RoadVitals

2001 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.
7
Latest May 15, 2006
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 Jan 4, 2002
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 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Harley-Davidson Flhtc, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 6 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Engine342.9%
  • Brakes114.3%
  • Electrical114.3%
  • Fuel system114.3%
  • Steering114.3%

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
02V002000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Jan 4, 2002
28,949 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE CLIPS THAT RETAIN THE WIRING FOR THE FRONT FENDER TIP LIGHT CAN BECOME DETACHED FROM THE FENDER, CAUSING THE WIRES TO FRAY AND SHORT.
The risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE LIGHTING SYSTEM FUSE TO BLOW, LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT AN OPERATIONAL FRONT FENDER TIP LIGHT, HEADLIGHT, TAILLIGHT, RUNNING LIGHTS, AND PASSING LAMPS (IF EQUIPPED).
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FENDER TIP LIGHT WIRING HARNESS RETENTION CLIPS, AND INSPECT AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, ANY DAMAGED WIRING HARNESSES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 9, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-342-4680.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed May 15, 2006

VEHICLE WITH APPROX. 36K MILES. CAM CHAIN TENSIONER SHOES, ONE WORN DOWN ABOUT 50%, THE OTHER COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED WITH PIECES FLOATING AROUND WITHIN THE ENGINE AND BEARINGS. POTENTIAL FOR CAM TIMING TO BE AFFECTED OR SHOE MATERIAL TO CAUSE BEARING TO SEIZE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10157539
Incident
May 14, 2006
Mileage
36,511 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 25, 2005

DT: THE ENGINE IN THE MOTORCYCLE WAS MAKING NOISES. THE CONSUMER SPOKE WITH DEALER ON THIS MATTER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A NEED FOR REPAIR BUT IT WOULD BE AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE. THIS WAS A REGULAR MAINTENANCE ITEM BUT THE FACTORY WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE. THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONERS WERE WEARING TOO SOON. CONSUMER MADE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. NO PROBLEMS SINCE THE REPAIR. *JB CAMSHAFT DRIVE/BEARING WERE REPLACED. *TT

NHTSA ID
10126354
Incident
Mar 1, 2005
Mileage
19,500 mi
Electrical
Filed May 17, 2005

THE VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. THIS WAS DUE TO A SHORT IN THE CHARGING SYSTEM. THE DEALER INFROMED ME THAT THEY HAVE MANY OF THESE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT WILL TO STAND BEHING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10121210
Incident
Apr 17, 2005
Fuel system
Filed Aug 7, 2001

THE GAS GAUGE DROPS NORMALLY FROM "FULL" TO APPROX. '1/2 FULL', THEN IN NO CONSISTENT MANNER (TIME OR MILEAGE WISE)...IT DROPS TO 'EMPTY'. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO HAVE NO RELIABILITY ON THE FUEL SYSTEM AND HE/SHE MAY END UP STRANDED IN A REMOTE AREA OR STALL IN TRAFFIC. THIS IS DUE TO FUEL GAUGE INACCURACY. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED TO HARLEY, BY MULTIPLE FLH (AND OTHER FLH MODEL) OWNERS. THANKS. *AK

NHTSA ID
750005
Brakes
Filed May 26, 2001

FRONT BRAKES STARTED SQUELING AT THE FIRST DAY OF OWNERSHIP. HAS BEEN REPORTED WITH NO RESPONSE.*AK

NHTSA ID
745948
Incident
May 1, 2001
Engine
Filed May 9, 2001

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH ON HIGHWAY AND MOTORCYCLE SHUTDOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, AND LOST POWER. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
887856
Incident
Apr 1, 2001
Steering
Filed Apr 18, 2001

MOTORCYCLE WAS LIGHTLY TIED DOWN BY HANDLE BARS WHEN CONSUMER NOTICED IT WAS LOOSE, AND SAW THAT HANDLE BARS WERE PULLED DOWN INTO GAS TANK. TRIPLE CLAMP THAT HELD HANDLES TO FRONT FORKS WERE LOOSE.*AK

NHTSA ID
886175

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

M1684

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SERVICE BULLETIN M1684: MARKET SPECIFIC BATTERY INTRODUCTION. PURPOSE: Initial Release. This bulletin informs dealers of the availability of new batteries for new Original Equipment (OE) vehicle production and in the Parts and Accessories (P&A) catalog. Availability of the new Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries will vary by market and will be transitioning over the next few months. NOTE: The ring terminal screws are not compatible between Leoch and East Penn batteries. The new batteries will include new ring terminal screws, which must be used. The ring terminal screws from the old battery need to be discarded.

M1555

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SERVICE BULLETIN M1555 (REV E): BATTERY WARRANTY GUIDELINES. PURPOSE: Revision E. Added: Added procedures for the DCA-8000 E Battery Tester.* Updated: All sections. This bulletin informs the dealership network that Harley-Davidson has provided guidelines for battery warranty.

M1490

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 24.8.8): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). Version 24.8.8. Release Date: Week of August 5, 2024. New Features for Harley-Davidson vehicles: Advanced Module Replace for 2021 and later Revolution Max; 2023 and later CVO Touring; and 2024 Street Glide (FLHX), Road Glide (FLTRX). New Features for LiveWire vehicles: Updated calibrations for 2024 S2DM EV1/ EV6; 2024 S2MH EV1; and 2024 S2DM, S2MH. Changes: Added Hand Control Module (HCM) (Part No. 71500522A and 71500536A) for reflash support.

PAB1158

ENGINE; POWER TRAIN

GENUINE MOTOR PARTS AND MOTOR ACCESSORIES BULLETIN PAB1158: OIL FILTER PACKAGING AND CASE QUANTITY UPDATE. PURPOSE: To inform dealerships that Harley-Davidson has made updates to oil filters including new part numbers, packaging design, and bulk case quantity changes.

M1490

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 24.6.4): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). Version 24.6.4. Release Date: Week of May 1, 2024. New Features for LiveWire S2DM and S2MH, 2024 Revolution® Max, and 2024 Touring.

PAB1146

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

GENUINE MOTOR PARTS AND MOTOR ACCESSORIES BULLETIN PAB1146: 68193-95 BULB WEDGE, FENDER TIP LAMP. Purpose: To inform dealers of an issue with the bulb wire terminals not being to specification. The light bulbs were used in numerous front and rear fender tip light assemblies for domestic and international applications.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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—
2001Viewing710—
2000100—
1999610—
1998310—
1997110—
1996210—
1995610—
1994820—
1993210—
1992300—
1990200—
1989310—
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.