2006 Harley-Davidson Fxdli 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 2006 Harley-Davidson Fxdli, 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
- Electrical325.0%
- Steering216.7%
- Body & structure216.7%
- Engine18.3%
- Powertrain (other)18.3%
- Transmission18.3%
- Brakes18.3%
- Driver assistance18.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
PURCHASED 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXDLI FOR MY WIFE IN 2007, WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH IGNITION CYLINDER/FORK LOCK MECHANISM FOR SOME TIME. ISSUE IS THAT IT TAKES MORE EFFORT THAN REALLY NECESSARY TO OPERATE, WHETHER REMOVING THE KEY OR PLACING IN THE START POSITION. CAN NOT FEEL THE SWITCH DETENT POINTS ACCURATELY AT ALL TIMES. MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE CYLINDER REPLACED OR ADJUSTED. AT ONE POINT MY WIFE AND I WENT FOR A RIDE BUT SOMEWHERE BETWEEN POINT "A" AND POINT "B"....THE KEY FELL OUT. BEING THAT WE WERE AT POINT "B", MANY MILES FROM HOME, THERE WAS NO WAY TO PLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE "LOCK" POSITION LET ALONE TURN OFF LIGHTS. I ENDED UP REMOVING THE MAIN FUSE FROM THE MOTORCYCLE AND PUTTING IN MY POCKET. NOTHING WE COULD DO TO PLACE THE BIKE IN "LEVEL ONE" SECURITY (LOCKING IGNITION AND FORKS) OR "LEVEL TWO" BY ACTIVATING THE FACTORY INSTALLED SECURITY SYSTEM DUE TO THE MAIN FUSE BEING REMOVED. WE HAD A SPARE KEY AT HOME, SHE NOW KEEPS IT TETHERED BY THE KEY CYLINDER WHEN RIDING. WOULD BE NICE IF REMEDY WAS TO RELOCATE IGNITION SWITCH AWAY FROM FORK LOCK MECHANISM (LIKE THEY HAVE EVER SINCE THE 2007 DYNA MODEL ROLLED OUT I BELIEVE BUT NOT SURE), MAYBE A KIT FOR RELOCATING UNDER SEAT BY FUSE BOX. *TR
PURCHASED 2006 FXDLI IN 2007 FOR MY WIFE, WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WHERE THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING. NO WARNING, NO "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ILLUMINATION DURING OCCURRENCE (HENCE NO TROUBLE CODE STORED). SPEEDO FAILS INTERMITTENT, CYCLE HOT OR COLD, WHILE DRIVING OR FROM STOP. MOTORCYCLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A TACHOMETER AS WELL, IT CONTINUES TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. WHEN SPEEDO FAILS, MOTORCYCLE RUNS ROUGH AND WILL DIE WHEN COMING TO A STOP. TOOK BACK TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, WITH ISSUE INTERMITTENT, SPEEDO WORKS FINE FOR THEM. BEING PERSISTENT, THEY CLEANED SPEED SENSOR (NO CHANGE), SENSOR HAS YET TO BE REPLACED. I ORDERED NEW SPEEDOMETER ($500.00 OUT OF MY POCKET) AND HAD THEM INSTALL IT, NO CHANGE. RODE MOTORCYCLE TO HARLEY DAVIDSON PLANT IN KANSAS CITY, MY WIFE AND I PERSONALLY SPOKE WITH STAFF AND THEY WERE OF NO HELP. ISSUE CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. *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 2006 HARLEY-DAVIDSON LOW RIDER FXDLI. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE. ADDITIONALLY, THE FORK LOCK WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED MYRTLE BEACH HARLEY-DAVIDSON (4710 S KINGS HWY, MYRTLE BEACH, SC 29575, (843) 369-5555), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,500.
PURCHASED 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXDLI FOR MY WIFE IN 2007, WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH IGNITION CYLINDER/FORK LOCK MECHANISM FOR SOME TIME. ISSUE IS THAT IT TAKES MORE EFFORT THAN REALLY NECESSARY TO OPERATE, WHETHER REMOVING THE KEY OR PLACING IN THE START POSITION. CAN NOT FEEL THE SWITCH DETENT POINTS ACCURATELY AT ALL TIMES. MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE CYLINDER REPLACED OR ADJUSTED. AT ONE POINT MY WIFE AND I WENT FOR A RIDE BUT SOMEWHERE BETWEEN POINT "A" AND POINT "B"....THE KEY FELL OUT. BEING THAT WE WERE AT POINT "B", MANY MILES FROM HOME, THERE WAS NO WAY TO PLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE "LOCK" POSITION LET ALONE TURN OFF LIGHTS. I ENDED UP REMOVING THE MAIN FUSE FROM THE MOTORCYCLE AND PUTTING IN MY POCKET. NOTHING WE COULD DO TO PLACE THE BIKE IN "LEVEL ONE" SECURITY (LOCKING IGNITION AND FORKS) OR "LEVEL TWO" BY ACTIVATING THE FACTORY INSTALLED SECURITY SYSTEM DUE TO THE MAIN FUSE BEING REMOVED. WE HAD A SPARE KEY AT HOME, SHE NOW KEEPS IT TETHERED BY THE KEY CYLINDER WHEN RIDING. WOULD BE NICE IF REMEDY WAS TO RELOCATE IGNITION SWITCH AWAY FROM FORK LOCK MECHANISM (LIKE THEY HAVE EVER SINCE THE 2007 DYNA MODEL ROLLED OUT I BELIEVE BUT NOT SURE), MAYBE A KIT FOR RELOCATING UNDER SEAT BY FUSE BOX. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HARLEY-DAVIDSON LOW RIDER FXDLI. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE. ADDITIONALLY, THE FORK LOCK WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED MYRTLE BEACH HARLEY-DAVIDSON (4710 S KINGS HWY, MYRTLE BEACH, SC 29575, (843) 369-5555), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,500.
PURCHASED 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXDLI FOR MY WIFE IN 2007, WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH IGNITION CYLINDER/FORK LOCK MECHANISM FOR SOME TIME. ISSUE IS THAT IT TAKES MORE EFFORT THAN REALLY NECESSARY TO OPERATE, WHETHER REMOVING THE KEY OR PLACING IN THE START POSITION. CAN NOT FEEL THE SWITCH DETENT POINTS ACCURATELY AT ALL TIMES. MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE CYLINDER REPLACED OR ADJUSTED. AT ONE POINT MY WIFE AND I WENT FOR A RIDE BUT SOMEWHERE BETWEEN POINT "A" AND POINT "B"....THE KEY FELL OUT. BEING THAT WE WERE AT POINT "B", MANY MILES FROM HOME, THERE WAS NO WAY TO PLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE "LOCK" POSITION LET ALONE TURN OFF LIGHTS. I ENDED UP REMOVING THE MAIN FUSE FROM THE MOTORCYCLE AND PUTTING IN MY POCKET. NOTHING WE COULD DO TO PLACE THE BIKE IN "LEVEL ONE" SECURITY (LOCKING IGNITION AND FORKS) OR "LEVEL TWO" BY ACTIVATING THE FACTORY INSTALLED SECURITY SYSTEM DUE TO THE MAIN FUSE BEING REMOVED. WE HAD A SPARE KEY AT HOME, SHE NOW KEEPS IT TETHERED BY THE KEY CYLINDER WHEN RIDING. WOULD BE NICE IF REMEDY WAS TO RELOCATE IGNITION SWITCH AWAY FROM FORK LOCK MECHANISM (LIKE THEY HAVE EVER SINCE THE 2007 DYNA MODEL ROLLED OUT I BELIEVE BUT NOT SURE), MAYBE A KIT FOR RELOCATING UNDER SEAT BY FUSE BOX. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE MOTORCYCLE WAS LOSING POWER, AS IF IT LOST HALF THE POWER OF THE MOTOR. THIS OCCURRED WHETHER ACCELERATING OR NOT. IT HAS BEEN A CONSISTENT PROBLEM THAT HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE MOTORCYCLE LOOSES POWER WHEN ACCELERATING OR AT S STEADY THROTTLE. UPDATED 10/04/06. *JB
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXDLI MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND REPAIRED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT LATER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED GREASE LEAKING FROM THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
ROTOR AND STATOR FAILURE DUE TO SCREWS BACKING OUT AND SHEARING DAMAGING REGULATOR CLUTCH PRIMARY DRIVE CHAIN LOSS OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND ENGINE FAILURE! PARTS REPLACED WITH NEW REVISION KIT B. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ROTOR AND STATOR FAILURE DUE TO SCREWS BACKING OUT AND SHEARING DAMAGING REGULATOR CLUTCH PRIMARY DRIVE CHAIN LOSS OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND ENGINE FAILURE! PARTS REPLACED WITH NEW REVISION KIT B. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
PURCHASED 2006 FXDLI IN 2007 FOR MY WIFE, WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WHERE THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING. NO WARNING, NO "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ILLUMINATION DURING OCCURRENCE (HENCE NO TROUBLE CODE STORED). SPEEDO FAILS INTERMITTENT, CYCLE HOT OR COLD, WHILE DRIVING OR FROM STOP. MOTORCYCLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A TACHOMETER AS WELL, IT CONTINUES TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. WHEN SPEEDO FAILS, MOTORCYCLE RUNS ROUGH AND WILL DIE WHEN COMING TO A STOP. TOOK BACK TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, WITH ISSUE INTERMITTENT, SPEEDO WORKS FINE FOR THEM. BEING PERSISTENT, THEY CLEANED SPEED SENSOR (NO CHANGE), SENSOR HAS YET TO BE REPLACED. I ORDERED NEW SPEEDOMETER ($500.00 OUT OF MY POCKET) AND HAD THEM INSTALL IT, NO CHANGE. RODE MOTORCYCLE TO HARLEY DAVIDSON PLANT IN KANSAS CITY, MY WIFE AND I PERSONALLY SPOKE WITH STAFF AND THEY WERE OF NO HELP. ISSUE CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. *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 .