2007 Harley-Davidson Fxdb Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2007 Harley-Davidson Fxdb, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes125.0%
- Powertrain (other)125.0%
- Steering125.0%
- Suspension125.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXDB. WHILE DRIVING 20-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED SLIGHTLY, VIBRATED WHEN TURNING, AND MADE A POPPING SOUND. THE FAILURES ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE FRONT BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE DEALER CHANGED THE BEARINGS IN THE STEERING COLUMN, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,127 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. MOTORCYCLE STALLED AND I COULD NOT GET IT TO MOVE FORWARD. THOUGHT BRAKE WAS STUCK, BUT AFTER VISUAL INSPECTION NOTICED ALL THE BOLTS (5) IN THE REAR SPROCKET HAD SHEARED OFF. IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT THE BOLTS BACKED OUT OF THE WHEEL HUB, BECAUSE PART OF THE BOLTS REMAINED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE THREADED PORTION OF THE HUB. AFTER REMOVING THE WHEEL AND INSPECTING THE DAMAGE IT APPEARS THAT THE STAINLESS BOLTS, ALUMINUM HUB AND LOOSE FITTING HOLES IN THE SPROCKET ALL PLAYED A ROLE IN THE FAILURE. NOTE: TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE ALL PARTS ARE STOCK PARTS AND AS INSTALLED BY THE FACTORY. AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED NUMEROUS FORUMS ON HARLEY MOTORCYCLES WITH OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS FAILURE. I READ FORUM POST FROM 2003 TO FEBRUARY 2011 DISCUSSING THE SHEARED SPROCKET BOLTS, AND REFUSAL FROM HARLEY TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT DEMANDS THE ATTENTION FROM NHTSA TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC. I WORK IN THE POWER INDUSTRY AND HAVE WITNESSED ROOT CAUSE FAILURES DUE TO CORROSION OF DISSIMILAR METALS - ALUMINUM AND STEEL, STRESS CRACK CORROSION CAUSED BY HIGH MOISTURE, AND STRESS RISERS CAUSED AT THREADS FROM LOOSE FITTING PARTS FLEXING WHEN TORQUE. ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS EXISTS IN THE DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF THE SPROCKET AT THE REAR WHEEL INSTALLED ON THIS MOTORCYCLE. I HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS IF REQUESTED BY NHTSA AND OR HARLEY DAVIDSON COMPANY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXDB. WHILE DRIVING 20-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED SLIGHTLY, VIBRATED WHEN TURNING, AND MADE A POPPING SOUND. THE FAILURES ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE FRONT BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE DEALER CHANGED THE BEARINGS IN THE STEERING COLUMN, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,127 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE RIDING MY 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXDBI, THE LEFT SIDE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT BOLT SHEARED. THIS NEARLY CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .