What Harley-Davidson Flhxse owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Harley-Davidson Flhxse 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 78 |
| 2023 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 95 |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 67 |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 79 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 78 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 80 |
| 2017 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 76 |
| 2016 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2010 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 19 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Harley-Davidson Flhxse complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
I suffered 2 incidents of heat prostration, while riding the motorcycle during hot summer weather conditions. Ambient temperatures were above 93 degrees. During one incident, I was stopped at a long, busy red stop light. In the 2nd incident, I was stuck waiting to get out of a busy parking lot. After the very excessive heat exposure to excessive engine heat due to very poor design. I was confused, had difficulty controlling the motorcycle,, lost sense of hearing, and had decreased peripheral vision. I was exposed to the engine heat for less than 6 minutes in each incident, I am personally aware of 2 single vehicle motorcycle crashes involving injuries, and death of a passenger due to …
**NHTSA SAFETY DEFECT COMPLAINT** **Vehicle:** 2022 Harley\-Davidson Street Glide CVO **VIN:** [XXX] **Odometer at beginning of trip:** 9,768 miles **Current odometer:** 9,914 miles **Miles traveled during trip:** Approximately 146 miles I am reporting a potentially serious safety defect involving the throttle/grip control system on my 2022 Harley\-Davidson Street Glide CVO\. During a recent trip, I was traveling approximately 65 mph on the freeway when I attempted to apply additional throttle and the motorcycle did not respond to the throttle input\. This created a serious safety situation because I was traveling at highway speed and suddenly had no normal throttle response\. I pulled …
While riding in Tenn. route 68 we were diverted around an accident into the left hand shoulder. I went through the rumble strips and the vibrations caused the entire windshield assembly to break apart and fall off, hitting the front fender causing me to run it over as well as the other riders with me. It freaked me out and caused me to run into the grass ditch. i kept the bike upright but could have been devastating. the assembly was left on the road due to not being able to retrieve it
Motorcycle goes into limp mode without notice losing power until speed drop to below 20 MPH. it will limp along at 17 mph, but at highway speeds or busy roadway leads to dangerous situations. I had it to the dealer twice and they contacted Harley and they know it is a safety hazard, but they claim not to have a solution. It has happened to me personally 8 times and other riders with similarly models.
Riding the motorcycle in rush hour traffic, it completely lost all power in the fast lane. We had a semi right behind us that almost ran us over. We had to get to the side of the road with no power. We had it towed to the nearest Harley Davidson dealer. The drive belt chewed through the wiring harness with less than 150 miles on the motorcycle.
The contact owns a 2023 Harley-Davidson FLHXSE Motorcycle. The contact stated that while riding at various speeds, the motorcycle experienced unintended acceleration. During the failure, the check engine warning light was displayed along with a triangle flashing on and off. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50.
Bike is equipped with a sidestand position sensor that will shut engine down if sidestand is down and transmission is put in gear. Fault in system somewhere because mine has left me stranded when sensor kills engine with sidestand UP. With only 100 miles on it. FOUR TIMES. I live in the Arizona desert and it is VERY DANGEROUS to be stranded in 102 to 104 degrees without even any shade. Not to mention what would happen if it killed the engine going down the hiway at 70 mph or [XXX] in a curve. Harley has no idea what the problem is so I guess I have a $50,000 paper weight. I don't trust it. This problem WILL get someone killed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A…
The information system and screen are going blank. This affects turn signals and most system checks, radio and other electronic systems. The simply quit working. The dealer confirmed the issue and informed me it is a software issue affecting all Harley Davidson motorcycles with the LED screens. Harley Davidson is aware and of the issue but has not gotten a correction or issued a recall. They only way to get the system to work again is to disconnect the power supply and then reconnect it. The system not working and causing turn indicators not to work is a serious hazard.
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 M1700 (REV B): IGNITION COIL HARNESS REPAIR KIT FOR CENTER-COOLED VEHICLES. PURPOSE: Revision B. Purpose for Service Bulletin: NOTE The repair in the bulletin DOES NOT qualify for Emissions therefore EMS claims will not be accepted. This bulletin informs dealers that there is an Ignition Coil Harness Repair Kit (Part No. 69203885) available in the event that there is damage found to the wire harness branch that goes to the Ignition Coil. See Figure 1. If any of the four wires going to connector [83B] (V/GN, GY/BE, R/GN, GN/BE) are damaged, the Ignition Coil Harness Repair Kit
SERVICE BULLETIN M1735: 2023 TO 2026 CENTER-COOLED TOURING LICENSE PLATE LIGHT HOLDER. Purpose: Initial release. This bulletin informs dealers that a running change has occurred that impacts the design and assembly of the Touring license plate light cover. See Figure 1.
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 M1700 (REV A): IGNITION COIL HARNESS REPAIR KIT FOR CENTER-COOLED VEHICLES. PURPOSE: Revision. Purpose for Service Bulletin: This bulletin informs dealers that there is an Ignition Coil Harness Repair Kit (Part No. 69203885) available in the event that there is damage found to the wire harness branch that goes to the Ignition Coil. See Figure 1. If any of the four wires going to connector [83B] (V/GN, GY/BE, R/GN, GN/BE) are damaged, the Ignition Coil Harness Repair Kit (Part No. 69203885) should be used. REV A: Updated: Required Dealer Action. Add Pre-delivery Note.
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 M1715 (REV C): SKYLINE OS VERSION 5057D SOFTWARE UPDATE. PURPOSE: Revision. NOTE: Service Bulletin M1715 supersedes M1666. Repairs made to vehicles after April 8, 2026 following M1666 will not be accepted through warranty. Warranty claims on repairs made prior to April 8, 2026 will be accepted following standard claim submission policy and process. This bulletin informs dealers of a Skyline⢠OS software update, version (260005057D), for 2023-2026 Touring and 2026 Trike vehicles equipped with an Infotainment Control Unit (IFCU). This software update will be available both as
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 M1722 (REV A): EXHAUST SMOKE, OIL CARRY-OVER OR MILKY OIL (M8 MODELS WITH TRANSMISSION-MOUNTED BREATHER). PURPOSE: Revision A. Purpose for Service Bulletin. This bulletin informs dealers about: ⢠The cause and effects of moisture in engine oil. ⢠Service Manual troubleshooting updates for Milwaukee-Eight engines with the transmission-mounted breather, that have symptoms of moisture in oil and the best practices to avoid creating such instances. ⢠New Job Time Code (JTC 3017 Diagnose Oil Carryover/Moisture) for service manual troubleshooting.
SERVICE BULLETIN M1715 (REV B): SKYLINE OS VERSION 5057D SOFTWARE UPDATE. PURPOSE: Revision. Updated: Purpose for Service Bulletin. Date Change: April 8 was April 24. Note added. NOTE: Service Bulletin M1715 supersedes M1666. Repairs made to vehicles after April 8, 2026 following M1666 will not be accepted through warranty. Warranty claims on repairs made prior to April 8, 2026 will be accepted following standard claim submission policy and process. This bulletin informs dealers of a Skyline⢠OS software update, version (260005057D), for 2023-2026 Touring and 2026 Trike vehicles equipped wit
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation in July 2016 based on forty-three (43) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ).During the course of this investigation ODI received a total of 145 VOQs related to the alleged defect on the subject motorcycles. Owners allege they experience a sudden and complete loss of brakes on one or both wheels. To better understand the cause of the braking issue on the subject motorcycles, ODI requested NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRT
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 2010–2026, owners most often name: electrical system, power train, service brakes. 21 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.