RoadVitals

2016 Harley-Davidson Fltrxs

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.
12
Latest Jun 23, 2023
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 Jun 27, 2016
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 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Harley-Davidson Fltrxs, most frequently naming the electrical, driver assistance and exterior lighting categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 51 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

  • Electrical844.4%
  • Driver assistance316.7%
  • Exterior lighting211.1%
  • Steering15.6%
  • Brakes15.6%
  • Tires & wheels15.6%
  • Fuel system15.6%
  • Powertrain (other)15.6%

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
16V471000

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

Jun 27, 2016
27,232 units potentially affected
The defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2016 Electric Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU), Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low (FLHTCUL), Ultra Limited Low (FLHTKL), Ultra Limited (FLHTK), CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), Street Glide (FLHX), Street Glide Special (FLHXS), Road Glide Special (FLTRXS), Road Glide (FLTRX), Police Electra Glide (FLHTP), Road Glide Ultra (FLTRU), Fat Boy S (FLSTFBS), Softail Slim S (FLSS), and CVO Softail Pro Street Breakout (FXSE) 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 inspect the clutch master cylinder for the presence of gas in the fluid, if so, the dealer will flush the clutch system and rebuild the clutch master cylinder, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2016. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0169.
Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyManufacturer number 0169View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 12
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 23, 2023

Got caught in bad rain and both speedo and tach filled up with water. Bike completely shut down on highway doing 60mph (70 mph highway) and if I did not pull in on clutch, bike would have went down and I could have possibly lost my life. I believe a less experienced rider would have not been so fortunate. It is clear this is a manufacture defect as the seal on these gauges are minimal or undervalued for the part. I was given no advance warning this was going to fail and I do not try to ride in rain or any type of weather. This bike has been garaged all of its life and only the second time it has seen rain as I have several other Harley's. I believe this should be a warranty issue that Harley would WANT to do, to ensure it's customers ride a safe motorcycle.

NHTSA ID
11528593
Incident
Jun 21, 2023
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed May 5, 2023

During a ride my speedometer/tachometer failed due to water intrusion. From what I have seen this is a very common issue. When this happened it caused me to loose my ABS, loss all other gauges. This was a huge saefty concern as I could not monitor anything and could have been potentially dangerous or deadly! This is a huge safety concern that I feel like harley is brushing under the rug! They need to offer some sort of support or repair for this before it claims someones life not mention the passengers life. Very serious issue that they are willing to do nothing about.

NHTSA ID
11520573
Incident
Apr 21, 2023
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 16, 2020

PURCHASED A MICHELIN COMMANDER 3 FRONT TIRES FOR MY 2016 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE SPECIAL. RIDING HOME AFTER THE INSTALLATION THERE WAS A BUZZ/VIBRATION IN THE HANDLEBARS FROM 30 MPH TO 40. I CALLED MICHELIN AND THEY SAID TO HAVE THE BALANCE CHECKED AND THE WHEEL BEARINGS CHECKED. BOTH WERE FINE. I PUT 100 MILES ON THE TIRE AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. I CALLED MICHELIN BACK AND AGREED TO REPLACE THE TIRE. TIRE WAS ON BACKORDER FOR APPROX 30 DAYS. ONCE IT ARRIVED IT WAS INSTALLED. SAME PROBLEMS AND THE SAME POINTS BEFORE. I CALLED MICHELIN AGAIN AND ALL THEY COULD SAY IS THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE IT AGAIN AND LET THEIR REP KNOW OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11355321
Incident
Jul 15, 2020
Mileage
2 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 10, 2020

WHILE DRIVING HOME STOP FOR GAS. STARTED MOTORCYCLE BACK UP SPEEDOMETER, RPM GAUGE, VOLTAGE REGULATOR GAUGE AND GAS GAUGE AND NEUTRAL LIGHT INDICATOR ALL WENT OFF. BLINKER INDICATORS WE'RE NOT WORKING AS OF THE CRUISE CONTROL ALSO. WAS READ IN A FORUM THAT THIS IS A REGULAR PROBLEM WITH THIS CERTAIN BIKE AND I SHOULD COME HERE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT TO GET A RECALL ON THIS BIKE. HAD TO RIDE BIKE TWO AND A HALF HOURS WITH NO INSTRUMENT PANEL ,NO MPH GAUGE, RPM AMOUNT OF GAS IN MOTORCYCLE OR IF MY BLINKERS WORKING PROPERLY.

NHTSA ID
11338673
Incident
Jun 23, 2020
Mileage
9,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 12, 2019

MY SPEEDOMETER GAUGE (ALL GAUGES) HAS GOTTEN WET FROM RAIN AND ALL OF MY INSTRUMENTATION HAS QUIT WORKING. I HAVE NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO SPEEDOMETER, FUEL, BATTERY, NOTHING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SPEED I AM TRAVELLING AT OR IF THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE PROBLEM WITH MY MOTORCYCLE'S ABS, ENGINE, ETC.

NHTSA ID
11207079
Incident
May 11, 2019
Mileage
8,237 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 10, 2019

I WAS RIDING HOME FROM WORK AND GOT STUCK IN A RAIN STORM AND MY TACH SPEEDO AND FUEL AND AMP GAUGES ALL QUIT WORKING I HAVE CHECKED FUSES AND ARE ALL GOOD I TALKED TO THE HARLEY DEALER AND THEY SAD IT NEEDS A NEW SPEEDO AND TACHOMETER CLUSTER THEY SAY WHEN IT GETS WET IT WILL SHORT OUT. SO I FEEL THAT IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AND THERE SHOULD B A RECALL ON THEM. MY BIKE ONLY HAS LITTLE OVER 4000 MILES ON IT AND THEY WON'T COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY I FEEL IT'S UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT ANY OF THE GAUGES WORKING AND I HAVE READ THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE AND FEEL IT SHOULD B A RECALL TO HAVE HARLEY MAKE IT RIGHT AND PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING TO POTENTIAL OTHER PEOPLE AND CAUSING A ACCIDENT OR EVEN DEATH IN WORST CASE PLEASE HELP US MAKE THEM DO THE RIGHT THING HERE AND FIX THIS PROBLEM

NHTSA ID
11195421
Incident
Apr 8, 2019
Mileage
25 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 16, 2018

AFTER MOTORCYCLE GETTING WET RIDING IN THE RAIN I LOST ALL POWER TO MY SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER DO TO MOISTURE GETTING INSIDE

NHTSA ID
11129757
Incident
Sep 12, 2018
Mileage
8,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 27, 2018

GAUGE CLUSTER QUIT WORKING!! WAS GETTING READY TO TAKE A COUPLE DAY RIDE AND THE SPEED, TACH, FUEL, AND BATTERY GAUGE ALL QUIT WORKING!!! NO WAY TO TELL HOW MUCH FUEL OR HOW FAST I WAS GOING. I WAS JUST PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED.

NHTSA ID
11104319
Incident
Jun 27, 2018
Mileage
10,000 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.

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).

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.

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 Fltrxs by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023100—
2022310—
2021110—
2020210—
2019200—
2018610—
2017820—
2016Viewing121039.7
2015720—

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.