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2002 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Ultra Classic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

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: 6 of 9 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 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Wheels. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. 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.

2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

9 reports
70,000 miles · Nov 2, 2012
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA (N/A) EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN COMMANDER 2 TIRES, SIZE: 140/90/B16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED CRACKS WITHIN THE TREAD OF THE REAR TIRE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ADVISED THAT HE SHOULD PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA (N/A) EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN COMMANDER 2 TIRES, SIZE: 140/90/B16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED CRACKS WITHIN THE TREAD OF THE REAR TIRE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ADVISED THAT HE SHOULD PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS 8,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10483198

22,700 miles · Feb 23, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER 20 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL LOST POWER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE BUT WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER 20 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL LOST POWER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE BUT WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY HAVING SEVERAL PARTS REPLACED INCLUDING A NEW BATTERY AND AN IGNITION SWITCH BUT THE REPAIRS DID NOT COMPLETELY REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,066.

NHTSA ODI #10449044

8,000 miles · Aug 14, 2009
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 (NA) HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLT ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR WAS FAILING AND SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FLOORBOARD HAS ONLY ONE BOLT. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE THIRD TIME REGARDING THIS ISSUE. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH HARLEY DAVID…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 (NA) HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLT ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR WAS FAILING AND SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FLOORBOARD HAS ONLY ONE BOLT. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE THIRD TIME REGARDING THIS ISSUE. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON (REFERENCE NUMBER 993461). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

NHTSA ODI #10280456

27,000 miles · Jul 18, 2007
WheelsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR WHEEL BEGAN TO WOBBLE. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE AND DROVE INTO A DITCH. HE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. HE WAS DIAGNOSED AS BRAIN DEAD AND PASSED AWAY THE NEXT DA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR WHEEL BEGAN TO WOBBLE. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE AND DROVE INTO A DITCH. HE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. HE WAS DIAGNOSED AS BRAIN DEAD AND PASSED AWAY THE NEXT DAY. THE ROAD SURFACE WAS SMOOTH AND DRY. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, POWERTRAIN, AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27,000.

NHTSA ODI #10196667

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE MOTORCYCLE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONSUMER HAD THE MOTORCYCLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10099179

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2004
Electrical System

ON APRIL 23, 2004 CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL LETTER REGARDING CIRCUIT BREAKER. DEALERSHIP STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10075735

18,000 miles · May 20, 2004
Electrical System

A CIRCUIT BREAKER TRIPS AND THE MOTORCYCLE SHUTS DOWN . IT HAS BEEN DISCOVERED THAT A FUSE REPLACEMENT PREVENTS THIS FROM HAPPENING. HOWEVER, MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THAT IF CONSUMER DOESN'T USE A CIRCUIT BREAKER IT WILL VOID THE WARRANTY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10073990

12,800 miles · Oct 9, 2003
Electrical System

I HAVE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL POWER FAILURE ON MY HARLEY DAVIDSON 2002 ULTRA CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE WHILE IN MOTION. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MOTORCYCLE IN VARIOUS WEBSITE FORUMS. WHEN THE POWER FAILS, THE MOTOR SHUTS DOWN, AND THERE IS NO HORN, NO LIGHTS, NO DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS, ETC…

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I HAVE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL POWER FAILURE ON MY HARLEY DAVIDSON 2002 ULTRA CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE WHILE IN MOTION. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MOTORCYCLE IN VARIOUS WEBSITE FORUMS. WHEN THE POWER FAILS, THE MOTOR SHUTS DOWN, AND THERE IS NO HORN, NO LIGHTS, NO DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS, ETC. THAT MAKES THIS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE IN TRAFFIC. THE PROBLEM IS BELIEVED TO BE RELATED TO A CIRCUIT BREAKER DEFECT THAT SOME DEALERS CORRECT BY REPLACING IT WITH A MAXI FUSE. MY LOCAL HD DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF A PROBLEM BUT HARLEY DAVIDSON CORPORATION HAS BEEN MADE AWARE BY MANY INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME EVENT. THIS HAS PERSONALLY HAPPENED TO ME AT LEAST 4 TIMES. LUCKILY NEITHER I NOR MY PASSENGER WAS HURT. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10041550

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2002
WheelsCrash

REAR WHEEL WAS BENT CAUSING IT TO WOBBLE. I DID NOT FEEL IT WHILE RIDING MOTORCYCLE. TWO DIFFERANT TIMES I HAD PEOPLE PULL UP BESIDE ME AT STOP LIGHTS INFORMING ME OF THE WHEEL WOBBLE. I RIDE SOLO ALL THE TIME SO I DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG THIS HAD BEEN BENT. I GOT THE MOTORCYCLE UP ON A STAND TO INSPECT THE WHEEL AND SURE ENOUGH TH…

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REAR WHEEL WAS BENT CAUSING IT TO WOBBLE. I DID NOT FEEL IT WHILE RIDING MOTORCYCLE. TWO DIFFERANT TIMES I HAD PEOPLE PULL UP BESIDE ME AT STOP LIGHTS INFORMING ME OF THE WHEEL WOBBLE. I RIDE SOLO ALL THE TIME SO I DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG THIS HAD BEEN BENT. I GOT THE MOTORCYCLE UP ON A STAND TO INSPECT THE WHEEL AND SURE ENOUGH THE WHEEL WAS WOBBLING. THE SPOKES WHERE TIGHT. I TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO FREDERICK HARLEY DAVIDSON INSTEAD OF BATTLEY HARLEY DAVIDSON WHERE I PURCHASED IT FROM BECAUSE OF THE DEALERSHIP BEING CLOSER TO HOME. I TOOK IT IN ON NOVEMBER 12, 2002 AFTER MAKING AN APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE. ON NOVEMBER 19, 2002 I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER TIM TO FIND OUT THE UPDATE ON WHEN IT WAS GOING TO BE READY. TIM INFORMED ME THAT THE NEW WHEEL THEY ORDERED FOR THE BIKE FROM THE FACTORY TURNED OUT TO BE BENT AND HAD TO RETURN IT FOR ANOTHER WHEEL. FREDERICK H/D COMPLETED THE REPAIR AND CALLED ME TO PICK IT UP ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 22, 2002. BECAUSE OF THE RAINEY WEATHER I REQUESTED TO PICK THE BLIKE UP THE FOLLOWING DAY WHICH WAS OK BY THEM. WHEN I ARRIVED AT H/D OF FREDERICK TO PICK UP THE BIKE I REQUESTED TIM TO WRITE A DOCUMENT FOR ME STATING THAT THE NEW WHEEL ORDERED BY THEM FROM THE FACTORY WAS ALSO BENT AND TIM INFORMED ME THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO MEET MY REQUEST BUT THAT I COULD CALL A NATHEN LEWIS ON MONDAY NOVEMBER 25, 2002 AT 301-694-8177 AND ASK HIM TO WRITE THE DOCUMENT. I WANT TO NOTE THAT THE TECH WORKING ON MY BIKE AT FREDERICK H/D COULD NOT TAKE MY BIKE OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE TO VERIFY MY STORY ABOUT NO BEING ABLE TO FEEL THE WHEEL WOBBLE DO TO BEING A RAINY DAY. THEY PUT THE BIKE ONTO A MACHINE CALLED A DEANO GLIDE TO NOTICE THE WOBBLING IN THE REAR WHEEL. I JUST WANT SOMEONE TO VERIFY IF THE WHEEL IS A DEFECT BEFORE SOMEONE HAS A CRASH AND GETS HURT. AS I SAID EARLIER I WAS SURPRIZED MYSELF THAT I COULD NOT FEEL THE WOBBLE IN THE WHEEL WHILE RIDING THE BIKE AT ANY SPEED BEFORE AND AFTER VERIFYING THE WOBBLE WHEN I INSPECTED IT ON THE BIKE STAND. DT

NHTSA ODI #770066

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.