Harley-Davidson Sportster vs BMW IX
Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.
Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.
| Measure | Harley-Davidson Sportster | BMW IX |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 75 | 186 |
| Model years covered | 1985–2008 | 2022–2025 |
| Worst model year | — | 2024 |
| Best model year | — | 2025 |
| Crashes reported | 9 | 67 |
| Fires reported | 0 | 5 |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 21 |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 0 |
| Most complained-about part | Engine & Cooling | Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 24% | 50% |
Harley-Davidson Sportster by year
What breaks
Engine & Cooling
12
16.0%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
12
16.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain
10
13.3%
Brakes
9
12.0%
Fuel & Propulsion
9
12.0%
Electrical System
5
6.7%
Lights
5
6.7%
Steering
4
5.3%
BMW IX by year
What breaks
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
50
26.9%
Electrical System
32
17.2%
Other & Unspecified
18
9.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
14
7.5%
Airbags
13
7.0%
Brakes
12
6.5%
Transmission & Drivetrain
11
5.9%
Steering
10
5.4%