2016 Harley-Davidson Flhxs Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 Harley-Davidson Flhxs, 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
- Fuel system240.0%
- Powertrain (other)240.0%
- Body & structure120.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I bought a 2016 Harley Street Glide Special in Dec. of 2021. The 2nd time I rode it, I was driving to work on a busy highway and with no warning, I lost the throttle (it went into what appears to be called Limp Mode. When you're on the highway doing 70 with cars doing the same or more, it's not safe to instantly have no throttle. I've read that it is supposed to be a safety feature, but it seems more hazardous to me than safe. I pulled over, waited a few minutes, then restarted it, and it was fine, for a while. Then a few days later, it did it again when I was sitting at a stop light. I turned the bike off, started it when the light turned green, and thankfully, it was fine. Recently, I rode it to work, and it did it again as I was pulling into the parking lot at work. While it was annoying, it wasn't that big of a deal. I basically idled it to my parking spot. Then, on the way home, it did it 3 times. Twice on the busy highway that I mentioned earlier and once on a crowded city street with no shoulder. Luckily, I was approaching an apartment complex when it happened, so I was able to pull in and not be stuck in the middle of the road. I have read that Harley is aware of the issue, because I've learned that this is not a rare thing. I feel like there should be a recall to correct this before someone gets seriously hurt or killed, if they haven't already. *No, I have not "Confirmed" this with a dealer. *No, the bike has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police or insurance rep. *When the issue occurs, the check engine light comes on, but not before it does it. There is no warning for you to start getting over and move towards the shoulder. You just have to hope that you are not in the left lane of 3 or 4 lanes when it hits, because you just might get run over if you are.
GAS CAP SWELLS UP TO A POINT WHERE IT CANNOT BE SCREWED BACK IN. I HAD FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HARLEY DAVISON AND NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT IT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM BUT MY PROBLEM IS IF I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THERE COULD EITHER BE AN EXPLOSION OR A FIERY CRASH.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
AT TIMES AT A DEAD STOP WITH THE CLUTCH PULLED ALL THE WAY IN, THE BIKE CREEPS FORWARD. THE CLUTCH DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. THIS HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE A INJURY OR WORSE. SOMETIMES THE CLUTCH WORKS CORRECTLY, SOMETIMES NOT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHXS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED, IT BECAME STUCK IN SECOND GEAR. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V471000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
PRIOR TO RIDING, I ALWAYS TIGHTEN THE SADDLEBAGS, AS ANOTHER FRIEND LOST THEIR SADDLE BAG ON THE HIGHWAY MONTHS PRIOR (SAME MODEL). WHEN EXITING THE INTERSTATE, THE RIGHT SADDLEBAG FELL TO THE HIGHWAY, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE SADDLEBAG. THE BOLTS AUTOMATICALLY BACK THEMSELVES OUT, NO MATTER HOW FREQUENTLY YOU TIGHTEN THEM. I HAD ONLY GONE APPROX. 20 MILES ON THE INTERSTATE AFTER TIGHTENING, WHEN THEY BACKED OUT. NOT ONLY IS THE SADDLEBAG RUINED, IT'S A GREAT SAFETY RISK TO OTHER MOTORISTS WHO MAY HIT THE SADDLEBAG, OR THE SADDLEBAG MAY STRIKE THEIR AUTOMOBILE OR ANOTHER MOTORCYCLE.
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .