RoadVitals

2005 Harley-Davidson Flstci

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.
5
Latest Apr 18, 2012
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 Apr 14, 2005
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 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Harley-Davidson Flstci, most frequently naming the brakes, tires & wheels and visibility 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

  • Brakes240.0%
  • Tires & wheels240.0%
  • Visibility120.0%

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
05V151000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Apr 14, 2005
167,628 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN SOFTAIL MOTORCYCLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, 'CERTIFICATION.' THE VIN/CERTIFICATION LABEL CONTAINS INCORRECT TIRE SIZE AND INFLATION PRESSURES FOR THE FRONT WHEEL. THE LABEL STATES THE TIRE SIZE IS MT90B21 AND THE INFLATION PRESSURE AS 30 PSI, WHEREAS THE CORRECT TIRE SIZE IS MT90B16, AND THE CORRECT INFLATION PRESSURE IS 36 PSI.
The risk: THE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS INCORRECT GIVING IMPROPER INFORMATION.
The remedy: HARLEY- DAVIDSON WILL MAIL INSTRUCTIONS ALONG WITH CORRECTED FEDERAL CERTIFICATION LABEL. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 6, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 18, 2012

METZELER ME880 MOTORCYCLE TIRE IS DELAMINATING. BIG CHUNK OF TREAD PULLING AWAY FROM TIRE BELT. TIRE MUST BE REPLACED AFTER 1SEASON ABOUT 8000 MILES.. *JS

NHTSA ID
10455704
Incident
Apr 17, 2012
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 11, 2011

METEZLER MARATHON 880 TIRE BLOW OUT.WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND THE SIDE OF MY REAR TIRE WENT OUT,CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CRASH,THANK GOD THERE WAS NO CORNER! 150/80B16 WWW METEZLER MARATHON. TIRE PRESSURE ALWAYS CHECKED AS I AM A MOTORCYCLE CRASH SURVIVOR! READ ON LINE OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SAME TROUBLE WITH TIRES STAMPED PRODUCT OF BRAZIL,WHICH MINE ARE.HAVENT SEEN DEALER TO SEE IF HE WILL REFUND ME YET? ALSO HAVE METEZLER TIRE ON FRONT FROM BRAZIL! I DON'T TRUST IT. 250.00 A PIECE.THESE TIRES HAVE ABOUT 350 MILES ON THEM!!!. PLEASE HELP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I HAVE TIRE NOT A SCRATCH,NAIL CUT ANYWHERE,JUST THE SIDE BLEW OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10405987
Incident
Jun 9, 2011
Mileage
18,400 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 29, 2009

BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO LINING COMING OFF BACKING PLATE. I WAS DRIVING ALONG, WENT TO STOP AT A LIGHT, APPLY BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. I REPLACED THE REAR BRAKES WHERE THE LINING HAD CAME OFF. ONE WEEK LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE FRONT BRAKES BUT THAT HAPPENED WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE. IN THE CASE OF THE FRONT BRAKES, I STILL HAVE BOTH LINING AND BACKING PLATE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 17K MILES AND HAD PLENTY OF LINING LIFE LEFT (HAD JUST PASS A STATE INSPECTION) JUST SEEMS ODD AND EVERYONE I TALK WITH SAYS MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10278661
Incident
Jul 9, 2009
Mileage
17,168 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 23, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE SUN LIGHT AFFECTED THE MIRRORS REFLECTION. INSTEAD OF VIEWING AN IMAGE REFLECTION, THE CONTACT SAW THE INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF THE MIRROR. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE MIRROR WITH A FLASH LIGHT AND THE MIRROR PRESENTED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, A COMPLAINT WAS TAKEN, AND ALERTED THE DEALERSHIP ORDERED A NEW MIRROR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE NEW MIRROR BUT THE RESULTS WERE EVEN WORST AND ALSO NOTICED THAT THE MANUFACTURED YEAR 2005 WAS THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL MIRROR OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THIS SAFETY PROBLEM AND AVOIDED DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER CONSIDERED THE REPLACEMENT ORDER AS A FAVOR, NOT AS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND NEVER PROVIDED THE MIRROR MANUFACTURER NAME. THE MIRRORS IN QUESTIONS WERE NOT ORIGINAL PARTS. UPDATED 10/23/06. *JB

NHTSA ID
10171612
Incident
Jul 15, 2006
Mileage
2,900 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 28, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED FRONT CALIPER FELL OFF OF THE MOTORCYCLE THE FIRST DAY HE PURCHASED IT. THE DEALER DID NOT THINK IT WAS A PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC TORQUED IT DOWN TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATIONS. THIS HAPPENED ON 3-25-05. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE DMV TELLING HIM THE PSI ON THE TIRES WAS WRONG. THE DEALER LEFT THE TIRE PRESSURE THE WAY IT WAS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10138037
Incident
Mar 25, 2005

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 Flstci by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2006200—
2005Viewing510—
2004210—
2003210—
2002110—
2001000—

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.