2017 Harley-Davidson Flhxse problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (3) · Exterior Lighting (1) · Engine (1)
Safety recalls (1)
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.
Service bulletins (75)
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 75 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-10-23 · Power Train“at the 25k service no mention was made by the service tech. at the 30k service i was informed that oil is migrating form the transmission to the primary case. i was told to operate for 1000 miles bring it back to be verified. brought it back on 10/22/2022. it was verified that oil is in fact migrating from the transmission to the primary case. th…”
2018-10-16 · Engine“every time i ride, an excessive amount of oil is discharged from the crankcase breakers on the top of the engine, saturate the air filter, and eventually drip onto the timing cover…”
2018-09-11 · Exterior Lighting · 5,600 mi“i purchased this bike in jan. 2018 and found out that when going around corners at night on a dark road i am not able to see through a turn. not even able to see the line on the inside of turn due to the lean angle a bike has compared to a car where this problem would not be an issue. i have contacted harley davidson company 2 times and they noted …”
2018-08-24 · Power Train · 9,000 mi“transmission fluid transferring to the primary case, depleting the fluid required for the transmission. happens periodically while in motion.…”
2018-07-01 · Power Train · 1,309 mi“transmission fluid migrates to primary while in motion depleting fluid in transmission and overfilling primary. migration occurs with engine running and after several hundred miles fluid is no longer measurable on the transmission dipstick. low fluid risks damage/lockup of transmission and or malfunction of clutch due to excessive oil that has migr…”
2017-09-11 · Electrical System · 11,000 mi“motorcycle boom! audio system presents distorted, clipped, and intermittent audio when engine is running above idle rpm. issue is present for all audio inputs (fm, usb/ipod, sirius xm, bluetooth audio, etc.). issue regularly occurs at midrange volumes (5-10 bars) when bike is moving and engine rpm >1500. the stereo should be clearly audible, but…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.