AI DamageHarley-Davidson Ultra Classic: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic across 6 model years: 35 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 29% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 26% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 4 Wheels 9% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 6% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 6% of all complaints
- 7 Tires 6% of all complaints
- 8 Engine 3% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 10 complaints (29% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 9 complaints (26% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (9% of all).
- Wheels: 3 complaints (9% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 2 complaints (6% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 35 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 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Tl contact owns a 2002 harley davidson ultra classic. While driving 70 mph, the rear wheel began to wobble. The driver lost control of the vehicle when he attempted to decelerate and drove into a ditch. He fell off the vehicle and was transported to the hospital.
Broken swing arm (a frame section) causing a high speed wobble leading to crash. Swing arm cracked over top of axle allowing the rear shock absorber to push open the end of the swing arm exposing the rear axel shaft.
Rear wheel was bent causing it to wobble. I did not feel it while riding motorcycle. Two differant times I had people pull up beside me at stop lights informing me of the wheel wobble. I ride solo all the time so I do not know how long this had been bent.
High speed throttle, front train turns with wheels. Until wind hits it, it would wobble. Cycle hit concrete wall when it happened. Owner was thrown back into hwy traffic lane.
While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle stalled. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was tuned up and the oil was changed, but the failure recurred.
The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 mph, the entire instrument panel illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle restarted, but the failure recurred within two minutes. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the injection system needed to be replaced.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
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.
- Wheels. Wheel runout, cracks, signs of a wheel strike.
Other models of this make
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.