2017 Harley-Davidson Flhxs problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (3) · Suspension (2) · Engine (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Harley-Davidson Flhxs 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
2022-11-17 · Engine · 5,000 mi“the contact owns a 2017 harley davidson street glide flhxs. the contact stated that while riding at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a high rpm and then lost motive power. the dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment. the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of th…”
2019-03-11 · Power Train“tl* the contact owns a 2017 harley-davidson street glide special (flhxs). 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. the contact called superstition harley-davidson (5208, 2910 apache trail, apache junction,…”
2019-02-25 · Engine“2017 hd road glide ultra motorcycle. consumer writes in regard to harley "no drive" recall 0173. *as *tr…”
2018-12-31 · Power Train“tl* the contact owns a 2017 harley-davidson street glide special (flhxs). the contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 18v734000 (power train). the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the contact called rommel harley-davidson delmarva (22586 sussex hwy, seaford, d…”
2018-12-13 · Power Train · 4,300 mi · 💥 crash“on august 25th, 2018, i lost control of my harley street glide, while stopped (clutch engaged). motorcycle fell on right side causing damage to both fairing and saddle bag. two months later, i received a recall notice from harley (november 2018, manufacturer recall number 0173) regarding the hydraulic clutch system which according to the recall cou…”
2017-09-07 · Suspension · 4,450 mi“left rear shock blew out leaking fluid all over my rear tire and drive belt. my father in law has the same year and model and both rear shocks blew out on him. this is supposed to be harleys premium shock. i was riding down the highway when it happened i noticed the rear end got very loose pulled over and found a shock leaking…”
2017-07-06 · Suspension · 1,340 mi“tooka new 2017 street glide special bike in for 1k service and i was told the left rear shock was leaking and it would be aval. in a couple of days. so i had to ride it 25 miles to my home. several day later i called and spoke w/ chip the service advisor and he stated that is was still on had not come in. called this morning now i being told 10 jul…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.