VehicleVerdict

2001 Harley-Davidson Flht problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 2001 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.

7

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Flht years?

Flht NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted8 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 3 complaints1996: 7 complaints1997: 7 complaints1998: 4 complaints1999: 8 complaints2000: 1 complaints2001: 7 complaints2002: 7 complaints2003: 3 complaints2004: 1 complaints2005: 1 complaints2006: 1 complaints2007: 4 complaints2008: 4 complaints2009: 8 complaints2010: 1 complaints2019: 6 complaints2020: 0 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 0 complaints
Flht NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Flht years to avoid →

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

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes229%
Electrical System114%
Engine114%
Body & Structure114%
Suspension114%
Tires & Wheels114%

Does the 2001 Harley-Davidson Flht 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.

“FRONT BRAKES MAKING A SWOOSH TYPE NOISE WHEN BRAKES ARE NOT APPLIED. FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES WITHIN 15000 MILES. REAR TIRE HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 15000 MILES DUE TO WEAR. WAS TOLD BY 3 HARLEY DAVIDON DEALERS THIS WAS COMMON DUE TO WEIGHT OF MOTORCYCLE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 4, 2004

“FRONT BRAKES MAKING A SWOOSH TYPE NOISE WHEN BRAKES ARE NOT APPLIED. FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES WITHIN 15000 MILES. REAR TIRE HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 15000 MILES DUE TO WEAR. WAS TOLD BY 3 HARLEY DAVIDON DEALERS THIS WAS COMMON DUE TO WEIGHT OF MOTORCYCLE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 4, 2004

“There is a crack in the rear swing arm from top to bottom. Have been reading on line forums. Apparently this has been going on for years. Why no recall ?”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 27, 2022

“I OWN A HARLEY DAVIDSON AND THE HORNS ON THESE BIKES ARE A HAZARD. MY BIKES HORN SOUNDS LIKE A DEAD DUCK WHEN IT DOES MAKE NOISE, AND THERE ARE 1000'S OF OTHERS WHO MAKE THIS SAME COMPLAINT ON NUMEROUS INTERNET HARLEY FORUMS. THESE HORNS ARE A SAFETY ISSUE AND HARLEY DAVIDSON KNOWS THAT THESE HORN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 22, 2005

2001 Harley-Davidson Flht — common questions

Is the 2001 Harley-Davidson Flht reliable?

The record is thin — 7 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 Flht have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2001 Harley-Davidson Flht. 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.