RoadVitals

2016 Harley-Davidson Fxsb

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 Jan 23, 2018
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Harley-Davidson Fxsb, most frequently naming the brakes and engine categories. 34 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

  • Brakes150.0%
  • Engine150.0%

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

Engine
Filed Jan 23, 2018
Crash reported

I PURCHASED A NEW HARLEY DAVIDSON FXSB BREAKOUT ON OCTOBER 2015. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 3,010 ACTUAL MILES AS OF TODAY 1-23-18. THE ENGINE OF THE MOTORCYCLE HAS ALWAYS HAD A VERY LOUD MECHANICAL NOISE FROM THE BEGINNING. HOWEVER, ONCE THE INITIAL BREAK-END PERIOD OF 1,000 MILES THE ENGINE WOULD QUIET DOWN. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AND SUBSEQUENTLY WHILE I WAS RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO VIBRATE ERRATICALLY, THE BACK TIRE BEGAN TO SLIDE. I PRESSED IN THE CLUTCH LEVER IN ORDER TO GET A HANDLE ON THE MOTORCYCLE IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION TO PULL OVER AND TO INVESTIGATE WHAT WAS GOING ON. UPON MY COMPLETE INVESTIGATION, I WAS ABLE TO RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE AT A VERY SLOW PACE TO THE HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALERSHIP TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. ON THE HD MESSAGE BOARDS THERE ARE MANY INSTANCES OF THE HD 103B ENGINE HAVING SERIOUS MECHANICAL BREAKAGE PROBLEMS WITH THE VALVE LIFTER / CAMSHAFT. AFTER THE HD SERVICE TECHNICIAN DID HIS COMPLETE INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO DEFECTIVE ENGINE PARTS. UPON REPLACEMENT OF THE LONG BLOCK ASSEMBLY AND ALL RELATED PARTS. I BECAME VERY NERVOUS ABOUT MY CONTINUED OWNERSHIP OF THIS MOTORCYCLE & WANTED TO TRADE UP IN SERIES TO THE NEW 2018 HD BREAKOUT. HOWEVER, HARLEY DAVIDSON CONSUMER DIVISION WOULD NOT GRANT / BUY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE SO I'M STUCK WITH A VERY DANGEROUS MOTORCYCLE WHICH IS ABOUT TO RUIN MY FINANCIAL LIFE DUE TO THE FACT THAT I CAN'T GET RID OF IT. I HAVE ADVERTISED THE VEHICLE IN MANY PUBLICATIONS WITHOUT ANY TAKERS.

NHTSA ID
11064416
Incident
Sep 10, 2017
Brakes
Filed Dec 13, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXSB. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED WITH FORCE, THE REAR MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER CRACKED AND LEAKED BRAKE FLUID. THE CYLINDER MATERIAL SEEMED TO BE STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND TO PREMATURELY FRACTURE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SLOWLY COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (RIVERSIDE HARLEY-DAVIDSON, 7688 INDIANA AVE, RIVERSIDE, CA 92504, (951) 785-0100). THE DEALER TOOK PICTURES AND INDICATED THAT THE REAR MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER BOTH INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE WITH THE PART, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND SOLUTION OTHER THAN REPLACING THE PART. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR DUE TO THE MATERIAL OF THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11054534
Incident
Dec 6, 2017

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 Fxsb by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2018100—
2017100—
2016Viewing200—
2015000—
2014010—
2013310—

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.