2018 Harley-Davidson Flhxs problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (5) · Service Brakes (1)
🧭 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 (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 (83)
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 83 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-04-04 · Power Train“tl* the contact owns a 2018 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. north country harley-davidson (located at 3099 north belfast avenue, augusta, me 04330, (2…”
2019-03-13 · Power Train“tl* the contact owns a 2018 harley-davidson street glide (flhxs). the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 18v734000 (power train). the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. bert's barracuda harley-davidson (2805 54th ave n, s…”
2019-03-13 · Power Train · 40 mi · 💥 crash“driving around a curve in the state back road (35-40mph max) and lost control of motorcycle; crashed into a guard rail. i can provide better details and photos.…”
2019-01-16 · Power Train“tl* the contact owns a 2018 harley-davidson street glide special (flhxs). the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 18v734000 (power train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. destination harley-davidson …”
2019-01-05 · Power Train“i received a notice on nov.05, 2018 harley davidson recall no. 0173 nhtsa recall no. 18v734. i went approximately on nov. 17, 2018 to drop off the motorcycle at one of the local harley dealerships in garland tx. and was told by one of the technicians that i would have to get on the list and that i would be called when it came my turn due to them…”
2018-08-08 · Service Brakes · 1 mi“i experienced a front brake lock-up that threw me off the bike, and almost got ran over by the car behind me. it seemed that it could have been the calipers, but don't know for sure. i was going at 20 miles per hour as was starting to accelerate from a stop light. i called the local dealer as the bike is brand new, and they came and picked it up…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.