Model year record
The 1998 Harley-Davidson Softail has 1 safety recall and 3 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (1 complaint).
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulicPedals and linkages | 1 | — |
| SuspensionFront | 1 | — |
| SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
WHEN TURNING HANDLE BARS FROM SIDE TO SIDE HANDLES WILL HIT FUEL TANK ON EITHER SIDE OF CYCLE. FUEL TANK GETS DENTED. DEALER STATED IT WAS A KNOWN DEFECT, AND THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK
THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS TOO SHORT AND INTERFERES WITH APPLYING THE BRAKES WHILE FOOT IS RESTING ON THE FLOORBOARD. FOOT BECOMES TRAPPED BETWEEN THE FLOORBOARD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS IS THE HERITAGE SOFTAIL MOTORCYCLE. OWNER HAS NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *AK
WHILE DRIVING THE MOTORCYCLE SPEED 20-25 MPH, FRONT TIRES STARTED TO SHAKE, FRONT END STARTED TO JERK, THE ROAD CURVED LEFT, MOTORCYCLE KEPT PULLING TO THE RIGHT, HIT A CURB, FRONTAL IMPACT AND LOST CONTROL, DEALER CONTACTED ,AND CLAIMED OFFICER, ISLAND CYCLE DID REPAIRS, AND NY HARLEY DAVIDSON MANUFACTURER IS REVTECH TIRES - PROBLEM IS DEFECTIVE TIRE VALVE. ISLAND CYCLE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, VEHICLE REPAIRED AT OWNERS EXPENSE WITH DEDUCTIBLE.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.