VehicleVerdict

2001 Harley-Davidson FLHR problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 4 complaints on file for the 2001 Harley-Davidson FLHR — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

4

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other FLHR years?

FLHR NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted17 complaints1995: 6 complaints1997: 1 complaints1999: 9 complaints2001: 4 complaints2002: 2 complaints2003: 3 complaints2004: 1 complaints2005: 2 complaints2007: 5 complaints2008: 17 complaints2009: 15 complaints2010: 3 complaints2011: 10 complaints2012: 2 complaints2013: 2 complaints2014: 4 complaints2015: 2 complaints2017: 3 complaints2018: 4 complaints2019: 3 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 0 complaints
FLHR NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all FLHR years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Harley-Davidson FLHR problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine250%
Electrical System125%
Steering125%

Does the 2001 Harley-Davidson FLHR have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

02V002000LightingJanuary 4, 2002 · 28,949 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE CLIPS THAT RETAIN THE WIRING FOR THE FRONT FENDER TIP LIGHT CAN BECOME DETACHED FROM THE FENDER, CAUSING THE WIRES TO FRAY AND SHORT.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE LIGHTING SYSTEM FUSE TO BLOW, LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT AN OPERATIONAL FRONT FENDER TIP LIGHT, HEADLIGHT, TAILLIGHT, RUNNING LIGHTS, AND PASSING LAMPS (IF EQUIPPED).

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FENDER TIP LIGHT WIRING HARNESS RETENTION CLIPS, AND INSPECT AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, ANY DAMAGED WIRING HARNESSES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 9, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-342-4680.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“2001 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHR ROAD KING MOTORCYCLE WITH 15,500 MILES ON MOTOR HAD EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE OIL PUMP AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN EXPENSE OF OVER $500.00. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE SCORING ON THE PUMP CAMS WHICH MEANS METALS WITHIN THE ENGINE LOWER END HAVE CAUSED THE SCORING OF THE METAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 17, 2008

“I OWN A 2001 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHR, I HAD JUST TAKEN A TRIP FROM NORTH CAROLIN TO OHIO,WITH A FRIEND WHO WAS RIDING ALSO. HIS BIKE , A 2004 HALREY DAVIDSON FLHR. UPON OUR TRAVEL THROUGH THE WEST VIRGINIA TURNPIKE ON A COUPLE OF LONG SWEEPING CURVES, BOTH HE AN I EXPERIANCED A HIGH SPEED WOBBLE(TANK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 24, 2004

“WHILE RIDING MY 2001 HARLEY ROAD KING (FLHR) ON TWO SEPARATE TIMES AS WE WERE RIDING DOWN THE MOTOR DIED. PRIOR TO THAT ON THE FIRST TIME BEFORE WE STARTED OFF THE BIKE WOULD NOT START, I ONLY HEARD THE SOUND OF A RELAY CLICKING SO I PUT IN A NEW BATTERY AND IT STARTED, THEN WE TOOK OFF AND IT QUIT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 31, 2004

2001 Harley-Davidson FLHR — common questions

Is the 2001 Harley-Davidson FLHR reliable?

The record is thin — 4 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 2001 Harley-Davidson FLHR have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2001 Harley-Davidson FLHR. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.