2011 Harley-Davidson FLHX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
13,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 18 complaints (44.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 55.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Suspension:Front | 1 |
Service Brakes: 8; Tires: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Wheels: 2; Engine: 1; Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.: 1; Steering: 1; Suspension:Front: 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 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 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: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 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 (13). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2011: 4; 2012: 5; 2016: 5; 2017: 1; 2018: 2; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 10415325 · 2011-07-27 (July 27, 2011)
VISUAL SAFETY ISSUE WITH TAIL LIGHTS. TAIL/BRAKE/TURN SIGNALS CAN NOT BE SEEN IN DAYTIME. THE REAR END LIGHTING ON THE HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE AND ROAD GLIDE CUSTOM IS USELESS. I CAN NOT SEE HOW IT CAN POSSIBLY MEET DOT STANDARDS. THERE ARE TWO SMALL LIGHTS FOR TAIL/BRAKE/TURN SIGNALS, AND ONE LED MODULE LOW ON THE FENDER. I WAITED UNTIL THE 2012 MODEL YEAR TO SEE IF HARLEY DAVIDSON WAS GOING TO ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THEY DID NOT. I DON'T FEEL THAT THE CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE TO MODIFY THEIR MOTORCYCLE TO MAKE IT SAFE TO RIDE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10415325 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10422955 · 2011-09-01 (September 1, 2011)
I HAVE A 2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE (MODEL FLHX). I REALIZED AFTER I PURCHASED IT THAT IT DOES NOT HAVE A SEPARATE REAR BRAKE LIGHT. THE TURN SIGNALS FUNCTION AS TURN SIGNALS, RUNNING LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THOSE BEHIND ME TO DETERMINE WHEN I AM BRAKING SINCE THE TURN SIGNALS ONLY CHANGE IN INTENSITY - THEY DO NOT TURN OFF AND ON. ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, I BELIEVE THE LACK OF A BRAKE LIGHT CONTRIBUTED TO AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING ANOTHER MOTORCYCLIST WHO WAS RIDING BEHIND ME. HE DID NOT RE…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10422955 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10944679 · 2017-01-12 (January 12, 2017)
I HAVE A 2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) FAILED LAST WEEK AND I ALMOST COLLIDED WITH A CAR THAT HAD STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. THE FRONT BRAKE FROZE AND WAS UNUSABLE. HARLEY REQUIRES YOU CHANGE THE BRAKE FLUID EVERY 2 YEARS WHICH I DO, ACTUALLY AT ABOUT EVERY $10K MILES. I'M ADAMANT ABOUT FLUID CHANGES. I CHANGE ENGINE OIL EVERY 5K MILES (AMSOIL) AND REPLACE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, PRIMARY AND BRAKE FLUID EVERY $10K MILES. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. NHTSA IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING 2008 - 2011 MODELS WITH…
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10944679 at NHTSA ↗