RoadVitals

1996 Harley-Davidson Softail

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.
3
Latest Jun 4, 2001
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 Oct 22, 1996
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Harley-Davidson Softail, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and powertrain (other) categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is 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

  • Engine133.3%
  • Fuel system133.3%
  • 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
96V204000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Oct 22, 1996
176,515 units potentially affected
The defect: THE EFFECTS OF REFORMULATED GASOLINE ALONG WITH CERTAIN USAGE OF THE FUEL SUPPLY VALVE AFFECTS THE SUPPLY OF GASOLINE TO THE CARBURETOR. THIS CONDITION REQUIRES TWO FACTORS: (1) THE USE OF REFORMULATED FUELS CONTAINING MBTE AND (2) STARTING THE MOTORCYCLE WITH THE FUEL VALVE HANDLE IN THE OFF POSITION.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE FUEL FLOW TO BE UNPREDICTABLE THUS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN INCREASING THE RISK OF A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS THE REPLACE THE DIAPHRAGM IN THE FUEL VALVE.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Jun 4, 2001

WAS DRIVING MOTORCYCLE WHEN CAM BEARINGS BLEW OUT AND SCATTERED METAL PIECES THROUGHOUT ENGINE, CAUSING IT TO STALL OUT. *AK

NHTSA ID
889733
Incident
Apr 29, 2001
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 27, 2000

SPEEDOMETER STICKS INTERMITTENTLY, DOESN'T INDICATE THE CORRECT SPEED. EVENTUALLY SPEEDOMETER WILL UNSTICK AND WORK NORMALLY. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
855638
Incident
Feb 1, 1988
Fuel system
Filed Jul 16, 1997

RECALL REPAIR NOT ABLE TO BE DONE DUE TO LACK OF PARTS (FUEL SUPPLY VALVE).

NHTSA ID
515989
Incident
Nov 1, 1996

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

M-1233

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

HARLEY DAVIDSON: A CHANGE TO THE FINAL TORQUE OF THE FORK CAP (PART NUMBER 45419-80) AND FOR TUBE PLUG (PART NUMBER 45838-77). THE NEW TORQUE FOR BOTH PARTS IS 60-70 FT LBS (81.3-94.9NM). *PE

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 Softail by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2013100—
2012310—
2011310—
2010100—
2009000—
2008100—
2007210—
2006000—
2005430—
2004410—
2003700—
2002400—
2001200—
2000700—
1999010—
1998310—
1997110—
1996Viewing310—
1995310—

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.