AI Damage2001 Harley-Davidson Flhtc: common problems
Owners of the 2001 Harley-Davidson Flhtc filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 43% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 14% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (43% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (14% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 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.
Vehicle with approx. 36k miles. Cam chain tensioner shoes, one worn down about 50%, the other completely disintegrated with pieces floating around within the engine and bearings. Potential for cam timing to be affected or shoe material to cause bearing to seize.
Dt: the engine in the motorcycle was making noises. The consumer spoke with dealer on this matter and they said there was a need for repair but it would be at the consumers expense. This was a regular maintenance item but the factory will not acknowledge. The cam chain tensioners were wearing too soon.
The vehicle died while driving almost causing a crash. This was due to a short in the charging system. The dealer infromed me that they have many of these failures. The manufacturer is not will to stand behing the vehicle.
This causes the driver to have no reliability on the fuel system and he/she may end up stranded in a remote area or stall in traffic. This is due to fuel gauge inaccuracy. This problem has been noted to harley, by multiple flh (and other flh model) owners. Thanks.
Front brakes started squeling at the first day of ownership. Has been reported with no response.
Consumer was traveling about 40mph on highway and motorcycle shutdown without prior warning, and lost power. Dealership was aware of problem.
Motorcycle was lightly tied down by handle bars when consumer noticed it was loose, and saw that handle bars were pulled down into gas tank. Triple clamp that held handles to front forks were loose.
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 12,539 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 34% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Flhtc has 5 complaints (22 years in the data). This year has 7, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Harley-Davidson Flhtc?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, electrical system, fuel system. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (29%), fuel system, fuel smell (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2001 Harley-Davidson Flhtc?
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 2001 Harley-Davidson Flhtc 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 2001 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 2026-11-06.