2015 Harley-Davidson FLHTK: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
11,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 10 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 20.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 10.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Engine: 4; Structure:Body: 3; Electrical System: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 1; Service Brakes: 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 | 8 |
| 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: 8; 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 (8). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2018: 5; 2019: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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 10778492 · 2015-09-29 (September 29, 2015)
WHILE ON A TRIP THROUGH COLORADO I WAS DESCENDING A STEEP MOUNTAIN GRADE. I APPLIED LIGHT PRESSURE TO THE FRONT BRAKE AND FELT A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. AS I INCREASED THE FRONT BRAKE PRESSURE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SLOW FOR A TIGHT TURN, THE VIBRATION INCREASED UNTIL THE ENTIRE MOTORCYCLE SHOOK. THE VIBRATION CEASED ONCE THE SPEED WAS REDUCED BELOW ABOUT 30 MPH OR BRAKE PRESSURE WAS RELEASED. THIS SITUATION CAUSED ME SURPRISE AND DISTRACTION IN A CRITICAL STAGE OF OPERATION AND IT IS MY BELIEF THAT LOSS OF CONTROL IS POSSIBLE IN CERTAIN SITU…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10778492 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10937339 · 2016-12-24 (December 24, 2016)
DECEMBER 23, 2016, WHILE RIDING MY HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTK ULTRA LIMITED MOTORCYCLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A STRAIGHT SECTION INTERSTATE 295 IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, THE RIGHT SADDLEBAG PINS FROM THE RECEPTACLES, ALLOWING THE SADDLEBAG TO DETACH FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS EVENT CAUSED A TRAFFIC HAZARD FOR OTHER MOTORISTS. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND THE ROAD SURFACE WAS DRY AND RELATIVELY EVEN. THE SADDLEBAGS WERE CHECKED APPROXIMATELY 25 MINUTES BEFORE THE EVENT, PRIOR TO OPERATING THE MOTORCYCLE, AND NOTHING UNUSUAL WAS OBSERVED. THIS EVEN…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10937339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10937407 · 2016-12-26 (December 26, 2016)
DECEMBER 23, 2016, WHILE RIDING MY HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTK ULTRA LIMITED MOTORCYCLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF INTERSTATE 295 IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, THE RIGHT SADDLEBAG MOUNTING PINS DETACHED FROM THE RECEPTACLES, ALLOWING THE SADDLEBAG TO DETACH FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS UNWANTED EVENT CAUSED A TRAFFIC HAZARD FOR OTHER MOTORISTS. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND THE ROAD SURFACE WAS DRY AND RELATIVELY EVEN. THE SADDLEBAGS WERE CHECKED APPROXIMATELY 25 MINUTES BEFORE THE EVENT, PRIOR TO OPERATING THE MOTORCYCLE, AND NOTHING U…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10937407 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11072437 · 2018-02-12 (February 12, 2018)
CLUTCH BEGAN SLIPPING AT 14,000 MILES WHILE IN 6TH GEAR WHILE ON INTERSTATE. RESULTED IN EVASIVE MANEUVERS BEING TAKEN BY MYSELF AND OTHER MOTORISTS TO AVOID COLLISION, AS I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE CLUTCH IS NOT COVERED IN WARRANTY.
Owner-reported narrative. 14,870 miles reported. Look up ODI 11072437 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11072438 · 2018-02-12 (February 12, 2018)
SPARK PLUG WIRE LEADING TO FRONT CYLINDER RUBS AGAINST THE FUEL TANK, LEADING TO ABRASION THROUGH THE INSULATION OF THE SPARK PLUG WIRE. REPLACEMENT OF PARK PLUG WIRE UNDER WARRANTY DENIED BY FORT BRAGG HARLEY DAVIDSON. ABRASION THROUGH THE INSULATION BY CONTACT OF THE FUEL TANK COULD LEAD TO FIRE OR EXPLOSION SHOULD THE WIRE ARC ON THE FUEL TANK OR IF FUEL LEAKS.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11072438 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11111614 · 2018-07-30 (July 30, 2018)
2015 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DISTURBING ENGINE IMPLOSION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS THE ENGINE ON THE VEHICLE BLEW. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11111614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11140807 · 2018-10-17 (October 17, 2018)
ON INTERSTATE WATER PUMP FAILURE AT 9000 MILES ON THE BIKE. HAD THE WATER PUMP REPLACED AT DENVER HARLEY COST $810.00
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11140807 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11143417 · 2018-10-27 (October 27, 2018)
AFTER SITTING IN THE SUN APPROX. 8 HOURS, WHILE IN MOTION, ENGINE DIED APPROX. 2 SECONDS WHEN STOPPING, TURNING OR ACCELERATING. 1 TIME ENGINE SPUTTERED WHEN IT DIED AT A STOP, THE OTHER TIMES ENGINE JUST STOPPED RUNNING. STARTED RIGHT BACK UP. OK IF FUEL TANK AND PCM (SEAT) ARE COVERED OR BIKE IN GARAGE. BEEN TO DEALERSHIP TWICE, THEY WERE UNABLE TO VERIFY. DIED SEVERAL TIMES FROM 3/18/17.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11143417 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.
15V216000 · Power Train:Clutch Assembly
Reported: 2015-04-13 (April 13, 2015)
Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) notified the agency on April 9, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Electra Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU), Electra Glide Ultra Classic - Twin Cooled (FLHTCU TC), Ultra Limited (FLHTK), Police Electra Glide (FLHTP), Street Glide (FLHX), Street Glide Special (FLHXS), CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), 2015 Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low (FLHTCUL), Ultra Limited Low (FLHTKL), Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low - Twin Cooled (FLHTCUL TC), Road Glide Special (FLTRXS), Road Glide (FLTRX), and 2014 CVO Road King (FLHRSE) motorcycles. On July 31, 2015, Harley-Davidson expanded the recall to cover an additional 61,065 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 flush the clutch system and rebuild the clutch master cylinder, free of charge. The recall began April 23, 2015. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0165.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V427000 · Equipment
Reported: 2015-07-06 (July 6, 2015)
Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Road King (FLHR), Street Glide (FLHX), Street Glide Special (FLHXS), Electra Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU), Ultra Limited (FLHTK), Police Road King (FLHP), Police Electra Glide (FLHTP), CVO Ultra Limited (FLHTKSE), 2014 CVO Road King (FLHRSE), and 2015 Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low (FLHTCUL), Ultra Limited Low (FLHTKL), Road Glide (FLTRX), Road Glide Special (FLTRXS), CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), and CVO Road Glide Ultra (FLTRUSE) motorcycles. The affected motorcycles have saddlebag mounting receptacles that may not adequately secure the saddlebags to the motorcycle.
Consequence: If a saddlebag is not adequately secured, it may separate from the motorcycle while riding, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected saddlebag mounting receptacles with updated receptacles, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2015. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0166.
NHTSA campaign record ↗