2018 Harley-Davidson Flhtk recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. 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 Speci…
What could happen: If the clutch cannot be disengaged it can result in a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 FLHTK.
- Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V734000 (manufacturer code 0173).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-258-2464.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
Summary: 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) and CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE) motorcycles, 2017 Softail Slim S (FLSS), Fat Boy S (FLSTFBS) and CVO Pro Street Breakout (FXSE) motorcycles, 2018 115th Anniversary Ultra Limited (FLHTK ANV), 115th Anniversary Street Glide (FLHX ANV), 115th Anniversary Street Glide Special (FLHXS ANX), 115th Anniversary Tri Glide Ultra (FLHTCUTG ANV), 115th Anniversary CVO Limited (FLHTKSE ANV) and CVO Road Glide (FLTRXSE) motorcycles. The secondary clutch actuator cylinder may leak fluid internally and the clutch master cylinder may lose the ability to generate enough lift to disengage the clutch.
Consequence: If the clutch cannot be disengaged it can result in a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Visibility (wipers / glass)
What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly. The kit did not include replacement rear red reflectors for the ones that are eliminated by installing this kit. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
What could happen: Without the rear red reflectors, the motorcycle has reduced visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Harley-Davidson has notified owners, and dealers will install the replacement reflectors, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0629.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 FLHTK.
- Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V574000 (manufacturer code 0629).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-258-2464.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VISIBILITY
Summary: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain Touring and CVO Touring motorcycles, including 2017-2019 FLHTCU, FLHTCUL, FLHTK ANV, FLHTKL, FLTRU, FLHTK, and 2016-2019 FLHTKSE, FLHTKSE ANV, and FLTRUSE models equipped with a Harley-Davidson Detachable Tour-Pak Luggage Conversion Kit (Part numbers 53000291, 53000291A, and 53000567). The kit did not include replacement rear red reflectors for the ones that are eliminated by installing this kit. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: Without the rear red reflectors, the motorcycle has reduced visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Harley-Davidson has notified owners, and dealers will install the replacement reflectors, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0629.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 2018 Harley-Davidson Flhtk owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (2), Transmission / drivetrain (1), Wheels / tires (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (4)
04/20/2021 · Transmission / drivetrain
LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE, POWER, AND ENGINE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED DUE TO OIL SUMP AND FAILURE OF OIL PUMP. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON RESTRICTED ACCESS ROAD.
09/10/2020 · Wheels / tires
TIRE DEVELOPED SLICING IN THE TREAD HAVE HAD MULTIPLE HARLEY DEALERS TELL ME THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM
05/19/2018 · Engine
WHEN SLOWING FOR A STOP THE ENGINE WILL STALL WHEN THE CLUTCH LEVER IS PULLED IN. THE BIKE MUST BE SWITCHED OFF THEN BACK ON AND RESTARTED. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT THE DEALER COULD NOT REPRODUCE. HOWEVER, A LITTLE RESEARCH ON INTERNET SHOWS A LOT OF OWNERS WITH THE NEW MILWAUKEE 8 ENGINE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE.
09/25/2017 · Engine
HEAD BOLT BROKE ON FRONT CYLINDER OF ENGINE CAUSING HEAD GASKET TO FAIL, WHICH LED TO OIL LEAK FROM HEAD GASKET. THIS LED TO ENGINE OIL BEING LEAKED ONTO SIDE OF MOTORCYCLE AS WELL AS ON PASSENGER BOOTS AND ONTO REAR TIRE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE VEHICL WAS TRAVELLING ON HIGHWAY WITH ENGINE AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE .WASINFORMED BY HARLEY MASTER TECH THAT THEY…