2018 Harley-Davidson Flhr problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (3) · Engine (2)
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 (80)
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 80 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-12 · Engine“i have oil in my breather which is a result from engine sumping problems, i have had harley davidson to check recalls and there were none., the bike has 22853 miles on it. also harley davidson checked maintenance records to see if my oil pump had been replaced, they said it had not. the sumping problems could cause a catastrophic failure and an acc…”
2022-04-15 · Power Train · 6,100 mi“the contact owns a 2018 harley-davidson flhr road king. the contact stated that upon start of the motorcycle there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the motorcycle without warning. the contact had taken the motorcycle to a dealer where he was informed that the gears inside of the transmission were breaking apart and that the transmission n…”
2020-06-18 · Power Train · 17,000 mi“this is a description of the drivability problems caused by the excessive primary case fluid. while in motion on a city street the motorcycle would sometimes not shift down from 3rd-2nd or from 2nd to 1st gears. this causes problems when turning and wanting to use engine breaking to slow down during the turn. i could not use the engine breaking an…”
2019-05-28 · Power Train · 800 mi“same issue with 2017-2017 recall on harley clutches purchased a 2019 road king by harley and the clutch will not release the gear in 1st/ bike creeps forward when clutch handled is pulled in. wont go into neutral with out double clutching the clutch handle.out of town dealership inspected and found master cylinder cover gasket sucked down and no…”
2018-05-24 · Engine · 100 mi“engine gets hot and stalls out in traffic due to engine case filling with oil, harley calls this wet sumping, hundreds of bike engines are blowing up all over the world, its all over the internet, with harleys new m8 engine, the bike stalls out with no warning, ive had cars and trucks almost run me over.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.