Model year record
2002 Harley-Davidson Sportster recalls & problems
The 2002 Harley-Davidson Sportster has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 6 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is visibility (3 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2002 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* |
|---|---|---|
| VisibilityRearview mirrors/devices; Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior | 3 | — |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine | 2 | — |
| Fuel system, gasolineCarburetor system | 1 | — |
| Power trainManual transmission | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR UPPER VALVE COVER LEAKED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR UPPER VALVE COVERS. SINCE THE VALVES WERE REPLACED THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RETURNED. *AK UPDATED 1/4/2006 - THE REAR ROCKER BOX COVER LEAKED. THE FRONT AND REAR BOX COVER WERE REPLACED. THE GASKETS WERE REPLACED WITH UPDATED ONES. *NM
- Power train › Manual transmission
AFTER MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN RIDDEN FOR 30-45 MINUTES SHIFT LEVER BECOMES ALMOST UNUSABLE IF MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN LEFT TO IDLE OF IS TURNED OFF, AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF MOVING UP AND DOWN IT CAN BE USED. VERY DANGEROUS IF I CAN NOT SHIFT INTO APPROPRIATE GEAR. *AK
- Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices
LEFT HAND MIRROR WILL FLY OFF WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
- Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior1 injury
CUSTOM 1200, AT 65 MPH, LEFT MIRROR SNAPPED OFF AND HIT CONSUMER IN THE FACE. CONSUMER SUFFERED FACIAL INJURIES.*AK JLG
- Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices
CUSTOM 1200, MIRRORS ON VEHICLE ARE VERY HIGH STEMMED, VIBRATION WILL NOT ALLOW RIDER TO SEE TRAFFIC BEHIND HIM WHEN CHANGING LANES. DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO.*AK *SLC
- Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor system
WHILE DRIVING, INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS AND MOTORCYCLE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. *AK CONSUMER ADDS THAT BIKE WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY AND IS ALSO MAKING A POPPING NOISE AND BACKFIRING. *TT
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- REAR VIEW MIRROR STEM FAILURESClosedLed to recall 03V058000
PROMPTED BY THE REFERENCED OWNER COMPLAINT, ODI OPENED THIS PE AFTER DETERMINING THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALERS HAD FREQUENTLY REPLACED THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT (OE) MIRRORS ON 2002 SPORTSTER 1200 CUSTOM MODEL MOTORCYCLES BECAUSE OF STEM FRACTURES ON THE MIRROR ASSEMBLY.THE STEMBEING THE TUBULAR STRUCTURE WHICH CONNECTS THE ACTUAL MIRROR HEAD ASSEMBLY TO THE MOTORCYCLE.THE SINGLE CRASH ALLEGATION HAS NOT BEEN CONFIRMED.OF THE TWO INJURIES, ONE OCCURRED WHEN THE SEPARATED MIRROR STRUCK THE OPERATOR.THE OTHER OCCURRED DURING THE UNCONFIRMED CRASH. SUBSEQUENTLY, HARLEY DAVIDSON NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WAS RECALLING THE SUBJECT MOTORCYCLES TO ADDRESS THE STEM FAILURES.