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FaultScore report

2007 Harley-Davidson Flhtc problems

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 2007 Harley-Davidson Flhtc with NHTSA between 2006 and 2016. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 3 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Harley-Davidson Flhtc All 2007 cars
D

FaultScore 61/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Harley-Davidson Flhtc.

How this is worked out

The numbers

16

Complaints

1

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

12,300 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

83%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 43 vs 50 Severity 65 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 43
Against the median year of the Harley-Davidson Flhtc. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 65
12.5% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100
83% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2007 compares with every other Harley-Davidson Flhtc

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2007 Harley-Davidson Flhtc

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 6 37.5%

Median failure at 2,800 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 5 31.3%

Median failure at 13,881 miles

Lights 2 12.5%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

Tires 1 6.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 7,600 mi

Brakes 1 6.3%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

Electrical System 1 6.3%

Median failure at 17,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 3 25.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 3 25.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 2 16.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 3 25.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 8.3%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Oct 2006 peak 2 Dec 2016

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 7,600 miles Counce, TN Crash 1 injured

TIRES

WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE (2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON HERITAGE SOFTAIL CLASSIC) AT 57 MPH ON DRY PAVEMENT WITH NO ADVERSE ROAD CONDITIONS, THE REAR TIRE BLEW, THE RIDER FOUGHT TO KEEP THE BIKE UPRIGHT TO SLOW DOWN FOR 3-5 SECONDS, THEN LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED TO PROPER INFLATION 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE BLOWOUT AND ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE RIDER SUFFERED A BRAIN CONCLUSION WITH MINOR HEMORRHAGING, A BROKEN COLLARBONE, AND BROKEN BONES IN THE RIGHT FOOT. THE TIRE, WHICH WAS NEW ON THE BIKE AND PURCHASED TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, HAD ONLY BEEN RIDDEN FOR 1400 MILES. THE TIRE, BRIDGESTONE EXEDRA G702, APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE, HAVING COME APART AT WHERE IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN MOLDED TOGETHER BETWEEN THE WHITE SIDEWALL AND THE TREAD. NO PUNCTURES OR ROAD HAZARD CUTS OR BLEMISHES COULD BE FOUND ON THE TIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY, PROGRESSIVE, PLANS TO HIRE AN INDEPENDENT TIRE SAFETY EXPERT TO EVALUATE THE TIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10503573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 60,000 miles Belgium, WI

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTC. WHILE RIDING 75-80 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 04/06/17 LJ

NHTSA complaint #10938565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles RYE, TX

SERVICE BRAKES

THE REAR BRAKE LINE (PN 40971-00A) RUBBED THE FRAME AND CLUTCH CABLE, CAUSING A HOLE TO BE CREATED. THIS IS IN THE AREA BELOW THE CAM CHEST, BEHIND THE MASTER CYLINDER, INSIDE THE FRAME ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE BRAKE LINE BLEW OUT WHEN THE REAR BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THERE WAS NO WARNING. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, I FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10639602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,000 miles Roseville, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 9 MPH, THE BRAKE LAMP FAILED TO ACTIVATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V506000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA complaint #10631075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 27,737 miles Iowa City, IA

POWER TRAIN

AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN IN MY DRIVEWAY THE ENGINE, WITH OUT WARNING, MADE A LOUD METALLIC NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE AND LOCKED UP ALONG WITH THE REAR WHEEL. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT A GREATER SPEED, OR IN TRAFFIC, THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN DIRE. I REMOVED THE PRIMARY COVER AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICE A LARGE PIECE OF STEEL HAD GOTTEN JAMMED BETWEEN THE CLUTCH SPROCKET AND PRIMARY DRIVE CHAIN. THIS LARGE PIECE OF STEEL HAD BROKEN OFF A PRESSED STEEL CAGE THAT ENCLOSED A SET OF DIAPHRAGM SPRINGS FROM THE CRANKSHAFT COMPENSATOR ASSEMBLY. THE OUTER EDGE OF THE SPRINGS, OVER TIME, HAD WORN THEIR WAY THROUGH THE CAGE THAT CONTAINS THEM IN PLACE CAUSING A SECTION OF THE CAGE TO SEPARATE. THIS SEPARATED PIECE IS WHAT CAUSED THE ENGINE AND DRIVE TRAIN TO LOCK UP. I HAVE AN ENGINEERING BACK GROUND AND CAN SAY THAT THIS COMPENSATING SPROCKET ASSEMBLY WAS POORLY ENGINEERED AND CAN ALSO SAY WITH GREAT AMOUNT OF CERTAINTY THAT THEY WILL ALL FAIL EVENTUALLY. I AM VERY SURPRISED THAT THIS WAS NEVER A SAFETY RECALL CONSIDERING ALL THE OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS ASSEMBLY. ALL ONE HAS TO DO IS GOOGLE "HARLEY COMPENSATOR PROBLEMS" AND IT FINDS A HUGE AMOUNT OF INFO ON THIS!

NHTSA complaint #10615937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 7,600 miles Counce, TN Crash 1 injured

TIRES

WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE (2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON HERITAGE SOFTAIL CLASSIC) AT 57 MPH ON DRY PAVEMENT WITH NO ADVERSE ROAD CONDITIONS, THE REAR TIRE BLEW, THE RIDER FOUGHT TO KEEP THE BIKE UPRIGHT TO SLOW DOWN FOR 3-5 SECONDS, THEN LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED TO PROPER INFLATION 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE BLOWOUT AND ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE RIDER SUFFERED A BRAIN CONCLUSION WITH MINOR HEMORRHAGING, A BROKEN COLLARBONE, AND BROKEN BONES IN THE RIGHT FOOT. THE TIRE, WHICH WAS NEW ON THE BIKE AND PURCHASED TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, HAD ONLY BEEN RIDDEN FOR 1400 MILES. THE TIRE, BRIDGESTONE EXEDRA G702, APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE, HAVING COME APART AT WHERE IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN MOLDED TOGETHER BETWEEN THE WHITE SIDEWALL AND THE TREAD. NO PUNCTURES OR ROAD HAZARD CUTS OR BLEMISHES COULD BE FOUND ON THE TIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY, PROGRESSIVE, PLANS TO HIRE AN INDEPENDENT TIRE SAFETY EXPERT TO EVALUATE THE TIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10503573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,000 miles Orlando, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN SWITCH TO HIGH BEAM ALL LIGHTS GO OUT BECAUSE THE 15 AMP FUSE WILL BLOW.

NHTSA complaint #10283312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,000 miles Orlando, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN SWITCH TO HIGH BEAM ALL LIGHTS GO OUT BECAUSE THE 15 AMP FUSE WILL BLOW.

NHTSA complaint #10283312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,800 miles Twin Falls, ID

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTC MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED HIS EXHAUST PIPE TURNED RED AFTER OVERHEATING. THE OVER HEATING IS CAUSED BY THE EXHAUST PIPE AND CYLINDER HEAD. THE DEALER IS WAITING FOR APPROVAL FROM THE REGIONAL MANAGER TO MAKE THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,800.

NHTSA complaint #10266988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,200 miles Moberly, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY 2007 FLHTC HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS BEEN A LEMON SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2007. THE BIKE ALWAYS RUNS HOT DUE TO THE FACT THERE IS NO OIL PRESSURE AT TIMES. THE CPK UNIT WENT OUT AND LEAKED OIL EVERYWHERE AFTER ONE MONTH. THE FRONT PART OF THIS UNIT, WHICH WAS INSIDE THE MOTOR, WAS DAMAGED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID SOMETHING HAD TO HAVE HIT IT. INSTEAD OF TEARING DOWN THE MOTOR TO FIND OUT WHAT HIT IT THEY JUST REPLACED IT. OIL PRESSURE CONSTANTLY DROPS AFTER RIDING FOR AWHILE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT WAS NORMAL. NOW THE BIKE HAS NO OIL PRESSURE AND IS LEAKING OIL FROM SOMEWHERE. IT IS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP BEING WORKED ON AGAIN. I DO NOT TRUST THIS BIKE TO GO ANYWHERE FAR FROM HOME. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH EITHER THE OIL PUMP OR THE WAY OIL IS CIRCULATED. YOU HAVE TO LOOK WHILE RIDING TO SEE IF OIL IS LEAKING FROM SOMEWHERE. IF THE MOTOR LOCKS UP FROM LACK OF OIL THE BIKE WILL BE PAST DANGEROUS. OIL PUMP ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN MENTIONED ON WEB SITES AS THE PROBLEM. HARLEY WILL NOT STAND BEHIND FIXING THIS BIKE CORRECTLY. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10230014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25 miles Hampstead, NC

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

I HAVE A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE. THERE IS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF NOISE AND VIBRATION THAT COMES FROM THE TRANSMISSION IN 5TH AND 6TH GEAR. I PUT IN HEAVY 75-90 GEAR OIL AND IT GOT A LITTLE QUIETER. NOW IT SEEMS HD HAS PUT IN AN ISOLATED DRIVE SYSTEM IN THERE 08 TOURING MODELS AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT. YOU CAN PURCHASE THE UNIT FOR $305.00 PLUS LABOR TO PUT ON THE 07 TOURING MODELS. HARLEY DAVIDSON KNEW THEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE 07 TRANSMISSION, FIXED IT ON THE 08 BUT WANT THE CONSUMER OF AN 07 TO PAY FOR THE PART AND THERE MISTAKE.

NHTSA complaint #10218206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kansas City, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

I AM WRITING TO YOU BECAUSE I SENT A COMPLAINT IN THE OTHER DAY FOR SOMEONE AND HAD SEVERAL THINGS WRONG. THIS IS A MISTAKE THAT I AM SORRY FOR. I SHOULD HAVE HAD THE OTHER PERSON PROOF OVER WHAT I WAS SENDING IN. HE HAS HAD EIGHT HARLEY'S IN HIS GARAGE. THE HEAT COMES FROM THE CROSSOVER UNDER THE SEAT. ALSO, IN THE COMPONENT INFORMATION, THE ONLY THING CLOSE TO THE PROBLEM DESCRIPTION WAS WHAT I CHECKED. I UNDERSTAND IF THIS SHOULD BE DELETED, THE CONSUMER, LANE TUCKER WILL TRY TO SEND IT IN HIMSELF.

NHTSA complaint #10198607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kansas CIT, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

PURCHASED A 2007 ULTRA CLASSIC ELECTRA GLIDE HARLEY DAVIDSON ON JULY 27. I HAD TO RETURN THE BIKE THIS WEEK AND GET MY MONEY BACK. THIS MODEL HAS A HEAT PROBLEM WHICH HARLEY DAVIDSON AND THE DEALERS ARE AWARE OF, THEY ARE SELLING THESE AND NOT LETTING THE CONSUMER KNOW ABOUT IT. ONCE YOU ARE AWARE OF THIS, THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO SOLVE IT BUT THEY WILL CHANGE SOME THINGS AT YOUR EXPENSE. I PAID ALOT OF MONEY FOR THIS, NOT INTENDING TO GO HOME AND HAVE TO CHANGE IT RIGHT AWAY. THE PIPE UNDER THE SEAT GETS SO HOT THAT IT GLOWS BRIGHT RED. IT BURNT THE PASSENGERS LEG. AFTER I COMPLAINED ENOUGH, THEY AGREED TO TAKE IT BACK AND RETURN MY MONEY. THEY SAY THAT THE 2008 MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY LET THEM SELL THESE? IT'S A SHAME BECAUSE I HAVE EIGHT OTHER HARLEY'S IN MY GARAGE. THE DEALERS ARE SAYING THAT THE EPA WON'T LET THEM FIX THIS PROBLEM AND IF THE CONSUMER FIXES IT, HE IS FACING A $10,000 FINE. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

NHTSA complaint #10198521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Army - Europe, AE

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

MOTOR RUNS HOT; FOUND BY USING 89 GRADE, RUNS COOLER AND BETTER. ALSO DEALER UPLOADED NEW IGNITION PROGRAM - HARLEY ISSUED A FIX. GETTING IT DONE UNDER WARRENTY. *JB GEARBOX NOISE: HARLEY USES MOTOR OIL 20-50. CHANGE IT TO FULL SYNTHETIC GEAR OIL 85-120 (OR SOMETHING NEAR). THIS QUIETENS GEAR WHINE AND MAKES IT SHIFT BETTER. AS A MECHANICAL PROFESSOR AND ON MY 16TH HARLEY; NEVER USE 20-50 MOTOR OIL IN ANY GEARBOX! THATS WRONG IN SO MANY LEVELS.

NHTSA complaint #10182055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Army - Europe, AE

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MOTOR RUNS HOT; FOUND BY USING 89 GRADE, RUNS COOLER AND BETTER. ALSO DEALER UPLOADED NEW IGNITION PROGRAM - HARLEY ISSUED A FIX. GETTING IT DONE UNDER WARRENTY. *JB GEARBOX NOISE: HARLEY USES MOTOR OIL 20-50. CHANGE IT TO FULL SYNTHETIC GEAR OIL 85-120 (OR SOMETHING NEAR). THIS QUIETENS GEAR WHINE AND MAKES IT SHIFT BETTER. AS A MECHANICAL PROFESSOR AND ON MY 16TH HARLEY; NEVER USE 20-50 MOTOR OIL IN ANY GEARBOX! THATS WRONG IN SO MANY LEVELS.

NHTSA complaint #10182055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15 miles Huntsville, AL

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

2007 HD,FLHTC EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION WHINE IN 5TH GEAR VERY LOUD ,AND CLANKING NOISE AT ALL TIMES FROM 5TH GEAR AND SIXTH GEAR. HD CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS NO HELP NOR DEALER ALTHOUGH MANY OTHER NEW OWNERS EXPERIENCING EXACT CONDITIONS. DEALER AND FACTORY SAY ITS NORMAL. OTHERS HAVE NO SYMPTOMS. NO FAILURE OR ACCIDENTS YET. VERY LOUD NOISE FROM A TRANSMISSIONS IS NOT NORMAL. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS A PROBLEM AND IT NEEDS TO FIXED ASAP. I RIDE 15000 MILES A YEAR AND DO NOT -TRUST THIS NEW MOTORCYCLE TO PERFORM ITS MISSION OF TOURING. THIS BIKE HAS VERY POOR FUEL MILEAGE LESS THAN HALF AS STATED IN THE SPECS. SEVERE HOT RUNNING MOTOR, PIPES GLOW RED IN TRAFFIC AND THE HEAT IS TERRIBLE. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL OTHER NEW HARLEYS AND NONE OF THEM DID THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10171014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 900 miles Kings Mountain, NC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE CREATES EXCESSIVE HEAT MAKING THE MOTORCYCLE ALMOST UNBEARABLE TO RIDE. IF SITTING IN TRAFFIC LONG THE HEAT ALMOST BURNS THE UNDERSIDES OF BOTH THIGHS. NEUTRAL LIGHT COMES ON WHEN CHANGING GEARS, IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AT NIGHT CAUSING RIDER TO TAKE HIS EYES OFF THE ROAD. DEALER SAID ALL OF THIS IS NORMAL. ENGINE HEAT PROBLEM CAN BE FIXED BUT IT WILL BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OWNER. NEUTRAL LIGHT COMING ON IS NORMAL DEALER SAID.

NHTSA complaint #10170794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.