VehicleVerdict

2017 Harley-Davidson Flhxse problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 2017 Harley-Davidson Flhxse — 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

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2017 compare to other Flhxse years?

Flhxse NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted6 complaints2010: 6 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 1 complaints2016: 1 complaints2017: 6 complaints2018: 0 complaints2019: 1 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 0 complaints2023: 4 complaints2024: 0 complaints
Flhxse NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Flhxse years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Harley-Davidson Flhxse problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission350%
Electrical System117%
Engine117%
Lighting117%

Does the 2017 Harley-Davidson Flhxse 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.

“TRANSMISSION FLUID TRANSFERRING TO THE PRIMARY CASE, DEPLETING THE FLUID REQUIRED FOR THE TRANSMISSION. HAPPENS PERIODICALLY WHILE IN MOTION.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 14, 2018

“I PURCHASED THIS BIKE IN JAN. 2018 AND FOUND OUT THAT WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS AT NIGHT ON A DARK ROAD I AM NOT ABLE TO SEE THROUGH A TURN. NOT EVEN ABLE TO SEE THE LINE ON THE INSIDE OF TURN DUE TO THE LEAN ANGLE A BIKE HAS COMPARED TO A CAR WHERE THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE. I HAVE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 13, 2018

“MOTORCYCLE BOOM! AUDIO SYSTEM PRESENTS DISTORTED, CLIPPED, AND INTERMITTENT AUDIO WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING ABOVE IDLE RPM. ISSUE IS PRESENT FOR ALL AUDIO INPUTS (FM, USB/IPOD, SIRIUS XM, BLUETOOTH AUDIO, ETC.). ISSUE REGULARLY OCCURS AT MIDRANGE VOLUMES (5-10 BARS) WHEN BIKE IS MOVING AND ENGINE RPM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 27, 2017

“EVERY TIME I RIDE, AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL IS DISCHARGED FROM THE CRANKCASE BREAKERS ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE, SATURATE THE AIR FILTER, AND EVENTUALLY DRIP ONTO THE TIMING COVER”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 1, 2018

2017 Harley-Davidson Flhxse — common questions

Is the 2017 Harley-Davidson Flhxse 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 2017 Harley-Davidson Flhxse have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2017 Harley-Davidson Flhxse. 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.