2005 Harley-Davidson Softail recalls and problems

The 2005 Harley-Davidson Softail has 2 recalls and 4 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is electrical system.

How the 2005 compares

High

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

High complaint count among 12 Softail model years — 5th most.

2recalls

4complaints

0crashes

0fires

0injuries

10,257median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

2 recalls

Fuel System

Dec 23, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V607000 · 9,501 vehicles

Problem: Certain motorcycles May have been produced with defective fuel shut-off valves. The functionality of the 'on' position and the 'reserve' position of the valve May have been reversed.

Original NHTSA wording

CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL SHUT-OFF VALVES. THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE 'ON' POSITION AND THE 'RESERVE' POSITION OF THE VALVE MAY HAVE BEEN REVERSED.

Risk: If the bike were operating with the valve in the 'on' position, the bike could run out of fuel, the expected fuel reserve will not be available. This could lead to the driver running out of gas without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

IF THE BIKE WERE OPERATING WITH THE VALVE IN THE 'ON' POSITION, THE BIKE COULD RUN OUT OF FUEL, THE EXPECTED FUEL RESERVE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE. THIS COULD LEAD TO THE DRIVER RUNNING OUT OF GAS WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will inspect the fuel valve and replace it, if necessary. The recall began February 7, 2005. Owners should contact Harley-Davidson at 1-414-342-4080.

Harley-Davidson recall no. 0118.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

Fuel System

Sep 30, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V465000 · 2,828 vehicles

Problem: On certain motorcycles, a condition occurs that could allow pressure to build up in the fuel tank. On fuel injected vehicles, this condition could cause fuel to spray out unexpectedly when the fuel cap is removed. On carbureted vehicles, excessive fuel could be transferred to the carburetor, which would eventually allow fuel to drip from the air cleaner.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, A CONDITION OCCURS THAT COULD ALLOW PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL TANK. ON FUEL INJECTED VEHICLES, THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE FUEL TO SPRAY OUT UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN THE FUEL CAP IS REMOVED. ON CARBURETED VEHICLES, EXCESSIVE FUEL COULD BE TRANSFERRED TO THE CARBURETOR, WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY ALLOW FUEL TO DRIP FROM THE AIR CLEANER.

Risk: These situations could cause serious personal injury or create a fire hazard for persons or property on or near the motorcycle.

Original NHTSA wording

THESE SITUATIONS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR CREATE A FIRE HAZARD FOR PERSONS OR PROPERTY ON OR NEAR THE MOTORCYCLE.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will test each canister for blockage, then replace as necessary. The recall began November 4, 2004. Owners should contact Harley-Davidson at 1-414-343-4056.

Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Electrical System2

Engine1

Power Train1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

2005 vs. other Harley-Davidson Softail years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2005. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2005 Harley-Davidson Softail have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns covering the 2005 Harley-Davidson Softail, the latest from Dec 23, 2004 (fuel system). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

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

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention electrical system (2), engine (1), power train (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.