What Harley-Davidson Flhtkse owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Harley-Davidson Flhtkse safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 65 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 78 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 78 |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 79 |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 77 |
| 2016 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 49 |
| 2015 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 |
| 2014 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Harley-Davidson Flhtkse complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
I brought my motorcycle into a Harley Davidson dealer for a Virginia State Safety Inspection. The inspector noticed a crack in the powder-coat of paint covering a welded section of the frame. Further investigation revealed the crack in the paint followed the edge of the weld and the weld is lifted off of the frame. Harley Davidson Corporate was notified and I was told the motorcycle is out of warranty and damage was probably cause by miss use or accident. They told me it was an insurance issue. I called Geico and reported the claim. They investigated and denied the claim saying it was not related to an accident. I called Harley Davidson Corporate and told them the results of the insurance in…
ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND BECAME VERY HOT AFTER SUSTAINED HIGHWAY SPEEDS (75MPH), WHEN SHIFTED DOWN TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN ADDITION TO THE LOSS OF POWER VEHICLE FUEL CONSUMPTION INCREASED DRAMATICALLY. DEALER FOUND ENGINE EXPERIENCED ENGINE OIL SUMPING, WHEREBY THE ENGINE OIL PUMP WAS NOT RETURNING SUFFICIENT OIL TO THE OIL TANK. EXCESS OIL WAS COLLECTING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CRANK CASE. THIS OIL WOULD BUILD UP TO THE POINT THAT THE CRANK WOULD COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE EXCESS AND CAUSE FOAMING. THE RESULTING LACK OF LUBRICATION HAS CAUSED SIGNIFICANT INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THEIR 2017 MODELS. THEY HAVE COME OU…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ULTRA LIMITED CVO (FLHTKSE). THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V734000 (POWER TRAIN). THE DEALER (COWBOY HARLEY-DAVIDSON OF AUSTIN, 10917 I-35, AUSTIN, TX 78747, 512-448-4294) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH FAILED TO DISENGAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WAS NUMBER THREE ON THE WAITING LIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
A TAPPET CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED, CAUSING COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE ON A MOTORCYCLE IS A VERY DANGEROUS EVENT. MANY HARLEY-DAVIDSON CVO 110 ENGINES HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECT, WHICH IS THE RESULT OF BAD METALLURGY AND POOR DESIGN OF THE TAPPET TO CAM INTERFACE IN THE 110 TWIN-CAM ENGINES. THESE BIKES SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE CAMS AND TAPPETS. AGAIN, THE DANGER OF A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE IN A MOTORCYCLE IS EXTREME. A PHOTO OF THE TAPPET FAILURE IS ATTACHED.
THE SPARK PLUG WIRE FOR THE FRONT CYLINDER RUBS AGAINST THE FUEL TANK WEARING THE PROTECTIVE SHEATH AROUND THE SPARK PLUG WIRE. PROLONGED RUBBING WILL WEAR A HOLE IN THE SHEATHING AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AGAINST THE FUEL TANK OR ENGINE STUMBLE. MOTORCYCLE HAS LESS THAN 8100 MILES ON IT AND VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED TO CAUSE THE RUBBING. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD ACROSS ALL 2014-2016 HARLEY DAVIDSON TOURING SERIES MOTORCYCLES, BOTH OF MY NEIGHBORS 2015 AND 2016 MOTORCYCLES HAVE THE SAME ISSUE.
THE ASSIST & SLIP CLUTCH OF MY HD NEARLY GOT ME KILLED THE OTHER DAY. I WAS TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION AND HAD SHIFTED INTO 2ND GEAR WHEN A CAR DIDN'T SEE ME AND WAS COMING RIGHT AT ME. I ACCELERATED HARD WHILE LETTING THE CLUTCH OUT, AND INSTEAD OF IT GRABBING, IT SLIPPED! SO MY MOTORCYCLE JUST SAT THERE REVVING THE ENGINE AND BARELY MOVING BECAUSE THE CLUTCH WAS SLIPPING! THANK GOD THE ONCOMING CAR SLAMMED ON ITS BRAKES AT THE LAST MINUTE AND BARELY MISSED ME. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE A&S CLUTCH HARLEY HAS IN MY CVO HARLEY.
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING HARD AND LOUD SHIFTING BETWEEN SOME OF THE GEARS IS EXTREMELY HARSH AND LOUD AND CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE WHOLE BIKE, FROM MY HANDS ON THE HANDLEBARS TO MY FEET ON THE FLOORBOARDS! IT FEELS LIKE A HAMMER HITTING THE TRANSMISSION WHETHER IT IS AN UPSHIFT OR A DOWNSHIFT. IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION COULD SHATTER THE NEXT TIME I SHIFT AND POSSIBLY FAIL ME SOMETIME I WILL NEED IT THE MOST IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND CAUSE ME TO GET IN A CAR ACCIDENT!
CLUTCH MAY NOT FULLY DISENGAGE WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE MOTORCYCLE IS IN GEAR, THE CLUTCH MAY NOT BE FULLY DISENGAGED.
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.9.4): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). New Software Update. NOTE: The TECHLINK 3 (PART NUMBER: HD-48650-TL3) supports Controller Area Network (CAN) and J-1850 protocol vehicles. ⢠6-pin CAN vehicles are recommended to use Techlink 3 (TL-3) ⢠All 2021 (and later) vehicles must use TL-3 (connects to Red DLC on the vehicle) ⢠4-pin (J-1850) vehicles are recommended to
SERVICE BULLETIN M1733: COSMETIC CYLINDER STAINING (ALL MILWAUKEE-EIGHT MODELS). PURPOSE: Initial release. This bulletin informs dealers that cosmetic staining or etching on the inside of the cylinder bore does not have an impact on engine performance, oil consumption, or overall functionality. This bulletin provides example images of cylinders with cosmetic staining, and images of cases where cylinder replacement would be recommended.
SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.8.3): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). Version Version 26.8.3, Release Date: Week of July 24, 2026. NOTE: Software version (26.4.3) will need to be manually installed only if current software version of DT II is (26.0.2). After (26.4.3) is manually installed, automatic updates will bring DT II to the latest software version. Refer to bulletin M1713 for instructions. New
SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.7.3): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). Version 26.7.3. Release Date:⢠Week of June 11, 2026. NOTE Software version (26.4.3) will need to be manually installed only if current software version of DT II is (26.0.2). After (26.4.3) is manually installed, automatic updates will bring DT II to the latest software version. Refer to bulletin M1713 for instructions.
SERVICE BULLETIN M1727: BIG TWIN INNER PRIMARY SEAL CHANGES. PURPOSE: Initial release. This bulletin informs dealers of changes to the Inner Primary Seal (Part No. 12052). The seal part number was changed from (Part No. 12052A, black in color) to (Part No. 12052B, brown in color). A new Inner Primary Seal (Part No. 12052C) has been released and the color has been changed back to black.
SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.6.2): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). Version 26.6.2. Release Date: Week of April 22, 2026. NOTE: Software version (26.4.3) will need to be manually installed only if current software version of DT II is (26.0.2). After (26.4.3) is manually installed, automatic updates will bring DT II to the latest software version. Refer to bulletin M1713 for instructions. New Feature
SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.5.2): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). Version 26.5.2 Release Date: Week of March 30, 2026. NOTE Software version (26.4.3) will need to be manually installed only if current software version of DT II is (26.0.2). After (26.4.3) is manually installed, automatic updates will bring DT II to the latest software version. Refer to bulletin M1713 for instructions. New Features.
SERVICE BULLETIN M1679: AFTERMARKET EXHAUST HEADER DEBRIS. PURPOSE: Initial release. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has identified instances of premature engine failure due to abrasive particle wear, specifically from debris inside new aftermarket exhaust headers. Recent evaluations have identified that certain newly manufactured exhaust headers may contain residual hard particles that, if not removed prior to installation, can migrate through the engine system and cause accelerated component wear or severe mechanical damage.
SERVICE BULLETIN M1713 (REV C): DTII UPDATE PROCEDURE FOR SOFTWARE VERSION (26.4.3). PURPOSE: Revision C. This bulletin informs dealers that an issue was discovered in the Digital Technician II (DT II) software version (26.0.2), released on November 18, 2025. The issue prevents automatic software updates to be installed on your DT II computer. A manual installation of the latest DT II software version (26.4.3) will need to be performed if current DT II software version is (26.0.2), to allow future automatic updates. If a manual update to (26.1.5) or (26.3.2) has previously been completed, DT I
SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.4.3): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). Version 26.4.3 Release Date: Week of February 25, 2026. NOTE: Software version (26.4.3) will need to be manually installed only if current software version of DT II is (26.0.2). Refer to bulletin M1713 for instructions. New Features: Support for 2026 LiveWire Vehicles, LiveWire S2 Vehicle Status: Display notification when vehicle
SERVICE BULLETIN PAB1177: HARLEY-DAVIDSON AUDIO POWERED BY ROCKFORD FOSGATE P&A WIRING SCHEMATICS. PURPOSE: Initial Release. This bulletin informs dealers and technicians that there are Parts and Accessories (P&A) Wiring Schematics for Harley-Davidson Audio Powered by Rockford Fosgate components. Schematics are available for both Non Center-Cooled and Center-Cooled models.
SERVICE BULLETIN M1713 (REV B): DTII UPDATE PROCEDURE FOR SOFTWARE VERSION (26.3.2). PURPOSE: Revision B. This bulletin informs dealers that an issue was discovered in the Digital Technician II (DT II) software version (26.0.2), released on November 18, 2025. The issue prevents automatic software updates to be installed on your DT II computer. A manual installation of the latest DT II software version (26.3.2) will need to be performed if current DT II software version is (26.0.2), to allow future automatic updates. If a manual update to (26.1.5) or (26.2.1) has previously been completed, DT I
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2014–2021, owners most often name: engine, power train, electrical system. 14 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.