VehicleVerdict

2011 Harley-Davidson FLHX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 20 complaints on file for the 2011 Harley-Davidson FLHX — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

20

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other FLHX years?

FLHX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted42 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 26 complaints2008: 42 complaints2009: 41 complaints2010: 33 complaints2011: 20 complaints2012: 16 complaints2013: 6 complaints2014: 8 complaints2015: 4 complaints2016: 6 complaints2017: 5 complaints2018: 11 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 0 complaints2024: 13 complaints2025: 5 complaints2026: 0 complaints
FLHX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all FLHX years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Harley-Davidson FLHX problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes840%
Tires & Wheels525%
Lighting210%
Steering15%
Suspension15%
Visibility & Wipers15%
Electrical System15%
Engine15%

Does the 2011 Harley-Davidson FLHX have recalls?

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

18V076000BrakesJanuary 29, 2018 · 174,636 units

Defect

Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling all 2008-2011 Touring, CVO Touring and VSRC motorcycles equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), including Road King (FLHR), Road King Police (EFI) (FLHP), Road King Police (EFI) (FLHPE), Electra Glide Standard Police (EFI) (FLHTP), Electra Glide Classic (EFI) (FLHTC), Electra Glide Ultra Classic (EFI) (FLHTCU) and Street Glide (EFI) (FLHX), 2008 VROD (VRSCAWA), CVO Road King 4 (FLHRSE4), Night Rod (VRSCDA), CVO Ultra Classic 3 (FLHTCUSE3), Night Rod Special (VRSCDXA), 2008-2010 Road King Classic (EFI) (FLHRC), 2008-2009 Road Glide (EFI) (FLTR) and Electra Glide Standard (EFI) (FLHT), 2009-2010 V-Rod (VRSCAW), 2009 CVO Ultra Classic (FLHTCUSE4) and CVO Road Glide 3 (FLTRSE3), 2009-2011 Night Rod Special (VRSCDX) and V-Rod Muscle (VRSCF), 2010 CVO Ultra Classic 5 (FLHTCUSE5) and CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), 2010-2011 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (FLHTK) and Road Glide Custom (FLTRX), 2011 Road Glide Ultra 103 (FLTRU103), Street Glide 103 (FLHX103), Road King Classic 103 (FLHRC103), CVO Ultra Classic 6 (FLHTCUSE6), CVO Road Glide Ultra (FLTRUSE), Road Glide Custom 103 (FLTRX103), and CVO Street Glide 2 (FLHXSE2) motorcycles. Deposits may form on components within the brake system if the DOT 4 brake fluid is not replaced for a prolonged period of time beyond the 2-year maintenance schedule specified in the Owner’s Manual.

Consequence

These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush the entire brake system with new Platinum Label DOT 4 brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0171.

11V506000LightingOctober 19, 2011 · 250,757 units

Defect

HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 TOURING, CVO TOURING AND TRIKE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 6, 2008, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. SEE THE ABOVE LIST FOR THE MODELS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY BE EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

Consequence

THE EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY CAUSE THE SWITCH TO NOT ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP OR ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP WHEN NO BRAKE IS APPLIED AND/OR CAUSE A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, AFFECTING REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE. EITHER CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

HARLEY-DAVIDSON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL A INSTALL A REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH KIT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I HAD A CRASH WITH INJURIES BACK ON MARCH 15 2016 WHERE AS I RAN INTO THE RIGHT REAR CORNER OF A SUV THAT STOPPED FOR A CAR THAT WAS TURNING LEFT SUDDENLY IN FRONT OF ME AS WE TRAVELED DOWN A RURAL TWO LANE ROAD AND I COULDN'T STOP IN TIME BECAUSE, I FEEL THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKES DIDN'T REACT IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 15, 2016 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX EQUIPPED WITH DUNLOP D408F TIRES, SIZE 130/70/R18, DOT DA4Y. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT TIRE WAS CRACKING. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 15, 2012

“I HAVE A 2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE (MODEL FLHX). I REALIZED AFTER I PURCHASED IT THAT IT DOES NOT HAVE A SEPARATE REAR BRAKE LIGHT. THE TURN SIGNALS FUNCTION AS TURN SIGNALS, RUNNING LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THOSE BEHIND ME TO DETERMINE WHEN I AM BRAKING SINCE THE TURN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 10, 2011 · crash

“2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE FLHX MOTORCYCLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUE WITH VEHICLE HANDLEBARS. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE RIDING THE BIKE, HE NOTICED THE FAIRING WAS SLIGHTLY CROOKED. WHEN HE TOOK THE BIKE TO THE REPAIR SHOP, FOR A RADIO PROBLEM, HE REQUESTED THAT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 1, 2012

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS A STRESS FRACTURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE WINDSHIELD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · May 14, 2012

2011 Harley-Davidson FLHX — common questions

Is the 2011 Harley-Davidson FLHX reliable?

The record is thin — 20 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2011 FLHX problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (8 complaints), tires & wheels (5 complaints), lighting (2 complaints).

Does the 2011 Harley-Davidson FLHX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Harley-Davidson FLHX. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2011 Harley-Davidson FLHX under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Harley-Davidson FLHX years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the FLHX years to avoid are 2008, 2009, 2010. The cleanest record among FLHX years belongs to 2026.

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.