RoadVitals

2018 Harley-Davidson Flhx

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.
8
Latest Jul 19, 2020
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.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Harley-Davidson Flhx, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), electrical and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 70 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)550.0%
  • Electrical220.0%
  • Engine110.0%
  • Other / unspecified110.0%
  • Steering110.0%

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
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

Electrical
Filed Jul 19, 2020

VOLTAGE REGULATOR WENT BAD PUTTING OUT TOO MUCH VOLTAGE AT TIMES THEN NOT ENOUGH VOLTAGE JUMPING INTO RED ST TIMES ALMOST 16 VOLTS CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO GO DIM THEN BRIGHT AT TIMES

NHTSA ID
11340286
Incident
Jul 15, 2020
Mileage
15,580 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 1, 2020

CLUTCH SAFETY SWITCH INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORKING. CAN NOT BE STARTED IN GEAR WITH CLUTCH LEVER PULLED IN. CAUSES ENGINE TO IDLE ROUGH AND STALL IN TRAFFIC WHEN IDLING AT INTERSECTIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID
11326749
Incident
Feb 8, 2020
Mileage
500 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 22, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE SPECIAL (FLHX). WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE WOBBLED WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE FRONT END OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11245807
Incident
Nov 11, 2018
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 26, 2019

I HAVE A 2018 STREET GLIDE AND HAD THE CLUTCH ACTUATOR RECALL WORK PERFORMED AT THE DEALER THIS PAST WINTER. IT FAILED SUNDAY AND I WAS BROKE DOWN. HARLEY DEALER CLAIMED THEY REPLACED IT TODAY ALL WAS WELL COME GET THE BIKE.. AS I WAS LEAVING THE DEALER WITH MY SO CALLED FIXED MOTORCYCLE I GOT OF THE HIGHWAY ON AN OFF RAMP THE CLUTCH LEVER HAD NO RESISTANCE AND DID NOT RESPOND AS I WAS TRYING TO GEAR DOWN FOR MY ANTICIPATED DEPARTURE FROM THE HWY! THIS COULD HAVE KILLED ME !! DANGEROUS, TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY THREE CARS AT THE INTERSECTION IN FRONT OF ME AND I WAS JUST ABLE TO AVOID COLLISION BY SLAMMING MY BREAKS AND TRY TOO STALL ENGINE AND TURN IT OFF AT SAME TIME. VERY DANGEROUS

NHTSA ID
11222829
Incident
Jun 26, 2019
Mileage
15 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 29, 2019

CLUTCH STOPPED WORKING AT ABOUT 4600 MILES AFTER 1,000 TRIP DAY BEFORE WEATHER TEMP TO 37 DEGREES WENT TO LEAVE HOUSE GOT TO STOP SIGN ON CITY STREET 1/4 BLOCK FROM HOUSE, UPON TRYING TO USE CLUTCH TO STOP, NO CLUTCH CAME CLOSE TO LOSING CONTROL, IF HAD BEEN ANY FASTER OR OUT ON ROAD WOULD HAVE HAD ACCIDENT

NHTSA ID
11204637
Incident
Apr 29, 2019
Mileage
4,600 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 27, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE SPECANX (FLHX). THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: 0173 (HYDRAULIC CLUTCH SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AS THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED OVER A YEAR AGO. THE DEALER (HARLEY-DAVIDSON OF CINCINNATI, 1799 TENNESSEE AVE, CINCINNATI, OH 45229, (513) 641-1188) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11163718
Incident
Oct 18, 2018
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 23, 2018

TRANSMISSION IS LOSING OIL INTO PRIMARY. IT OVER FILLS THE PRIMARY WHILE DRAINING THE TRANSMISSION OF NEEDED LUBRICATION. AN OVERFILLED PRIMARY CAN CAUSE HARD SHIFTS, AND COULD POTENTIALLY DAMAGE THE CLUTCH.

NHTSA ID
11142210
Incident
Jul 1, 2018
Mileage
3,500 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 2, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported

MY 2018 HD STREET GLIDE FLHX FRONT TIRE LIFTS OFF THE GROUND UPON A STOPPED LEFT TURN. THIS HAS CAUSED ME 2 ACCIDENTS. ONE AT $11,000 AND THE OTHER STILL IN CONSIDERATION. ACCIDENT #1 3/17/18. STOPPED ON STREET, TURN LEFT INTO DRIVEWAY. LOST CONTROL OF THE BIKE AND HIT A WALL. SPENT 3 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL. BIKE HAD OVER $11,000 IN DAMAGE. ACCIDENT #2. STOPPED ON A CITY STREET. TURN LEFT. LOST CONTROL OF THE BIKE. HIT A TREE. STITCHES, ROAD RASH, CONTUSIONS AND DAMAGE TO THE BIKE YET TO BE REVEALED.

NHTSA ID
11115427
Incident
Jul 21, 2018
Mileage
25 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

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.

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).

M1679

ENGINE

SERVICE BULLETIN M1679: AFTERMARKET EXHAUST HEADER DEBRIS. PURPOSE: Initial release. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has identified instances of premature engine failure due to abrasive particle wear, specifically from debris inside new aftermarket exhaust headers. Recent evaluations have identified that certain newly manufactured exhaust headers may contain residual hard particles that, if not removed prior to installation, can migrate through the engine system and cause accelerated component wear or severe mechanical damage.

M1490

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.4.3): 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 26.4.3 Release Date: Week of February 25, 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). Refer to bulletin M1713 for instructions. New Features: Support for 2026 LiveWire Vehicles, LiveWire S2 Vehicle Status: Display notification when vehicle has unconfigured Electro Hydraulic Control Unit (EHCU) module, Vehicle Setup: New operation to support Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) / EHCU Correction, Reflash: Enabled EHCU calibrations for vehicles previously ineligible for update, requiring ABS / EHCU Correction to be performed. 2021–2025 Pan America (RA1250), Pan America S (RA1250S), Pan America ST (RA1250ST), CVO Pan America (RA1250SE): Reflash – Updated Electronic Control Module (ECM) software calibration to improve quick shifter performance. Changes: Infotainment Control Unit (IFCU) Customization – Correct issue where speakers were improperly configured.

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 Flhx by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025210—
2024102041.2
2023000—
2022010—
2021010—
2020110—
2019000—
2018Viewing810—
2017520—
2016410—
2015320—
2014850—
2013600—
2012161042.1
2011182156.2
2010243148.6
2009283147.6
2008302251.7
2007200039.8
2006010—

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.