VehicleVerdict

2014 Harley-Davidson Flhtk problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 50 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.0 times the median Flhtk year — the 2014 model ranks #1 of 15 Flhtk years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 15 reports (30% of the total).

50

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2014 compare to other Flhtk years?

Flhtk NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted50 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 37 complaints2011: 26 complaints2012: 27 complaints2013: 17 complaints2014: 50 complaints2015: 13 complaints2016: 14 complaints2017: 10 complaints2018: 4 complaints2019: 4 complaints2020: 2 complaints2021: 2 complaints2022: 0 complaints2023: 3 complaints
Flhtk NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Flhtk years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Harley-Davidson Flhtk problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1530%
Brakes816%
Transmission714%
Electrical System714%
Speed Control48%
Other36%
Steering24%
Lighting12%
Body & Structure12%
Tires & Wheels12%
Fuel System12%

Does the 2014 Harley-Davidson Flhtk have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V427000OtherJuly 6, 2015 · 185,272 units

Defect

Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Road King (FLHR), Street Glide (FLHX), Street Glide Special (FLHXS), Electra Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU), Ultra Limited (FLHTK), Police Road King (FLHP), Police Electra Glide (FLHTP), CVO Ultra Limited (FLHTKSE), 2014 CVO Road King (FLHRSE), and 2015 Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low (FLHTCUL), Ultra Limited Low (FLHTKL), Road Glide (FLTRX), Road Glide Special (FLTRXS), CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), and CVO Road Glide Ultra (FLTRUSE) motorcycles. The affected motorcycles have saddlebag mounting receptacles that may not adequately secure the saddlebags to the motorcycle.

Consequence

If a saddlebag is not adequately secured, it may separate from the motorcycle while riding, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected saddlebag mounting receptacles with updated receptacles, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2015. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0166.

15V216000TransmissionApril 13, 2015 · 106,966 units

Defect

Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) notified the agency on April 9, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Electra Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU), Electra Glide Ultra Classic - Twin Cooled (FLHTCU TC), Ultra Limited (FLHTK), Police Electra Glide (FLHTP), Street Glide (FLHX), Street Glide Special (FLHXS), CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), 2015 Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low (FLHTCUL), Ultra Limited Low (FLHTKL), Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low - Twin Cooled (FLHTCUL TC), Road Glide Special (FLTRXS), Road Glide (FLTRX), and 2014 CVO Road King (FLHRSE) motorcycles. On July 31, 2015, Harley-Davidson expanded the recall to cover an additional 61,065 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the clutch master cylinder may lose the ability to generate enough lift to disengage the clutch, especially if the motorcycle has been parked for an extended period of time.

Consequence

When the engine is running and the motorcycle is in gear, if the clutch cannot be fully disengaged, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush the clutch system and rebuild the clutch master cylinder, free of charge. The recall began April 23, 2015. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0165.

14V537000TransmissionSeptember 5, 2014 · 105,746 units

Defect

Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2014 Electra Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU), Ultra Limited (FLHTK), Police Electra Glide (FLHTP), Street Glide Special (FLHXS), Street Glide (FLHX), Tri Glide Ultra (FLHTCUTG), CVO Limited (FLHTKSE), CVO Road King (FLHRSE), CVO Breakout (FXSBSE), Electra Glide Ultra Classic Twin Cooled (FLHTCUTC), Ultra Limited Shrine (FLHTK SHRINE), Street Glide Shrine (FLHX SHRINE), and CVO Softail Deluxe (FLSTNSE). In the affected motorcycles, a component in the clutch master cylinder may fail, reducing the pressure available to keep the clutch disengaged.

Consequence

If the clutch does not remain disengaged, the motorcycle may creep forward while the rider intends to be stopped, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will rebuild the affected clutch master cylinders, free of charge. The recall began on September 17, 2014. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0159 & 0160.

14V319000BrakesJune 12, 2014 · 66,421 units

Defect

Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2014 ABS-equipped Touring and CVO Touring motorcycles, models FLHTK, FLHTKSE, FLHTKSHRINE, FLHTCU, FLHTCUTC, FLHTP, FLHX, FLHXS, FLHXSHRINE, FLHR, FLHRC, FLHP, and FLHRSE, manufactured July 1, 2013, through May 7, 2014. The affected motorcycles may have been assembled with the front brake line positioned so that it can be pinched between the fuel tank and frame causing the front brake fluid pressure to increase.

Consequence

A pinched brake line will increase the front brake fluid pressure, possibly resulting in a front wheel lock-up, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the motorcycles for brake line damage and replace the damaged lines as necessary. Dealers will also install one or two cable straps to properly prevent the line from being pinched in the future, free of charge. The recall began on June 25, 2014. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464.

13V515000TransmissionOctober 17, 2013 · 19,597 units

Defect

Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2014 FLHTCU, FLHTK, FLHTP, FLHX, FLHXS, FLHTKSE, and FLHRSE motorcycles manufactured May 3, 2013, through October 14, 2013. The clutch master cylinder may allow air into the clutch system. Additionally, the motorcycles may have been assembled with an incorrect clutch release plate. Either condition may prevent the clutch from disengaging.

Consequence

If the clutch does not disengage, the rider may have difficulty slowing or stopping the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Harley-Davidson has already notified owners, and dealers will rebuild the clutch master cylinder and install the proper clutch release plate, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in late October 2013. Harley-Davidson's recall number is 0153. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson at 1-800-258-2464.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“AFTER DELIVERY, I DISCOVERED WHILE PARKED THERE WAS A COOLING SYSTEM LEAK NEAR THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE (~90 MILES); IF IT WERE NOT ADDRESSED, SUCH A LEAK HAS POTENTIAL TO DEPOSIT COOLANT ON THE REAR TIRE AND COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A CRASH AND ENSUING INJURY. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE LEAK, IT HAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 15, 2013 · crash

“I RECEIVED A LETTER OF RECALL FOR THIS MOTORCYCLE. IN THE LETTER IT STATES THAT THE FRONT WHEEL MAY LOCK UP. HARLEY WILL NOT PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION OF THIS MOTORCYCLE TO THE NEAREST HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER. I AM EXPECTED TO RIDE THIS DANGEROUS MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS OR COVER THE COST…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 30, 2014

“I EXPERIENCED COOLANT LEAKAGE AFTER COMING TO A STOP. THE DEALERSHIP SPENT A FEW DAYS TESTING AND MAKING THE REPAIR. AT APPROX.. 300 MILES IT DID IT AGAIN. COOLANT IS VERY SLIPPERY, IF COOLANT GETS ON A MOTORCYCLES TIRES IT WOULD BE ALL BAD. FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN HEARING, HARLEY IS HAVING ISSUES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 31, 2013

“AFTER A BRIEF RIDE OF ONLY 5 MILES, I PARKED THE ABOVE VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE. WHILE I WAS UPSTAIRS THE SMOKE ALARMS WENT OFF AT MY RESIDENCE AND WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR TO THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE SEAT. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 17, 2014 · fire

“MAKE TURNS AND GENERAL OPERATION OF MOTORCYCLE BECOMES A PROBLEM WHEN TRYING TO USE CB CONTROL BUTTON AND MANEUVER THE MOTORCYCLE AND US CB-SQUELCH. POSSIBLY DROPPING MOTORCYCLE AND CAUSING AND ACCIDENT. SHOULD BE ON LEFT HANDLE BAR CONTROL NOT RIGHT. CRUISE SHOULD BE ON RIGHT SIDE WITH THROTTLE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 19, 2014

2014 Harley-Davidson Flhtk — common questions

Is the 2014 Harley-Davidson Flhtk reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 50 complaints put the 2014 model at #1 of 15 Flhtk years. It is one of the Flhtk years to avoid.

What are the most common 2014 Flhtk problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (15 complaints), brakes (8 complaints), transmission (7 complaints).

Does the 2014 Harley-Davidson Flhtk have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 Harley-Davidson Flhtk. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Harley-Davidson Flhtk years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Flhtk years to avoid are 2014, 2010. The cleanest record among Flhtk years belongs to 2022.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.