Model year record
1998 Harley-Davidson Sportster recalls & problems
The 1998 Harley-Davidson Sportster has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 6 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (2 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1998 Harley-Davidson Sportster.
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* |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemIgnition | 2 | — |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine | 2 | — |
| Power trainClutch assembly | 1 | — |
| Exterior lightingTail lights | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly | 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 › Storage › Tank assembly
THE CONSUMER NOTICED A DRY RUST COLORED DUST COMING FROM THE MOTORCYCLE WHILE RIDING. AFTER COMING TO A STOP, THE CONSUMER NOTICED GAS LEAKING ON THE GROUND. THE RUST COLORED DUST WAS DRY GAS. CONSUMER STATED THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REBUILT IN 1999, INCLUDING A NEW GAS TANK. *AK THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY STRESS CRACKS AT THE BASE OF THE TANK. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE GAS TANK WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *JB *NLM
- Exterior lighting › Tail lightsCrash
REAR TAIL LIGHT CAME OFF MOTORCYCLE AND LODGED IN REAR WHEEL AT 65MPH, 3 OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM SAME TYPE MOTORCYCLE OWNERS IN QUICK SURVEY. HARLEY DAVIDSON ISN'T EVEN INTERESTED.*AK
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
FRONT / REAR HEAD GASKET FAILED. *YC
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
ENGINE NOCKS AND PINGS CONTINUALLY.
- Electrical system › Ignition
MOTORCYCLE WOULD BACKFIRE AND STALL WHEN GIVING IT THROTTLE GOING FROM A STOP OR IDLING. I QUICKLY DIS-ENGAUGED THE CLUTCH TO START THE MOTOR BACKUP, BUT THE CAR IN THE SECOND LANE WAS ALREADY LOCKING HIS BRAKES. I DID MANAGE TO GET THE BIKE STARTED IN THE KNICK OF TIME, AND THE ONCOMING CAR MISSED ME BY ONLY A FEW FEET. I AM AN EXPERIENCED MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR, AND DID NOT POP THE CLUTCH AND STALL IN THAT MANNER. THE MOTORCYCLE MAKES A LOUD POP COMING UP THROUGH THE CARBURATOR, WHEN IT BACKFIRES.
- Power train › Clutch assembly
CLUTCH ON MOTORCYCLE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PUSH. OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE. DEALERS HAVE NOT CORRECTED PROBLEM. *AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.