1998 Harley-Davidson Flht recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. 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 1998 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
- 1998 Harley-Davidson Flht owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (4).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (4)
12/16/1998 · Electrical system
MFR 091;VEHICLE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED, AND THE DEALER STATED PARTS WOULD BE SHIPPED WITHIN A MONTH. CONSUMER STATES IT HAS BEEN FOUR MONTHS, AND DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS, PROBLEMS STILL EXISTS. *AK
08/28/1998 · Electrical system
IGNITION SWITCH RECALL WORK DENIED.
08/18/1998 · Electrical system
RECALL 98V158000..091/ ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT RECALL NOTICE. DEALER INDICATED PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON AUGUST 3, 1998. PARTS WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE, AND DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WILL COME IN. *AK
07/09/1998 · Electrical system
MODEL FLHTCUI; MOTORCYCLE WAS PURCHASED IN OCTOBER 1997. IN JUNE OF 1998 AT 6500 MILES, IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. WHILE PULLING UP IN A DRIVEWAY, CAUSING MOTORCYCLE TO STALL. MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER AND IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CONSUMER HEARD OF INVESTIGATION EA98-009 IN AI. *AK