2017 Harley-Davidson Flhx problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (2) · Electrical System (2) · Engine (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Harley-Davidson Flhx model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Power Train:clutch Assembly 2018-10-18 · campaign 18V734000 · 177,636 vehicles
Defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Police Road King (FLHP), Road King (FLHR), Road King Special (FLHRXS), Electra Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU), Ultra Limited (FLHTK), Ultra Limited Low (FLHTKL), Ultra Limited Shrine (FLHTK SHRINE), Police Electra Glide (FLHTP), Street Glide (FLHX), Street Glide Special (FLHXS), Road Glide Ultra (FLTRU), Road Glide (FLTRX), Road Glide Special (FLTRXS), Freewheeler (FLRT), Tri Glide Ultra (FLHTCUTG), CVO Limited (FLHTKSE
Risk: If the clutch cannot be disengaged it can result in a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will install a new secondary clutch actuator piston assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 5, 2018. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0173.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2017-05-22 · campaign 17V333000 · 45,589 vehicles
Defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2017 Electric Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU), Police Electra Glide (FLHTP), Police Road King (FLHP), Road King (FLHR), Road King Special (FLHRXS), Street Glide (FLHX), Street Glide Special (FLHXS), Road Glide (FLTRX), and Road Glide Special (FLTRXS) motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, a clamp used to secure an engine oil cooler line may have been improperly installed.
Risk: The incorrectly installed clamp may result in the engine oil cooler line detaching, causing a sudden loss of oil, potentially into the path of the rear tire, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the oil cooler line clamps, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 6, 2017. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0170.
Service bulletins (77)
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
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-14 · M1733 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
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
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 77 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-04-24 · Electrical System · 423 mi · 🔥 fire“my 2018 harley davidson caught on fire when i went to go restart the bike. the fire department came and put the fire out and later determined it was electrical malfunction. harley davison does not want to cover the five year warranty on the bike period.i had a fire analysis done by a private company and they determine the fuse panel cost electrical…”
2019-04-04 · Power Train“tl* the contact owns a 2017 harley-davidson street glide (flhx). the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 18v734000 (power train). the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. abc harley-davidson (4405 highland rd, waterford twp, mi 48328, (248) 674-3175) was contacted and c…”
2018-09-10 · Engine · 6,854 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2017 harley-davidson flhx. upon checking the oil, it was discovered that there was no oil on the dip stick. upon further inspection, it was found that the oil had transferred to the primary. the contact was concerned that the failure could potentially result in the engine stalling. the motorcycle was taken to brothers harley-…”
2018-05-12 · Electrical System · 1,200 mi · 🔥 fire“i boughta 2017 harley davidson with a two year manufacturer warranty and i also purchased additional five years.on easter sunday the bike caught on fire when i went to go restart the bike.the fire department put the fire out and determined that it was a electricalmalfunction.harley davidson don't want to cover the bike.the bike was park in the gar…”
2017-08-11 · Power Train · 8,000 mi“while driving long distances at highway speeds, transmission lubricant is transferring to the primary chaincase, causing the primary chaincase to overfill. if not detected immediately by verifying fluid level, this can cause transmission and/or clutch damage.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.