Harley-Davidson FLHTKSE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
3,208 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 to 2021 model years. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 14 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 14.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 14.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 7.1% |
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 | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Engine: 4; Power Train: 4; Electrical System: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Steering: 1; Suspension: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 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: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 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 (9). 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 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 2; 2017: 4; 2018: 2; 2020: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 10981526 · 2017-04-30 (April 30, 2017)
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING HARD AND LOUD SHIFTING BETWEEN SOME OF THE GEARS IS EXTREMELY HARSH AND LOUD AND CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE WHOLE BIKE, FROM MY HANDS ON THE HANDLEBARS TO MY FEET ON THE FLOORBOARDS! IT FEELS LIKE A HAMMER HITTING THE TRANSMISSION WHETHER IT IS AN UPSHIFT OR A DOWNSHIFT. IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION COULD SHATTER THE NEXT TIME I SHIFT AND POSSIBLY FAIL ME SOMETIME I WILL NEED IT THE MOST IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND CAUSE ME TO GET IN A CAR ACCIDENT!
Owner-reported narrative. 450 miles reported. Look up ODI 10981526 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10992600 · 2017-06-01 (June 1, 2017)
THE ASSIST & SLIP CLUTCH OF MY HD NEARLY GOT ME KILLED THE OTHER DAY. I WAS TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION AND HAD SHIFTED INTO 2ND GEAR WHEN A CAR DIDN'T SEE ME AND WAS COMING RIGHT AT ME. I ACCELERATED HARD WHILE LETTING THE CLUTCH OUT, AND INSTEAD OF IT GRABBING, IT SLIPPED! SO MY MOTORCYCLE JUST SAT THERE REVVING THE ENGINE AND BARELY MOVING BECAUSE THE CLUTCH WAS SLIPPING! THANK GOD THE ONCOMING CAR SLAMMED ON ITS BRAKES AT THE LAST MINUTE AND BARELY MISSED ME. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE A&S CLUTCH HARLEY HAS IN MY CVO HARLEY.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10992600 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10553637 · 2013-11-24 (November 24, 2013)
ENGINE COOLANT LEAK STARTED AT ABOUT 700 TOTAL MILES. THE LEAK APPEARS FROM THE COOLANT PUMP HOUSING. IF IT IS LEAKING WHILE RIDING THE SLIPPERY COOLANT SPLASHES ONTO THE REAR TIRE AFFECTING TRACTION. THE LEAK CAN POSSIBLY BE SPLASHING ON THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS AFFECTING BRAKING. NOW WITH ONLY 1,450 TOTAL MILES THE LEAK BECAME A FULL BLOWN GUSHER. IT'S IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. I HAVE READ OVER 60 PAGES ON THE HD FORUM ABOUT OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10553637 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11310386 · 2020-02-20 (February 20, 2020)
ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND BECAME VERY HOT AFTER SUSTAINED HIGHWAY SPEEDS (75MPH), WHEN SHIFTED DOWN TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN ADDITION TO THE LOSS OF POWER VEHICLE FUEL CONSUMPTION INCREASED DRAMATICALLY. DEALER FOUND ENGINE EXPERIENCED ENGINE OIL SUMPING, WHEREBY THE ENGINE OIL PUMP WAS NOT RETURNING SUFFICIENT OIL TO THE OIL TANK. EXCESS OIL WAS COLLECTING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CRANK CASE. THIS OIL WOULD BUILD UP TO THE POINT THAT THE CRANK WOULD COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE EXCESS AND CAUSE FOAMING. THE RESULTING LACK OF LUBRICATION HAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 8,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11310386 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10995731 · 2017-06-18 (June 18, 2017)
THE SPARK PLUG WIRE FOR THE FRONT CYLINDER RUBS AGAINST THE FUEL TANK WEARING THE PROTECTIVE SHEATH AROUND THE SPARK PLUG WIRE. PROLONGED RUBBING WILL WEAR A HOLE IN THE SHEATHING AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AGAINST THE FUEL TANK OR ENGINE STUMBLE. MOTORCYCLE HAS LESS THAN 8100 MILES ON IT AND VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED TO CAUSE THE RUBBING. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD ACROSS ALL 2014-2016 HARLEY DAVIDSON TOURING SERIES MOTORCYCLES, BOTH OF MY NEIGHBORS 2015 AND 2016 MOTORCYCLES HAVE THE SAME ISSUE.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,096 miles reported. Look up ODI 10995731 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2014: 4; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1