RoadVitals

1989 Harley-Davidson Flhtc

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest May 5, 1999
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Jul 20, 1989
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Harley-Davidson Flhtc, most frequently naming the engine category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine3100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
89V115000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Jul 20, 1989
2,509 units potentially affected
The defect: CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER CONTAMINATION AND, IF IT BECOMES WET WHILE IN USE, COULD CREATE A SHORT CIRCUIT.
The risk: MOTORCYCLE SPEED WOULD INCREASE AUTOMATICALLY WITHOUTANY ACTION ON THE PART OF THE DRIVER PRESENTING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed May 5, 1999

I HAVE HEARD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH HARLEY'S EVOLUTION MOTOR. MANY OF THE PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AFTER 50000 MILES. I HAVE A 1978 HARLEY WITH WELL OVER 100000 MILES AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEING NORMAL ON THE OLDER SHOVELHEAD MOTORS PRODUCED PRIOR TO 1984. MY MOTORCYCLE IS USED FOR TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND HAS NEVER BEEN RACED OR ABUSED. IT HAS RECEIVED THE PROPER MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS WHEN NEEDED AND SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AS IT DID

NHTSA ID
706258
Incident
Apr 22, 1999
Engine
Filed Jul 1, 1997

LEFT MOTOR MOUNT BRACKET RUSTED.

NHTSA ID
518405
Incident
Apr 29, 1997
Engine
Filed Jun 27, 1997

ENGINE MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID
517851
Incident
May 5, 1997

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Harley-Davidson Flhtc by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2013100—
2012210—
2011421—
2010731—
2009193149.6
2008152243.4
2007140032.9
2005300—
2004000—
2003110—
2002210—
2001710—
2000100—
1999610—
1998310—
1997110—
1996210—
1995610—
1994820—
1993210—
1992300—
1990200—
1989Viewing310—
1984010—
1983010—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.