FaultScore

Harley-Davidson Softail problems

Owners have filed 54 complaints about the Harley-Davidson Softail with NHTSA across model years 1995 to 2013. More of them are about the engine & cooling than anything else.

Every Harley-Davidson Softail year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

95 96 97 98 00 01 02 03 04 05 07 08 10 11 12 13
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
2013 1 0 0 Engine & Cooling
2012 4 0 0 Transmission & Drivetrain
2011 3 0 0 Engine & Cooling
2010 1 0 0 Steering
2008 2 0 0 Lights
2007 3 0 0 Transmission & Drivetrain
2005 4 0 0 Electrical System
2004 4 0 0 Engine & Cooling
2003 8 1 1 1,000 Fuel & Propulsion
2002 5 0 0 Engine & Cooling
2001 2 0 0 Engine & Cooling
2000 7 0 0 Engine & Cooling
1998 3 1 0 Steering
1997 1 0 0 Wheels
1996 3 0 0 Engine & Cooling
1995 3 1 0 Engine & Cooling

What breaks on a Harley-Davidson Softail

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Engine & Cooling 13 24.1%

Worst in 2000

Fuel & Propulsion 7 13.0%

Worst in 2003

Transmission & Drivetrain 6 11.1%

Worst in 2012

Electrical System 4 7.4%

Worst in 2005

Wheels 4 7.4%

Worst in 1997

Brakes 3 5.6%

Worst in 1998

Suspension 3 5.6%

Worst in 1995

Equipment & Accessories 3 5.6%

Worst in 2000

Steering 2 3.7%

Worst in 1998

Body & Structure 2 3.7%

Worst in 2003

Lights 2 3.7%

Worst in 2008

Tires 2 3.7%

Worst in 2000

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 1.9%

Worst in 2002

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 1.9%

Worst in 2008

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every Harley-Davidson Softail, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Dec 1996 peak 4 Jun 2015

Compare the Harley-Davidson Softail

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.