VehicleVerdict

2005 Harley-Davidson Touring problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 15 complaints on file for the 2005 Harley-Davidson Touring — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

15

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Touring years?

Touring NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted15 complaints2004: 7 complaints2005: 15 complaints2010: 2 complaints2017: 1 complaints
Touring NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Touring years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Harley-Davidson Touring problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System747%
Engine213%
Speed Control213%
Suspension213%
Body & Structure17%
Transmission17%

Does the 2005 Harley-Davidson Touring have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

04V607000Fuel SystemDecember 23, 2004 · 9,501 units

Defect

CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL SHUT-OFF VALVES. THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE 'ON' POSITION AND THE 'RESERVE' POSITION OF THE VALVE MAY HAVE BEEN REVERSED.

Consequence

IF THE BIKE WERE OPERATING WITH THE VALVE IN THE 'ON' POSITION, THE BIKE COULD RUN OUT OF FUEL, THE EXPECTED FUEL RESERVE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE. THIS COULD LEAD TO THE DRIVER RUNNING OUT OF GAS WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL VALVE AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN FEBRUARY 7, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-342-4080.

04E094000Fuel SystemDecember 21, 2004 · 364 units

Defect

CERTAIN FUEL SHUT-OFF VALVES USED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT, P/NOS 61338-02, 62169-02A, 61338-94D, AND 62169-95C FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2005 CARBURETED SPORTSTERS, DYNA, SOFTAIL, AND TOURING MODEL MOTORCYCLES. THESE VALVES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE 'ON' POSITION AND THE 'RESERVE' POSITION OF THE VALVE MAY HAVE BEEN REVERSED.

Consequence

IF THE BIKE WERE OPERATING WITH THE VALVE IN THE 'ON' POSITION, THE BIKE COULD RUN OUT OF FUEL, THE EXPECTED FUEL RESERVE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE. THIS COULD LEAD TO THE DRIVER RUNNING OUT OF GAS WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL VALVE AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN JANUARY 27, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-342-4080. IF YOU HAVE HAD OR INSTALLED A REPLACEMENT FUEL SHUT-OFF VALVE IN YOUR MOTORCYCLE, PLEASE TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO YOUR DEALER TO HAVE THE VALVE INSPECTED FOR PROPER OPERATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

04V465000Fuel SystemSeptember 30, 2004 · 2,828 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, A CONDITION OCCURS THAT COULD ALLOW PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL TANK. ON FUEL INJECTED VEHICLES, THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE FUEL TO SPRAY OUT UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN THE FUEL CAP IS REMOVED. ON CARBURETED VEHICLES, EXCESSIVE FUEL COULD BE TRANSFERRED TO THE CARBURETOR, WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY ALLOW FUEL TO DRIP FROM THE AIR CLEANER.

Consequence

THESE SITUATIONS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR CREATE A FIRE HAZARD FOR PERSONS OR PROPERTY ON OR NEAR THE MOTORCYCLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL TEST EACH CANISTER FOR BLOCKAGE, THEN REPLACE AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN NOVEMBER 4, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE HORN ON MY 05 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYLE DOES NOT WORK. THE DEALERSHIP AND ALL THE OTHER DEALERSHIPS THAT SERVICE HARLEY DAVIDSON'S IN THE AREA KNOW OF NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THEY SAY ALL THE NEW BIKES HAVE DISFUNCTIONAL HORNS AND THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE JUST AS BAD. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO…”

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

“WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL STARTED TO ACCELERATE T ON ITS OWN. I COULD NOT GET IT TO TURN OFF UNTIL IT HIT 85 MPH. AFTER THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE UNTIL THE POWER WAS TURNED OFF. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 4, 2005

“DT: WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION (TURNING LEFT) THE CONSUMER LET OUT THE CLUTCH, AND WHILE MOVING FORWARD, THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED AND FELL OVER. PREVIOUSLY, ON ANOTHER, MORE GRADUAL LEFT TURN, THE MOTORCYCLE SIMPLY "COUGHED" AND KEPT GOING. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 19, 2005

“MOTORCYCLE DEVELOPED A HIGH SPEED WOBBLE,WAS TRAVELING IN NEVADA IR15 AT APPROXIMATELY 90 MPH,HANDLEBARS WENT VIOLENTLY RIGHT AND LEFT. COULD NOT STOP THEM FROM MOVING BACK AND FORTH. MOTORCYCLE FORCED ME TO THE ROAD,FIRST IMPACT WAS THE RIGHT SIDE OF MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE FORCED ME TO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 9, 2005 · crash

“DT: NEW HARLEY DAVIDSON WHILE DRAINING THE TRANSMISSION FOR SERVICE A PIECE WAS FOUND. TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER CALLED MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH MOTOR CYCLE, AND THEY SAID TO DRIVE IT A FEW MORE THOUSAND MILES TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 10, 2005

2005 Harley-Davidson Touring — common questions

Is the 2005 Harley-Davidson Touring reliable?

The record is thin — 15 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2005 Touring problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (7 complaints), engine (2 complaints), speed control (2 complaints).

Does the 2005 Harley-Davidson Touring have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Harley-Davidson Touring. 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.