2002 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. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE CLIPS THAT RETAIN THE WIRING FOR THE FRONT FENDER TIP LIGHT CAN BECOME DETACHED FROM THE FENDER, CAUSING THE WIRES TO FRAY AND SHORT.
What could happen: THIS COULD CAUSE THE LIGHTING SYSTEM FUSE TO BLOW, LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT AN OPERATIONAL FRONT FENDER TIP LIGHT, HEADLIGHT, TAILLIGHT, RUNNING LIGHTS, AND PASSING LAMPS (IF EQUIPPED).
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FENDER TIP LIGHT WIRING HARNESS RETENTION CLIPS, AND INSPECT AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, ANY DAMAGED WIRING HARNESSES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 9, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A R…
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 2002 FLHT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 02V002000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-414-342-4680.
- 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: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE CLIPS THAT RETAIN THE WIRING FOR THE FRONT FENDER TIP LIGHT CAN BECOME DETACHED FROM THE FENDER, CAUSING THE WIRES TO FRAY AND SHORT.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE LIGHTING SYSTEM FUSE TO BLOW, LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT AN OPERATIONAL FRONT FENDER TIP LIGHT, HEADLIGHT, TAILLIGHT, RUNNING LIGHTS, AND PASSING LAMPS (IF EQUIPPED).
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FENDER TIP LIGHT WIRING HARNESS RETENTION CLIPS, AND INSPECT AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, ANY DAMAGED WIRING HARNESSES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 9, 2002. 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.
Notes: 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), Lights (1), Fuel system (1), Gasoline (1), Electrical system (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (6)
07/21/2011 · Lights
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING FLHT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CLIP FROM THE FRONT FENDER BECAME LOOSE AND MADE CONTACT WITH THE FRONT TIRE. AS A RESULT, SOME OF THE FUSES WORE OUT AND THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V002000…
03/08/2010 · Engine
I OWN A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHT. LAST YEAR (2009) I NOTICED THAT MY FAIRING STARTED TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY WHEN THE ENGINE WAS AT 1500 TO 2200 RPM. I BOUGHT THE MOTORCYCLE NEW AND PREVIOUSLY DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE BIKE VIBRATED SO BAD THAT THE FAIRING BRACKET BROKE. I HAD MY MECHANIC REPLACE THE BRACKET AS WELL AS THE FRONT MOTOR MOUNT, WHICH DID…
03/02/2007 · Engine
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2002 FLHT ELECTRIC GLIDE STANDARD HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BEING REPAIRED THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE CAM TENSIONER WAS WORN OUT . THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CAM TENSIONER WITH A MECHANICAL TENSIONER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 40,000. THE CONTACT STATED HIS CONCERN WAS…
06/12/2003 · Fuel system
HARLEY-DAVIDSON 2002 FLHT FUEL TANK QUALITY PROBLEM LEADING TO SAFETY RISK OF FIRE AND VEHICLE STALLING EXPOSING OPERATORS AND/OR PASSENGERS TO PERSONAL DEATH OR PERMANENT DISABLEMENT. FUEL TANKS HAS A SIGNIFICANT RUST CHARACTERISTIC ALLOWING CONTAMINATES TO ENTER INTO THE MOTORCYCLES FUEL SYSTEM CAUSING A CARBURETOR OVERFLOW CONDITION RELEASING RAW FUEL…
09/04/2002 · Engine
AMBIANT AIR THAT IS COMING OFF MOTOR GRADUALLY BURNS PASSENGER OR DRIVER OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. CONSUMER NOT AWARE THAT HE IS BEING BURNT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
12/09/2001 · Electrical system
FRONT FENDER TIP LIGHT WIRE RUBS AGAINST TIRE, CAUSING WIRE TO FRAY AND MAKE CONTACT CAUSING THE LIGHT FUSE TO SHORT OUT. ALL HEAD LIGHTS, AUXILLIARY DRIVING LIGHTS, RUNNING LIGHTS AND MARKER LIGHTS GO OUT. THIS HAPPENING AT NIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COULD PROVE TO BE FATAL.