Check a VIN

2002 Harley-Davidson FLHT problems

The most common problem on the 2002 Harley-Davidson FLHT is engine and cooling. It has 2.0 times the complaints of a typical FLHT model year.

Typical year2.0x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
61 warranty
Worst area
Engine

The worst 2002 Harley-Davidson FLHT problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Engine
    3
  • Electrical
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Lights
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    3
  • Electrical
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Lights
    1

Recalls 1

Exterior lightingReported January 4, 2002 · 28,949 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 02V002000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2002 Harley-Davidson FLHT

Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Harley-Davidson FLHT 6

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

What 2002 Harley-Davidson FLHT owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 21, 2011 · Lights · 34,000 miles · MI

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 the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 02v002000 (exterior lighting). The dealer was notified of the recurrence and informed the contact that there was a waiting list to have the vehicle repaired again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the dealer would not repair the vehicle a second time free of charge. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 34,000.

Filed Mar 8, 2010 · Engine · 29,000 miles · WI

I own a 2002 harley davidson flht. Last year (2009) I noticed that my fairing started to vibrate excessively when the engine was at 1500 to 2200 RPM. I bought the motorcycle new and previously did not have this problem. The bike vibrated so bad that the fairing bracket broke. I had my mechanic replace the bracket as well as the front motor mount, which did not help the vibration. My mechanic (independent) believes my engine crank shaft has "turned" or in other words is out of tolerance. After researching the problem on line, I have discovered numerous other harley davidson owners have the same problem, with motorcycles from 2001 to 2010 with the same problem. My bike has around 30,000 miles on it, and vibrates so bad at the mentioned RPM's that I can't even see through my mirrors, making this a safety issue as well.

Filed Mar 2, 2007 · Engine · 40,000 miles · ME

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 failure mileage 40,000. The contact stated his concern was that there were no warning indicators to indicate the cam tensioner failure.

Filed Jun 12, 2003 · Fuel system · 1,200 miles · NC

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 causing a carburetor overflow condition releasing raw fuel onto the motorcycle surfaces leading to fire risk and engine stall during operation. I have had years of personal experience with other models of harley-davidson motor cycles which have never exhibited this problem and all have faced the same environments and operating conditions without this issue. The problem strongly suggests that on the manufacturing date of the 2002 flht fuel tanks the process introduced a quality defect for the production run. Also, a design change in 2003 produced fuel tanks that adds a removable fuel filler cup to the tank further demonstrates that appears to be a known quality issue with harley-davidson fuel tanks. There would be no need for the change otherwise. Additionally, current harley-davidson r&d efforts on tank coating processes and tank coating composition would not be occurring save for this fuel tank quality issue. Although no deaths nor permanent disabilities have resulted as yet, there is a safety risk to the consumer for fire and/or traffic accidents due to the contributing factors of this quality defect with the harley-davidson fuel tank.

Filed Sep 4, 2002 · Engine · CO

Ambiant air that is coming off motor gradually burns passenger or driver over a period of time. Consumer not aware that he is being burnt until it is too late. Please provide any further information.

Filed Dec 9, 2001 · Electrical · NY

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.

Compare the 2002 Harley-Davidson FLHT

Other model years

19951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102019

Questions about the 2002 Harley-Davidson FLHT

Is the 2002 Harley-Davidson FLHT reliable?

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2002 Harley-Davidson FLHT, 2.0 times a typical FLHT model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Harley-Davidson FLHT?

Engine and cooling, with 3 complaints. Next is electrical (1).

How many recalls does the 2002 Harley-Davidson FLHT have?

1 recall, covering exterior lighting.

Share your experience with the 2002 Harley-Davidson FLHT

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2002 Harley-Davidson FLHT?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN