AI Damage1999 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 9
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 56% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 3 Equipment 11% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 11% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 5 complaints (56% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (11% of all).
- Equipment: 1 complaints (11% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (11% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 harley davidson ultra classic. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, there was a fuel odor present from the vehicle. The contact discovered that the bottom of the fuel tank where the fuel line was connected became fractured in half allowing fuel to leak.
Tl contact owns a 1999 harley davidson ultra classic. The contact stated that his vehicle began to make an unfamiliar noise. A recall repair was performed on the vehicle in june of 2001 in which the cam bearings were replaced. He stated that the noise has returned and the cam bearings need to be replaced again.
Then all of a sudden, the engine seized. Then consumer skidded and pulled over to shoulder of the road. The back wheel locked up because there was a lock up in the crank shaft bearing the consumer stated the crank shaft bearing went out and caused a seizing of the engine. The vehicle has not been to dealership.
The tour pack bracket snapped in half. The light medal tubing which supported the tour pack broke on the right side and cracked on the left side at bolt sites. Nearly $50.00 to replace. Consumer kept old one and is getting it worked on. Jb
Consumer states heard a strange noise coming from the engine. Took vehicle to the dealership, they told her that there was a defect in the cam causing metal shaving to spread all over the engine, which in the long run will destroy the motor completely.
Consumer has received recall #0091 for the ignition switch in july. Consumer has contacted dealer several times. Last time the dealer was contacted was on november 10,1998. Dealer indicated that they do not have the part available yet.
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 11,366 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 31% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Ultra Classic has 6 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 9, 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.
- 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 1999 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, electrical system, equipment. Total complaints: 9. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: engine failure or replacement (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic?
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 1999 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic 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 1999 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.