RoadVitals

2003 Harley-Davidson Flhtcui

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.
26
Latest Jan 9, 2021
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 Mar 18, 2004
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.
3
2 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 26 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Harley-Davidson Flhtcui, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and fuel system 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

  • Electrical1758.6%
  • Engine517.2%
  • Fuel system26.9%
  • Other / unspecified26.9%
  • Tires & wheels13.4%
  • Powertrain (other)13.4%
  • Driver assistance13.4%

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
04V134000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Mar 18, 2004
81,496 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TOURING AND POLICE MODEL MOTORCYCLES, THE 40 AMP MAIN CIRCUIT BREAKER CAN "OPEN" FOR REASONS OTHER THAN WHICH IT WAS DESIGNED, CAUSING AN UNEXPECTED INTERRUPTION OF ALL ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE MOTORCYCLE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE MOTORCYCLE TO STALL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CIRCUIT BREAKER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 0113View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 26
Electrical
Filed Jan 9, 2021

I I WAS ON THE FWY AND POWER WENT OFF , WAS ABLE TO RESTART , NOE AT HOME I CAN START THE BIKE BUT POWER SHUTS DOWN WITH IN A COUPLE MINUTES , CAN'T RIDE HAVE CHECKED STATOR,VALTAGE REG IS NEW ? CAN'T FIND THE PROBLUM HEPL

NHTSA ID
11387329
Incident
Oct 9, 2020
Mileage
58,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 1, 2016

BIKE SHUTS DOWN NO POWER NO LIGHTS EVERYTHING SHUTS DOWN

NHTSA ID
10862409
Incident
May 1, 2016
Engine
Filed Nov 12, 2014

ENGINE FAILURE AT 30000 AND 48700 MILES. THE FIRST ENGINE FAILURE WAS PAID BY ME $5479.10. THE SECOND ENGINE FAILURE WAS PAID BY HARLEY DAVIDSON CUSTOMER RELATIONS, THANK YOU HARLEY DAVIDSON. THE CAM SHAFT TENSIONER IS A KNOWN HAZARD AND SHOULD BE CHANGED AT ABOUT 25000 MILES ON ALL TC 88 ENGINES. PLASTIC PIECES CAN BREAK OFF AND GET IN THE OIL PUMP BREAKING THE OIL PUMP. HARLEY DAVIDSON SHOULD ADD CHANGING THE CAM SHAFT TENSIONER TO THEIR SERVICE SCHEDULE AT EVERY 25000 MILES. I WILL BUY A HARLEY DAVIDSON AGAIN BUT MAKE SURE TO SERVICE CAM TENSIONER EVERY 25000 MILES. I AM NOT SURE IF THE 2015 MOTORCYCLES HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM. IF YOU HAVE ENGINE FAILURE CONTACT HARLEY DAVIDSON CUSTOMER SERVICE AND TRY TO GET THEM TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. HARLEY JUST MIGHT HELP YOU OUT, LIKE THEY HELPED ME OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10654304
Incident
Nov 11, 2014
Mileage
48,700 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 22, 2014

MY 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUI ULTRA CLASSIC HAD A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A CAM SHAFT TENSIONER AT 29,705 MILES.THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT FOR $5479.10 DOLLARS. MANY MOTORCYCLES HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AT ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE. THIS WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING. WHICH CAN LEAVE THE RIDER STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN AT 48,700 MILES TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE, LESS THEN 20,000 MILES FROM THE 29,705 MILES ENGINE FAILURE. LUCKILY I WAS NOT INJURED BOTH TIMES. THE CAM SHIFT TENSIONER IS A KNOWN HAZARD AND SHOULD BE ON A RECALL LIST. SEARCH HARLEY DAVIDSON CAM SHAFT TENSIONER ON THE INTERNET AND IT IS EASY TO SEE WHY ALL TC 88 MOTORS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY HARLEY DAVIDSON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10649238
Incident
Sep 20, 2009
Mileage
29,705 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 19, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC FLHTCUI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE EHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V134000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

NHTSA ID
10604620
Incident
Jun 19, 2006
Mileage
3,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 15, 2012

QUIT WHILE RIDING, TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. FORCED TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD WHILE DEALING WITH TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. EVENT HAS HAPPENED ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. RECALL #0113 WAS ISSUED BY HARLEY DAVIDSON ON APRIL 15, 2004. RECALL HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE. IN ADDITION THE CIRCUIT BREAKER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE SINCE THE RECALL. TOTAL LOSS OF POWER CONDITION CONTINUES AND HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. JUST HAPPENED AGAIN FRIDAY JULY 12, 2012. CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROX. 19,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10465706
Incident
Apr 25, 2008
Mileage
10,889 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Oct 4, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE. WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY BEGAN TO WOBBLE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE REAR RIM WAS FOUND FRACTURED AND WAS REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ID
10359151
Incident
Sep 16, 2010
Mileage
52,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 1, 2010

I HAVE A 2003 HARLEY ELECTRA GLIDE CLASSIC. I HAD 2957 MILES ON A REBUILT MOTOR DONE BY A HARLEY CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THIS IS A TOURING BIKE AND IS NOT ABUSED, I AM 59 YEARS OLD AND DRIVE IT LIKE A MATURE ADULT. THE CRANK SHAFT ON MY BIKE BROKE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE MOTOR AT 78 MILES AN HOUR. I WAS LUCKY THAT THE BIKE DID NOT WRECK OR A PISTON GO THRU THE CASE. I TOOK THE HARLEY BACK TO MY MECHANIC AND WHEN HE TOOK IT APART HIM AND THE MACHINIST CHECKED IT OUT. APPEARS THAT THE CRANK HAD NOT BEEN TEMPERED CORRECTLY, LOOKED LIKE IT HAD BEEN TEMPERED TOO MUCH. MY MECHANIC CHECKED AROUND AND IT APPEARS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN QUITE A FEW OF THESE INCIDENTS. OF COURSE HARLEY WILL NOT ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10358796
Incident
Aug 9, 2010
Mileage
40,079 mi

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 Flhtcui by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2007100—
2006150047.1
2005500—
2004400—
2003Viewing261043.0
2002820—
2001820—
2000131033.1
1999102051.1
1998101045.4
1997510—
1996210—
1995110—
1994010—

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.