VehicleVerdict

2002 Harley-Davidson Flht problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 2002 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

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Flht years?

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

See all Flht years to avoid →

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

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine343%
Electrical System229%
Fuel System114%
Lighting114%

Does the 2002 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.

“TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2002 FLHT ELECTRIC GLIDE STANDARD HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BEING REPAIRED THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE CAM TENSIONER WAS WORN OUT . THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CAM TENSIONER WITH A MECHANICAL TENSIONER. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 2, 2007

“FRONT FENDER TIP LIGHT WIRE RUBS AGAINST TIRE, CAUSING WIRE TO FRAY AND MAKE CONTACT CAUSING THE LIGHT FUSE TO SHORT OUT. ALL HEAD LIGHTS, AUXILLIARY DRIVING LIGHTS, RUNNING LIGHTS AND MARKER LIGHTS GO OUT. THIS HAPPENING AT NIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COULD PROVE TO BE FATAL.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 2, 2001

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING FLHT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CLIP FROM THE FRONT FENDER BECAME LOOSE AND MADE CONTACT WITH THE FRONT TIRE. AS A RESULT, SOME OF THE FUSES WORE OUT AND THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · July 20, 2011

“HARLEY-DAVIDSON 2002 FLHT FUEL TANK QUALITY PROBLEM LEADING TO SAFETY RISK OF FIRE AND VEHICLE STALLING EXPOSING OPERATORS AND/OR PASSENGERS TO PERSONAL DEATH OR PERMANENT DISABLEMENT. FUEL TANKS HAS A SIGNIFICANT RUST CHARACTERISTIC ALLOWING CONTAMINATES TO ENTER INTO THE MOTORCYCLES FUEL SYSTEM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 19, 2003

2002 Harley-Davidson Flht — common questions

Is the 2002 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 2002 Harley-Davidson Flht have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2002 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.