VehicleVerdict

2018 Harley-Davidson FLHX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 2018 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.

11

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other FLHX years?

FLHX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 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, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all FLHX years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Harley-Davidson FLHX problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission545%
Electrical System218%
Engine19%
Other19%
Steering19%
Tires & Wheels19%

Does the 2018 Harley-Davidson FLHX have recalls?

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

18V734000TransmissionOctober 18, 2018 · 177,636 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 29, 2019

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 8, 2020

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 21, 2018 · crash

“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.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · November 11, 2018

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 1, 2018

2018 Harley-Davidson FLHX — common questions

Is the 2018 Harley-Davidson FLHX reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2018 FLHX problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (5 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints), steering (1 complaints).

Does the 2018 Harley-Davidson FLHX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2018 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.