VehicleVerdict

2018 Harley-Davidson Flhxs problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 2018 Harley-Davidson Flhxs — 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.

7

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other Flhxs years?

Flhxs NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted19 complaints2014: 19 complaints2015: 6 complaints2016: 6 complaints2017: 7 complaints2018: 7 complaints2019: 5 complaints2020: 2 complaints2021: 3 complaints2022: 1 complaints
Flhxs NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Flhxs years to avoid →

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

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission571%
Brakes114%
Engine114%

Does the 2018 Harley-Davidson Flhxs 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.

“DRIVING AROUND A CURVE IN THE STATE BACK ROAD (35-40MPH MAX) AND LOST CONTROL OF MOTORCYCLE; CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. I CAN PROVIDE BETTER DETAILS AND PHOTOS.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 30, 2018 · crash

“I RECEIVED A NOTICE ON NOV.05, 2018 HARLEY DAVIDSON RECALL NO. 0173 NHTSA RECALL NO. 18V734. I WENT APPROXIMATELY ON NOV. 17, 2018 TO DROP OFF THE MOTORCYCLE AT ONE OF THE LOCAL HARLEY DEALERSHIPS IN GARLAND TX. AND WAS TOLD BY ONE OF THE TECHNICIANS THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GET ON THE LIST AND THAT I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 17, 2018

“I EXPERIENCED A FRONT BRAKE LOCK-UP THAT THREW ME OFF THE BIKE, AND ALMOST GOT RAN OVER BY THE CAR BEHIND ME. IT SEEMED THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE CALIPERS, BUT DON'T KNOW FOR SURE. I WAS GOING AT 20 MILES PER HOUR AS WAS STARTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AS THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 8, 2018

2018 Harley-Davidson Flhxs — common questions

Is the 2018 Harley-Davidson Flhxs reliable?

The record is thin — 7 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 2018 Harley-Davidson Flhxs have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2018 Harley-Davidson Flhxs. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.