Reliability & cost of ownership
Harley-Davidson Softail Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Harley-Davidson Softail? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Harley-Davidson Softail problems by model year
12 recall entries across 16 model years and 39 owner complaints across 17 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining model year — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Softail | Not confirmed | 1 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2012 Softail | 1 | 3 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2011 Softail | 1 | 3 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2010 Softail | 0 | 1 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2008 Softail | 0 | 1 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2007 Softail | 1 | 2 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2005 Softail | 3 | 4 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2004 Softail | 1 | 4 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2003 Softail | 0 | 7 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2002 Softail | 0 | 4 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2001 Softail | 0 | 2 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2000 Softail | 0 | 7 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 1999 Softail | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 1998 Softail | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 1997 Softail | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 1996 Softail | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 1995 Softail | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Harley-Davidson Softail, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- engine and engine cooling8 complaints
- fuel system, gasoline6 complaints
- power train5 complaints
- tires3 complaints
- wheels3 complaints
- engine3 complaints
- electrical system3 complaints
- equipment2 complaints