1999 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. 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 FLHT.
- 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: Engine (3), Suspension (2), Equipment (1), Unknown Or Other (1), Steering (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)
11/14/2004 · Suspension
RAPID DETERIORATION OF FRONT FORK SPRINGS CREATING A FRONT END WOBBLE THAT RENDERS THE MOTORCYCLE VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. MOTORCYCLE WAS A HAZARD AND WAS TAKEN TO HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT IDENTIFY CAUSE OF WOBBLE. NECK BEARINGS REPLACED AT A COST OF $400. FORK SPRINGS REPLACED. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *JB
06/14/2001 · Equipment
THERE WAS A MALFUNCTIONING BANK ANGLE SENSOR . INSTEAD OF SHUTTING OFF ENGINE WHEN A 55 DEGREE ANGLE WAS REACHED, ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AT A VERY SLIGHT ANGLE. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE TURNS WITHOUT ENGINE CUTTING OFF. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY. *AK *JB
07/20/2000 · Unknown Or Other
TOWING PACKAGE BOX WHICH WAS INSTALLED ON THE MOTORCYLE WITH A BRACKET SHEARED OFF, AND THE BOX FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. MANUFACTURER IS REDESIGNING THE TOWING PACKAGE, AND THE PACKAGE IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
03/06/2000 · Engine
CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL0101/ANGLE SENSOR. DEALER CONTACTED, PROBLEM WAS TAKEN CARE OF. *AK *ML
01/05/2000 · Steering · crash
WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PASSING A SLOWER VEHICLE ON HWY.89 EAST OF FLAGSTAFF, AZ AS I WAS PASSING THE VEHICLE THE BIKE WENT IN TO A VIOLENT POWER WOBBLE. THE RESULTING CRASH REQUIRED MEDIVAC HELICOPTER, 12 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL AND SEVERAL OTHER SURGERIES SINCE. *AK
12/22/1999 · Engine
MOTORCYCLE WILL SPUTTER / CUT COMPLETELY OFF. DEALER SAYS IT IS THE CRANK CASE. *AK *YC
10/20/1999 · Engine
I HAVE HEARD THE REAR CAMSHAFT ON THE TWIN CAM ENGINE IS WEAK. AND THAT TOO MUCH POWER WILL CAUSE IT TO BREAK,CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING. POSSIBLY PLACUING THE OPERATOR IN A TRAFFIC SAFETY SITUATION. UPON CONTACTING, I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A PROBLEM, BUT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO RECALL IT. I ALSO NOTICED FOR THE YEAR 2000 MODELS THEY HAVE CHANGED THE C…
08/03/1999 · Suspension
WHILE RIDING MOTORCYCLE AT 65MPH FRONT END STARTED TO SHAKE VERY BADLY, CAUSING THE RIDER TO LOSE CONTROL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK