NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Harley-Davidson Softail Recalls & Complaints

The 2002 Harley-Davidson Softail has no NHTSA recall campaigns and 4 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Harley-Davidson Softail. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2002 Harley-Davidson Softail owner complaints

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Harley-Davidson Softail, describing incidents dated November 1, 2002 to March 1, 2005.

Most-cited components

Engine 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint
Vehicle Speed Control 1 complaint
Wheels 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10131971 · Filed August 8, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL FXSTS. THE CONTACT WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT A FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEM. HE PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE BRAND NEW AND IN THE WINTER THE GAS TANK RUSTED IN LESS THAN THREE YEARS. . HARLEY DAVIDSON PUT A LINER INSIDE THE GAS TANK TO PREVENT IT FROM RUSTING AND…
ODI #10031431 · Filed July 29, 2003
WHEN ACCELERATING THE MOTORCYCLE WILL NOT MOVE. WHEN CONSUMER OPENS THE THROTTLE COMPLETELY, MOTORCYCLE THEN LURCHES FORWARD, POSING A SAFETY HAZARD TO THE RIDER AND OTHER VEHICLES/PEDESTRIANS.*AK
ODI #10004304 · Filed January 21, 2003
THE SPOKES ARE CORRODING AND TURNING BLACK AFTER ONLY TWO WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PH (MODEL/STANDARD FXSTI) SCC

Read all 4 complaints

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 Harley-Davidson Softail as of November 3, 2026. New recalls can be issued at any time, so check the specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before buying.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2002 Harley-Davidson Softail. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

4 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Harley-Davidson Softail.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10131971

Incident: March 1, 2005 · Filed: August 8, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL FXSTS. THE CONTACT WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT A FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEM. HE PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE BRAND NEW AND IN THE WINTER THE GAS TANK RUSTED IN LESS THAN THREE YEARS. . HARLEY DAVIDSON PUT A LINER INSIDE THE GAS TANK TO PREVENT IT FROM RUSTING AND IT DID NOT WORK. THE ACTUALLY LINER WAS PEELING AND COMING OFF INSIDE THE TANK. IF IT GOT THROUGH THE FUEL FILTER INTO THE CARBURETOR IT WOULD CAUSE THE MOTORCYCLE TO STALL. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. CONSUMER CONTACTED HARLEY DAVIDSON CUSTOMER SERVICE. SEVERAL TIMES. THEY SUGGESTED THAT CONSUMER KEEP MORE GAS IN THE GAS TANK IN THE WINTER. CONSUMER MAINTAINED THAT HE KEPT THE MOTORCYCLE IN LIVING ROOM IN THE WINTER AND THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, COSTUMER SERVICE SUGGESTED THAT CONSUMER CHANGE THE FUEL TANK, AND CALL INSURANCE COMPANY TO GET THEM TO PURCHASE A NEW FUEL TANK. HE HAS ONLY SPOKEN TO ONE PERSON AT CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WOULD NOT LET HIM SPEAK TO ANYONE ELSE. HE FIRST STARTED NOTICING THE RUST INSIDE THE TANK IN MARCH OF 2005. THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED THREE TIMES. HE HAD THE MOTORCYCLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THEY CLEANED THE CARBURETOR, AND THEY TOLD HIM THIS WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. EVERY 2500 MILES CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO DEALER FOR A TUNE UP. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10031431

Filed: July 29, 2003

WHEN ACCELERATING THE MOTORCYCLE WILL NOT MOVE. WHEN CONSUMER OPENS THE THROTTLE COMPLETELY, MOTORCYCLE THEN LURCHES FORWARD, POSING A SAFETY HAZARD TO THE RIDER AND OTHER VEHICLES/PEDESTRIANS.*AK

Wheels

ODI #10004304

Incident: November 1, 2002 · Filed: January 21, 2003

THE SPOKES ARE CORRODING AND TURNING BLACK AFTER ONLY TWO WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PH (MODEL/STANDARD FXSTI) SCC

Engine and Engine Cooling; Power Train

ODI #10001160

Incident: December 1, 2002 · Filed: December 18, 2002

THE MOTORCYCLE OVERHEATED EXCESSIVELY, WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE OIL TANK BEING LOCATED DIRECTLY UNDER SEAT.TS ALSO THE CLUTCH WAS READJUSTED.*JB

Other Harley-Davidson Softail model years

Check your 2002 Harley-Davidson Softail VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Harley-Davidson Softail at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Harley-Davidson VIN