Harley-Davidson Sportster problems
Owners have filed 75 complaints about the Harley-Davidson Sportster with NHTSA across model years 1985 to 2008. More of them are about the engine & cooling than anything else.
Every Harley-Davidson Sportster 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.
| Year | Grade | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Median miles | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | — | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | Steering |
| 2007 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 2005 | — | 6 | 0 | 0 | — | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 2003 | — | 10 | 0 | 0 | 2,142 | Engine & Cooling |
| 2002 | — | 7 | 0 | 0 | — | Windows, Mirrors & Wipers |
| 2001 | — | 8 | 3 | 0 | — | Windows, Mirrors & Wipers |
| 2000 | — | 11 | 0 | 0 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 1999 | — | 8 | 0 | 0 | — | Windows, Mirrors & Wipers |
| 1998 | — | 7 | 1 | 0 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 1997 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 1996 | — | 6 | 0 | 0 | — | Fuel & Propulsion |
| 1992 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 1988 | — | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 1985 | — | 5 | 5 | 0 | — | Brakes |
What breaks on a Harley-Davidson Sportster
Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.
Worst in 2003
Worst in 1999
Worst in 1988
Worst in 1985
Worst in 1996
Worst in 1998
Worst in 1999
Worst in 1999
Worst in 2003
Worst in 2000
Worst in 2000
Worst in 2003
Worst in 2008
Worst in 1999
Complaints filed over time
Every complaint about every Harley-Davidson Sportster, by the month it reached NHTSA.
Compare the Harley-Davidson Sportster
Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.