2016 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Tires (1) · Suspension:rear:motorcycle Fork/Swingarm:bearings (1) · Service Brakes (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Harley-Davidson Flhtcu model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Power Train:clutch Assembly 2016-06-27 · campaign 16V471000 · 27,232 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (56)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-17 · M1490 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 tech
Wheels 2026-07-25 · M1490 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 dat
Fuel/Propulsion System 2026-06-11 · M1490 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-25 · M1727 · Service Bulletin/Repair 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 prima
Vehicle Speed Control 2026-04-24 · M1490 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
Vehicle Speed Control 2026-03-31 · M1490 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 56 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-10-30 · Suspension:rear:motorcycle Fork/Swingarm:bearings · 5,800 mi“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…”
2018-08-30 · Power Train · 9,200 mi“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…”
2017-11-26 · Unknown Or Other · 3,000 mi“electrical system malfunction. screen for gps and radio stopped working…”
2017-06-23 · Tires“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…”
2017-05-23 · Service Brakes · 4,210 mi“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 fron…”
2016-04-23 · Exterior Lighting · 30 mi“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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.