2005 Harley-Davidson Sportster Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

2005 Harley-Davidson Sportster recalls

Most common 2005 Harley-Davidson Sportster problems

Problem areas named in the 4 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Power Train	2
Fuel System, Gasoline	2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	1
Electrical System	1

What owners report

2010-03-05, Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200 CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DOWN SHIFT TO 3RD GEAR BECAUSE IT WOULD LOCK. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO UP SHIFT TO FOURTH AND FIFTH GEAR BEFORE DOWN SHIFTING TO FIRST GEAR. THIS WENT ON FOR A MONTH. THE DEALER KEPT REPAIRING THE FAILURE, AT LEAST FOUR TIMES UNTIL THE WARRANTY HAS RAN OUT. THERE IS STILL A FAILURE WITH THE MOTOR CYCLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND THEY STATED THERE SHOULD BE NO FAILURE BECAUSE THEY HAVE REPAIRED THE PROBLEMS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,500 THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 9,000. UPDATED 5/10/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ESTABLISHMENT WHERE HE PURCHASED THE BIKE FROM HAD AN AC

2006-03-13, Fuel System, Gasoline
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM DELIVERY CONCERNING THE CARBURETOR. THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO TURN OFF OR START AND LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL VALVE, THE DRIVE BELT AND ADJUSTED THE TIMING. THE PROBLEMS STILL EXISTS AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER.

2005-09-07, Fuel System, Gasoline
NOT LONG AFTER MY 1000 MILE NEW VEHICLE CHECKUP, MY 2005 XL883R SPORTSTER'S FRONT BRAKE LEVER WOULD COLLAPSE TO THE HANDLE BAR. THE FRONT BRAKE WOULD OPERATE, BUT THE LEVER WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE REGULAR POSITION. ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. AFTER RIDING A FEW HUNDRED YARDS, AND REPEATEDLY SQUEEZING THE BRAKE LEVER, THE LEVER WOULD FINALLY STAY FULLY AWAY FROM THE HANDLEBAR. THE ABOVE PROBLEM HAPPENS EVERYTIME I RIDE THE SPORTSTER, AND NOW THE LEVER COLLAPSES AGAINST THE HANDLEBAR, AND THE FRONT BRAKE DOES NOT WORK. THE BIKE IS UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER I WANTED TO REPORT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I CAN'T BELIEVE MY BIKE IS THE ONLY BIKE IN THE US TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I'M W

2005-06-27, Power Train
DT: 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON WITH 37 MILES ON IT. AFTER THE OWNER LEFT WITH THE MOTORCYCLE SHE NOTICED THAT IT WAS CHOKING AND MAKING TERRIBLE NOISES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS ENGAGED. THE NOISE BEING A SEVERE CLICKING IN 4TH AND 5TH GEARS. IT WA S A TERRIBLE RATTLE AND RINGING IN THE TRANSMISSION. MOTORCYCLE WAS STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT WOULD MAKE A NOISE AND DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK CARE OF THE STALLING, AND IT WAS NOW NOT AS BAD, BUT IS STILL STALLING/ CRACKING/RATTLING, AND RINGING WORSE. MOTORCYCLE IS IN THE SHOP FOR A SECOND TIME, AND THE DEALER HAS NOT EVEN LOOKED AT IT AS OF YET. *AK

2005 Harley-Davidson Sportster questions

Does the 2005 Harley-Davidson Sportster have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2005 Harley-Davidson Sportster: Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Harley-Davidson Sportster?

Based on 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Power Train (2), Fuel System, Gasoline (2), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1).

How do I check if a recall on my 2005 Harley-Davidson Sportster has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.