2020 Harley-Davidson FLHCS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
10 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 3 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer | 1 |
| Other/I Am Not Sure | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer: 1; Other/I Am Not Sure: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 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: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 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 (1). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2021: 1; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer leads the component reports. 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11421109 · 2021-06-16 (June 16, 2021)
Throttle control sensor failed while riding motorcycle. Possibility of being hit or stranded on side of the road. Vehicle taken to Dealership, who confirmed that it was a Faulty Throttle Control Sensor. I have found that this has been a Known Issue on Harley Davidson Ride by Wire Throttle Control System for as far back as 2010 and Replacement Parts are on National Back-order. There were no advance warnings that this Failure would occur, nor were there any warning lights or codes when it did happen.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11421109 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11526033 · 2023-06-08 (June 8, 2023)
Big tech or the military are killing us citizens via software
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11526033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11544519 · 2023-09-14 (September 14, 2023)
The contact owns a 2020 Harley Davidson FLHCS. The contact stated that while riding at an undisclosed speed, the speedometer display became foggy and unreadable. The contact was unable to determine the speed of the motorcycle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The motorcycle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 10.
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 11544519 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V591000 · Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber
Reported: 2023-08-22 (August 22, 2023)
Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2018-2019 FLDE, 2018-2021 FLHC, 2018-2023 FLHCS, 2018 and 2023 FLHCS ANV, 2020-2023 FXLRS, 2022-2023 FXLRST, and 2022 FXRST Softail motorcycles. A fastener securing the rear shock absorber may break and allow the rear shock absorber adjuster to damage the rear tire, causing a loss of tire pressure.
Consequence: A loss of tire pressure can lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the shock absorber fastener, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0181.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V375000 · Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber
Reported: 2025-06-06 (June 6, 2025)
Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Softail motorcycles. The mounting tab on the rear shock pre-load adjuster may break, allowing the rear shock absorber adjuster to damage the rear tire, causing a loss of tire pressure.
Consequence: A sudden loss of tire pressure increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 16, 2025. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0188. Some of the vehicles included in this recall were previously repaired under recall 23V591, and will need to have the new remedy completed.
NHTSA campaign record ↗