1999 Harley-Davidson Fxdwg recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK VENT FITTING THAT COULD BE PLUGGED ALLOWING THE CARBURETOR TO OVERFLOW FUEL.
What could happen: THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK VENT FITTING AND, IF PLUGGED, WILL CORRECT THIS CONDITION.
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 FXDWG.
- Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 99V200000.
- 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: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK VENT FITTING THAT COULD BE PLUGGED ALLOWING THE CARBURETOR TO OVERFLOW FUEL.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK VENT FITTING AND, IF PLUGGED, WILL CORRECT THIS CONDITION.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 12, 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).
2. 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 FXDWG.
- 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
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1999 Harley-Davidson Fxdwg owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (7), Fuel 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 (7)
07/21/2016 · Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDWG. WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE, THERE WAS A STRONG HESITATION AND THE CAM SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REMOVED THE CAM COVER AND INDICATED THAT THERE WERE METAL FRAGMENTS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAM BEARINGS AND CAM BOLTS FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE MOTOR MAY NEED TO BE REMO…
08/15/2008 · Engine
TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE INSIDE THE ENGINE. *TR
11/21/2005 · Engine
HARLEY-DAVIDSON CAM BEARING FAILURE ON 1999 TWIN-CAM88 & TWIN-CAM88B ENGINES. THIS WAS IDENTIFIED BY HARLEY-DAVIDSON AND A DESIGN CHANGE WAS MADE TO THE CAM BEARING ON DECEMBER 14, 1999. A FIX KIT WAS EVEN PREPARED AND MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL DEALERS. MY 1999 FXDWG CAM BEARING FAILED AND CAUSED OTHER PARTS TO BECOME WORN AS WELL, WHICH IS PUTTING ME IN T…
10/10/2002 · Engine
ABNORMAL WEAR--CAMS HAD FAILED--CAM BOLT BREAKING(WHICH ALSO RESULTS IN SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE
05/13/2002 · Engine
CAM BOLT BREAKING WHICH RESULTED IN SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE(ABNORMAL WEAR)
05/30/2001 · Engine
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE MENTIONED MOTORCYCLE. *AK
12/06/2000 · Engine
WOULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY'S (H-D - MILWAUKEE, WI) 1999 88 CUBIC INCH, TWIN-CAM MOTORCYCLE ENGINES? THESE ENGINES HAVE A FAULTED DESIGN RELATED TO THE CAM BEARINGS AND CAM SUPPORT PLATE WHICH CAN RESULT IN CATOSTROPHIC FAILURE. THE BALL BEARINGS WHICH SUPPORT THE CAM ENDS FAIL. THIS FAILURE CAN RESULT IN THE INTERNAL D…