Harley-Davidson FLTRXS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
5,008 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 to 2023 model years. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 42 complaints (38.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 11.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 11.9% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 9.5% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 7.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
Electrical System: 16; Power Train: 12; Engine: 8; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Exterior Lighting: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Service Brakes: 2; Steering: 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 | 24 |
| 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: 24; 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 (24). 17 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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2015: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 5; 2018: 10; 2019: 9; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 4; 2024: 3; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 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 11084898 · 2018-04-13 (April 13, 2018)
COMPLETE FAILURE OF HYDRAULIC CLUTCH. RECALL FOR CLUTCH PROBLEM WAS PERFORMED IN AUGUST OF 2017. ON FEBRUARY 24TH 2018, MOTORCYCLE WAS STARTED IN MY GARAGE AND UPON SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR, THE MOTORCYCLE LUNGES FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE MOTORCYCLE, PERSONNEL BELONGINGS AND BODILY INJURY.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11084898 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10995751 · 2017-06-18 (June 18, 2017)
THIS APPLIES TO HARLEY DAVIDSON 2017 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE NEW M8 ENGINE. GEAR LUBRICANT WILL TRANSFER FROM THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION TO THE PRIMARY CASE OF THE ENGINE RESULTING IN THE OVERFILLING OF THE PRIMARY CASE AND ZERO LUBRICANT IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP AND SLIDING THE REAR WHEEL DUE TO NO LUBRICATION IN THE TRANSMISSION. IF THIS HAPPENS DEATH OR SEVERE INJURY COULD OCCUR. IT ALSO IS A HUGE RELIABILITY ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION HAVING LESS GEAR LUBE THAN WHAT IT WAS DE…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10995751 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11165082 · 2019-01-08 (January 8, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLTRXS. WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED, THE ELECTRICAL GAUGES FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR OVER TWO YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED CLOSE CALL ACCIDENT DUE TO LACK OF TURN INDICATORS SIGNAL STILL WORKING) NO OTHER GUAGES WORKED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11165082 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11104319 · 2018-06-27 (June 27, 2018)
GAUGE CLUSTER QUIT WORKING!! WAS GETTING READY TO TAKE A COUPLE DAY RIDE AND THE SPEED, TACH, FUEL, AND BATTERY GAUGE ALL QUIT WORKING!!! NO WAY TO TELL HOW MUCH FUEL OR HOW FAST I WAS GOING. I WAS JUST PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11104319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11207079 · 2019-05-12 (May 12, 2019)
MY SPEEDOMETER GAUGE (ALL GAUGES) HAS GOTTEN WET FROM RAIN AND ALL OF MY INSTRUMENTATION HAS QUIT WORKING. I HAVE NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO SPEEDOMETER, FUEL, BATTERY, NOTHING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SPEED I AM TRAVELLING AT OR IF THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE PROBLEM WITH MY MOTORCYCLE'S ABS, ENGINE, ETC.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,237 miles reported. Look up ODI 11207079 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11520573 · 2023-05-05 (May 5, 2023)
During a ride my speedometer/tachometer failed due to water intrusion. From what I have seen this is a very common issue. When this happened it caused me to loose my ABS, loss all other gauges. This was a huge saefty concern as I could not monitor anything and could have been potentially dangerous or deadly! This is a huge safety concern that I feel like harley is brushing under the rug! They need to offer some sort of support or repair for this before it claims someones life not mention the passengers life. Very serious issue that they are wil…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11520573 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11089192 · 2018-04-21 (April 21, 2018)
NOTHING HAS HAPPENED TO ME, HOWEVER , HARLEY HAS BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THEIR NEW MILWAUKEE EIGHT ENGINES" ( SERVICE BULLETIN , 1450 ) THE PROBLEM CENTERS AROUND AN ISSUE CALLED OIL SUMPING. THIS CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO MIS-DIRECT THE OIL INTO THE CRANKCASE ,MAKING THE FLYWHEEL HAVE TO TURN THROUGH THE OIL ,CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SLOW DOWN, AND/OR STALL . THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT WOULD HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO HAPPEN ON STOCK MOTORCYCLES, AS WELL AS THOSE EQUIPPED WITH PERFORMANCE KITS FROM HARLEY. AGAIN, I HAVE NOT EXPE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11089192 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11685532 · 2025-09-07 (September 7, 2025)
Manufacture TSB on Engine Coil wiring issue causing vehicle to stall, run on 1 cylinder or fail and cut out when operating vehicle. This should be a full recall. Many 2024 vehicles affected.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11685532 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10993917 · 2017-06-08 (June 8, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 ROAD GLIDE SPECIAL (NA). WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HARLEY-DAVIDSON OF LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10993917 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11732009 · 2026-04-18 (April 18, 2026)
I own a 2020 Harley-Davidson Road Glide equipped with keyless ignition, where the motorcycle is started using the right handlebar run/stop switch. The ignition switch on the triple tree remains installed and is used only for the fork lock. The motorcycle can be started and operated while the ignition switch is in the fork lock position. The fork lock does not fully engage unless the handlebars are turned fully to the left. This creates a condition where the motorcycle can be ridden with the fork lock partially engaged. While riding, if the hand…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11732009 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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 |
2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 0; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 0