VehicleVerdict

2016 Harley-Davidson FLHX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 2016 Harley-Davidson FLHX — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

6

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2016 compare to other FLHX years?

FLHX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 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, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all FLHX years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Harley-Davidson FLHX problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System233%
Brakes117%
Lighting117%
Tires & Wheels117%
Transmission117%

Does the 2016 Harley-Davidson FLHX have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V471000TransmissionJune 27, 2016 · 27,232 units

Defect

Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2016 Electric Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU), Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low (FLHTCUL), Ultra Limited Low (FLHTKL), Ultra Limited (FLHTK), CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), Street Glide (FLHX), Street Glide Special (FLHXS), Road Glide Special (FLTRXS), Road Glide (FLTRX), Police Electra Glide (FLHTP), Road Glide Ultra (FLTRU), Fat Boy S (FLSTFBS), Softail Slim S (FLSS), and CVO Softail Pro Street Breakout (FXSE) 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 inspect the clutch master cylinder for the presence of gas in the fluid, if so, the dealer will flush the clutch system and rebuild the clutch master cylinder, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2016. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0169.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“AFTER RIDING IN RAIN, ALL GAUGES( SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, ETC) BECAME INTERMITTENT. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. WATER BEHIND GAUGES, NOT JUST CONDENSATION.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 1, 2017

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHX. WHILE RIDING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS EITHER A TIRE BLOWOUT OR A BRAKE FAILURE THAT CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A ROCK WALL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WENT AIRBORNE AND LANDED ON THE PAVEMENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 15, 2017 · crash

“THE ELECTRICAL SWITCHES ON THE LEFT SIDE STOPPED WORKING. IT HAS LEFT ME WITHOUT INPORTANT SAFETY FEATURES LIKE HIGH BEAMS, LEFT BLINKER, AND HORN. CRUISE CONTROL AND VOLUME CONTROL ARE ALSO UNUSABLE. WHEN I TOOK IT INTO THE HARLEY DEALERSHIP IN FAIRFAX, VA THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING AT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 9, 2016

“GAIL'S HARLEY DAVIDSON IN GRANDVIEW, MO. SOLD ME A NEW MOTORCYCLE THAT HAS A VERY SERIOUS EXISTING SAFETY RECALL .......... HD # 0169 NHTSA #16V-471. THIS IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW. PER HARLEY- DAVIDSON'S OWN WEBSITE, OF WHICH I HAVE COPIES, THE RECALL CAME OUT ON 7/8/2016 AND I PURCHASED MY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 17, 2016

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHX. WHILE RIDING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS EITHER A TIRE BLOWOUT OR A BRAKE FAILURE THAT CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A ROCK WALL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WENT AIRBORNE AND LANDED ON THE PAVEMENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 15, 2017 · crash

2016 Harley-Davidson FLHX — common questions

Is the 2016 Harley-Davidson FLHX reliable?

The record is thin — 6 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 2016 Harley-Davidson FLHX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2016 Harley-Davidson FLHX. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.