RoadVitals

1998 Harley-Davidson Sportster

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.
6
Latest Nov 18, 2003
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.
0
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

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Harley-Davidson Sportster, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and fuel system categories.

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

  • Electrical228.6%
  • Engine228.6%
  • Fuel system114.3%
  • Exterior lighting114.3%
  • Transmission114.3%

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

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

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

Fuel system
Filed Nov 18, 2003

THE CONSUMER NOTICED A DRY RUST COLORED DUST COMING FROM THE MOTORCYCLE WHILE RIDING. AFTER COMING TO A STOP, THE CONSUMER NOTICED GAS LEAKING ON THE GROUND. THE RUST COLORED DUST WAS DRY GAS. CONSUMER STATED THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REBUILT IN 1999, INCLUDING A NEW GAS TANK. *AK THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY STRESS CRACKS AT THE BASE OF THE TANK. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE GAS TANK WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *JB *NLM

NHTSA ID
10044429
Incident
Mar 1, 2003
Mileage
19,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 6, 2002
Crash reported

REAR TAIL LIGHT CAME OFF MOTORCYCLE AND LODGED IN REAR WHEEL AT 65MPH, 3 OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM SAME TYPE MOTORCYCLE OWNERS IN QUICK SURVEY. HARLEY DAVIDSON ISN'T EVEN INTERESTED.*AK

NHTSA ID
765289
Incident
Aug 3, 2002
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 1, 1999

FRONT / REAR HEAD GASKET FAILED. *YC

NHTSA ID
607429
Incident
Apr 28, 1998
Engine
Filed Sep 1, 1998

ENGINE NOCKS AND PINGS CONTINUALLY.

NHTSA ID
539502
Incident
Jun 5, 1998
Electrical
Filed Jun 21, 1998

MOTORCYCLE WOULD BACKFIRE AND STALL WHEN GIVING IT THROTTLE GOING FROM A STOP OR IDLING. I QUICKLY DIS-ENGAUGED THE CLUTCH TO START THE MOTOR BACKUP, BUT THE CAR IN THE SECOND LANE WAS ALREADY LOCKING HIS BRAKES. I DID MANAGE TO GET THE BIKE STARTED IN THE KNICK OF TIME, AND THE ONCOMING CAR MISSED ME BY ONLY A FEW FEET. I AM AN EXPERIENCED MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR, AND DID NOT POP THE CLUTCH AND STALL IN THAT MANNER. THE MOTORCYCLE MAKES A LOUD POP COMING UP THROUGH THE CARBURATOR, WHEN IT BACKFIRES.

NHTSA ID
537168
Incident
Jun 21, 1998
Transmission
Filed Jun 4, 1998

CLUTCH ON MOTORCYCLE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PUSH. OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE. DEALERS HAVE NOT CORRECTED PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
823963

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Harley-Davidson Sportster by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008200—
2007100—
2005720—
2003901—
2002601—
2001601—
2000901—
1999610—
1998Viewing600—
1997100—
1996610—
1993200—
1992100—
1988200—
1985100—
1972020—
1971010—

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.