RoadVitals

2005 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.
7
Latest Mar 22, 2011
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.
2
Latest Dec 23, 2004
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 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Harley-Davidson Sportster, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, fuel system and transmission categories. 2 safety recalls have 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

  • Other / unspecified333.3%
  • Fuel system222.2%
  • Transmission222.2%
  • Brakes111.1%
  • Electrical111.1%

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

2 campaigns 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
04V607000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

Dec 23, 2004
9,501 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL SHUT-OFF VALVES. THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE 'ON' POSITION AND THE 'RESERVE' POSITION OF THE VALVE MAY HAVE BEEN REVERSED.
The risk: IF THE BIKE WERE OPERATING WITH THE VALVE IN THE 'ON' POSITION, THE BIKE COULD RUN OUT OF FUEL, THE EXPECTED FUEL RESERVE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE. THIS COULD LEAD TO THE DRIVER RUNNING OUT OF GAS WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL VALVE AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN FEBRUARY 7, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-342-4080.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 0118View on NHTSA.gov
04E094000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

Dec 21, 2004
364 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FUEL SHUT-OFF VALVES USED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT, P/NOS 61338-02, 62169-02A, 61338-94D, AND 62169-95C FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2005 CARBURETED SPORTSTERS, DYNA, SOFTAIL, AND TOURING MODEL MOTORCYCLES. THESE VALVES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE 'ON' POSITION AND THE 'RESERVE' POSITION OF THE VALVE MAY HAVE BEEN REVERSED.
The risk: IF THE BIKE WERE OPERATING WITH THE VALVE IN THE 'ON' POSITION, THE BIKE COULD RUN OUT OF FUEL, THE EXPECTED FUEL RESERVE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE. THIS COULD LEAD TO THE DRIVER RUNNING OUT OF GAS WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL VALVE AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN JANUARY 27, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-342-4080. IF YOU HAVE HAD OR INSTALLED A REPLACEMENT FUEL SHUT-OFF VALVE IN YOUR MOTORCYCLE, PLEASE TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO YOUR DEALER TO HAVE THE VALVE INSPECTED FOR PROPER OPERATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Other / unspecified
Filed Mar 22, 2011

I AM A 55 YEAR OLD U.S. TAXPAYING REGISTERED VOTER WHO HAS BEEN RIDING MOTORCYCLES FOR OVER 42 YEARS. I HAVE ADEQUATE HEALTH INSURANCE,OWN MY HOME,FAMILY MAN AND HAVE BEEN AT THE SAME JOB FOR 28 YEARS.I HATE WEARING MOTORCYCLE HELMETS AND HATE EVEN MORE,THE GOVERNMENT TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO WEAR ONE WHEN I RIDE MY BIKE.I STRONGLY BELIEVE IN FREEDOM OF CHOICE.IT SHOULD BE LEFT UP TO THE RIDER TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY WANT TO WEAR ONE OR NOT AND NOT THE GOVERNMENT ! FORTUNATELY THERE ARE MORE STATES WITHOUT A MANDATORY HELMET LAW THAN THERE ARE WITH THEM.A MOTORCYCLE HELMET WILL ONLY SAVE YOUR LIFE IN A CRASH UP TO 13 MPH,AFTER THAT IT IS NOT OF MUCH USE. HELMETS IN MOST IF NOT ALL STATES ARE ILLEAGLE TO WEAR WHILE DRIVING A AUTOMOBILE BECAUSE IT RESTRICTS YOUR HEARING AND PERIPHERAL VISION. THEN WHY ARE WE FORCED TO WEAR THEM ON MOTORCYCLES ? IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.THE KEY TO MOTORCYCLE SAFETY IS DRIVER SAFETY EDUCATION BOTH FOR THE AUTOMOBILE AND MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR. PLEASE LET ALL OF THE LEGISLATORS KNOW OF MY CONCERN.A LOT OF LEGISLATORS WHO IMPOSE MANDATORY HELMET LAWS AND OTHER OPPRESSIVE MOTORCYCLE RELATED LAWS,HAVE NEVER EVEN TOUCHED A MOTORCYCLE BUT YET WANT TO GOVERN OUR LIVES WHEN IT COMES TO A LIFESTYLE/SPORT THAT WE DEARLY EMBRACE.THANKYOU FOR YOUR TIME ! *TR

NHTSA ID
10392428
Incident
Mar 21, 2011
Other / unspecified
Filed Mar 16, 2011

I WANT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MANDATORY USE OF MOTORCYCLE HELMETS. I BELIEVE ANY PERSON WHO IS LEGALLY OPERATING A PROPERLY REGISTERED, LICENSED AND INSURED MOTORCYCLE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO DECIDE FOR HIM OR HERSELF IF HE/SHE WANTS TO WEAR A HELMET OR NOT. FORCING ALL MOTORCYCLE RIDERS TO WEAR A HELMET IS DISCRIMINATION AND SHOULD NOT BE ENFORCED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10390381
Incident
Mar 16, 2011
Other / unspecified
Filed Mar 12, 2010

THERE IS A COMPANY - DNA SPECIALTY INC. 1415 W. 178TH ST. GARDENA CA, 90248 TEL: (310) 767 - 4070 FAX: (310) 767 - 4091 WORLD WIDE TOLL: (800) 608 - 4446 MAKING "SEALED SPOKE WHEELS" FOR MOTORCYCLES SO THEY RUN WITHOUT TUBES. THE PROBLEM IS, THEY ARE NOT BEING SEALED CORRECTLY AND LEAKING AIR!! NOT A HUGE DEAL FOR ME... I JUST GET HOME, HAVE A FLAT, AND AM OUT ALL THE MONEY I SPENT ON THEIR BAD PRODUCT... BUT OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING ACCIDENTS AND IT IS CAUSING LOTS OF PROBLEMS. THEY SAY IF YOU SHIP THE WHEELS BACK THEY WILL FIX THEM, THE PROBLEM IS, THEY ARE NOT BEING MADE RIGHT THE FIRST TIME, AND IN SOME CASES, NOT BEING FIXED WHEN THEY ARE SENT BACK! THIS GUY COULD HAVE LOST HIS LIFE: HTTP://WWW.HDFORUMS.COM/FORUM/SOFTAIL-MODELS/483658-2ND-SET-OF-DNA- WHEELS-LEAK-AND-COULD-HAVE-KILLED-ME.HTML PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS COMPANY. I HAVE ALSO REPORTED THEM TO THE BBB, BUT THAT IS NOT ENOUGH. THESE ARE MOTORCYCLE TIRES... WE ONLY HAVE 2, AND WE NEED THEM BOTH! THESE DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS COULD GET SOMEONE KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10319132
Incident
Mar 6, 2010
ElectricalTransmission
Filed Mar 5, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200 CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DOWN SHIFT TO 3RD GEAR BECAUSE IT WOULD LOCK. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO UP SHIFT TO FOURTH AND FIFTH GEAR BEFORE DOWN SHIFTING TO FIRST GEAR. THIS WENT ON FOR A MONTH. THE DEALER KEPT REPAIRING THE FAILURE, AT LEAST FOUR TIMES UNTIL THE WARRANTY HAS RAN OUT. THERE IS STILL A FAILURE WITH THE MOTOR CYCLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND THEY STATED THERE SHOULD BE NO FAILURE BECAUSE THEY HAVE REPAIRED THE PROBLEMS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,500 THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 9,000. UPDATED 5/10/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ESTABLISHMENT WHERE HE PURCHASED THE BIKE FROM HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH THE BIKE. IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING THE DAMAGE, THE CREATED A PROBLEM IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT LOCKED UP IN 3RD GEAR WHEN DOWN SHIFTING, THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED BUT WAS TOLD THAT WAS THE WAY IT SHIFTED. ALSO, THE STARTER HESITATED WHEN STARTING THE BIKE. UPDATED 07/01/10.*JB

NHTSA ID
10317090
Incident
Aug 18, 2009
Mileage
8,500 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 13, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM DELIVERY CONCERNING THE CARBURETOR. THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO TURN OFF OR START AND LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL VALVE, THE DRIVE BELT AND ADJUSTED THE TIMING. THE PROBLEMS STILL EXISTS AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER.

NHTSA ID
10152592
Incident
Mar 7, 2006
Mileage
9,200 mi
BrakesFuel system
Filed Sep 7, 2005

NOT LONG AFTER MY 1000 MILE NEW VEHICLE CHECKUP, MY 2005 XL883R SPORTSTER'S FRONT BRAKE LEVER WOULD COLLAPSE TO THE HANDLE BAR. THE FRONT BRAKE WOULD OPERATE, BUT THE LEVER WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE REGULAR POSITION. ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. AFTER RIDING A FEW HUNDRED YARDS, AND REPEATEDLY SQUEEZING THE BRAKE LEVER, THE LEVER WOULD FINALLY STAY FULLY AWAY FROM THE HANDLEBAR. THE ABOVE PROBLEM HAPPENS EVERYTIME I RIDE THE SPORTSTER, AND NOW THE LEVER COLLAPSES AGAINST THE HANDLEBAR, AND THE FRONT BRAKE DOES NOT WORK. THE BIKE IS UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER I WANTED TO REPORT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I CAN'T BELIEVE MY BIKE IS THE ONLY BIKE IN THE US TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I'M WORRIED ABOUT RIDING IT BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF USING THE FRONT BRAKE WHILE MOTORCYCLE RIDING. *NM

NHTSA ID
10135543
Incident
Aug 10, 2005
Transmission
Filed Jun 27, 2005

DT: 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON WITH 37 MILES ON IT. AFTER THE OWNER LEFT WITH THE MOTORCYCLE SHE NOTICED THAT IT WAS CHOKING AND MAKING TERRIBLE NOISES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS ENGAGED. THE NOISE BEING A SEVERE CLICKING IN 4TH AND 5TH GEARS. IT WA S A TERRIBLE RATTLE AND RINGING IN THE TRANSMISSION. MOTORCYCLE WAS STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT WOULD MAKE A NOISE AND DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK CARE OF THE STALLING, AND IT WAS NOW NOT AS BAD, BUT IS STILL STALLING/ CRACKING/RATTLING, AND RINGING WORSE. MOTORCYCLE IS IN THE SHOP FOR A SECOND TIME, AND THE DEALER HAS NOT EVEN LOOKED AT IT AS OF YET. *AK

NHTSA ID
10126717
Incident
May 23, 2005
Mileage
37 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

HD-M-1372

EQUIPMENT

HARLEY-DAVIDSON: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. ON SOME MOTORCYCLES, A DEFECT EXIST WITH SOME CHROME HAND CONTROL LEVER KITS HAVING EXCESSIVE CHROME PLATING ON BRAKE LEVERS. MODEL 2014 SPORTSTER. *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 Sportster by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008200—
2007100—
2005Viewing720—
2003901—
2002601—
2001601—
2000901—
1999610—
1998600—
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.