Motorcycles · Harley-Davidson · Cruiser & retro

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Harley-Davidson Fat Boy.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 2000 to 2023 models.

60owner complaints

2recalls

17%involved a crash, fire or injury

5,050typical miles at complaint

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy years to avoid. The model years with the most complaints filed with NHTSA.

200711 complaints

6 of 11 describe a front wheel that sits off center.

2 reported a crash and 1 a fire.

Recall 07V173000 (electrical system): Certain motorcycles were built with a condition that permits the positive battery cable to contact a weld bead on the oil tank.

After 2007, no model year drew more than 6.

Fewest complaints on file: 2003 (1), 2008 (1), 2013 (1). Few complaints is not a clean bill of health, just fewer owners filing.

What each year's complaints describe comes from reading their text. These are counts, not rates: there are no sales figures per motorcycle model year. A complaint is not proof of a defect.

Every year19 model yearsMost complaints: 2007See every year →ProblemsWheels22% of complaintswheels22%engine15%suspension13%See problems →Recalls & safety2 recallsFree fix at any dealerSee recalls & safety →Specs & enginesEvery versionpower, weight, seat height and priceSee specs →

Complaints by model year.

20005

20014

20022

20031

20042

20052

20064

200711

20081

20092

20105

20113

20125

20131

20142

20162

20171

20186

20231

Popular years get more complaints just because more were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect them. There are no U.S. sales figures by motorcycle model year, so these are counts, not rates.

What owners complain about. Share of complaints.

wheels22%

engine15%

suspension13%

transmission & drivetrain13%

brakes12%

Recalls 2

Electrical System 2007
Certain motorcycles were built with a condition that permits the positive battery cable to contact a weld bead on the oil tank.
Equipment 2005
Certain softail motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of part 567, 'certification.' the VIN/certification label contains incorrect tire size and inflation pressures for the front wheel.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific bike's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Specs The maker's claimed figures for a representative year. ~ means approximate.

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy

2000–now

~93 hpClaimed crank figure

Engine: 1,868 cc air/oil-cooled 45-degree V-twin Milwaukee-Eight 114Milwaukee-Eight family
Torque: 119 lb-ftclaimed
Weight: ~699 lbwet or curb, as the maker quotes it
Seat height: 26.0 in
Price new: ~$20,999 (2018)base U.S. MSRP before destination, approximate

From the makers' U.S. spec sheets (the EU sheet for horsepower where the U.S. one leaves it out), checked against a sample on Nov 11; years and versions differ.

Filed as: FLSTF, FLSTFB, FLSTFI, FLFB, FLFBS. Source: NHTSA owner complaints (model years 2000-2026) and recalls. Every motorcycle

Also counted in the Harley-Davidson Softail family page.

More cruiser & retro: Yamaha Road Star / Road Star Warrior · Suzuki Boulevard · Honda VTX1300 / VTX1800 · Harley-Davidson Softail · Honda Shadow · Yamaha V Star · Ducati SportClassic · Harley-Davidson Dyna · Every motorcycle

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Updated Nov 14, 2026

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