ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 24, 2024
Reverse starter keep going out Had replace two time in one year
- NHTSA ID
- 11632306
- Incident
- Jan 11, 2024
2016 Harley-Davidson Flrt
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.
6
Latest Dec 24, 2024
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.
0
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
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported
Overview
Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Harley-Davidson Flrt, most frequently naming the brakes, body & structure and electrical categories. 49 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2017 | 2 | 2 |
| Apr 2019 | 1 | 3 |
| Sep 2021 | 1 | 4 |
| Jul 2022 | 1 | 5 |
| Dec 2024 | 1 | 6 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes342.9%
- Body & structure114.3%
- Electrical114.3%
- Engine114.3%
- Powertrain (other)114.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Brakes
Filed Jul 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Harley-Davidson FLRT Freewheeler. The contact stated that while riding 60 MPH, the front wheel had seized with smoke coming from the front tire after the handlebar brake was released. The motorcycle was taken to the dealer on two separate occasions where the calipers, rotors, and brake pads were replaced twice; however, the failure recurred. The motorcycle was then taken to Seacoast Harley-Davidson (17 Lafayette Rd, North Hampton, NH 03862) where the dealer replaced the rotors, brake pads, and front and rear master cylinder brakes, as well as cleaned the calipers; however, the failure recurred. The motorcycle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11475255
- Incident
- Jul 22, 2022
- Mileage
- 5,000 mi
Filed Sep 21, 2021
Harley Freewheeler Hydraulic Clutch keeps failing on me and when that happens it won't drive. I don't understand why a lot of Harleys had a recall for this problem but my 2016 does not even though it the same problem as the recall bikes. I keep calling harley headquarters about this but they are very rude. It not fair that I have to pay to get this fix while the other Bikers get it for free because of the recall. My bike should be part of the recall because I am have a lot of problems with this situation. Harley refuses to help me . Because of this I was almost in a accident when the clutch gave out and the bike jumped. My wife was with me at the time and we could had gotten killed in a accident. Because when I tried to downshift and my bike clutch did not work the bike jumped.
- NHTSA ID
- 11433869
- Incident
- Jun 5, 2021
Brakes
Filed Apr 10, 2019
BRAKE REAR BRAKE FAILED , NO FLUID LEAK AROUND BIKE , AND FLUID RESOVOIR WAS STILL FULL
- NHTSA ID
- 11195426
- Incident
- Apr 1, 2019
- Mileage
- 2,900 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 12, 2017
1 injury reported
WHEN YOU RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM GETS SO HOT THAT IT BURNS YOUR CALF. I RECEIVED FIRST AND SECOND DEGREE BURNS ON THEM WITH JEANS AND BOOTS ON. WENT TO ER FOR THE BURNS
- NHTSA ID
- 11004761
- Incident
- Jul 2, 2017
- Mileage
- 150 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Jul 2, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported
I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT HAPPENED WHY IT DIDN'T STOP OR HOW I SPENT 25 DAYS IN ICU BUT THE MORE I READ BOUT THE RECALLS FOR CLUTCH AND BRAKES FAILING ON OTHER MODELS IT WOULD EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED AND WHY IT WOULDN'T STOP AND I WRACKED
- NHTSA ID
- 11002695
- Incident
- Sep 1, 2016
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
M1508
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SERVICE BULLETIN M1508 (REV D): 2009-2025 TRIKE PLATFORM - REVERSE MOTOR. PURPOSE: Revision C. To inform dealers of a running change for the new reverse motor (Part No. 83388-09C) for Trike models. As of January 28, 2020 all Trike platform vehicles will be manufactured using the new reverse motor. The new reverse motor will be used to replace reverse motor assemblies (Part No. 83388-09, 83388-09A,83388-09B) that have failed diagnostics. Refer to Table 3. This motor contains several improvements for better motor durability. A new procedure has been added, Refer to PINION EXTENDS BUT REVERSE MOTOR STALLS OR SPINS SLOWLY. REV D: Updated: Guide. Add link to: PINION EXTENDS BUT REVERSE MOTOR STALLS OR SPINS SLOWLY
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.
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.
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).
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
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.