2005 Harley-Davidson Sportster recalls and problems

The 2005 Harley-Davidson Sportster has 1 recall and 4 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is fuel system.

How the 2005 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Low complaint count among 7 Sportster model years — 5th most.

1recalls
4complaints
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
8,500median 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 →

1 recall

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.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Fuel System2
Power Train2
Electrical System1
Service Brakes1

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

Complaints by year filed

2005: 2 complaints200522006: 1 complaints20062010: 1 complaints20101

2005 vs. other Harley-Davidson Sportster years

2000: 9 complaints200092001: 6 complaints20012002: 6 complaints20022003: 8 complaints20032005: 4 complaints20052007: 1 complaints20072008: 2 complaints20082

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

Questions

Does the 2005 Harley-Davidson Sportster have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2005 Harley-Davidson Sportster, 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 Sportster?

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