RoadVitals

2016 Harley-Davidson Fxdls

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.
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Latest Aug 21, 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.
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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.
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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.
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Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Harley-Davidson Fxdls, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and powertrain (other) categories. 31 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

  • Brakes240.0%
  • Engine120.0%
  • Powertrain (other)120.0%
  • 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

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

BrakesSuspension
Filed Aug 21, 2020

LOUD NOISE COMING FROM REAR WHEEL AFTER 30 MINUTES OF RIDING. MOST NOTICEABLE AT 25-35 MPH. SLIGHTLY MORE THAN NORMAL REAR BRAKE CALIPER NOISE. APPLYING REAR BRAKES DID NOT CHANGE SYMPTOMS. CORNERING AND LEANING THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION THROUGHOUT BIKE. TOOK IN FOR SERVICE REQUESTING REAR WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED BASED ON SYMPTOMS. REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE BAD. NOISE STARTED WHEN IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 3200 MILES CHANGED AT APPROXIMATELY 3700 MILES. SHOULD LAST 100,000 MILES. BIKE NOT LONGER HAS THE VIBRATION; HOWEVER, AFTER 30 MINUTES OF RIDING THE NOISE IS STILL PRESENT. STILL NEEDS FURTHER DIAGNOSIS; HOWEVER, DEALERSHIPS SEEM UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO DIAGNOSIS AND MAKE PROPER REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID
11350584
Incident
Jul 27, 2020
Mileage
3,200 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 3, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HARLEY-DAVIDSON LOW RIDER S (FXDLS). WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CLUTCH DID NOT ENGAGE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OLD GLORY HARLEY-DAVIDSON (301-575-0575, LOCATED AT 11800 LAUREL BOWIE RD, LAUREL, MD 20708) WHERE THE ENGINE AND THE CLUTCH WERE REBUILT. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED IN HOT WEATHER AND DID NOT SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHO REPLACED THE ENGINE AND THE CLUTCH. THE VEHICLE WORKED WELL DURING THE WINTER, BUT STILL OVERHEATED IN HOT WEATHER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 585.

NHTSA ID
11265861
Incident
Jun 22, 2016
Mileage
585 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 10, 2019

HARLEY LATE-MODEL DYNA MOTORCYCLES FRONT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER IS PRONE TO FAILURE. THE FAILURE MODE IS THAT THE PISTON IN THE MASTER CYLINDER DOES NOT RETURN TO THE FULLY EXTENDED POSITION, CAUSING THE BRAKE LEVER TO CONTACT THE BRAKE SWITCH WHILE RIDING, MAKING THE BRAKE LIGHT REMAIN ILLUMINATED DURING RIDING WITHOUT THE BRAKE APPLIED. (THIS FAILURE WILL ALSO REGISTER A CODE IN THE BODY CONTROL MODULE OF THE MOTORCYCLE; SAID CODE RELATING TO FRONT BRAKE SWITCH BEING STUCK ON.) I HAVE OWNED 3 LATE-MODEL DYNAS ('09 FXDB, '14 FXDF & '16 FXDLS) AND 2 OF THEM HAVE HAD SAID FAILURE. SAID FAILURE OCCURRED WITHIN THE 2-YEAR BASIC WARRANTY PERIOD ON MY '14 FXDF, AND HAS OCCURRED NOW ON MY '16 FXDLS (14 MONTHS BEYOND THE BASIC 2-YR WARRANTY). THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED LAST YEAR ON MY STEP-FATHER'S '14 FXDC (SHORTLY BEYOND THE BASIC 2-YR WARRANTY). SOCIAL MEDIA INDICATES THAT THIS FAILURE IS COMMON ENOUGH TO WARRANT A RECALL. SAFETY CONCERN OF SAID FAILURE IS SUCH THAT IF THE BRAKE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY WHILE RIDING, DRIVERS BEHIND THE MOTORCYCLE RIDER DO NOT HAVE AN INDICATION WHEN THE RIDER HAS ACTUALLY BEGUN BRAKING.

NHTSA ID
11218895
Incident
Jun 7, 2019
Mileage
13,250 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 Fxdls by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017100—
2016Viewing300—

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.