Harley-Davidson Softail years to avoid
No model year of the Harley-Davidson Softail stands out with more than twice its typical number of complaints.
Best Harley-Davidson Softail years
Not enough model years on the road yet to compare.
Harley-Davidson Softail complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common Harley-Davidson Softail problems
All model years combined.
- Engine13
- Fuel system7
- Transmission6
- Wheels4
- Electrical4
- Suspension3
- Brakes3
- Tires2
- Steering2
- Lights2
- Body2
- Visibility1
Harley-Davidson Softail problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | - | 1 | Engine | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2012 | - | 3 | Transmission | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2011 | - | 3 | Engine | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2010 | - | 1 | Steering | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2008 | - | 1 | Lights | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2007 | - | 2 | Electrical | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2005 | - | 4 | Electrical | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2004 | - | 4 | Engine | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2003 | - | 7 | Fuel system | 0 | 1 | ||
| 2002 | - | 4 | Acceleration | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2001 | - | 2 | Engine | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2000 | - | 7 | Engine | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1998 | - | 3 | Brakes | 1 | 1 | ||
| 1997 | - | 1 | Wheels | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1996 | - | 3 | Engine | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1995 | - | 3 | Electrical | 1 | 1 |
Recalls 8
Questions about the Harley-Davidson Softail
What years of the Harley-Davidson Softail should you avoid?
No single model year of the Harley-Davidson Softail has more than twice its typical number of owner complaints.
What is the best year for a used Harley-Davidson Softail?
There are not enough model years on the road yet to compare.
What is the most common problem with the Harley-Davidson Softail?
Engine, with 13 complaints across all years, followed by fuel system (7) and transmission (6).
How many recalls does the Harley-Davidson Softail have?
8 recalls between 1995 and 2013. The 2005 model year has the most, with 2.
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