AI Damage2003 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide: common problems
Owners of the 2003 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 13
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 62% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 15% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 8% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 8 complaints (62% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (15% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (8% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (8% of all).
- Suspension: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 13 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While driving 70 mph, the engine shut off and all electrical power was lost. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle restarted and has not yet been diagnosed. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage is 25,500 and failure mileage was 25,000.
Dt: without warning the motorcycle lost power. The headlights and all electrical components malfunctioned. Dealer has motorcycle now and cannot anything wrong with it. Manufacturer is waiting to see what the dealer says.
While driving on flat surfaces the motorcycle veers left. If you remove your hands from the handlebars the bike will cross the centerline of the road. The dealer said this was a normal condition. Problem is ongoing since new.
While driving at 40 mph the shift lever fell off while shifting gears. The driver had the motorcycle towed to the dealer, and mechanic noticed that the shift lever clamp needed to be replaced.
My wife was on the back, to follow a group of our friends onto a 2 lane highway, it is where the bike stalled and quit. In my case I still have dash lights. I cycle the ignition and cut off switch and proceed to start the bike. On the way home on sept. 3, I decided to phone harley customer service.
At 2,500 rpm, 60 mph, the motorcylce experienced full electrical failure - no lights, no signals, no horn, no radio, no fuel injection, no engine - on four different occasions. The first dealer diagnosed the problem as a loose negative battery cable.
Exhaust system cross over pipe is located too close to seat, causing driver to be burne dwhile driving, even if properly dressed.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,843 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 27% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Electra Glide has 5 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 13, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, powertrain. Total complaints: 13. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (15%), headlights and tail lights (8%), loss of power / limp mode (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2003 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2003 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2003 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.