2016 Harley-Davidson Fltru problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (2) · Engine (2) · Visibility/Wiper (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Harley-Davidson Fltru 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 (42)
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 42 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2020-11-20 · Engine · 5 mi“on november 19, 2020, while traveling on a highway the engine light and temperature light came on meaning the engine was running hot, on an expressway the motorcyclist needs to pull over to the emergency lane which puts the operator in danger. it turns out the water pump malfunctioned on a 2016 motorcycle. the dealer was aware of the problems with …”
2020-09-25 · Vehicle Speed Control · 28,800 mi“i was riding my motorcycle and encountered heavy rain when my speedometer, tachometer, dash lights, fuel indicator and voltage gauge started turning on and off, my fuel indication started going from empty to half tank over and over again until it went dead, same with my tachometer and speedometer. now the tachometer is at around 1200 rpms and my sp…”
2020-07-31 · Engine · 3,800 mi“water pump failed august 2018 on a trip and was replaced at dealership under warranty. the 2nd pump failed august 2019 for the same reason and was replaced with upgraded water pump by dealer in sept 2019. july 2020 the upgrade has failed. going to dealer 3rd time for replacement.…”
2020-05-15 · Unknown Or Other · 13,133 mi“front wheel bearings went bad with only 131330miles on bike bearings were making a rumbling noise while riding down road…”
2018-04-28 · Electrical System · 15,000 mi“after a heavy rain, all the instruments stopped working…”
2017-06-01 · Unknown Or Other · 4,800 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2016 harley-davidson road glide ultra (fltru). while driving 60 mph, the saddlebag mounting receptacle failed and the contact's saddlebag fell onto the road. the motorcycle was taken to a dealer (rock-n-roll city harley-davidson 4985 w 150th st, cleveland, oh 44135) where it was determined that this was a known issue. the dea…”
2016-09-23 · Vehicle Speed Control · 50 mi“i purchased this motorcycle on july 23, 2016 and according to 16v-471 (attached), the submission date of the recall to nhtsa was june 24, 2016, the planned dealer notification date was july 06, 2016 - july 08, 2016, the planned owner notification date was july 18, 2016 - july 22, 2016. this means harley davidson knowingly sold me a potentially dead…”
2016-04-15 · Visibility/Wiper · 1,200 mi“blinding glare from sun reflecting off the screen on the boom audio infotainment system. glare is so bad that the driver is blinded and cannot see the roadway.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.