2017 Harley-Davidson Flhtcutg Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2017 Harley-Davidson Flhtcutg, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine535.7%
- Powertrain (other)535.7%
- Brakes214.3%
- Body & structure17.1%
- Suspension17.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
While riding at 55mph the bike suddenly lost oil pressure and started blowing an enormous amount of smoke out the exhaust and the breather tubes in the intake. This caused oil to come out and blow back under the rear tires which could have resulted in loss of control. I was able to stop and when I checked the oil the cap blew out into my hand because of crankcase pressure. The oil level showed it was very low so I added 2 3/4 quarts of new oil. After cooling down the trike ran ok and I was able to ride it home where I checked the oil again and it had the same crankcase pressure however it was now showing overfilled 2 1/2 quarts. The problem is that the oil built up in the crankcase and was not pumped out back to the oil tank. This is known as sumping which is affecting some 2017-2019 Harley’s with the new Milwaukee 8 engine. As I stated before this could have caused loss of control resulting in an accident with a less experienced rider because of the oil blowing back under the rear tires on the trike. I am 70 years old and have been riding since 16 years old and I believe my experience helped me knowing what to do when something like this occurs. There are service bulletins explaining this problem however I firmly believe all 2017-2019 Harley Davidson Milwaukee 8 motorcycle’s and trike need to be recalled and repaired with the updated parts that Harley Davidson began installing in all 2020 and newer Milwaukee 8 engines during manufacturing. Someone may likely lose their life as a result of this know problem.
OIL PRESSURE SWITCH WORKED IT'S WAY OUT ONLY INDICATING LOW PRESSURE BY THE TIME WHILE RIDING. I GOT IT TO MY DEALER AFTER THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN WHEN PARKED THE SWITCH WAS OUT FAR ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE OIL TO POUR OUT. IF THIS HAD HAPPEND WHEN RIDING IN MY OPINION THE ENGINE WOULD SIEZE CAUSING THE WHEELS TO LOCK AND THROW THE RIDER OFF THE MOTOR CYCLE CAUSING SERIOS INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OF THE VEHICLES BEHIND. THIS IS ON THE NEW MILWALKEE 8 ENGINE. HAVE READ COMPLAINT OF THE FAILURE BUT NOT ON IT WORKING IT'S WAY OUT. NOTIFIED HARLEY DAVIDSON REQUESTED AN ENGINEER BE SENT TO LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM,WAITING ON A REPLY
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V734000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MCMAHON'S CYCLE SALES INC. (613 7TH AVE, BEAVER FALLS, PA 15010, (724)-846-6251) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HARLEY-DAVIDSON TRI GLIDE (FLHTCUTG). THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V734000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED FORT BRAGG HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT (910) 864-1200 (LOCATED AT 3950 SYCAMORE DAIRY RD, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28303) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG. WHILE PUSHING THE MOTORCYCLE OUT OF THE GARAGE WITHOUT STARTING THE ENGINE, A SCRAPING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR RIGHT BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOTOWN HARLEY-DAVIDSON (14100 TELEGRAPH RD, TAYLOR, MI 48180, (734) 947-4647) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR RIGHT ROTORS WERE HEAVILY SCORED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 636. *TT CONTACT NOTICED A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE WORN PADS. HARLEY-DAVIDSON CREW HEARD NOISE AND AGREED. PREMATURE BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR WORN AT 636 MILES. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 52 MPH APPROACHING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, THE RIDER IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT STOPPED SUDDENLY. THE CONTACT DOWNSHIFTED TWICE AND APPLIED BOTH BRAKES; HOWEVER, THE MOTORCYCLE DID NOT STOP AND THE FRONT END SNAPPED. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE MOTORCYCLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH THE RIDER IN FRONT. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS THROWN TO THE GROUND ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE PASSENGER RIDING ON THE BACK OF THE CONTACT'S MOTORCYCLE WAS THROWN TO THE GROUND. THE PASSENGER WAS AIRLIFTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND DIED FROM SEVERE TRAUMA AND A HEART CONDITION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRYING TO GET SOMETHING DONE ABOUT A DEFECT WITH MY 2017 HARLEY-DAVIDSON TRI-GLIDE, BUT KEEP GETTING RUN AROUND FROM THEM. IT'S HARD TO TELL IN THE PIC BUT MY TRI-GLIDE SITS 3/8" LOWER IN THE REAR ON THE LEFT SIDE. TOOK THIS TO MY DEALERSHIP(COWBOY'S ALAMO CITY HARLEY) TO HAVE PROBLEM TAKEN CARE OF ONLY TO BE TOLD BY SVC DEPT THAT HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE TRIKES AND THE DIFFERENCE IS WITHIN SPECS. REALLY??? WITHIN SPECS?? THIS IS MY 2ND TRIKE AND 7TH HARLEY OVERALL. I BUY HARLEY BECAUSE OF REPUTATION AND THE FACT THAT THESE MOTORCYCLES ARE MADE IN AMERICA BY AMERICANS AND ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF AMERICAN MADE QUALITY. I BELIEVE THIS DISCREPANCY IN BALANCE SHOULD HAVE A ZERO INCH TOLERANCE! DO YOU THINK INDIAN, HONDA, YAMAHA, KAWASAKI WOULD ALLOW AN OBVIOUS FLAW TO BE LABELED "WITHIN SPECS"? I SERIOUSLY DOUBT IT!! I JUST WANT MY TRIKE TO SIT LEVEL. IT HAS BEEN POINTED OUT BY SEVERAL PEOPLE I RIDE WITH THAT THE TRIKE IS NOT LEVEL AND ASKED WHY HARLEY DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. THAT'S MY QUESTION TOO! IF HARLEY IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, WHY WON'T THEY MAKE THE REPAIRS OR ADJUSTMENTS?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRYING TO GET SOMETHING DONE ABOUT A DEFECT WITH MY 2017 HARLEY-DAVIDSON TRI-GLIDE, BUT KEEP GETTING RUN AROUND FROM THEM. IT'S HARD TO TELL IN THE PIC BUT MY TRI-GLIDE SITS 3/8" LOWER IN THE REAR ON THE LEFT SIDE. TOOK THIS TO MY DEALERSHIP(COWBOY'S ALAMO CITY HARLEY) TO HAVE PROBLEM TAKEN CARE OF ONLY TO BE TOLD BY SVC DEPT THAT HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE TRIKES AND THE DIFFERENCE IS WITHIN SPECS. REALLY??? WITHIN SPECS?? THIS IS MY 2ND TRIKE AND 7TH HARLEY OVERALL. I BUY HARLEY BECAUSE OF REPUTATION AND THE FACT THAT THESE MOTORCYCLES ARE MADE IN AMERICA BY AMERICANS AND ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF AMERICAN MADE QUALITY. I BELIEVE THIS DISCREPANCY IN BALANCE SHOULD HAVE A ZERO INCH TOLERANCE! DO YOU THINK INDIAN, HONDA, YAMAHA, KAWASAKI WOULD ALLOW AN OBVIOUS FLAW TO BE LABELED "WITHIN SPECS"? I SERIOUSLY DOUBT IT!! I JUST WANT MY TRIKE TO SIT LEVEL. IT HAS BEEN POINTED OUT BY SEVERAL PEOPLE I RIDE WITH THAT THE TRIKE IS NOT LEVEL AND ASKED WHY HARLEY DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. THAT'S MY QUESTION TOO! IF HARLEY IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, WHY WON'T THEY MAKE THE REPAIRS OR ADJUSTMENTS?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .