2001 Harley-Davidson Flhtc 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 2001 FLHTC.
- 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
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 2001 Harley-Davidson Flhtc owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (3), Fuel system (2), Other (2), Electrical system (1), Brakes (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)
05/15/2006 · Engine
VEHICLE WITH APPROX. 36K MILES. CAM CHAIN TENSIONER SHOES, ONE WORN DOWN ABOUT 50%, THE OTHER COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED WITH PIECES FLOATING AROUND WITHIN THE ENGINE AND BEARINGS. POTENTIAL FOR CAM TIMING TO BE AFFECTED OR SHOE MATERIAL TO CAUSE BEARING TO SEIZE. *NM
07/25/2005 · Engine
DT: THE ENGINE IN THE MOTORCYCLE WAS MAKING NOISES. THE CONSUMER SPOKE WITH DEALER ON THIS MATTER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A NEED FOR REPAIR BUT IT WOULD BE AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE. THIS WAS A REGULAR MAINTENANCE ITEM BUT THE FACTORY WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE. THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONERS WERE WEARING TOO SOON. CONSUMER MADE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. NO PROBLEMS S…
05/17/2005 · Electrical system
THE VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. THIS WAS DUE TO A SHORT IN THE CHARGING SYSTEM. THE DEALER INFROMED ME THAT THEY HAVE MANY OF THESE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT WILL TO STAND BEHING THE VEHICLE.
08/07/2001 · Fuel system
THE GAS GAUGE DROPS NORMALLY FROM "FULL" TO APPROX. '1/2 FULL', THEN IN NO CONSISTENT MANNER (TIME OR MILEAGE WISE)...IT DROPS TO 'EMPTY'. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO HAVE NO RELIABILITY ON THE FUEL SYSTEM AND HE/SHE MAY END UP STRANDED IN A REMOTE AREA OR STALL IN TRAFFIC. THIS IS DUE TO FUEL GAUGE INACCURACY. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED TO HARLEY, BY MULTI…
08/07/2001 · Fuel system
THE GAS GAUGE DROPS NORMALLY FROM "FULL" TO APPROX. '1/2 FULL', THEN IN NO CONSISTENT MANNER (TIME OR MILEAGE WISE)...IT DROPS TO 'EMPTY'. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO HAVE NO RELIABILITY ON THE FUEL SYSTEM AND HE/SHE MAY END UP STRANDED IN A REMOTE AREA OR STALL IN TRAFFIC. THIS IS DUE TO FUEL GAUGE INACCURACY. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED TO HARLEY, BY MULTI…
05/26/2001 · Brakes
FRONT BRAKES STARTED SQUELING AT THE FIRST DAY OF OWNERSHIP. HAS BEEN REPORTED WITH NO RESPONSE.*AK
05/09/2001 · Engine
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH ON HIGHWAY AND MOTORCYCLE SHUTDOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, AND LOST POWER. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
04/18/2001 · Steering
MOTORCYCLE WAS LIGHTLY TIED DOWN BY HANDLE BARS WHEN CONSUMER NOTICED IT WAS LOOSE, AND SAW THAT HANDLE BARS WERE PULLED DOWN INTO GAS TANK. TRIPLE CLAMP THAT HELD HANDLES TO FRONT FORKS WERE LOOSE.*AK