Harley-Davidson FLHXS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
51 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
4,450 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 to 2022 model years. Data snapshot: . 35 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 51 complaints (35.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 19.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 9.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 5.9% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 18 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Equipment | 2 |
Power Train: 18; Engine: 7; Service Brakes: 6; Unknown Or Other: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Electrical System: 2; Equipment: 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 | 34 |
| 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: 34; 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 (34). 16 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 |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2014: 3; 2015: 8; 2016: 8; 2017: 7; 2018: 5; 2019: 9; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 3; 2024: 1; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 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 10621286 · 2014-08-11 (August 11, 2014)
I THOUGHT I WAS FLASHING MY BRAKE LIGHTS TO WARN DRIVERS BEHIND ME THAT I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN..I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN!! I DECIDED TO NOT MAKE THAT TURN AND KEPT GOING TO PREVENT ME FROM GETTING HIT. PULLED OVER TO CHECK MY BRAKE LIGHTS. I FOUND THAT THEY DO NOT ACTIVATE UNTIL THERE IS SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER. THE BRAKE LIGHTS SHOULD BE ILLUMINATED AS SOON AS THE BRAKE LEVER IS PULLED BEFORE THE BRAKE PADS CONTACT THE ROTOR! WHEN COMING TO A NORMAL STOP, I STOP AND LOOK …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10621286 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10816751 · 2015-12-29 (December 29, 2015)
WHILE RIDING THE BIKE AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHEN APPLYING FRONT BRAKE. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND DEALS WITH THE SWITCH HOUSING ON THE HANDLEBARS WHERE THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER IS ATTACHED. WHEN GOOGLED OTHER BIKE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND HARLEY DOES NOT WANT TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY UNLESS THEY CAN DUPLICATE AT THE TIME IT IS BROUGHT TO SHOP. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED FOR THIS POSE A SERIOUS RISK TO RIDER AND OTHERS.
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10816751 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10945406 · 2017-01-15 (January 15, 2017)
DURING A RIDE ON JANUARY 9, 2016, I EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE SHIFTING MECHANISM ON MY 2014 HARLEY STREET GLIDE. THE SHIFTER WOULD MOVE FREELY AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS UNABLE TO DOWNSHIFT OR UPSHIFT AND WAS STUCK IN SECOND GEAR. I TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE HOUSE OF THUNDER HARLEY DAVIDSON MORGAN HILL, CA DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SHIFTER SHAFT SPLINES HAD STRIPPED AND THUS THEY REPLACED THE SHAFT UNDER WARRANTY AT 7,849 MILES. ON JANUARY 14, 2017, I WAS RIDING AND EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL CATASTROPHIC FAILU…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,581 miles reported. Look up ODI 10945406 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11161205 · 2018-12-13 (December 13, 2018)
ON AUGUST 25TH, 2018, I LOST CONTROL OF MY HARLEY STREET GLIDE, WHILE STOPPED (CLUTCH ENGAGED). MOTORCYCLE FELL ON RIGHT SIDE CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH FAIRING AND SADDLE BAG. TWO MONTHS LATER, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM HARLEY (NOVEMBER 2018, MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER 0173) REGARDING THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH SYSTEM WHICH ACCORDING TO THE RECALL COULD LEAD TO FAILURE "IF THIS CONDITION REMAINS UNDETECTED, IT COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN STARTED IN GEAR, FIRST SHIFTED INTO GEAR, OR COMING TO A STOP." THIS DESCRIBE EXACTLY W…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11161205 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10908420 · 2016-09-21 (September 21, 2016)
2014 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHXS FRONT SPARK WIRE RUBBING ON GAS TANK AND WEARING OFF THE INSULATION OF THE WIRE. PROBABLE CAUSE OF ERRATIC BEHAVIOR AND STALLING WHILE DRIVING.
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10908420 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10967851 · 2017-03-22 (March 22, 2017)
THE SPARK PLUG WIRE IN WEARING BY RUBBING AGAINST SOMETHING. I'VE SEEN THIS ON EVERY 2014 HARLEY DAVIDSON TOURING BIKE I'VE SEEN INCLUDING MINE. IT HASN'T WORN THROUGH YET BUT IT WILL SOONER OR LATER AND WHEN IT DOES IT WILL ARCH TO THE GAS TANK. I DIDN'T HEAR ABOUT THE PROBLEM UNTIL MY BIKE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HD IS REPLACING THOSE THAT ARE UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10967851 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11493945 · 2022-11-17 (November 17, 2022)
The contact owns a 2017 Harley Davidson Street Glide FLHXS. The contact stated that while riding at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a high RPM and then lost motive power. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: M1450 (Milwaukee-Eight Equipped Vehicles - Loss of Power or High Engine Braking). The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11493945 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11526505 · 2023-06-12 (June 12, 2023)
The contact owns a 2020 Harley Davidson FLHX Street Glide. The contact stated while riding approximately 60 MPH, the battery started draining and the motorcycle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the "Device connected to the USB port Draining Power - Disconnect Device” message was displayed. The contact rode to a dealer where and was informed that a fuse was blown; however, the cause for the blown fuse was unknown. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The motorcycle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximat…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11526505 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 | 5 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2014: 5; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 0; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1