1997 Harley-Davidson Flht recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FL TOURING MOTORCYCLES. A LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN OCCUR DUE TO EXCESSIVE CURRENT AND OTHER FACTORS.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL TO START, OPERATE ERRATICALLY, OR STALL.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH/CIRCUIT BREAKER AND INSTALL A RELAY KIT.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1997 FLHT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 98V158000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FL TOURING MOTORCYCLES. A LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN OCCUR DUE TO EXCESSIVE CURRENT AND OTHER FACTORS.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL TO START, OPERATE ERRATICALLY, OR STALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH/CIRCUIT BREAKER AND INSTALL A RELAY KIT.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 20, 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR MOTORCYCLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-342-4680. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Portable jump starter
- 1997 Harley-Davidson Flht owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (4), Unknown Or Other (1), Transmission / drivetrain (1), Suspension (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (7)
02/23/2000 · Unknown Or Other
HARLEY REFUSED TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM YET MULTIPLE PERSONS HAVE SINCE CONFIRMED TO ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL HARLEY MECHANICS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK
02/04/1999 · Electrical system
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER IN JULY CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER HAS NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, THEY ARE STILL ON BACK ORDER. RECALL NUMBER 98V15000. *AK *ML
12/01/1998 · Electrical system
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER IN JULY 1998. CONTACTED DEALER, NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. DEALER HAS NOT YET RECEIVED PARTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER. RECALL NUMBER 98V158000. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
11/03/1998 · Electrical system
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED A PART FOR THEIR IGNITION SWITCH. HOWEVER THE PARTS HAVE NOT BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE RECEIVING THE LETTER , WHICH WAS ON JULY 22ND. THE RECALL NO. IS 98V158000. *AK
07/13/1998 · Electrical system
MOTORCYCLE WOULD NOT START. TOOK MOTORCYCLE TO DEALERSHIP & IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NO CRASH OR INJURIES. 1997 FLHTCUI BROUGHT JAN 1997, READ IT IN MCN. *AK
08/26/1997 · Transmission / drivetrain
CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION CAUSED BY FAULTY SPEEDOMETER.
06/10/1997 · Suspension
VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT.