RoadVitals

2015 Harley-Davidson Flhtkl

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.
5
Latest Dec 18, 2017
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.
2
Latest Jul 6, 2015
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 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 Harley-Davidson Flhtkl, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), driver assistance and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 39 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)233.3%
  • Driver assistance116.7%
  • Engine116.7%
  • Exterior lighting116.7%
  • Steering116.7%

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

2 campaigns 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
15V427000

EQUIPMENT

Jul 6, 2015
185,272 units potentially affected
The defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Road King (FLHR), Street Glide (FLHX), Street Glide Special (FLHXS), Electra Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU), Ultra Limited (FLHTK), Police Road King (FLHP), Police Electra Glide (FLHTP), CVO Ultra Limited (FLHTKSE), 2014 CVO Road King (FLHRSE), and 2015 Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low (FLHTCUL), Ultra Limited Low (FLHTKL), Road Glide (FLTRX), Road Glide Special (FLTRXS), CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), and CVO Road Glide Ultra (FLTRUSE) motorcycles. The affected motorcycles have saddlebag mounting receptacles that may not adequately secure the saddlebags to the motorcycle.
The risk: If a saddlebag is not adequately secured, it may separate from the motorcycle while riding, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected saddlebag mounting receptacles with updated receptacles, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2015. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0166.
Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyManufacturer number 0166View on NHTSA.gov
15V216000

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

Apr 13, 2015
106,966 units potentially affected
The defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) notified the agency on April 9, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Electra Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU), Electra Glide Ultra Classic - Twin Cooled (FLHTCU TC), Ultra Limited (FLHTK), Police Electra Glide (FLHTP), Street Glide (FLHX), Street Glide Special (FLHXS), CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), 2015 Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low (FLHTCUL), Ultra Limited Low (FLHTKL), Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low - Twin Cooled (FLHTCUL TC), Road Glide Special (FLTRXS), Road Glide (FLTRX), and 2014 CVO Road King (FLHRSE) motorcycles. On July 31, 2015, Harley-Davidson expanded the recall to cover an additional 61,065 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the clutch master cylinder may lose the ability to generate enough lift to disengage the clutch, especially if the motorcycle has been parked for an extended period of time.
The risk: When the engine is running and the motorcycle is in gear, if the clutch cannot be fully disengaged, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush the clutch system and rebuild the clutch master cylinder, free of charge. The recall began April 23, 2015. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0165.
Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyManufacturer number 0165View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 18, 2017

HEADLIGHT FOGS UP WHILE IN OPERATION CAUSING LIMITED LIGHTING. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS WAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE AND NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THE MOTORCYCLE IS STILL UNDER FULL MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT BECAUSE IT IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE AND NOT A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE TROUBLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY. SO AM I TO UNDERSTAND THAT BECAUSE I LIVE IN FLORIDA THAT MY HEADLIGHT SHOULD FOG UP? MY OTHER MOTOR VEHICLES DON'T HAVE THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY HAZARD AFFECTING LIMITED SIGHT DISTANCE AND BEING ABLE TO SEE AND BE SEEN IS HAMPERED WITH THE MAIN HEADLAMP FOGGING UP. THE FOGGING OF THE HEADLIGHT HAPPENS WITH THE VEHICLE IN OPERATION IDLE OR MOVING.

NHTSA ID
11055341
Incident
Dec 18, 2017
Mileage
1,500 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 14, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTKL. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WOBBLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE HANDLE BARS SUDDENLY FELL OUT OF POSITION AND FRACTURED THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE HANDLE BARS LOOSENED AND NEEDED TO BE RE-TIGHTENED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,200.

NHTSA ID
10884753
Incident
Jun 15, 2016
Mileage
2,200 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Apr 12, 2016

ON A FEW OCCASIONS MY ENGINE KILL SWITCH HAS BEEN INADVERTENTLY ENGAGED WHILE RIDING. THE FIRST OCCASION I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE LEFT LANE APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH WHEN I WENT TO PRESS THE PUSH TO TALK BUTTON FOR THE CB (WHICH IS ON THE THROTTLE (RIGHT) SIDE OF THE HANDLEBARS) AND IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENT THROTTLE AND ENGAGE THE PUSH TO TALK, MY HAND HIT THE ENGINE KILL SWITCH. THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT SO I HAD NO CLUE WHY ALL OF A SUDDEN MY BIKE TURNED OFF. I HAD CARS BARRELING UP BEHIND ME AS I RAPIDLY DECELERATED DUE TO THE LOSS OF ENGINE. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO, I MOVED OFF THE ROAD AND REALIZED THAT MY ENGINE KILL SWITCH WAS OFF. THE SWITCHES ARE NOT LIGHTED OR I MIGHT HAVE NOTICED THIS WHILE I WAS COASTING TRYING TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OFF. I WAS WEARING GLOVES SO I DIDN'T FEEL MYSELF HIT THE ENGINE KILL SWITCH WHILE REACHING FOR THE CB PUSH TO TALK BUTTON. THE PLACEMENT OF THE PTT BUTTON IS A HAZARD AS IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TRY TO MAINTAIN A STEADY SPEED WHILE TRYING TO PUSH THE BUTTON AND KEEPING THE BUTTON PUSHED IN TO TALK FOR A FEW SECONDS. IT IS MORE DIFFICULT WITH GLOVES AS IT CAN CAUSE YOU TO KILL YOUR ENGINE BY HITTING THE ENGINE KILL SWITCH WHILE REACHING OVER THE BUTTON IN THE PROCESS. ANOTHER OCCASION WHERE THIS HAPPENED, I WAS PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION AND GETTING UP TO SPEED WITH THE TRAFFIC COMING UP BEHIND ME AND I REACHED FOR THE CB PTT BUTTON TO INFORM THE RIDE LEADER I WAS OUT AND WE WERE ALL TOGETHER AND I HIT MY ENGINE KILL SWITCH AGAIN AND MY BIKE RAPIDLY DECELERATED AND THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME. I HAD TO QUICKLY MOVE THE ENGINE KILL SWITCH TO "ON" AND THEN RESTART THE BIKE AND SPEED UP TO AVOID BEING HIT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.

NHTSA ID
10855064
Incident
Apr 10, 2016
Mileage
8,400 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 21, 2016

ON 01/05/2016, I TOOK DELIVERY OF A BRAND NEW 2015 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA LIMITED LOW MOTORCYCLE. WHEN I REGISTERED THE BIKE WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY, I DISCOVERED THERE WERE (2) RECALLS, ONE OPEN AND ONE CLOSED. THE OPEN RECALL IS NTHSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V-216 WHICH DEALS WITH THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH. AFTER A LITTLE INVESTIGATION, I LEARNED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS SAT ON THEIR SHOWROOM FLOOR FOR NEARLY A YEAR WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED ON 04/14/2015. I ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED MY CALL. THE DEALER, HARLEY DAVIDSON OF MICHIGAN CITY, WAS CLEARLY NONCOMPLIANT OF SELLING A VEHICLE WITH AN OPEN RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10821547
Incident
Jan 5, 2015
Mileage
9 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 4, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HARLEY-DAVIDSON EG ULTRA LIMITED LOW (NA) MOTORCYCLE. WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS FULLY ENGAGED, THE MOTORCYCLE STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V216000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 450.

NHTSA ID
10761677
Incident
Aug 31, 2015
Mileage
450 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

M1727

ENGINE; POWER TRAIN

SERVICE BULLETIN M1727: BIG TWIN INNER PRIMARY SEAL CHANGES. PURPOSE: Initial release. This bulletin informs dealers of changes to the Inner Primary Seal (Part No. 12052). The seal part number was changed from (Part No. 12052A, black in color) to (Part No. 12052B, brown in color). A new Inner Primary Seal (Part No. 12052C) has been released and the color has been changed back to black.

M1391A

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SERVICE BULLETIN M1391A (REVU): MIDTRONICS GRX-3110 AND DCA-8000 SOFTWARE. PURPORSE: Revision U. The purpose of this bulletin is to inform the dealer network that a software update to the GRX-3110 and DCA-8000 is now available. DYNAMIC DIAGNOSTIC CHARGER SYSTEM (PART NUMBER: DCA-8000). [Rev U] Added: Description of improvements made to the testing algorithm for GRX software Version P and DCA-8000 software Version E.

PAB1171

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

GENUINE MOTOR PARTS AND ACCESSORIES BULLETIN PAB1171 (REV B): SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR SCREAMIN EAGLE PRO STREET TUNER. PURPOSE: Revision B. Updated: Summary. The App has returned to the Apple App Store. This bulletin informs dealers that a recent software update to the Screamin' Eagle Pro Street Tuner application will require the use of a Personal Computer (PC) to complete a Bluetooth Communication Interface (BCI) firmware update.

M1490

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 25.8.9): 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 Version 25.8.9 Release Date: Week of September 2, 2025. Changes: LiveWire 2024 S2MH: Removal of incorrect Electro Hydraulic Control Unit (EHCU) reflash support; EHCU Module (Part No. 41100123): Addressed issue where module became unrecoverable after failed reflash attempted. NOTE: Digital Technician II (DT II) supports additional Harley-Davidson motorcycle models and model years outside of those listed.

M1490

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 25.8.7): 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 Version 25.6.4, Release Date: Week of August 19, 2025. Includes New Features and Changes for the Models & Model Years listed. NOTE: Digital Technician II (DT II) supports additional Harley-Davidson motorcycle models and model years outside of those listed.

M1391A

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SERVICE BULLETIN M1391A (REV T): MIDTRONICS GRX-3110 AND DCA-8000 SOFTWARE. PURPORSE: Revision T. The purpose of this bulletin is to inform the dealer network that a software update to the GRX-3110 and DCA-8000 is now available. DYNAMIC DIAGNOSTIC CHARGER SYSTEM (PART NUMBER: DCA-8000). [Rev T] Updated: New Software Update, Previous Software Updates and DCA-8000. Added: 192-210335P. Software update 192-210335P for GRX-3110 and DCA-800 to add new battery part numbers.

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 Flhtkl by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2019010—
2018220—
2017120—
2016210—
2015Viewing520—
2014000—

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.