2014 Harley-Davidson FLHTK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
1,700 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 33 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 37 complaints (32.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 24.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 8.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 5.4% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 5.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 12 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
Engine: 12; Service Brakes: 8; Power Train: 7; Electrical System: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Steering: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 30 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 30; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (30). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2013: 11; 2014: 12; 2015: 1; 2016: 5; 2017: 4; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10551217 · 2013-11-06 (November 6, 2013)
WHILE LEADING A GROUP OF BIKES, USING THE CB RADIO PUSH TO TALK (PTT) CONTROL TO COMMUNICATE WITH GROUP RIDE LEADERS, MY GRIP ON THE THROTTLE CONTROL SLIPPED, CAUSING A SUDDEN & IMMEDIATE DECELERATION OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS RESULTED IN A NEAR MISS COLLISION FROM THE BIKE BEHIND ME IN THE GROUP (THERE WAS NO BRAKE LIGHT INDICATING I WAS DECELERATING). THIS ISSUE RELATES DIRECTLY TO THE 2014 MY VEHICLES. PREVIOUS YEAR HARLEY-DAVIDSON VEHICLES HAD THE CB RADIO PTT CONTROL LOCATED ON THE LEFT HANDLEBAR CONTROLS AND POSED NO DANGER TO LOSING …
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10551217 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10566571 · 2014-03-01 (March 1, 2014)
HITACHI CABLE INDIANA HAS BEEN PRODUCING BRAKE HOSE PARTS FOR HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES THAT DO NOT PASS "WHIP" TEST PER FMVSS FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND HAS BEEN PROVIDING FALSE DATA FOR TEST RESULTS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10566571 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10587066 · 2014-05-07 (May 7, 2014)
ON 04/24/14 DRIVING AT APP. 45 MPH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND LOST POWER FROM REAR CYLINDER. APP. 30 TO 45 SECS. LATER , LIGHT WENT OFF AND POWER RETURNED TO REAR CYLINDER. WENT DOWN ROAD A FEW MORE MILES AND SAME THING OCCURRED AGAIN. THIS TIME LIGHT STAYED ON AND NO POWER FROM REAR CYLINDER. CHECKED CODE FROM ENGINE AND CAME UP WITH PO264 WHICH IS "REAR INJECTOR HIGH". TOOK TO DEALER NEXT DAY. ON 4/26/14 WAS DRIVING AT APP. 65 MPH SAME THING OCCURRED 4 TIMES. TOOK TO DEALER ON 5/1/14. GOT BIKE BACK SAME DAY FROM DEALER. ON 5/3/14 SAME…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10587066 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10617216 · 2014-07-29 (July 29, 2014)
THE FRONT SPARK PLUG WIRE ON 2014 HARLEY DAVIDSON TOURING MOTORCYCLES IS ROUTED ALONG THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FRAME UNDER THE FUEL TANK. AT THE POINT WHERE THE FRONT SPARK PLUG WIRE EMERGES FROM BENEATH THE FUEL TANK, THE SPARK PLUG WIRE TOUCHES AND RUBS AGAINST THE FUEL TANK. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS FROM OWNERS OF THESE MOTORCYCLES OF THE INSULATION BEING DAMAGED OVER TIME BY THE CONTINUOUS RUBBING ON THE TANK CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT AND FIRE AT THE FUEL TANK. THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE IS FURTHER SUPPORTE…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10617216 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10552482 · 2013-11-15 (November 15, 2013)
THIS 2014 HD FLHTK HAD THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH SERVICED IN OCTOBER 2013 UNDER THE MASSIVE HD CLUTCH RECALL PROGRAM. HOWEVER, I INSPECTED THE BIKE AND INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THE CLUTCH FLUID LOW. IT WAS BELOW THE SIGHT GLASS ON THE MASTER CYLINDER (ACUTELY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SIGHT GLASS). I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CYLINDER WAS FULL AND CANNOT BE FILLED TO THE SIGHTLINE BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN. ON NOVEMBER 15, 2013 DRIVING 40 MILES FROM HOME AT 45 MPH WHEN I APPROACHED A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND STARTED TO DOWN SHIFT. SHIFTING BECAME HARDER AND HAD TROU…
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10552482 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10549772 · 2013-10-28 (October 28, 2013)
A PUSH TO TALK BUTTON FOR THE CB COMMUNICATION SYSTEM ON ALL HARLEYS FOR WELL OVER 10 YEARS HAS BEEN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HANDLE BAR BUTTON CLUSTER FOR BIKES WITH CB AND RADIO. ON THE NEW 2014 THE BUTTON WAS SWITCHED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON (WHICH WAS MOVED TO THE LEFT SIDE) AND MOVED TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE CONTROL CLUSTER. BECAUSE OF THIS AND THE NEED TO CONTINUALLY GRAB THE THROTTLE CONTROL, THE BUTTON IS NOT AS EASY TO REACH WHILE RIDING. THE ON/OFF SWITCH FOR THE BIKE IS DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE THROTTLE GRIP. BECAUSE OF THIS THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,025 miles reported. Look up ODI 10549772 at NHTSA ↗