Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 4 of 6 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seats. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
6 reports
48,874 miles · May 10, 2012
Seats
I HAVE A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING. WHEN I ORDERED THE BIKE I HAD THEM INSTALL A PASSENGER BACK REST. THE BIKE IS 10 YEARS OLD 48974 MILES. MY PASSENGER AND I WERE RIDING DOWN THE STREET AND THE BACK REST SUPPORT SNAPPED AND BROKE ON ONE SIDE. THE BREAK IS JUST ABOVE A WELD. MY GUESS IS IT HAD GOTTEN TO HOT DURING THE WELD…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING. WHEN I ORDERED THE BIKE I HAD THEM INSTALL A PASSENGER BACK REST. THE BIKE IS 10 YEARS OLD 48974 MILES. MY PASSENGER AND I WERE RIDING DOWN THE STREET AND THE BACK REST SUPPORT SNAPPED AND BROKE ON ONE SIDE. THE BREAK IS JUST ABOVE A WELD. MY GUESS IS IT HAD GOTTEN TO HOT DURING THE WELDING. THE BREAK IS PERFECTLY STRAIGHT ACROSS. ALMOST LOOKS LIKE A IT WAS SAWED. I CAME WAY TO CLOSE TO LOSING MY PASSENGER. AND SHE ISN'T A BIG GIRL ABOUT 120 LBS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10458022
18,200 miles · Apr 21, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SEAL FRACTURED IN THE QUICK DISC, WHICH CONNECTS THE FUEL LINE FROM THE GAS TANK TO THE FUEL INJECTOR MANIFOLD. THE FAILURE CAUSED FUEL TO SPRAY OVER EVERYTHING, INCLUDING THE CONTACT'S PANTS LEG, EXHAUST, AND ENGINE BLOCK. HE TURNED OFF THE VEHIC…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SEAL FRACTURED IN THE QUICK DISC, WHICH CONNECTS THE FUEL LINE FROM THE GAS TANK TO THE FUEL INJECTOR MANIFOLD. THE FAILURE CAUSED FUEL TO SPRAY OVER EVERYTHING, INCLUDING THE CONTACT'S PANTS LEG, EXHAUST, AND ENGINE BLOCK. HE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS NOT YET INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 18,200. UPDATED 05/19/08. *LJ THE TANK TO THE INJECTION MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. UPDATED 05/19/08.
NHTSA ODI #10225216
22,488 miles · Sep 19, 2005
Wheels
ROAD KING BROKE DOWN AFTER ALL 5 BOLTS CONNECTING THE SPROCKET TO THE REAR HUB FAILED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE MALFUNCTION RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WHICH NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10137781
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2005
Structure
RE: 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHRI SEVERAL TIMES, DURING HIGH SPEED (> 55MPH) TURNS("SWEEPERS") I HAVE FELT A REAR WHEEL WOBLE. ACCORDING TO INTERNET BOARDS AND INDEPENDANT SHOPS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THERE HAVE EVEN BEEN AFTERMARKET PRODUCTS THAT ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. MY EXPERIENCE WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALERSHIPS HAS RANGE…
Read full complaint
RE: 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHRI SEVERAL TIMES, DURING HIGH SPEED (> 55MPH) TURNS("SWEEPERS") I HAVE FELT A REAR WHEEL WOBLE. ACCORDING TO INTERNET BOARDS AND INDEPENDANT SHOPS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THERE HAVE EVEN BEEN AFTERMARKET PRODUCTS THAT ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. MY EXPERIENCE WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALERSHIPS HAS RANGED FROM DENIAL OF THE PROBLEM TO BEING TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL AND SAFE FOR TC-88 LINE OF TOURING MOOTORCYCLES. THE WOBBLE, HOWEVER DOES NOT FEEL SAFE BY ANY MEANS. ALL DRIVETRAIN AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND ARE FOUND TO BE WITHIN SPECS. NO REMEDIES ARE OFFERED BY HARLEY DAVIDSON.
NHTSA ODI #10133609
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2005
Electrical System
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE LAST YEAR . HE LOCATED THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOLD HIM THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY PARTS AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME, AND DID NOT ANTICIPATE OF GETTING ANY PARTS. IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND HE HAS NEVER BEEN CONTACTING BY THEM, NOTIFYING HI…
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE LAST YEAR . HE LOCATED THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOLD HIM THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY PARTS AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME, AND DID NOT ANTICIPATE OF GETTING ANY PARTS. IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND HE HAS NEVER BEEN CONTACTING BY THEM, NOTIFYING HIM OF FIXING THE MOTORCYCLE. AT THE TIME HE HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE RECALL NOTICE SAID IT WAS A CIRCUIT BREAKER. THE SERVICE CODE WAS 0113. THERE WAS NOT A CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER ON THE NOTICE THAT HE RECEIVED. LATER, HE RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE. . HE DID NOT FEEL THAT DEALERSHIP WOULD FIX MOTORCYCLE THIS YEAR SINCE THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT LAST YEAR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10129245
17,458 miles · Jul 7, 2004
Electrical System
MY 2002 ROAD KING FLHRI INTERMITTENTLY LOOSES ALL POWER WHILE IN USE JUST AS DESCRIBED IN 04V-134. THERE IS NO WARNING AND NO APPARENT CAUSE AND THERE MAY BE HUNDREDS OF MILE BETWEEN OCCURRENCES OR MINUTES. I REPORTED THIS DURING MY LAST MAINTENANCE VISIT AND IT HAS OCCURRED TWICE SINCE. THIS MODEL WAS NOT LISTED IN THE RECALL.*…
Read full complaint
MY 2002 ROAD KING FLHRI INTERMITTENTLY LOOSES ALL POWER WHILE IN USE JUST AS DESCRIBED IN 04V-134. THERE IS NO WARNING AND NO APPARENT CAUSE AND THERE MAY BE HUNDREDS OF MILE BETWEEN OCCURRENCES OR MINUTES. I REPORTED THIS DURING MY LAST MAINTENANCE VISIT AND IT HAS OCCURRED TWICE SINCE. THIS MODEL WAS NOT LISTED IN THE RECALL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10080516
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2002 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Road King Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year