RoadVitals

2018 Harley-Davidson Fxlr

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.
2
Latest May 13, 2019
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 Sep 26, 2024
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Harley-Davidson Fxlr, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 60 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

  • Brakes125.0%
  • Electrical125.0%
  • Engine125.0%
  • Fuel system125.0%

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
24V719000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Sep 26, 2024
12,929 units potentially affected
The defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Softail FXBB Street Bob and 2018-2019 Softail FXLR Low Rider motorcycles. The front tire inflation pressure on the VIN label may be less than the stated front gross axle weight rating (GAWRs). As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, "Wheels and Rims - Other than Passenger Cars."
The risk: Incorrect tire pressure information may result in overloading the front tire, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Harley-Davidson will mail labels with installation instructions and owner's manual inserts to owners, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 13, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2024. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 414-343-4056. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0628.
Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyManufacturer number 0628View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Fuel system
Filed May 13, 2019

LIQUID GASOLINE EXPELS FROM FUEL TANK OVERPRESSURE VENT TUBE, AT A RATE >5 DROPS/SEC, ANYTIME WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE TANK IS AT OR BELOW 1/2. DEALER WARRANTY REPAIR, 2ND ATTEMPT, SOLUTION WAS TO REVERSE THE VENT LINE CHECK VALVE SO THE FUEL LEAK OUTFLOW STOPPED BUT NOW THE FUEL TANK BUILDS CONSIDERABLE PRESSURE WITH AMBIENT OR OTHER TEMPERATURE RISES LEAVING THE ONLY VENT PATH AS THE GAS CAP REMOVAL. VIDEO AVAILABLE OF BOTH FUEL LEAK AND FUEL TANK PRESSURE RELIEF. THE FUEL LEAK ISSUE WAS FIRST NOTICED ON 07/09/2018; HOWEVER IT WAS NOT RECOGNIZED TO BE A CONSTANT ISSUE AS THE FUEL TANK WAS NORMALLY KEPT BETWEEN FULL AND 5/8 DUE TO COMMUTE PATTERN. ON 04/07/2019 IT WAS NOTICED AGAIN AND VIDEO OF THE FUEL EXPELLING WAS CAPTURED AND SENT TO DEALER ALONG WITH OBSERVATION OF 1/2 TANK OR BELOW REQUIREMENT FOR THE FUEL LEAK TO OCCUR. THE FUEL TANK OVERPRESSURE ISSUE WAS REALIZED AFTER 05/03/2019 AND VERIFIED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE.

NHTSA ID
11207346
Incident
May 11, 2019
Mileage
3,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed May 7, 2019

FOR SOME REASON THE FUEL CAP VIBRATES QUITE LOUD AT CURTAIN RPM. I ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKE WAS SQUEALING A LOT AND AT ONE POINT MY FRONT BRAKE WAS GOING SOFT ON ME. THE FIRST TIME I HAD IT IN THERE FOR THAT REASON THEY CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD ME THAT THEY DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING, THE BRAKES OF THE CAP. OF COURSE I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THIS AND TOOK IT BACK THE FOLLOWING WEEK. THIS TIME THEY SAID THE SAME THING, THAT IT COULD BE HEARD AND NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE BIKE. AFTER THAT I CONTACTED HARLEY DIRECTLY AND WITHIN 2 HOUR RECEIVED A CALL FROM ROMMEL HARLEY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT TURNS OUT THAT THE PART NUMBER AS MY GAS CAP WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE AND THE NEW MODEL WAS ORDERED, ALSO THEY BROKE MY BRAKES DOWN TO PIECES TO FULLY INSPECT THEM AND HAND FILE THEM. THE ISSUE WITH THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES ARE BETTER BUT I CAN TOLERATE IT, AS FOR THE GAS CAP IT STILL IS DOING THE SAME THING. WHEN I CONTACTED THEM I WAS TOLD NOTHING MORE CAN BE DONE SO AGAIN I CONTACTED HARLEY DIRECTLY AND ASKED WHAT COULD BE DONE. THEY CALLED ROMMEL AND SPOKE WITH THEY. I WAS CALLED BACK AND INFORMED THAT NOTHING WOULD BE DONE AND I HAD TO DEAL WITH IT BECAUSE ROMMEL SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. ALSO HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CODES P1510H P2127H P2138H. REDUCED POWER MODE ALONG WITH RANDOM THROTTLE FROM ALMOST STALLING TO THE BIKE DECIDE TO GIVE ITSELF FULL GO REQUIRING EITHER TAKING THE BIKE OUT OF GEAR OR PULLING THE CLUTCH IN. NOTHING WAS DONE BECAUSE "WE NEED TO SEE IT HAPPEN". ERROR CODES WE'RE STILL STORED AND COULD BE READ. NOT SURE IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH MOTORCYCLES BUT WHEN YOU'RE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND IT DECIDED TO GO FULL THROTTLE IT'S QUITE A SCARY THING ESPECIALLY BECAUSE IT'S QUITE HARD IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT IN THAT SITUATION.

NHTSA ID
11205934
Incident
Dec 11, 2018
Mileage
2,500 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 Fxlr by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020000—
2019010—
2018Viewing210—
2017000—

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.