NHTSA vehicle safety data

2014 Harley-Davidson XL Sportster Recalls & Complaints

The 2014 Harley-Davidson XL Sportster has 1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 2014 Harley-Davidson XL Sportster. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2014 Harley-Davidson XL Sportster owner complaints

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Harley-Davidson XL Sportster, describing incidents dated August 1, 2014 to July 13, 2015.

Most-cited components

Engine 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint
Tires 1 complaint
Unknown or Other 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10733689 · Filed July 13, 2015
I PURCHASED A USED HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE SPECIAL, FLHXS WITH 8,300 MILES. UPON CLOSE INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT THE FRONT TIRE SIDEWALL WAS SPLITTING NEXT TO THE BEAD. MY DEALER REPLACED THE TIRE UNDER WARRANTY AT NO CHARGE TO ME. TIRE WAS A DUNLOP 408F, 130B/60/19. *TR
ODI #10720966 · Filed May 22, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTK (NA) MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARK PLUG WIRE MADE CONTACT WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK, WHICH DAMAGED THE INSULATION COVERING OF THE WIRE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE SPARK PLUG WIRE. THE MANUFACTURER…
ODI #10690312 · Filed February 24, 2015
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A SHARK ROW MOTORCYCLE HELMET, MANUFACTURED IN AUGUST 22, 2013 - JUNE,2013. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14E086000 ( EQUIPMENT) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT…

Read all 4 complaints

Chrome Hand Lever Kit Excessive Plating

NHTSA #14E023000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA notice

Reported May 16, 2014 · Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Potentially affected: 209 vehicles

Repair completion: 46.89% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Harley-Davidson campaign 0156 · Owners notified June 17, 2014

Defect description

Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain accessory Chrome Hand Control Lever Kits, part number 36700053, intended for use on 2014 Harley Davidson XL Sportster motorcycles. The affected kits may have an excess of chrome plating on the brake lever which could prevent the full return of the front brake master cylinder piston.

Safety consequence

If the brake master cylinder piston does not return to the proper position, the front brake pressure would not be relieved and the front wheel may lock up, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the affected front brake levers, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2014. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0156.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2014 Harley-Davidson XL Sportster. 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 2014 Harley-Davidson XL Sportster.

Tires

ODI #10733689

Incident: July 13, 2015 · Filed: July 13, 2015

I PURCHASED A USED HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE SPECIAL, FLHXS WITH 8,300 MILES. UPON CLOSE INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT THE FRONT TIRE SIDEWALL WAS SPLITTING NEXT TO THE BEAD. MY DEALER REPLACED THE TIRE UNDER WARRANTY AT NO CHARGE TO ME. TIRE WAS A DUNLOP 408F, 130B/60/19. *TR

Engine

ODI #10720966

Incident: May 17, 2015 · Filed: May 22, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTK (NA) MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARK PLUG WIRE MADE CONTACT WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK, WHICH DAMAGED THE INSULATION COVERING OF THE WIRE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE SPARK PLUG WIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,800.

Unknown or Other

ODI #10690312

Incident: February 23, 2015 · Filed: February 24, 2015

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A SHARK ROW MOTORCYCLE HELMET, MANUFACTURED IN AUGUST 22, 2013 - JUNE,2013. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14E086000 ( EQUIPMENT) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PP

Power Train

ODI #10639878

Incident: August 1, 2014 · Filed: September 29, 2014

MT CLUTCH FAILED GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY JUST WENT OUT WITH ONLY 600 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

Check your 2014 Harley-Davidson XL Sportster VIN

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

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