Model year record
2003 Harley-Davidson Softail recalls & problems
The 2003 Harley-Davidson Softail has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 7 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline (3 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2003 Harley-Davidson Softail.
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.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 3 | 250 mi |
| Structure | 2 | — |
| Tires | 1 | — |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 1 | — |
| Engine | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Fuel system, gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFT TALE DEUCE MOTORCYCLE. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS CAUSING FRICTION TO THE INNER FUEL TANK AND BORE SEVERAL HOLES IN THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL LINES WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30,000. UPDATED 06/05/12 *BF THE CAM TENSIONER WEAR BLOCK FAILED.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility
MOST OF THE HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES HAVE THE PASSENGER FOOTREST RIGHT BESIDE OR OVERTOP OF THE EXHAUST. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO ACTUALLY BURN THROUGH MY PROTECTIVE BOOTS I WEAR. I HAVE NOT BEEN INJURED YET, BUT SHOULD A CHILD OR PERSON WHO DOES NOT WEAR PROTECTIVE SHOES COULD SERIOUSLY HAVE MAJOR BURNS TO THEIR FEET AND ANKLES.*AK
- Tires
4 TIRES WERE REPLACED WITHIN 1,000 MILES DUE TO TIRES BEING OUT OF ROUND. *AK
- Structure
PROBLEMS WITH FRAME ON 2003 SUNDANCE SOFTAIL. *MR THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY AND WOULD NOT TRACK ON THE HIGHWAY. THE FRAME WAS TAKEN TO AN UNINTERESTED THIRD PARTY AND PLACED ON A LASER FRAME MACHINE. THE RESULTS SUPPORTED THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER EVALUATION. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE CONSUMER. *SCC *JB
- Fuel system, gasolineCrashFire1 injury
MY BROTHER HAD A LOW SPEED (UNDER 20 MPH) CRASH ON A 2003 HARLEY HERITAGE SOFTAIL. UPON HITTING THE GROUND, THE BIKE BURST INTO FLAMES. THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL AS THE SPEED WAS LOW, THE IMPACT WAS NOT SEVERE (MY BROTHER ENDED UP WITH A SEVERELY SPRAINED ANKLE), BUT THE BIKE WAS TOTALED. I BELIEVE THERE IS CAUSE FOR CONCERN. THE BIKE IS A FUEL INJECTED TWIN CAM 88 ENGINE. *LA
- Structure1 injury
WHEN GETTING OFF OF BACK OF HARLEY DAVIDSON MY LEG GOT CAUGHT ON THE LICENSE PLATE AND TORE MY LEG OPEN. WENT TO ER WHERE I HAD TO HAVE STITCHES ON THE INSIDE OF THE WOUND AND ON THE OUTSIDE. VERY PAINFUL! PLACEMENT OF LICENSE PLATE HOLDER IS NOT SAFE.*AK
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
GASOLINE LEAK FROM FUEL LINE ON HARLEY-DAVIDSON FWSTI 2003. *JB
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.