Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 1998 Harley-Davidson Flhtcui with NHTSA between 1998 and 2016.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 6 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 31
Against the median year of the Harley-Davidson Flhtcui. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
40% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 1998 compares with every other Harley-Davidson Flhtcui
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1998 Harley-Davidson Flhtcui
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
550.0%
Suspension
220.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 84,000 mi
Wheels
110.0%
Tires
110.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 40,000 mi
Fuel & Propulsion
110.0%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
133.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
133.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
133.3%
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.
Jul 1998peak 2Dec 2016
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 40,000 milesRichmond, INCrash2 injured1 killed
TIRES:SIDEWALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA FLHTCUI EQUIPPED WITH METZELER ME 888 MARATHON ULTRA TIRES, SIZE: 130/90/R16. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR TIRE SEIZED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER WERE EJECTED FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. BOTH THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION; HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDEWALL SEPARATED FROM THE REAR TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #10904973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesForest Park, GACrash
SUSPENSION
BROKEN SWING ARM CAUSING A HIGH SPEED WOBBLE. SWING ARM CRACKED OVER TOP OF AXLE ALLOWING THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER TO PUSH OPEN THE END OF THE SWING ARM EXPOSING THE REAR AXEL SHAFT. ONLY THE BELT WAS HOLDING REAR WHEEL ON.
NHTSA complaint #10588211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 70,000 milesSterling Heights, MI
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA FLHTCUI. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR SWING ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #10933726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesRichmond, INCrash2 injured1 killed
TIRES:SIDEWALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA FLHTCUI EQUIPPED WITH METZELER ME 888 MARATHON ULTRA TIRES, SIZE: 130/90/R16. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR TIRE SEIZED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER WERE EJECTED FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. BOTH THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION; HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDEWALL SEPARATED FROM THE REAR TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #10904973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesForest Park, GACrash
SUSPENSION
BROKEN SWING ARM CAUSING A HIGH SPEED WOBBLE. SWING ARM CRACKED OVER TOP OF AXLE ALLOWING THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER TO PUSH OPEN THE END OF THE SWING ARM EXPOSING THE REAR AXEL SHAFT. ONLY THE BELT WAS HOLDING REAR WHEEL ON.
NHTSA complaint #10588211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
WHEELS
THIS IS A FAILURE IN A CUSTOM WHEEL MODEL #4163080BP MANUFACTURED BY HALLCRAFT'S INDUSTRIES CORP. TEN SPOKES ON THE REAR WHEEL BROKE CAUSING INSTABILITY AND LOSS OF CONTROL. THESE TEN SPOKES BROKE OVER 5 MONTS AND W/I 4000 MILES OF INSTALLATION.
NHTSA complaint #566319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Depew, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MOTORCYCLE QUIT WHILE MOVING IN TRAFFIC, IT WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START.
NHTSA complaint #9003645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Amarillo, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER WAS CONTACTED ON FIVE OCCASIONS, REPAIRS STILL NOT COMPLETED. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #838852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mars, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER HAS RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR MOTORCYCLE. OWNER HAS CONTATCED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ON 03-AUG-98 . RECALL HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #827413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Richie, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHEN RIDING IN EVERY GEAR , FROM TIME TO TIME, THERE IS A MISS. AT TIMES IT'S IN 2, 3, AND 5TH GEARS. THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN CONSUMER'S 97 MODEL. A RECALL NOTICE HAS BEEN RECEIVED ON THE IGNITION . OWNER HAS NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #826656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
CIRCUIT BREAKER HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED TWO TIMES, THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED, AND DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #826135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES BECAUSE WHEN RIDING AT ANY SPEED THE RADIO WILL FLASH ON OR GOES OFF. THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND THE ENGINE CUTS OFF. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON, AND THE MOTORCYCLE WILL RESTART BY ITSELF OR IT WON'T START AT ALL. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #826134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.