2018 Harley-Davidson Flhx recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, 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 FLHX.
- 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.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (5), Electrical system (2), Wheels / tires (1), Unknown Or Other (1), Engine (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
07/19/2020 · Electrical system
VOLTAGE REGULATOR WENT BAD PUTTING OUT TOO MUCH VOLTAGE AT TIMES THEN NOT ENOUGH VOLTAGE JUMPING INTO RED ST TIMES ALMOST 16 VOLTS CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO GO DIM THEN BRIGHT AT TIMES
06/01/2020 · Transmission / drivetrain
CLUTCH SAFETY SWITCH INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORKING. CAN NOT BE STARTED IN GEAR WITH CLUTCH LEVER PULLED IN. CAUSES ENGINE TO IDLE ROUGH AND STALL IN TRAFFIC WHEN IDLING AT INTERSECTIONS. *TR
08/22/2019 · Wheels / tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE SPECIAL (FLHX). WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE WOBBLED WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE FRONT END OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
06/26/2019 · Transmission / drivetrain
I HAVE A 2018 STREET GLIDE AND HAD THE CLUTCH ACTUATOR RECALL WORK PERFORMED AT THE DEALER THIS PAST WINTER. IT FAILED SUNDAY AND I WAS BROKE DOWN. HARLEY DEALER CLAIMED THEY REPLACED IT TODAY ALL WAS WELL COME GET THE BIKE.. AS I WAS LEAVING THE DEALER WITH MY SO CALLED FIXED MOTORCYCLE I GOT OF THE HIGHWAY ON AN OFF RAMP THE CLUTCH LEVER HAD NO RESISTANCE…
04/29/2019 · Transmission / drivetrain
CLUTCH STOPPED WORKING AT ABOUT 4600 MILES AFTER 1,000 TRIP DAY BEFORE WEATHER TEMP TO 37 DEGREES WENT TO LEAVE HOUSE GOT TO STOP SIGN ON CITY STREET 1/4 BLOCK FROM HOUSE, UPON TRYING TO USE CLUTCH TO STOP, NO CLUTCH CAME CLOSE TO LOSING CONTROL, IF HAD BEEN ANY FASTER OR OUT ON ROAD WOULD HAVE HAD ACCIDENT
12/27/2018 · Transmission / drivetrain
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE SPECANX (FLHX). THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: 0173 (HYDRAULIC CLUTCH SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AS THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED O…
10/23/2018 · Transmission / drivetrain
TRANSMISSION IS LOSING OIL INTO PRIMARY. IT OVER FILLS THE PRIMARY WHILE DRAINING THE TRANSMISSION OF NEEDED LUBRICATION. AN OVERFILLED PRIMARY CAN CAUSE HARD SHIFTS, AND COULD POTENTIALLY DAMAGE THE CLUTCH.
08/02/2018 · Steering · crash
MY 2018 HD STREET GLIDE FLHX FRONT TIRE LIFTS OFF THE GROUND UPON A STOPPED LEFT TURN. THIS HAS CAUSED ME 2 ACCIDENTS. ONE AT $11,000 AND THE OTHER STILL IN CONSIDERATION. ACCIDENT #1 3/17/18. STOPPED ON STREET, TURN LEFT INTO DRIVEWAY. LOST CONTROL OF THE BIKE AND HIT A WALL. SPENT 3 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL. BIKE HAD OVER $11,000 IN DAMAGE. ACCIDENT #2. STO…