AI Damage2005 Harley-Davidson Flhtcui: common problems
Owners of the 2005 Harley-Davidson Flhtcui filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 40% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 40% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 20% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 20% of all complaints
- 5 Wheels 20% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (40% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (40% of all).
- Engine: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Wheels: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 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.
Harley dealership told me to upgrade the cam tensioner on the twin cam 88 motor from 1991-1996. They have a tendencey to "explode" after 20-25k miles. $500 for the part #25284-11, $500-$1000 for labor. There is nothing in the service manuals for checking this part. To replace it requires a complete motor tear down.
2005 harley ultra rear brakes failed. The friction material had fallen off the backing plate. The consumer replaced the pads himself. Almost two months later the rear wheel developed a 10 inch split which caused the bike to operate erratically.
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 50 mph, the hydraulic rear brake did not work at all. The front brake had to be applied to stop the vehicle. There was no warning prior to the braking. The road condition was hard surfaced. Also, the second time the front brake lining pad had fractured.
Harley davidson horn doesn't work. The horn was replaced at 1000 miles. Still doesn't work. It sounds like a wounded duck. Harley dealer says the horn is fine and that you must be running the engine at 2000 rpm for the horn to work. It worked fine when purchased. I say its a defect in manufacturing.
No events other than poor workmanship. Horn doesn't work. Safety is my concern. Harley-davidson says there is nothing wrong with my horn. They say that at 2000 rpm when you press the horn button it works. Sitting still or idling the horn will not work. They say no one uses the horn at idle or sitting still.
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 14,282 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Flhtcui has 8 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 5, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Harley-Davidson Flhtcui?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, service brakes, engine. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: brake failure (40%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2005 Harley-Davidson Flhtcui?
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 2005 Harley-Davidson Flhtcui 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 2005 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.