RoadVitals

2004 Harley-Davidson Flstfi

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.
2
Latest Apr 26, 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 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.
1
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Harley-Davidson Flstfi, most frequently naming the other / unspecified and powertrain (other) 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

  • Other / unspecified266.7%
  • Powertrain (other)133.3%

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
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

Other / unspecified
Filed Apr 26, 2006
1 injury reported

ON SATURDAY APRIL 15 AT APPROX. 3:30 PM PT TRAVELING EAST ON I-8, 1/2 MILE IN TO YUMA AZ, TRAVELING AT APPROX. 75 MPH, I HAD 5 BOLTS FAIL ON THE MAIN DRIVE PULLEY ATTACHED TO MY REAR WHEEL. ONE BOLT FLEW FORWARD AND ONE FLEW BACK AND STRUCK ANOTHER MOTORCYCLE RIDER IN THE LEFT SHIN CAUSING MINOR INJURY (FIRST AID ONLY). THE REAR WHEEL DIDN'T LOCK UP SO AN ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED. THIS COULD HAVE HAD A VERY DIFFERENT OUT COME HAD I BEEN ON WET PAVEMENT WHICH WOULD HAVE MOST LIKELY CAUSED THE WHEEL TO LOCK WHEN ONE OF THE BOLTS HIT THE SWING ARM. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TRUCKED BACK TO MY HOME IN MISSION VIEJO CA WHERE I REMOVED THE REAR WHEEL. ALL FIVE BOLTS HAD BROKE OFF INSIDE THE WHEEL AT ABOUT WHERE THE TREADS ON THE BOLT START. THE BOLTS HAD NEVER BEEN REMOVED TO MY KNOWLEDGE AND WAS CHECKED AT THE 10K MAINT. AT 60LBS. PER THE MANUAL FOR THAT YEAR AND MODEL. ONLY MY SELF OR A HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER HAS WORKED ON THE BIKE. I TOOK THE WHEEL AND PULLEY TO MY LOCAL HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALERSHIP SERVICE AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN SUCH A THING. CAPISTRANO HD SERVICE MANAGER CONTACTED THE HD HQ AND THEN RELAYED TO ME THAT HD WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. I CONTACTED HD DIRECTLY AND THEY AGAIN STATED THAT THE BIKE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY (LESS THAN A MONTH) AND THAT SINCE I TOOK THE WHEEL OFF AND THEY DIDN'T WISH TO EVEN LOOK AT THE WHEEL OR BOLTS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10156142
Incident
Apr 15, 2006
Mileage
16,002 mi
Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 20, 2006
Crash reported1 injury reported

2004 HARLEY DAVIDSON, SOFT TAIL FATBOY. STOCK WHEELS AND TIRES. TRAVELING AT APPROX. 75 MPH ON I-8 ENTERING YUMA AZ. ALL 5 BOLTS HOLDING THE MAIN DRIVE PULLEY TO THE REAR WHEEL BROKE OFF. ONE BOLT FLEW BACK AND HIT ANOTHER RIDER THUS CAUSING MINOR INJURY TO THE LEG. NOT REPORTED. BIKE DID NOT CRASH BUT WAS DAMAGED. PULLEY AND WHEEL WERE TAKEN TO HARLEY DAVIDSON, THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN FINDING THE CAUSE. MANY MECHANICS HAVE LOOKED AT THIS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. BIKE HAS 16002 MILES AND THE BOLTS WERE LAST CHECKED AT 10KMILES FOR 60 FTLBS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10155764
Incident
Apr 14, 2006
Mileage
16,002 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 Flstfi by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025000—
2006200—
2005010—
2004Viewing210—
2003110—
2002010—
2001100—

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.