIBITING A SORT OF PROBLEM THAT COULD CAUSE A FATAL CRASH AND EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT THERE WOULD BE A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH NO COST TO THE OWNER. WITHOUT AN INSPECTION OF MOTOR COSTING AT LEAST $150 THERE IS NO RELIABLE WAY TO DETECT THE FACT THAT THE PARTS MAY SOON FAIL SO IT IS LIKE A TICKING TIME BOMB.
Safety Rating for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTFI
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTFI in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTFI
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTFI
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTFI
- 2001 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTFI — 1 complaint
- 2002 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTFI — 0 complaints
- 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTFI (current)
- 2004 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTFI — 4 complaints
- 2005 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTFI — 0 complaints
- 2006 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTFI — 2 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