RoadVitals

2002 Harley-Davidson Fxdwg

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.
4
Latest Mar 27, 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 Jan 24, 2003
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
1 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Harley-Davidson Fxdwg, most frequently naming the body & structure, fuel system 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

  • Body & structure125.0%
  • Fuel system125.0%
  • Powertrain (other)125.0%
  • 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.

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
03V005000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Jan 24, 2003
1,762 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE REAR BRAKE LINE ASSEMBLIES COULD FRACTURE INTERNALLY.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE LINE TO LEAK BRAKE FLUID, WHICH COULD CAUSE LOSS OF THE REAR BRAKE FUNCTION, POSSIBLY WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE LINE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 17, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-342-4680.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 0107View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Suspension
Filed Mar 27, 2018

THE SWINGARM OF THE REAR SUSPENSION BROKE MIDWAY OF THE AXLE ADJUSTING SLOT THAT IS ON THE DRIVE SIDE LEG, (LEFT SIDE)CAUSING A SEVERE WOBBLE WHILE IN MOTION ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT SPEED. LUCKILY, AS I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED RIDER OF OVER 45 YEARS, I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE OF THE HIGHWAY, THEN CALL FOR A FRIEND WITH A TRAILER TO GET IT HOME SAFELY. SINCE THIS INCIDENT, I HAVE FOUND THAT QUITE A FEW OF THESE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED, AND COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF THE SECTION WALL THICKNESS WAS MUCH THICKER!

NHTSA ID
11081462
Incident
Mar 25, 2018
Mileage
11,850 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 1, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXDWG LOW RIDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE CHANGING THE BATTERY HE NOTICED THAT A FACTORY WELD WAS CRACKED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT REFUSED TO DO ANY WORK ON IT SINCE HE WELDED THE FRAME HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 07/18/11

NHTSA ID
10404076
Incident
May 13, 2011
Mileage
37,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 22, 2005

I WAS TRAVELING DOWN HWY 83 OUTSIDE OF LEAKEY TX, IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY, ON 07/13/05 WHEN ALL FIVE OF THE BELT DRIVE SPROKET BOLTS BACKED OUT CAUSING ONE BOLT TO SHEER INSIDE THE WHEEL HUB CAUSING THE SPROKET TO DIS-LODGE FROM THE WHEEL. I HAD TO USE EVASIVE ACTION IN ORDER NOT TO UPSET THE 02 FXD HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYLE WITH ONLY 7,300 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. ALL REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED AT TEXAN HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALERSHIP IN CONROE, TX AND I HAVE ALL RECEIPT RECORDS TO DOCUMENT ALL REQUIRED AND RECOMMEND SERVICE HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THIS MOTORCYLE BY TEXAN HARLEY DAVIDSON. NO WHERE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES IT SAY TO BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS ABOUT THE FIVE REAR SPROKET BOLT ASSEMBLYS COULD POSSIBLY BACK OUT CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. MOST MOTORCYLE MANUFACTURERS USE SAFTY ANTI-BACK OFF PLATES MOUNTED ON AND AROUND THE SPROKET BOLTS ASSEMBLY, BUT HARLEY DAVIDSON CHOOSE'S TO IGNORE THIS POTENTIAL DEADLY SAFTY ISSUE. I TOOK OUT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY DENIED THE WARRANTY CLAIM AND STATED I WOULD HAVE NEEDED TO TAKE OUT AN ADDITIONAL EXTENDED WARRANTY POLICY FOR THIS TO BE COVERED. I FEEL THIS IS A GRAVE SAFTY CONCERN WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYLE COMPANY AND I WILL PROBABLY SELL MY MOTORCYLE FOR THIS REASON AND DISCLOSE TO ANY FUTURE POTENTIAL BUYER THIS DEFECT MADE BY HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY.

NHTSA ID
10129698
Incident
Jul 13, 2005
Mileage
7,300 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 12, 2003
Crash reported1 injury reported1 death reported

MOTORCYCLE FAILED WHEN FUEL GAUGE READ 1/8TH TANK FULL. RIDER LOST POWER ON FREEWAY AND WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND WHILE TRYING TO REACH SHOULDER FOR SAFETY. HD SAYS THAT AT APPROXIMATELY 1/8TH TANK READING, MOTORCYCLE NEEDS TO BE SWITCHED TO RESERVE TO AVOID RUNNING OUT OF GAS, BUT MANUAL CONTAINS NO SUCH REFERENCE. BELIEVE FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATE AND/OR IS INCONSISTENT WITH RESERVE SYSTEM. COULD BE OTHER PROBLEMS, SUCH AS FUEL VALVE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10032689
Incident
Nov 10, 2001
Mileage
600 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.

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.

M1123

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; POWER TRAIN

SERVICE BULLETIN M1123: 49 STATE/CANADA RECALL 0603 - CARBURETOR JET NEEDLE REPLACEMENT. PURPOSE: Revision. As recently advised in the May 29 Dealer Communications, Harley-Davidson has learned that certain 2002 carburetor equipped Dyna and Softail model motorcycles do not meet portions of Canadian, U.S. and California air quality regulations. In the interest of regulatory compliance, as well as customer satisfaction, Harley-Davidson has elected to initiate a voluntary recall (Noncompliance Recall Code 0603) to replace the carburetor jet needle in all affected motorcycles.

1HDM5V2A05

POWER TRAIN

TECH ARTICLE TA0023: TA0023: Crankshaft Rod Bearing. Purpose: Technicians have been falsely identifying connecting rod bearings as failed due to a perception of resistance as the rods are rotated. The clearance of the Twin Cam and Milwaukee-Eight® crank pin bearings are maintained to a very tight range. This optimizes performance and maintains low mechanical noise in operation. The connecting rod bore can also distort slightly in operation due to stress relaxation. As a result, bearing clearance decreases due to the contact zone broadening and the load being distributed over more rollers. The combination of a bore being slightly out of round and reduced bearing clearance can result in varying degrees of resistance through the range of motion. Axial clearance is also tightly controlled for proper alignment. For these reasons, zones of resistance can be found when the connecting rods are rotated by hand through their range of motion. Resistance during rod motion, by itself, is not an indication of a performance or durability concern.

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 Fxdwg by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017000—
2016000—
2015000—
2014000—
2013100—
2012100—
2011000—
2010300—
2008131149.5
2007210—
2005100—
2004000—
2003310—
2002Viewing410—
2001300—
2000200—
1999620—
1998100—
1997200—

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.