2015 Harley-Davidson Xg500 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. The fuel tank filler neck may be insufficiently flat, preventing the fuel cap from sealing properly.
What could happen: If the fuel cap doesn't properly seal, fuel may leak, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
The fix: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the motorcycle and test to see if fuel can leak from under the fuel cap. Any motorcycle that leaks fuel from under the fuel cap will have its gas tanked replaced, free of charge. The recall began in late September 2014. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson…
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 2015 XG500.
- Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 14V536000 (manufacturer code 0161).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-258-2464.
- 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: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
Summary: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2015 XG500 and XG750 motorcycles manufactured June 11, 2014, to August 14, 2014. The fuel tank filler neck may be insufficiently flat, preventing the fuel cap from sealing properly.
Consequence: If the fuel cap doesn't properly seal, fuel may leak, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the motorcycle and test to see if fuel can leak from under the fuel cap. Any motorcycle that leaks fuel from under the fuel cap will have its gas tanked replaced, free of charge. The recall began in late September 2014. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0161.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. The fuel pump modules on these motorcycles have a poor seal at the fuel pump inlet.
What could happen: If there is a poor seal at the fuel pump inlet it can cause interruption to the fuel supply, possibly causing a brief hesitation with the abrupt restoration of power. This abrupt restoration of power can lead to loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will install a new fuel pump assembly, free of charge. The recall began on August 21, 2015. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-414-343-4056. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0167.
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 2015 XG500.
- Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 15V474000 (manufacturer code 0167).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-414-343-4056.
- 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: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Summary: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2015 XG500 motorcycles manufactured January 20, 2014, to July 7, 2015, and XG750 motorcycles manufactured May 12, 2014, to July 7, 2015. The fuel pump modules on these motorcycles have a poor seal at the fuel pump inlet.
Consequence: If there is a poor seal at the fuel pump inlet it can cause interruption to the fuel supply, possibly causing a brief hesitation with the abrupt restoration of power. This abrupt restoration of power can lead to loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will install a new fuel pump assembly, free of charge. The recall began on August 21, 2015. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-414-343-4056. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0167.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
3. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. The affected motorcycles may have been manufactured without a rear reflector assembly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
What could happen: If the motorcycle is missing the rear reflector it can reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will install a rear reflector assembly, free of charge. The recall began on April 29, 2015. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0620.
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 2015 XG500.
- Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 15V217000 (manufacturer code 0620).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-258-2464.
- 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: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2015 XG500 motorcycles manufactured January 28, 2014, to March 9, 2015, and 2015 XG750 motorcycles manufactured May 12, 2014, to March 9, 2015. The affected motorcycles may have been manufactured without a rear reflector assembly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: If the motorcycle is missing the rear reflector it can reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will install a rear reflector assembly, free of charge. The recall began on April 29, 2015. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0620.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2015 Harley-Davidson Xg500 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (9), Vehicle Speed Control (5), Transmission / drivetrain (2), Unknown Or Other (2), Engine (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
05/07/2019 · Transmission / drivetrain
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME MY BIKE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE AUGUST 2019. ON MAY 8, 2019, IT HAS BEEN BACK IN THE SHOP FOR SIX WEEK. THE FIRST TIME IT BROKE DOWN IN WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 6 WEEKS. I'M BEING TOLD THE OUTPUT SHAFT IS BEING REDESIGNED. WHEN YOU'RE GOING THOUGHT THE GEARS THE OUTPUT SHAFT BREAKS. YOU DON'T EVEN GET THOUGH THE 6 GEARS. THEN BIKE LOS…
06/12/2017 · Vehicle Speed Control · crash
FIRST ACCIDENT WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT INTERSECTION, WITH LOW FUEL, BUT NO FUEL LIGHT YET. ACCELERATING ON SLIGHT UPHILL LEFT TURN, FROM STOP AT LIGHT. WENT FROM 1ST TO 2ND, WAS LEAVING THE CURVE WHEN I HIT A POT HOLE. THE BIKE LAGGED SLIGHTLY, THEN ACCELERATED SUDDENLY I WAS UNABLE TO AVOID HITTING THE CURB AND CRASHED. BEING A NEW RIDER I ASSUMED THAT…
09/26/2015 · Transmission / drivetrain
I BROUGHT MY XG500 TO A HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER TO FIX A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP. AFTER AN ESTIMATED 100 MILES, THE BIKE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER TO THE BACK WHEEL WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65MPH. THE THROTTLE WOULD REV UP THE ENGINE, BUT IT WASN'T MAKING ME MOVE. THIS PUT ME IN A VERY UNSAFE PREDICAMENT AND I HAD TO ROLL ACROSS LANES OF TRA…
07/31/2015 · Vehicle Speed Control
JULY 3, 2015 - IT STALLED TWICE WHILE SITTING COMPLETELY STOPPED AT STOP SIGNS WITH THE CLUTCH FULLY PULLED IN. IT IDLED LOW AND THEN COMPLETELY DIED. RESTARTING THE BIKE, I WAS ABLE TO GET IT MOVING WITH QUITE A BIT OF LEAPING AND LAGGING AND THE ENGINE SPUTTERING. ONCE UP AND THROUGH 1ST AND 2ND GEAR (SPUTTERING LIKE IF WAS MISSING FUEL) IT SEEMED TO SUD…
07/08/2015 · Fuel system
I PREVIOUSLY FILED A REPORT ABOUT MY MOTORCYCLE STALLING AND SURGING ON 4/18 WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH IN WET WEATHER. MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP BROUGHT MY BIKE IN AND HAD IT FOR A WEEK WHILE WAITING FOR A NEW FUEL PUMP. I AM ON MY SECOND FUEL PUMP. THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS AS BEFORE BUT A COMPLETELY NEW FUEL PUMP. I WAS ALMOST HIT WHILE TAKING OFF SLOWLY FROM A L…
07/07/2015 · Vehicle Speed Control
LIKE MANY OTHERS, SINCE DAY 1 MY HARLEY STREET 500 HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A "LAG AND LEAP" ISSUE. THE FIRST DAY I HAD MY BIKE I EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WHERE WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP, OR MAKING A TURN AT LOW SPEEDS, THE BIKE WOULD STALL LIKE IT WAS OUT OF GAS, AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATE AGAIN, ALMOST THROWING ME OFF THE BACK OF THE BIKE. I BROUGHT MY BIKE TO…
04/18/2015 · Vehicle Speed Control · crash
MOTORCYCLE WILL BOG DOWN AND THEN SURGE WITHOUT WARNING IF THERE IS ABOUT 1/3 OF A TANK LEFT. LOW FUEL INDICATOR NEVER COMES ON BEFORE IT HAPPENS AND IT'S WORSE WHEN DRIVING ON HILLS OR WHILE BANKING IN TURNS. LAST NIGHT WAS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AS I WAS COMING UP THE HILL AND TURNING IN TO MY DRIVEWAY THE MOTORCYCLE BOGGED DOWN, AND BEFOR…
12/11/2014 · Vehicle Speed Control · crash
VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. THROTTLE RESPONSE IS EXTREMELY ERRATIC. THIS CAUSED INEXPERIENCED RIDER TO LOSE CONTROL AT A LOW SPEED AND WAS THROWN FROM VEHICLE AS IT WENT OUT OF CONTROL ONTO THE SIDEWALK. FUEL TANK WAS NEARLY FULL. CONTINUED RIDING EXHIBITED EXTREMELY ERRATIC THROTTLE CONTROL. VEHICLE IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE. *TR