RoadVitals

2013 Harley-Davidson Flhtk Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
14
Latest Jan 14, 2021
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
6
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.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 Harley-Davidson Flhtk, 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

  • Brakes956.3%
  • Body & structure212.5%
  • Powertrain (other)212.5%
  • Driver assistance16.3%
  • Engine16.3%
  • Steering16.3%

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

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ABS BRAKE ISSUES. LOCKING UP

NHTSA ID 11388215 · filed Jan 14, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT 25 MPH, WHILE APPLYING THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES, THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHSIDE HARLEY-DAVIDSON LOCATED AT 385 N WITCHDUCK RD, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23462, (757) 499-8964, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS MODULE AND FRONT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.*DT*JB

NHTSA ID 11326501 · filed May 29, 2020
All 9 reports naming brakes

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTK. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY, THE SADDLE BAG DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECENT RECALL FOR THE SADDLE BAG AND HIS WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE RECALL DETAILS WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,300.

NHTSA ID 10916844 · filed Oct 18, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLTHTK MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND UPON ENGAGEMENT. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE OPERABLE AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE A BLEEDING OF THE BRAKES WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10. UPDATED 10/29/13*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE LOWER PANEL COVERS WERE FALLING OFF. UPDATED 10/30/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID 10548204 · filed Oct 17, 2013

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

HIGHWAY RIDING. TRANSMISSION SHIFTER RETURN SPRING BROKE. BIKES HAS 6000 MILES. UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS

NHTSA ID 11222333 · filed Jun 24, 2019

WHILE RIDING MY 2013 HARLEY ULTRA CLASSIC I NOTICED FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT 7-9-2013 IT WAS MAKING A NOISE IN THE CHAIN CASE THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE PRIMARY CHAIN IS LOOSE AND MAKING A SLAPPING SOUND. I TOOK THE BIKE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL THEY ALL DO IT. THE NOISE GOT A LITTLE LOUDER OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS SO I TOOK THE BIKE BACK ON 10-29-2013 AND A SERVICE TECH TOOK THE BIKE OUT AND SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE THE CHAIN TENSIONER IS NOT WORKING. HE REMOVED THE INSPECTION COVER AND SAID IT LOOKED OK. HE SAID HE THINKS THE COMPENSATOR HAS TOO MUCH PLAY IN IT. I TOLD HIM I WANTED A FACTORY REP. TO LOOK AT IT BECAUSE MY 2009 STREET GLIDE HAD THE COMPENSATOR REPAIRED AND REPLACED THREE TIMES. BECAUSE OF WINTER THE REP. WASN'T ABLE TO RIDE IT UNTIL 4-24-2014 THE REP. SAID THE NOISE IS TRANSMISSION PLAY AND ITS SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE THAT. AFTER HEARING OTHERS COMPLAIN OF THE SAME NOISES, COMPENSATOR BOLTS LOOSENING AND FALLING OUT, I FEEL THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE THE BOLT OR CHAIN TO LOCK UP YOUR REAR WHEEL CAUSING LOSE OF CONTROL. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO CHECK INTO THIS MATTER TO ENSURE THE HARLEY MOTORCYCLES ARE SAFE TO RIDE. THANK YOU. *TR UPDATED 10/24/2014 *JS

NHTSA ID 10585538 · filed Apr 29, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY FRONT BRAKES ON MY 2013 HARLEY DOSE NOT WORK MOST OF THE TIME AND IT IS HARD TO PULL IN THE BRAKE LEVER TO WHERE WHEN I PULL THE BRAKE LEVER IN AND CAN NOT MOVE THE LEVER WITH NO BRAKES...AND SOME TIMES THE FRONT WHEEL LOCKS UP BY JUST SITTING OR AT A STOP LIGHT AND MY SPEED CONTROL STOPS WORKING ON AND OFF AND HAVE A ENGINE LIGHT THAT GOES ON AND OFF VIN #[XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *CC

NHTSA ID 11325581 · filed May 22, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

RODE MY NEW HARLEY FLHTK FOR AN HOUR AND THE RIGHT SIDE GOT SO HOT I TIRED AVOIDING TOUCHING IT TO PREVENT BURNING MYSELF. THE AIR CLEANER WAS SO I HOT MY RIGHT PANT LEG LOOKED LIKE IT HAD BEEN IRONED. MY POSTERIOR WAS SOAKED WITH SWEAT MAKING FOR A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE RIDE. EVEN THE LEFT SIDE ON THE PRIMARY CASE WAS UNCOMFORTABLE TO THE TOUCH. I WAS JUST CRUISING BACK COUNTRY ROADS NOT RIDING IN TRAFFIC AND THE AIR TEMP WAS ONLY ABOUT 60 FAHRENHEIT NOT CELSIUS THOUGH THE AMBIENT TEMP AROUND ME WAS PROBABLY 60C OR GREATER. AFTER THIS I HAD THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CHANGED TO PIPES THAT DIDN'T HAVE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND THAT GREATLY REDUCED THE HEAT MAKING THE MOTORCYCLE USABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10551330 · filed Nov 7, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE OUT RIDING WITH MY MEETUP MOTORCYCLE GROUP ALONG BACK COUNTRY ROADS ON THE EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND. WE WERE APPROACHING A SHARP RIGHT HAND TURN IN THE ROAD WHEN I FIRST APPLIED MY BRAKES THE BRAKES NEVER COMPLETELY ENGAGED. AFTER REAPPLYING THE BRAKES IN A PANIC STOP CONDITION THE ABS SYSTEM NEVER KICKED IN, HOWEVER THE REAR BRAKES DID EVENTUALLY ENGAGE RESULTING IN THE BIKE LAYING DOWN A LONG SKIDMARK AND THE REAR TIRE GOING INTO A FISHTAIL MOTION. THE RESULT WAS I CROSSED OVER THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LINE AND END UP OFF OF THE ROAD ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE STREET. PRIOR TO ALL OF THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES DURING OUR RIDE THE FRONT END OF THE BIKE WOULD OSCILLATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ONE OF THE RIDERS HAD A GOPRO VIDEO RUNNING, WHICH CAUGHT PORTIONS OF THE INCIDENT. THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM BRAKE FLUID WAS REPLACED A COUPLE OF MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. I BELIEVE THE REAR BRAKE FLUID WAS REPLACED A FEW MONTHS PRIOR TO THAT, HOWEVER I HAVE NOT YET LOCATED THE SERVICE RECEIPT FOR THE LATTER. I LOOKED AT THE FRONT BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WINDOW AND DID NOT SEE ANY FOAMING. IT DID NOT OCCUR TO ME AT THE TIME TO CHECK THE REAR BRAKE RESERVOIR. ALL OF THE RIDERS STOPPED IN THAT TURN I WAS MORE CONCERN WITH GETTING US OUT OF THAT CORNER THERE IS ONLY ONE LANE OF TRAFFIC EACH WAY.

NHTSA ID 11025031 · filed Sep 22, 2017

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

Data on this page last refreshed .