2007 Harley-Davidson Flhrc Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2007 Harley-Davidson Flhrc, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine527.8%
- Brakes316.7%
- Transmission211.1%
- Driver assistance211.1%
- Powertrain (other)211.1%
- Body & structure15.6%
- Steering15.6%
- Tires & wheels15.6%
- Electrical15.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING. THE CONTACT STATED THE BURNING FUMES EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AFTER INSPECTING THE MOTORCYCLE HE NOTICED THAT THREE DIFFERENT WIRE HARNESS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,500.
WE HAVE 2 - 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING CUSTOM MOTORCYCLES AND THEY RUN SO HOT YOU CAN HARDLY SIT ON THE BIKE. THE HEAT ON YOUR LEGS IS EXTREME. I WOULD LIKE HARLEY TO MAKE MY BIKE RUN COOLER BEFORE I HAVE SERIOUS ENGINE PROBLEMS OR I GET BURNT AND SO I CAN ENJOY RIDING MY BIKE!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHRC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE REAR BRAKES HAD BEEN APPLIED SEVERAL TIMES THEY FAILED TO ENGAGE AND FUNCTIONED RANDOMLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, PROVIDED A COVER FOR THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR BUT DID NOT PROVIDE A DIAGNOSIS TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A REPAIR SOLUTION TO BE PROVIDED TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE16009 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE ELECTRONIC CRUISE CONTROL ON THE 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING FLHR FAILED TO DISENGAGE AFTER FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE APPLIED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF MOTORCYCLE IN A TURN CAUSING A CRASH AND SEVERE INJURIES TO RIDER. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT A SAFTEY ISSUE WITH THE 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING I PURCHASED IN DEC 2006. THE BIKE HAS A VERY LOUD CLATTER EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE, SOUNDS LIKE THE VALVE TRAIN OR TRANSMISSION. IT APPEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS THE ATTENTION OF MANY 2007 OWNERS WITH LATE 2006 PRODUCTION RELEASE MOTORCYCLES. THE BIKES ALSO RUN VERY HOT AND ARE NOT RIDABLE IN WEATHER OVER 70 DEGREES. IM CONCERNED THAT THERE IS POSSIBLE MECHANICAL FAILURE EMINENT WICH COULD RESULT IN FATAL CONSEQUENCES. HALREY DAVIDSON CUSTOMER SERVICE PROCLAIMS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND WILL NOT TAKE RESPONCIBLITY FOR THESE PROBLEMS. THEY DID ISSUE A TOURQE SMOOTHING RECALIBRATION THAT DID NOTHING FR THE LOUD CLATTER EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE, AND ULTRA HOT TEMPS. WE NEED YOUR HELP.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHRC MOTORCYCLES TRANSMISSION MADE A RATTLING SOUND. THE SERVICE DEALER EXPRESSED THERE WAS NO DEFECT OR FIX AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN OF A DEFECT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ELECTRONIC CRUISE CONTROL ON THE 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING FLHR FAILED TO DISENGAGE AFTER FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE APPLIED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF MOTORCYCLE IN A TURN CAUSING A CRASH AND SEVERE INJURIES TO RIDER. *TR
RANDOM STALLING OF MOTORCYCLE WHILE BEING OPERATED. THE STALLING HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES, APPROXIMATELY 20 TIMES, AND HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR A 5 WEEK PERIOD WITH NO SUCCESS IN DIAGNOSING OR CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. THE STALLING OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED AND AT MODERATE SPEED 55 MPH). IT OCCURRED A FEW TIMES WHILE IDLING AT A RED LIGHT. THERE WAS NO INDICATION WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN, IT WAS LIKE SOMEONE PULLED THE PLUG. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE NOR GET AN ERROR CODE ON THE COMPUTER. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE 02 SENSOR TWICE, THE ECM MODULE, THE CRANK POSITIONING SENSOR AND THE TEMPERATURE MONITORING SENSOR AT DIFFERENT TIMES WITH THE SAME RESULT. I RETURNED THE MOTORCYCLE STATING THAT THE SAME PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
IT START ABOUT A YEAR AGO, MY BIKE THEN HAD 25,000 MILE ON IT. IT WAS GETTING HARD TO START AFTER THE MOTOR WAS WARM. I CHANGE THE SPARK PLUGS, SPARK PLUG CABLES, IGNITION COIL AND BATTERY AND ITS WAS STILL HARD TO START. I TOOK THE BIKE TO THE DEALER WITH ABOUT 30,000 MILES ON IT AND THEY DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM TO BE THE COMPENSATOR. HOW CAN A BIKE WITH 30,000 MILE ON IT HAVE A MAJOR POWERTRAIN PROBLEM AND COST ME $800.00 TO REPAIR?
I WAS RIDING MY 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING CLASSIC AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WITH A PASSENGER WHEN THE BOLTS HOLDING THE REAR SPROCKET TO THE REAR WHEEL STARTED BACKING OUT. THE HEADS OF THE BOLTS STARTED HITTING THE SWING ARM AND SHEARING OFF. AS THIS HAPPENED THE BIKE LURCHED VIOLENTLY AND WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT CRASHING. UPON INSPECTION THE BOLTS TORE UP THE REAR WHEEL HUB, THE SPROCKET, AND THE SWING ARM. I WAS LUCKY THAT THE BACK TIRE DIDN'T LOCK UP AND CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONTROL. MY BIKE HAS 24,000 MILES ON IT, I BOUGHT IT NEW, AND HAVE HAD ALL THE SERVICE AND TIRE CHANGES DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM. I HAVE HAD EVERY SERVICE REQUIRED AND IN FACT IT WAS SERVICED ABOUT 100 MILES BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. AS FAR AS I KNOW THE SPROCKET HAS NEVER BEEN REMOVED FROM THE REAR WHEEL, IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE REMOVED TO CHANGE THE TIRE. IF YOU DO AN INTERNET SEARCH USING THE SEARCH CRITERIA "HD REAR SPROCKET BOLTS BACKING OUT" YOU WILL FIND THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS AND PERVASIVE PROBLEM THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON ISN'T ACKNOWLEDGING. I CAN SEND YOU PICTURES AND ACTUAL DESTROYED PARTS IF IT WILL HELP. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT A NEW HARLEY-DAVIDSON, AND FROM THE FIRST MILE IT HAS HAD A SEVERE PULL TO THE LEFT. I HAVE AN INDEPENDENT EVALUATION THAT CONFIRMS MY COMPLAINT. HARLEY-DAVIDSON REFUSES TO CORRECT THIS WARRANTY ISSUE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE CHANGING LANES ON THE HIGHWAY I ENCOUNTERED A WOBBLE IN THE STEERING. I CHECKED THE STEERING HEAD BEARING FOR PROPER ADJUSTMENT PER FACTORY SPECS AND FOUND IT TO BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE SAME WOBBLE AND NOTED WHEN SPEED IS INCREASED THE WOBBLE APPEARS WITHOUT BEING PROVOKED WITH A LEAN ANGLE. I HAVE BEEN RIDING FOR 46 YEARS AND HAVE BEEN TEACHING MOTORCYCLE SAFETY FOR 13 YEARS. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN ON ANY OTHER MOTORCYCLE (INCLUDING PREVIOUS HD SPORTSTER). THE BEST WAY I FOUND TO RECOVERING FROM THIS WOBBLE IS A EASY ROLL BACK OFF OF THE THROTTLE. HARLEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT WOULD NEED A REVISED ENGINE MOUNT OR A ADDED STEERING DAMPENING STABLING SYSTEM. I PURCHASED MOTORCYCLE NEW AND HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY WARNING OF SUCH WOBBLE PROBLEM BEING REPORTED. I HAVE NOT MOVED, AND HAVE HAD MY MOTORCYCLE SERVICED AT THE DEALER WHEN IT WAS 2 WEEKS OLD DUE TO A SHAKE CAUSED BY LOOSE SPOKES OF THE REAR WHEEL, AS WELL AS A NEW REAR TIRE 2 YEARS AGO. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED FRONT AND REAR TIRES FROM AN AVON VENDOR AT STURGIS, ND IN AUG 2010. 200 MILES LATER, ON MY WAY HOME, THE FRONT TIRE BLEW AT 70MPH. AFTER NEARLY CRASHING I MANAGED TO GET THE BIKE TO COME TO A STOP. AFTER RECEIVING A TOW I CALLED DAVID ALARI, THE DEALER WHO SOLD AND INSTALLED THE TIRES. ALL I WANTED WAS MY MONEY BACK FOR THE FRONT TIRE AND REINSTALLATION ($256). HE WOULD ONLY GIVE ME EXCUSES. I WILL VOICE MY DISGUST TO ALL WHO WILL HEAR, ESPECIALLY NEXT YEAR AT DAVID'S STURGIS LOCATION, HOW BADLY I WAS TREATED AND HOW DANGEROUS YOUR PRODUCT IS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
RANDOM STALLING OF MOTORCYCLE WHILE BEING OPERATED. THE STALLING HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES, APPROXIMATELY 20 TIMES, AND HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR A 5 WEEK PERIOD WITH NO SUCCESS IN DIAGNOSING OR CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. THE STALLING OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED AND AT MODERATE SPEED 55 MPH). IT OCCURRED A FEW TIMES WHILE IDLING AT A RED LIGHT. THERE WAS NO INDICATION WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN, IT WAS LIKE SOMEONE PULLED THE PLUG. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE NOR GET AN ERROR CODE ON THE COMPUTER. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE 02 SENSOR TWICE, THE ECM MODULE, THE CRANK POSITIONING SENSOR AND THE TEMPERATURE MONITORING SENSOR AT DIFFERENT TIMES WITH THE SAME RESULT. I RETURNED THE MOTORCYCLE STATING THAT THE SAME PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .