RoadVitals

2026 Harley-Davidson Flhc

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
2
Latest Aug 24, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Apr 13, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2026 Harley-Davidson Flhc, most frequently naming the body & structure and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 15 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure150.0%
  • Engine150.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
26V234000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Apr 13, 2026
16,994 units potentially affected
The defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2025-2026 FLHC, FXBB, FXLRS, and FXLRST Softail motorcycles. The rear brake line may contact the Body Control Module (BCM), resulting in a hole in the brake line, a brake fluid leak, and loss of the rear brakes.
The risk: Loss of the rear brakes increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Harley-Davidson will replace the BCM caddy and associated hardware, free of charge. In addition, the rear brake line will be inspected and, if damaged, will be replaced along with associated parts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2026. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov April 16, 2025.
Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyManufacturer number 0192View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed Aug 24, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 Harley-Davidson FLHC. The contact stated that while the motorcycle was parked with the kickstand extended, the kickstand failed, causing the motorcycle to fall over shortly after being purchased brand new. The motorcycle was taken to the dealer but could not be diagnosed. The motorcycle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114.

NHTSA ID
11759197
Incident
Aug 1, 2026
Mileage
114 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 2, 2026

I rode the bike to the end of driveway, turned around rode it back to the garage and the engine backfired and smoke started pouring out the exhaust and oil started pouring out the air breather, this bike had one mile on the odometer, it was the first time I drove the bike. The bike is at the dealership. If it would have happened on the road while driving it I could’ve lost control and wrecked from loss of traction from the oil Not that I’m aware of concerning the reproducing the problem, The dealership has the bike now and inspecting it, There was no warning lights before the incident.

NHTSA ID
11728900
Incident
Mar 29, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

M1739

ENGINE; POWER TRAIN

SERVICE BULLETIN M1739: 2026 SOFTAIL CRANKCASE POROSITY SCREENING. PURPOSE: Initial Release. This bulletin informs dealers of a concern with crankcase porosity on certain 2026 Softail models. This manufacturing concern may result in an oil leak from the crankcase in the area between the oil pressure switch and oil filter. See Figure 1 and Figure 2. Dealers will be instructed to screen NEW UNSOLD units after an idle period to check for the concern prior to the vehicle being retailed.

M1490

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.9.4): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). New Software Update. NOTE: The TECHLINK 3 (PART NUMBER: HD-48650-TL3) supports Controller Area Network (CAN) and J-1850 protocol vehicles. • 6-pin CAN vehicles are recommended to use Techlink 3 (TL-3) • All 2021 (and later) vehicles must use TL-3 (connects to Red DLC on the vehicle) • 4-pin (J-1850) vehicles are recommended to use TL-3. This includes all Fuel Injected Harley-Davidson vehicles 2002 and later. TECHLINK 3 (PART NUMBER: HD-48650-TL3) will not support Buell, VDO and Magneti Marelli vehicles (4-pin DLC). Support for those vehicles is available via TECHLINK II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650-1). Version 26.9.4, Release Date: Week of September 17, 2026. New Features, Changes. NOTE: Software version (26.4.3) will need to be manually installed only if current software version of DT II is (26.0.2). After (26.4.3) is manually installed, automatic updates will bring DT II to the latest software version. Refer to bulletin M1713 for instructions.

M1490

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE; POWER TRAIN; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL; WHEELS

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.8.3): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). Version Version 26.8.3, Release Date: Week of July 24, 2026. NOTE: Software version (26.4.3) will need to be manually installed only if current software version of DT II is (26.0.2). After (26.4.3) is manually installed, automatic updates will bring DT II to the latest software version. Refer to bulletin M1713 for instructions. New Features - Harley-Davidson: 2023-2024 Touring: Updated Electronic Control Module (ECM) calibration offerings. LiveWire: S2DM/MH/AP: Calibration bundle 10.2.28: Telematic Control Unit (TCU) reflash updates. Change: Vehicle Setup: Body Control Module (BCM) – Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Replacement: Correct issue where tire size selections were not available. System Info – Auxiliary Load Controller (ALC): Added Bike configuration field. Data Items – Trike ECM: Improved display of Gear Position when in reverse. Amp – Added support for (Part No. 76001619).

M1490

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE; EXTERIOR LIGHTING; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.7.3): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). Version 26.7.3. Release Date:• Week of June 11, 2026. NOTE Software version (26.4.3) will need to be manually installed only if current software version of DT II is (26.0.2). After (26.4.3) is manually installed, automatic updates will bring DT II to the latest software version. Refer to bulletin M1713 for instructions.

M1490

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.6.2): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). Version 26.6.2. Release Date: Week of April 22, 2026. NOTE: Software version (26.4.3) will need to be manually installed only if current software version of DT II is (26.0.2). After (26.4.3) is manually installed, automatic updates will bring DT II to the latest software version. Refer to bulletin M1713 for instructions. New Features: 2026 Police • Vehicle Setup: Civilianize; LiveWire • S2: Del Mar (S2DM), Mulholland (S2MH), Alpinista (S2AP) - Calibration bundle 10.2.20: Vehicle Supervisory Controller (VSC) and Onboard Charger (OBC) reflash updates. Changes: 2026 Trike • Update “Reverse Lockout Reason” resize column.

M1722

ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SERVICE BULLETIN M1722 (REV A): EXHAUST SMOKE, OIL CARRY-OVER OR MILKY OIL (M8 MODELS WITH TRANSMISSION-MOUNTED BREATHER). PURPOSE: Revision A. Purpose for Service Bulletin. This bulletin informs dealers about: • The cause and effects of moisture in engine oil. • Service Manual troubleshooting updates for Milwaukee-Eight engines with the transmission-mounted breather, that have symptoms of moisture in oil and the best practices to avoid creating such instances. • New Job Time Code (JTC 3017 Diagnose Oil Carryover/Moisture) for service manual troubleshooting.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Harley-Davidson Flhc by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026Viewing210—
2025210—
2021120—
2020020—
2019020—
2018320—
2017000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.