RoadVitals

2015 Harley-Davidson Flhtkse

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.
3
Latest Aug 17, 2022
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 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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 Harley-Davidson Flhtkse, most frequently naming the body & structure, electrical and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 38 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 & structure120.0%
  • Electrical120.0%
  • Engine120.0%
  • Steering120.0%
  • Suspension120.0%

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
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

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 17, 2022

I brought my motorcycle into a Harley Davidson dealer for a Virginia State Safety Inspection. The inspector noticed a crack in the powder-coat of paint covering a welded section of the frame. Further investigation revealed the crack in the paint followed the edge of the weld and the weld is lifted off of the frame. Harley Davidson Corporate was notified and I was told the motorcycle is out of warranty and damage was probably cause by miss use or accident. They told me it was an insurance issue. I called Geico and reported the claim. They investigated and denied the claim saying it was not related to an accident. I called Harley Davidson Corporate and told them the results of the insurance investigation but it did not change their mind. The weld is the strongest point of any manufactured steel component. If the weld is failing it can only be from a defective welding job. The motorcycle is still sitting at the dealership in Virginia.

NHTSA ID
11479875
Incident
Jul 22, 2022
Engine
Filed Jul 7, 2018

A TAPPET CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED, CAUSING COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE ON A MOTORCYCLE IS A VERY DANGEROUS EVENT. MANY HARLEY-DAVIDSON CVO 110 ENGINES HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECT, WHICH IS THE RESULT OF BAD METALLURGY AND POOR DESIGN OF THE TAPPET TO CAM INTERFACE IN THE 110 TWIN-CAM ENGINES. THESE BIKES SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE CAMS AND TAPPETS. AGAIN, THE DANGER OF A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE IN A MOTORCYCLE IS EXTREME. A PHOTO OF THE TAPPET FAILURE IS ATTACHED.

NHTSA ID
11110013
Incident
Jun 21, 2018
Mileage
36,339 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 19, 2015

2015 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTKSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE BIKE, IT SHUT OFF AND WOULD NO RESTART. AFTER SEVERAL MORE ATTEMPTS, THE BIKE STARTED AND THEN SHUT OFF, AND DISPLAYED A FAULT CODE " FORKS LOCKED". THE BIKE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THE BIKE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER, WITH THE REPAIRS. WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TURN RIGHT AFTER A COMPLETE STOP, THE BIKE SHUT DOWN AGAIN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE SAME MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE SCREEN. ONCE AGAIN, THE BIKE WAS TOWED AND ONCE AT THE DEALER, IT RESTARTED AND NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. ONCE AGAIN, THE BIKE SHUT OFF AGAIN, WHEN IT WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED AT THE DEALER, HE DEMANDED THE IGNITION SWITCH BE REPLACED. SO FAR, THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10749439
Incident
Jun 15, 2015

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 Flhtkse by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2021010—
2020010—
2019010—
2018120—
2017120—
2016420—
2015Viewing310—
2014540—

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.