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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1997–2013

Harley-Davidson FXDWG recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 42 owner complaints for the Harley-Davidson FXDWG, covering model years 1997 to 2013. The 2008 model year drew the most complaints (13), and Fuel System, Gasoline is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Harley-Davidson FXDWG VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 6 recall campaigns on file
  • 42 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 13 model years with data (1997–2013)
  • most complaints: 2008 (13 for that model year)
  • top component: Fuel System, Gasoline (12 complaints)
  • latest recall 07V535000 (reported Nov 20, 2007)
  • 2 complaints reporting a crash (4.8%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 4 complaints reporting an injury (9.5%)
  • 1 complaint reporting a death (2.4%)

Harley-Davidson FXDWG complaints by model year

13 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2008 model year has the most complaints: 13 of 42, or 31.0%. Next come 1999 (6) and 2002 (4). The fewest are for 2013, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Harley-Davidson FXDWG owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1997–2013Column chart of 42 complaints across 17 model years. The highest is 2008 with 13. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1997: 2 complaints219971998: 1 complaint119981999: 6 complaints619992000: 2 complaints220002001: 3 complaints320012002: 4 complaints420022003: 3 complaints320032004: 0 complaints20042005: 1 complaint120052006: 0 complaints20062007: 2 complaints220072008: 13 complaints1320082009: 0 complaints20092010: 3 complaints320102011: 0 complaints20112012: 1 complaint120122013: 1 complaint12013
Show the figures for all 13 model years
Harley-Davidson FXDWG complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Harley-Davidson FXDWG complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
199720000
199810000
199960000
200020000
200130000
200241011
200330000
200510000
200720000
2008131020
201030010
201210000
201310000
All model years422041

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Harley-Davidson FXDWG components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Fuel System, Gasoline is the component named most often, in 12 complaints (28.6% of all 42), followed by Engine and Engine Cooling (9) and Engine (6).

Components named most often in Harley-Davidson FXDWG complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Harley-Davidson FXDWG complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline1228.6%
Engine and Engine Cooling921.4%
Engine614.3%
Power Train49.5%
Electrical System37.1%
Wheels37.1%
Equipment24.8%
Fuel System, Other24.8%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic24.8%
Suspension24.8%
Fuel/Propulsion System12.4%
Seats12.4%
Steering12.4%
Structure12.4%
Tires12.4%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Harley-Davidson FXDWG recalls

6 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name FXDWG, newest first. The 6 campaigns cover model years 1999 to 2008. The 1999 model year appears in the most campaigns (2).

  • 6 recall campaigns
Harley-Davidson FXDWG recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
1999: 2 campaigns
2000: no campaigns2001: no campaigns2002: 1 campaign2003: 1 campaign2004: no campaigns2005: no campaigns2006: no campaigns2007: 1 campaign2008: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 07V535000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe

    Model year 2008

    On certain motorcycles built and shipped to California, the catalytic muffler protective heat shield was not installed. This condition could allow direct contact with this muffler and cause injury.

    Consequence:
    If contact occurs while riding, it could cause loss of control of the motorcycle, leading to injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install the heat shields to the mufflers free of charge. The recall began on November 26, 2007. Owners may contact Harley Davidson at 1-414-343-4056.

    Filed by Harley-Davidson Motor Company

  2. NHTSA campaign 06V474000

    Reported

    Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar

    Model year 2007

    On certain motorcycles, the internally wired handlebars have a potential to crack at the hole where the wires exit the handlebars between the handlebar clamps.

    Consequence:
    Should these cracks progress to the point of breaking the handlebar into two pieces, a loss of control could result which could cause a crash which could cause injury or death to the rider.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the handlebar with one with a greater wall thickness and with a wire exit hole that has a shape that reduces stress concentration. The recall began on January 16, 2007. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson at 1-414-342-4680.

    Filed by Harley-Davidson Motor Company

  3. NHTSA campaign 04V218000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights

    Model year 2003

    On certain dyna, XL, and touring motorcycles, the tail light bulb can fall out of the socket.

    Consequence:
    The tail light and the brake light become inoperative, which could lead to a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the bulbs. Owner notification began on June 3, 2004. Owners should contact Harley-Davidson at 1-414-342-4680.

    Filed by Harley-Davidson Motor Company

  4. NHTSA campaign 03V005000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

    Model year 2002

    On certain motorcycles, the rear brake line assemblies could fracture internally.

    Consequence:
    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.
    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.

    Filed by Harley-Davidson Motor Company

  5. NHTSA campaign 99V200000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly

    Model year 1999

    Vehicle description: motorcycles. These motorcycles were built with a fuel tank vent fitting that could be plugged allowing the carburetor to overflow fuel.

    Consequence:
    This could result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the fuel tank vent fitting and, if plugged, will correct this condition.

    Filed by Harley-Davidson Motor Company

  6. NHTSA campaign 99V003000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline

    Model year 1999

    Vehicle description: motorcycles. The engine cam bolt can lose its clamp load and/or break.

    Consequence:
    This condition can cause the engine to quit running with or without prior warning. In some instances, the engine could run erratically before quitting.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the engine cam bolts and washers.

    Filed by Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Harley-Davidson FXDWG questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Harley-Davidson FXDWG have?

NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recall campaigns for the Harley-Davidson FXDWG, covering model years 1997 to 2013. The most recent, 07V535000, was reported on November 20, 2007 and is filed under “Engine and engine cooling”. The 1999 model year is covered by the most campaigns (2).

Which Harley-Davidson FXDWG model year has the most complaints?

The 2008 model year, with 13 of the 42 complaints in NHTSA’s file (31.0%). The next are 1999 (6) and 2002 (4). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Harley-Davidson FXDWG complaint?

Fuel System, Gasoline is the component named most often: 12 complaints, or 28.6% of all 42. Engine and Engine Cooling (9) and Engine (6) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Harley-Davidson FXDWG?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Harley-Davidson dealer.

How many Harley-Davidson FXDWG complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 42 complaints, 2 report a crash, 0 a fire, 4 at least one injury and 1 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Harley-Davidson models

8 models · most complaints first

The Harley-Davidson models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Harley-Davidson VIN decoder with every Harley-Davidson model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Harley-Davidson models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.