RoadVitals

2006 Harley-Davidson Fxdbi

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.
13
Latest Aug 22, 2018
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 Nov 22, 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 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Harley-Davidson Fxdbi, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), electrical and other / unspecified categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 8 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

  • Powertrain (other)535.7%
  • Electrical428.6%
  • Other / unspecified428.6%
  • Suspension17.1%

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
05V537000

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Nov 22, 2005
10,498 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE TRANSMISSION MAY GO INTO A FALSE NEUTRAL POSITION EVEN THOUGH THE NEUTRAL INDICATOR LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED.
The risk: THE MOTORCYCLE COULD DROP INTO GEAR UNEXPECTEDLY AND CREATE THE RISK OF A CRASH AND INJURIES.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHIFTER CAM (DRUM), THE DETENT ARM, AND THE NEUTRAL SWITCH WITH NEWLY DESIGNED COMPONENTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 12, 2005. OWNER MAY CONTACT RLEY DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 0124View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 13
Electrical
Filed Aug 22, 2018

THE ROTOR CUP WHICH IS SECURED IS COMING APART TEARING UP THE STATER FOR THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING PARTICLES OF THE TWO UNITS FLYING AROUND IN THE PRIMARY CASE POSSIBLY CAUSING THE CHAIN TO JAM OR BREAK THE CLUTCH PACK TO JAM OR BREAK WHICH COULD SEIZE THE BIKES REAR WHEEL THE WORST CASE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND AT FREEWAY SPEED COULD BE CATASTROPHIC

NHTSA ID
11121572
Incident
Aug 20, 2018
Mileage
18,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 24, 2016

OF AND ON FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS THERE IS A KNOCKING COMING FROM THE PRIMARY CARE WHICH HOUSES THE CLUTCH AND STRIDER STADER, THE DEALERS IT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO GIVE THE BUYER A ADDENDUM TO THEIR OWNERS MANUAL THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE INNER CASE BEARING AND IT NEEDS REPLACED EVERY 5000 MILES NUT 15000 LIKE THE MAINTAINCE SCHEDULE RECOMMENDS, I NEVER RECEIVED THAT PAPER WHEN TAKING DELIVERY GETTING IT BRAND NEW, I WAS DING RESEARCH ON MY MOUSE (PROBLEM) AND DISCOVERED A COPY OF THE PAPER, IT STATES THAT HARLEY (DEALER ) WILL AT NO CHARGE REPLACE THAT ITEM (BEARING)FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE (MOTORCYCLE) I'M TRYING TO GET THE PROBLEM RESOLVED BEFORE IT COMES APART OUT. OR EVEN WORSE LOCKS UP THE DRIVE TRAIN AND CAUSES AND ACCUSTOMED

NHTSA ID
10909496
Incident
Apr 13, 2016
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 10, 2016

THE 5 BOLTS HOLDING THE REAR WHEEL DRIVE SPROCKET BACKED OUT AND LOCKED THE WHEEL UP WHEN THE BOLTS HIT THE SWING ARM. THIS HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY, ABOUT 3 YEARS PRIOR, BUT ONLY ONE BOLT BACKED OUT AT THAT TIME. AFTER PERFORMING A GOOGLE SEARCH, THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE THAT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY PEOPLE ON HARLEY MOTORCYCLES FROM MID-1990 MODELS TO CURRENT MODELS.

NHTSA ID
10864080
Incident
May 9, 2016
Mileage
15,040 mi
Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed May 31, 2013

ON 5/27/13 WHILE RIDING HOME FROM WORK I HEARD A BANG FROM THE REAR OF MY BIKE. I THEN HEARD RATTLING. I STOPPED AND FOUND THAT 3 OF THE 5 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE REAR SPROCKET ON THE HUB WERE SHEARED OFF AT THE THREADS. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME. ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME. I HAD TO REMOVED THE SHEARED BOLTS FROM INSIDE THE HUB AND REPLACED THEM WITH '6' MARK GRADE 'A' BOLTS. THESE BOLTS FAILED ON 5/27/13. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A LITTLE 'PLAY' BETWEEN THE SPACING BETWEEN THE SPROKET HOLE AND BOLT. THIS MAY BE CAUSING THE BOLTS TO SHEAR IF STRESS OR TORQUE IS PLACED ON THE REAR WHEEL/SPROCKET. HARLEY DENIES THAT THIS IS THEIR EQUIPMENT ISSUE BUT TO HAVE IT HAPPEN TWICE IS KIND OF ODD ESPECIALLY IF I REPLACED THE STOCK BOLTS WITH BETTER ONES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10514520
Incident
May 27, 2013
Mileage
7,659 mi
Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 13, 2012

ON SUNDAY 10 JUNE 2012, I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON US ROUTE 301 APPROXIMATELY .5 MILES SOUTH OF RT 4 IN MARYLAND. I WAS RIDING SOLO ON A 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET BOB AT 50 MPH. SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR DRIVE SPROCKET DETACHED FROM THE REAR WHEEL CAUSING MOMENTARY LOCK-UP OF THE REAR WHEEL AND LOSS OF CONTROL. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE FAILURE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE BOLTS ATTACHING THE REAR SPROCKET TO THE REAR WHEEL HAD BACKED OUT AND CAUGHT ON THE SWING ARM CAUSING ALL BOLTS TO SHEER AWAY FROM THE REAR TIRE HUB. THIS HAPPENED ONLY TWO WEEKS AFTER A 5000 MILE SERVICE PERFORMED BY THE HARLEY DISTRIBUTOR IN ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET INDICATES THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO NUMEROUS OTHER HD OWNERS WITH VARYING RESULTS (SOME LIFE THREATENING). HD DISTRIBUTOR AND HD FACTORY WERE CONTACTED AND BOTH DENIED ANY PREEXISTING PROBLEMS OR CHANGE IN MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES TO HELP ALLEVIATE THIS POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10461465
Incident
Jun 10, 2012
Mileage
5,125 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 13, 2009

INNER PRIMARY BEARING FAILURE. HARLEY DAVIDSON DID A VOLUNTARY RECALL BACK IN 2006 AND PULLED IT BACK THE SAME YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10287282
Incident
Oct 1, 2009
Mileage
13,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 13, 2009

CHARGING SYSTEM COMPLETE FAILURE. STATOR BOLTS CAME OUT AND LED TO STATOR COMING FREE DESTROYING INNER PRIMARY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10287281
Incident
Oct 1, 2009
Mileage
13,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 7, 2009

THE BOLTS ON THE REAR SPROCKET OF MY 2006 FXDB HARLEY STREET BOB CAME LOOSE AND SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE REAR WHEEL TO LOCK. THERE WAS NO RESIDUE INDICATING ANY TYPE OF THREADLOCKER HAD BEEN USED. I BOUGHT THE BIKE NEW AND HAVE NEVER HAD THESE PARTS REMOVED. THIS MALFUNCTION COULD HAVE VERY EASILY RESULTED IN MY DEATH AT A HIGHER SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10279655
Incident
Jul 31, 2009
Mileage
10,000 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.

M1650

ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SERVICE BULLETIN M1650: MILWAUKEE EIGHT AND TWIN CAM CAMSHAFT DRIVE GEAR RETENTION KIT CHANGES. PURPOSE: This bulletin informs dealers that changes have been made to the Camshaft Drive Gear Retention Kit and service proceduresfor the Milwaukee-Eight and Twin Cam applications. In an effort to increase the clamp load of the camshaft drive sprocket bolted joint and prevent the drive bolt from loosening in high lift camshaft applications, the following changes have been made: a. The camshaft drive bolt final torque has been increased to 40 ft-lbs (54 N·m) for all Milwaukee-Eight and certain Twin Cams models. See Vehicles Affected. This increase in torque will make the bolt a one time use application. Never re-use a camshaft drive bolt for service after tightening to the increased specification. See service manual for updated procedure. b. A new camshaft drive gear retention kit (Part No. 91800088) has been created. This new kit is compatible with all Milwaukee-Eight and Twin Cam engines using Parts and Accessories (P&A) camshaft and Original Equipment (OE) camshaft applications. See Instruction sheet for specific fitment on Twin Cam OE camshaft applications. The new kit utilizes friction washers to prevent unwanted rotation of components in the drive sprocket bolted joint under stress. The use of liquid threadlocker on the threads of the bolt and pre-lube to the head of the bolt flange and outside of the washer help the bolt reach full stretch when tightening. NOTE: Engines produced at all Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC) plants will not come with the new kits installed. They will continue to be produced with (Part No. 25566-06).

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.

M1612

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SERVICE BULLETIN M1612 (REV A): MILWAUKEE-EIGHT AND TWIN CAM TRANSMISSION GEAR PACKS. Purpose: Revision. Update: Notes for Table 3 and 4. * Updated: Part Numbers. This bulletin informs dealers that all: Twin Cam gear packs on CVO, Dyna, Police, Softail, Touring & Trike models and Milwaukee-Eight gear packs on CVO, Police, Softail, Touring & Trike models ordered after December 04, 2023 will not come with the shift drum, forks, shafts and related hardware. Models Affected: 2006-2017 Twin Cams: Dyna models 2007-2016 Twin Cams: CVO, Police, Touring and Trike models 2007-2017 Twin Cams: Softail models 2017-2024 Milwaukee-Eight: CVO, Police, Touring and Trike models 2018-2024 Milwaukee-Eight: Softail models

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.