VehicleVerdict

2002 Harley-Davidson FLHR problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 2002 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.

2

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other FLHR years?

FLHR NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 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, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all FLHR years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Harley-Davidson FLHR problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control150%
Suspension150%

Does the 2002 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.

“DESIGN OF THROTTLE BODY IS NOT DONE PROPERLY, WHEN MOTORCYCLE VIBRATES THROTTLE BODY WILL COME LOOSE AND RPMS WILL START TO REV UP. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK HARLEY DAVIDSON IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS A REMEDY, THE ORIGINAL SCREWS ON THE THROTTLE BODY THAT HOLDS IT TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BREAK, OR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 10, 2002

“BIKE PULLS EXTREMLY HARD TO LEFT. COULD ONLY BE PARTIALLY SOLVED BY MOVING ENGINE OVER IN FRAME. CAN NOT BE TOLD BY DEALER OR HD IF THIS IS WITHIN FACTORY SPECS. HAVE HAD IN SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO RESOLVE. SPOKE WITH SOMEONE AT FACTORY AND WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AS ENGINE IS MOUNTED EXACTLY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension

2002 Harley-Davidson FLHR — common questions

Is the 2002 Harley-Davidson FLHR reliable?

The record is thin — 2 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 2002 Harley-Davidson FLHR have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2002 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.