While riding (in motion) the motorcycles engine completely stops running, with no spark to the engine, causing no acceleration speed control of the motorcycle (your basically coasting without the engine running). This can become a very dangerous experience to say the least, especially when other vehicles are around you. I have heard of many other people experiencing this same problem. While the motorcycle was still under warranty I had the dealer investigate this problem and they said they could not find anything wrong with the bike. Now that the original warranty has expired my local harley dealer stated they found the problem and the cause is a bad ignition module, but refuses to replace it at no charge (part & labor over $400) because there manufacturers "emissions components" warranty is 18,000 miles or 3 years. My bike now has 36,000 miles on it and is 3 years old. I have also found that the part necessary to repair this problem is currently on national backorder through harley due to an overwhelming demand for replacements (harley part # 32466-98a). They bike was purchased new in california in august of 2003. I was informed by the epa that, in california, any new vehicle purchased in california since 1995, that has an emissions related component fail, must be repaired by the dealer at no cost to the consumer for 8 years or 80,000 miles when the repair cost is more than 2% of the original purchase price of the vehicle. This problem is at about the 5% mark.
The worst 2003 Harley-Davidson XL883 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical1
Problems by type
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- Electrical1
Recalls 1
Exterior lighting: tail lights
- What is wrong
- On certain dyna, xl, and touring motorcycles, the tail light bulb can fall out of the socket.
- Risk
- The tail light and the brake light become inoperative, which could lead to a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the bulbs. Owner notification began on june 3, 2004. Owners should contact harley-davidson at 1‑414‑342‑4680.
Recall number 04V218000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Harley-Davidson XL883 6
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Battery warranty guidelines
- Market specific battery introduction
- Digital technician II - updates and release notes
- Genuine motor parts and motor accessories bulletin PAB1158: oil filter packaging and case quantity update
- Digital technician II - updates and release notes
- Genuine motor parts and motor accessories bulletin PAB1146: 68193-95 bulb wedge, fender tip lamp.
What 2003 Harley-Davidson XL883 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Compare the 2003 Harley-Davidson XL883
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Questions about the 2003 Harley-Davidson XL883
Is the 2003 Harley-Davidson XL883 reliable?
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2003 Harley-Davidson XL883, close to a typical XL883 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Harley-Davidson XL883?
Electrical system, with 1 complaint.
How many recalls does the 2003 Harley-Davidson XL883 have?
1 recall, covering exterior lighting.
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