RoadVitals

2018 Harley-Davidson Flhtcutg

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.
7
Latest Aug 16, 2021
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 Oct 18, 2018
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 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Harley-Davidson Flhtcutg, most frequently naming the powertrain (other) and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 71 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

  • Powertrain (other)583.3%
  • Engine116.7%

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
18V734000

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

Oct 18, 2018
177,636 units potentially affected
The defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Police Road King (FLHP), Road King (FLHR), Road King Special (FLHRXS), Electra Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU), Ultra Limited (FLHTK), Ultra Limited Low (FLHTKL), Ultra Limited Shrine (FLHTK SHRINE), Police Electra Glide (FLHTP), Street Glide (FLHX), Street Glide Special (FLHXS), Road Glide Ultra (FLTRU), Road Glide (FLTRX), Road Glide Special (FLTRXS), Freewheeler (FLRT), Tri Glide Ultra (FLHTCUTG), CVO Limited (FLHTKSE) and CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE) motorcycles, 2017 Softail Slim S (FLSS), Fat Boy S (FLSTFBS) and CVO Pro Street Breakout (FXSE) motorcycles, 2018 115th Anniversary Ultra Limited (FLHTK ANV), 115th Anniversary Street Glide (FLHX ANV), 115th Anniversary Street Glide Special (FLHXS ANX), 115th Anniversary Tri Glide Ultra (FLHTCUTG ANV), 115th Anniversary CVO Limited (FLHTKSE ANV) and CVO Road Glide (FLTRXSE) motorcycles. The secondary clutch actuator cylinder may leak fluid internally and the clutch master cylinder may lose the ability to generate enough lift to disengage the clutch.
The risk: If the clutch cannot be disengaged it can result in a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will install a new secondary clutch actuator piston assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 5, 2018. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0173.
Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyManufacturer number 0173View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Aug 16, 2021

This Harley Davidson and many others won’t start while in gear. I was at a red light and when the light turned green I started in 1st gear and stalled the bike in the middle of the intersection. Normally Harley’s will start in gear so I tried but it wouldn’t. I had to turn off the bike, put it in neutral and start it. Harley issued a Service Bulletin, see attached, however unless the bike is under warranty they won’t fix it. This should be a recall as it’s very dangerous. I just purchased the bike and the previous owner had no idea. Please help fix this. Thanks

NHTSA ID
11429208
Incident
Aug 1, 2021
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 29, 2019

BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AFTER PUTTING TRIKE IN NEUTRAL, CLUTCH FAILURE AFTER TAKING TRIKE TO DEALERSHIP IN JANURAY 2019 FOR CLUTCH RECALL. WAS TOLD RECALL WAS COMPLETED AT THAT TIME BY DEALERSHIP. PURPOSE OF REPORTING: CLUTCH FAILURE OUR CONCLUSION: 1. FAILURE OF HD RECALL #0173 NHTSA RECALL #18V734 (OR) 2. RECALL NOT COMPLETED AT DEALERSHIP DESPITE OUR REQUEST & BEING TOLD THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN DONE. (OR) 3. RECALL NOT COMPLETED CORRECTLY AT DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ID
11240329
Incident
Jul 21, 2019
Mileage
4,493 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 26, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON TRI GLIDE ULTRA (FLHTCUTG). THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V734000 (POWER TRAIN) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN NOVEMBER OF 2016. HARLEY-DAVIDSON OF NASSAU COUNTY (2428 SUNRISE HWY, BELLMORE, NY 11710) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED BIKE WAS REPAIRED IN APRIL OF 2019. *TR

NHTSA ID
11191591
Incident
Nov 5, 2018
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 14, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON TRI GLIDE ULTRA (FLHTCUTG). THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V734000 (POWER TRAIN) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE IN OCTOBER OF 2018. WILLIAMS HARLEY-DAVIDSON (1100 US-22, LEBANON, NJ 08833) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11186849
Incident
Oct 18, 2018
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 22, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V734000 (POWER TRAIN) WAS RECEIVED IN OCTOBER OF 2018. AFTER CONTACTING THE LOCAL DEALER (MIKE BRUNO'S NORTHSHORE HARLEY-DAVIDSON, 791 W. I-10 SERVICE RD, SLIDELL, LA), THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11181985
Incident
Oct 1, 2018
Filed Jan 10, 2019

WHEN USING THE GPS THE VOICE PROMPTS WILL QUIT WORKING AND CAUSE YOU TO MISS TURNS OR HAVE TO TAKE YOUR EYES OFF OF THE ROAD CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS AND STATE IT IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM AND IT WILL BE FIXED IN A FUTURE UPDATE. I FEEL THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED QUICKLY. HARLEY DAVIDSON ENGINEERS TOLD MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP (TIMMS HARLEY DAVIDSON AUGUSTA, GA) THEY HAD A PROBLEM IN JUNE 2018 AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. I SENT A LETTER TO HD IN OCTOBER AFTER WAITING FOR A RESOLUTION FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. I AM ATTACHING MY LETTER AND THEIR RESPONSE. I FEEL THAT THIS COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS IF IT HASN'T ALREADY AND SHOULD BE RESOLVED EXPEDITIOUSLY. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN OCCURRING IN FEBRUARY 2018 WHEN I PICKED THE BIKE UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND IS STILL OCCURRING INTERMITTENTLY . MILEAGE LISTED IS FOR FIRST TIME INCIDENT OCCURED, THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11166180
Incident
Feb 1, 2018
Mileage
100 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 15, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON TRI GLIDE ULTRA (FLHTCUTG) MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V734000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN DEALER LOCATED IN NEWNAN, GEORGIA AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11151777
Incident
Oct 18, 2018

Manufacturer communications

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

M1508

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

SERVICE BULLETIN M1508 (REV D): 2009-2025 TRIKE PLATFORM - REVERSE MOTOR. PURPOSE: Revision C. To inform dealers of a running change for the new reverse motor (Part No. 83388-09C) for Trike models. As of January 28, 2020 all Trike platform vehicles will be manufactured using the new reverse motor. The new reverse motor will be used to replace reverse motor assemblies (Part No. 83388-09, 83388-09A,83388-09B) that have failed diagnostics. Refer to Table 3. This motor contains several improvements for better motor durability. A new procedure has been added, Refer to PINION EXTENDS BUT REVERSE MOTOR STALLS OR SPINS SLOWLY. REV D: Updated: Guide. Add link to: PINION EXTENDS BUT REVERSE MOTOR STALLS OR SPINS SLOWLY

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.

PAB1182

STRUCTURE:BODY

GENUINE MOTOR PARTS AND ACCESSORIES BULLETIN PAB1182: TRIKE SADDLEBAGS KIT INFORMATIONAL UPDATE. PURPOSE: Initial release. This bulletin informs dealers that the Trike Saddlebags kit (Part No. 84031-11) has an informational update: The drill template that is inside the kit, is only used for 2009-2025 Trike models. The electronic version of this instruction sheet which is located in Service Information Portal (SIP), will have the drill template as an attachment for 2026 and later Trike models (see service bulletin M1714). It will not be included inside the kit or directly attached to the instruction sheet.

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.

M1490

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

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.5.2): 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 26.5.2 Release Date: Week of March 30, 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. 2024: Pan America (RA1250), Pan America Special (RA1250S), CVO Pan America (RA1250SE) • Updated Body Control Module (BCM) reflash calibration. 2024-2026: CVO Road Glide ST (FLTRXSTSE) • Updated Electronic Control Module (ECM) reflash calibration. 2026: CVO Street Glide ST (FLHXSTSE) • Updated ECM reflash calibration. Changes. 2026 Trike • Update “Reverse Lockout Reason” to support new values, • “Vehicle setup: Gear Indicator Calibration” – improve operation. 2025-2026 Softail • Update reflash for Softail Speedometer (SPDO) – enable operation of auxiliary lamp telltale. LiveWire S2 • Provide reflash support for Vehicle Supervisory Controller (VSC) hardware (Part No. 41001756RE).

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 Flhtcutg by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025000—
2024100—
2023100—
2022210—
2021010—
2020420—
2019820—
2018Viewing710—
2017131044.3
2016200—
2015610—
2014520—
2013700—
2012710—
2011911—
2010921—
2009521—

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.