Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 1999 Harley-Davidson Flht — 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.
8
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
0
Investigations
1
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3 | 38% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 2 | 25% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 1 | 13% | ▼ down |
| Other | 1 | 13% | — flat |
| Steering | 1 | 13% | new |
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE ENGINE CAM BOLT CAN LOSE ITS CLAMP LOAD AND/OR BREAK.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO QUIT RUNNING WITH OR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. IN SOME INSTANCES, THE ENGINE COULD RUN ERRATICALLY BEFORE QUITTING.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE CAM BOLTS AND WASHERS.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“I HAVE HEARD THE REAR CAMSHAFT ON THE TWIN CAM ENGINE IS WEAK. AND THAT TOO MUCH POWER WILL CAUSE IT TO BREAK,CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING. POSSIBLY PLACUING THE OPERATOR IN A TRAFFIC SAFETY SITUATION. UPON CONTACTING, I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A PROBLEM, BUT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO RECALL IT. I…”
“RAPID DETERIORATION OF FRONT FORK SPRINGS CREATING A FRONT END WOBBLE THAT RENDERS THE MOTORCYCLE VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. MOTORCYCLE WAS A HAZARD AND WAS TAKEN TO HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT IDENTIFY CAUSE OF WOBBLE. NECK BEARINGS REPLACED AT A COST OF $400.…”
“TOWING PACKAGE BOX WHICH WAS INSTALLED ON THE MOTORCYLE WITH A BRACKET SHEARED OFF, AND THE BOX FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. MANUFACTURER IS REDESIGNING THE TOWING PACKAGE, AND THE PACKAGE IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER…”
“WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PASSING A SLOWER VEHICLE ON HWY.89 EAST OF FLAGSTAFF, AZ AS I WAS PASSING THE VEHICLE THE BIKE WENT IN TO A VIOLENT POWER WOBBLE. THE RESULTING CRASH REQUIRED MEDIVAC HELICOPTER, 12 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL AND SEVERAL OTHER SURGERIES SINCE. *AK”
“THERE WAS A MALFUNCTIONING BANK ANGLE SENSOR . INSTEAD OF SHUTTING OFF ENGINE WHEN A 55 DEGREE ANGLE WAS REACHED, ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AT A VERY SLIGHT ANGLE. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE TURNS WITHOUT ENGINE CUTTING OFF. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY. *AK *JB”
The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1999 Harley-Davidson Flht. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.