AI DamageHarley-Davidson XL: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Harley-Davidson XL across 3 model years: 7 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
| Year | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) | YouTube repair videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Visibility 29% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 3 Exterior lighting 14% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 14% of all complaints
- 5 Latches, locks, linkages 14% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 14% of all complaints
- Visibility: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Latches, locks, linkages: 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
The contact was driving approximately 45 mph when the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but the failure was not diagnosed. The contact later inspected the vehicle and discovered that there was a failure within the fuel pump and the wires had blown the fuses.
I recently purchased a motorcycle trailer from kendon industries, [address], anaheim, [ZIP]. The trailer was specifically designed for a long bike (chopper style).
Dt: 2005 harley davidson wide glide. The front forks were so weak that they sagged when the consumer was not braking. The consumer stated the springs were too weak in the forks. The consumer found other complaints about the same problem. He tried to get the after market springs, but they were on back order.
1998, harley davidson, xlh883 - bank angle sensor failure causing motorcycle to quit suddenly in traffic...
My fear is that this engine vibration caused fatigue will again fracture the replacement mirror stems which are identical to the previously failed ones.
Because of the vibration caused by the engine, the handle bars virbrate a lot. This vibration caused my mirror stem to shear off. I belong to a motorcycle club with over 800 members. We all ride harley sportsters and this has happened to more people than I can count.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
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.