1999 Harley-Davidson Flhr 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. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE ENGINE CAM BOLT CAN LOSE ITS CLAMP LOAD AND/OR BREAK.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO QUIT RUNNING WITH OR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. IN SOME INSTANCES, THE ENGINE COULD RUN ERRATICALLY BEFORE QUITTING.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE CAM BOLTS AND WASHERS.
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 1999 FLHR.
- Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 99V003000.
- 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: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE ENGINE CAM BOLT CAN LOSE ITS CLAMP LOAD AND/OR BREAK.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO QUIT RUNNING WITH OR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. IN SOME INSTANCES, THE ENGINE COULD RUN ERRATICALLY BEFORE QUITTING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE CAM BOLTS AND WASHERS.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 27, 1999. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES 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
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Suspension (3), Engine (3), Transmission / drivetrain (1), Body / structure (1), Unknown Or Other (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)
08/09/2014 · Suspension
I TOOK MY BIKE HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING IN TO THE SHOP FOR A FLAT TIRE. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME MY SWING HAD ARM BROKEN LITERALLY INTO TWO PIECES. HE INFORMED THAT HARLEY QUIT MAKING THIS PARTICULAR SWING DUE THE HIGH RATE OF FAILURE! THIS IS HIGHLY CONCERNING, AS THIS IS THE PIECE THAT HOLDS THE REAR WHEEL TO THE MOTORCYCLE STRAIGHT WHEN THE TORQUE OF THE…
04/23/2006 · Body / structure
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1999 HARLEY ROAD KING/FL FAMILY CYCLE. I HAVE HAD THE REAR FORK SWING ARM BREAK AT THE AXLE THROUGH HOLE SLOT ALMOST PUTTING ME IN THE BUSHES. THE SWING ARM IS MADE OF 1/8X1X2 INCH RECTANGULAR STRUCTURAL TUBING WITH THE SIDE WALL(2") SLOTTED SO THAT LITTLE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY REMAINS. IN ADDITION:1. THE VEHICLE POWER PLANT HAD…
05/30/2001 · Suspension
REAR CAM BEARING FAILED CREATING LOD GRINDING NOISE. SHUT DOWN ENGINE AND GAVE TO DEALER.CAM BEARING REPLACED WITH SAME TYPE OF ROLLER BEARING NOT UPDATED VERSION .NOW AT 14500 MILES ENGINE IS BEGINING TO MAKE SAME NOISE AGAIN.NOTIFIED HARLEY DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT A EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MOTOR HAS BEEN ISSUED .BUT THE BEARING WILL ONLY BE REPLACED WITH TH…
11/07/2000 · Engine
1999 HARLEY DAVIDSON 88 CUBIC INCH TWIN CAM ENGINES HAVE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CAM BEARINGS. MANY OF THE BEARINGS ARE FAILING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE, DIE OR STALL CAUSING A HAZARD TO THE RIDER AND PASSENGER. HARLEY DAVIDSON IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS AN UPDATE KIT OF PARTS AVAILABLE TO DEALERS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY ARE REFUSING TO TAKE ANY A…
09/14/2000 · Engine
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT IE. (FACTORY CAMS AND CAM BEARINGS) REPLACED WITH STAGE 1 PERFORMANCE CAMS AND NEW BEARING SETS AT APPROX. 10,000 MILES THROUGH THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP.
10/15/1999 · Suspension
FRONT TIRE (DUNLOP ELITE) IS UNSTABLE; CAUSING FRONT TIRE TO WOOBLE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70-75 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REPLACE TIRES. MAKING A REPORT TO NHTSA ON THIS MATTER. *AK
02/22/1999 · Engine
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH ENGINE CAM BOLT SHEARED OFF, CAUSING SUDDEN ENGINE SIEGE. THE BOLT HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
06/30/1998 · Unknown Or Other
PASHANGER FLOOR BOARDS ARE DESIGNED TO EXTEND BEYOND THE CRASH BARS WHEN THE BIKE IS LAID ON ITS SIDE. THE BIKE FELLOVER AND THE FLOOR BOARD FOLDED AND THE WEIGHT OF THE BIKE BROKE THE RIDER'S ANKLE.