2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
10
Owner Complaints
0
Recalls
2
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER
The 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER has received a total of 10 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 2 technical service bulletins have been issued by Harley-Davidson Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Cooling (2 complaints), Structure (2 complaints), and Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesexterior (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER
There are no recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER. No Active Recalls
Owner Complaints for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER
10 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesexterior | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentshoses Linespiping And Fittings | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER SPORT. THE FRAME BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED DUE TO METAL FATIGUE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PART BUT IT FAILED AGAIN AFTER 2,500 MILES. THE PART WAS REPLACED A THIRD TIME AND HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE # OF CYLINDERS WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 7,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500. UPDATED 06/26/07. *JB
SPEEDOMETER-TACHOMETER BRACKET BREAKS FROM EXCESSIVE ENGINE VIBRATION THROUGH MOUNTING BOLT HOLES CAUSING GAUGE ASSEMBLY TO FALL OFF WHILE RIDING. UNIT HANGS BY THE WIRES & INTERFERES WITH THE STEERING FORKS & CONTROL OF VEHICLE. ALSO EXCESSIVE ENGINE VIBRATION AS DEEMED NORMAL BY THE MANUFACTURER CAUSES NUMBNESS IN THE HANDS & FEET WITHIN 7 MILES OF RIDING & ULTIMATELY DIFFICULTY IN CONTROLLING VEHICLE.*AK
SPEEDOMETER-TACHOMETER BRACKET BREAKS FROM EXCESSIVE ENGINE VIBRATION THROUGH MOUNTING BOLT HOLES CAUSING GAUGE ASSEMBLY TO FALL OFF WHILE RIDING. UNIT HANGS BY THE WIRES & INTERFERES WITH THE STEERING FORKS & CONTROL OF VEHICLE. ALSO EXCESSIVE ENGINE VIBRATION AS DEEMED NORMAL BY THE MANUFACTURER CAUSES NUMBNESS IN THE HANDS & FEET WITHIN 7 MILES OF RIDING & ULTIMATELY DIFFICULTY IN CONTROLLING VEHICLE.*AK
SPEEDOMETER-TACHOMETER BRACKET BREAKS FROM EXCESSIVE ENGINE VIBRATION THROUGH MOUNTING BOLT HOLES CAUSING GAUGE ASSEMBLY TO FALL OFF WHILE RIDING. UNIT HANGS BY THE WIRES & INTERFERES WITH THE STEERING FORKS & CONTROL OF VEHICLE. ALSO EXCESSIVE ENGINE VIBRATION AS DEEMED NORMAL BY THE MANUFACTURER CAUSES NUMBNESS IN THE HANDS & FEET WITHIN 7 MILES OF RIDING & ULTIMATELY DIFFICULTY IN CONTROLLING VEHICLE.*AK
OK, MY COMPLAINT IS ON A 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200 CUSTOM SPORTSTER. THE FRONT HEADLIGHT HAS FALLEN OFF DUE TO THE BOLT SHEARING FROM VIBRATION AND SO HAS THE REAR VIEW MIRROR ON THE LEFT SIDE. HARLEY HAS REPLACED THE ENGINE AT ABOUT 1300 MILES, STATING THAT IT HAD AN UNSAFE VIBRATION. THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT DID NOT FIX THE EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND I HAVE SINCE LOST THESE PARTS. THEY NOW TELL ME THAT THE UNSAFE VIBRATION IS INDEED SAFE. *AK
Safety Rating for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER
Harley-Davidson Motor Company has issued 2 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
1133 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
SERVICE MANUAL INCORRECTLY DESCRIBED THE REAR BELT DEFLECTION ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE. *SCC
1131 — WHEELS
REAR WHEEL SPACER IDENTIFICATION. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER
- 1998 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER — 7 complaints
- 1999 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER — 8 complaints
- 2000 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER — 11 complaints
- 2001 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER — 8 complaints
- 2002 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER — 7 complaints
- 2003 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER (current)
- 2005 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER — 6 complaints
- 2007 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER — 1 complaint
- 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER — 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