2016 Harley-Davidson FLHTCU: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
4,210 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 6 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 16.7% |
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 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Suspension:Rear:Motorcycle Fork/Swingarm:Bearings | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Power Train: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Suspension: 1; Suspension:Rear:Motorcycle Fork/Swingarm:Bearings: 1; Tires: 1; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 5 |
| 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: 5; 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 (5). 1 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 |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2016: 1; 2017: 3; 2018: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10861045 · 2016-04-23 (April 23, 2016)
THE HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT ONLY LIGHTS UP THE ROAD ABOUT 15 FEET IN FRONT OF YOU GOING AROUND TURNS IN THE ROAD AND CURVES. YOU ARE DRIVING IN TOTAL DARKNESS UNTIL THE MOTORCYCLE IS STRAIGHTEN OUT. AND THE HIGH BEAM ONLY LIGHTS UP A SMALL CIRCLE IN FRONT OF YOU GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. YOU CAN'T SEE THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN CASE AN ANIMAL IS COMING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE LIGHTING SYSTEM HARLY HAS INSTALLED ON THE MOTORCYCLE IN 2016. THEY ARE CALLED DAY MAKERS. BECAUSE THEY ARE ONLY DESIGNED TO DRIVE IN THE DAYTIME.
Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10861045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10991204 · 2017-05-23 (May 23, 2017)
SCENARIO: 2016 ULTRA 4200 MILES THAT I PURCHASED WITH ZERO MILES FROM THE DEALER. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALER AS WELL. THE BRAKES WERE FINE. I PARKED AT A RESTAURANT AND WHEN I CAME BACK OUTSIDE I PULLED UP TO THE STREET AND HAD BRAKES. I PULLED OUT ONTO THE STREET AND I HAD NO BRAKES WHATSOEVER ON MY BACK BRAKES AND MY FRONT BRAKES WERE DOING SOME KIND OF GRABBY ON OFF THING AT 10MPH. IT WAS SCARY AS HELL, NO BACK BRAKES AND ALMOST NO FRONT BRAKES. THE BACK BRAKES JUST WENT DOWN ALL OF THE WAY. I HAD TO TRAILER THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,210 miles reported. Look up ODI 10991204 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11000897 · 2017-06-23 (June 23, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE FLHTCU EQUIPPED WITH SHINKO 77HD (NA) TIRES, SIZE: 180/65/B16 (NA). WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 70-80 MPH, THE REAR TIRE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED SEVERE VIBRATION AND WOBBLING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPANY WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE WITH THE TIRES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO RETURN ALL REMAINING INVENTORY TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ON TIRES WITH THE SAFETY SIDEWALLS. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11000897 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11048522 · 2017-11-26 (November 26, 2017)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. SCREEN FOR GPS AND RADIO STOPPED WORKING
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11048522 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11123500 · 2018-08-30 (August 30, 2018)
PURCHASED A NEW 2016 ULTRA CLASSIC HARLEY DAVIDSON NOW HAS 9200 MILE THE COMPENSATOR STARTED TO RATTLE BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME THE COMPENSATOR WENT COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY
Owner-reported narrative. 9,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11123500 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11622689 · 2024-10-30 (October 30, 2024)
The contact owns a 2016 Harley-Davidson FLHTCU Electra Glide Ultra. The contact stated while riding at various speeds, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the motorcycle. In addition, the contact stated that an abnormal vibration was coming from the handlebars while riding. The contact used a trailer to tow the motorcycle to the dealer where it was discovered that the front and rear wheel bearings were defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle remained i…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11622689 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V471000 · Power Train:Clutch Assembly
Reported: 2016-06-27 (June 27, 2016)
Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2016 Electric Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU), Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low (FLHTCUL), Ultra Limited Low (FLHTKL), Ultra Limited (FLHTK), CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), Street Glide (FLHX), Street Glide Special (FLHXS), Road Glide Special (FLTRXS), Road Glide (FLTRX), Police Electra Glide (FLHTP), Road Glide Ultra (FLTRU), Fat Boy S (FLSTFBS), Softail Slim S (FLSS), and CVO Softail Pro Street Breakout (FXSE) motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the clutch master cylinder may lose the ability to generate enough lift to disengage the clutch, especially if the motorcycle has been parked for an extended period of time.
Consequence: When the engine is running and the motorcycle is in gear, if the clutch cannot be fully disengaged, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the clutch master cylinder for the presence of gas in the fluid, if so, the dealer will flush the clutch system and rebuild the clutch master cylinder, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2016. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0169.
NHTSA campaign record ↗