1994 Harley-Davidson Flhtc recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. THE COMPONENTS WITHIN THE RIGHT-HAND SWITCH ASSEMBLY MAY GENERATE HEAT, WHICH IS CONDUCTED BY THE METAL THROTTLE GUIDE TUBES, SUFFICIENT TO MELT THE INTERLINER BETWEEN THE CABLE HOUSING AND THE THROTTLE CABLE, THUS RESTRICTING THE MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE.
What could happen: RESTRICTION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE MOVEMENT MAY CAUSE THETHROTTLE TO BIND, WHICH MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: REPAIR THE THROTTLE CABLE.
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 1994 FLHTC.
- Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V211000.
- 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: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: THE COMPONENTS WITHIN THE RIGHT-HAND SWITCH ASSEMBLY MAY GENERATE HEAT, WHICH IS CONDUCTED BY THE METAL THROTTLE GUIDE TUBES, SUFFICIENT TO MELT THE INTERLINER BETWEEN THE CABLE HOUSING AND THE THROTTLE CABLE, THUS RESTRICTING THE MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE.
Consequence: RESTRICTION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE MOVEMENT MAY CAUSE THETHROTTLE TO BIND, WHICH MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPAIR THE THROTTLE CABLE.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL; THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES.NOTE: IF YOUR MOTORCYCLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPONSERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREEOF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASECONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-424-1708. ALSO, CONTACT THENATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT1-800-424-9393.
2. 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 1994 FLHTC.
- 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
- 1994 Harley-Davidson Flhtc owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (8).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
05/06/1999 · Electrical system
CONSUMER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO HAVE RECALL REPAIRS ON IGNITION SWITCH MADE ON MOTORCYCLE DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. NLM (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).
04/06/1999 · Electrical system
RECALL # 98V158000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: SWITCH: OWNER HAS CONTACTED DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES AND RECALL PART IS ON BACK ORDER. PART HAS NOT BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE JUNE OF 1998.*AK
11/13/1998 · Electrical system
RECALL # 98V158000 HARLEY DAVIDSON IGNITION SWITCH; CONTACTED TWO DEALERSHIPS NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE AUGUST 1, 1998. DEALER NEVER HAS PARTS AVAILABLE AND DOES NOT KNOW WHEN PARTS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE. *AK
09/15/1998 · Electrical system
RECALL # 98V15800 HARLEY DAVIDSON/IGNITION SWITCH; NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO CORRECT RECALL. DEALER NOT CERTAIN WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AROUND THE FIRST OF AUGUST OF 1998. *AK
07/14/1998 · Electrical system
THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS UP AND THE MOTORCYCLE WILL NOT START. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. *AK
02/11/1998 · Electrical system
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING MOTORCYCLE TO LOSE POWER/STALL. THIS POSES A GRAVE DANGER SHOULD ONE ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE ACROSS AN INTERSECTION/ PASS SLOWER TRAFFIC OR MERGE ON FREEWAY. *AK
10/15/1997 · Electrical system
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AS IF THE IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF.THE OWNER HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH 3 TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
06/23/1997 · Electrical system
IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED FOUR TIMES, COMES APART/BREAKS INSIDE, LOSES ALL VEHICLE POWER. *AK