IllustrationFaulty front brake light switch causes the brake light to remain on all the time. Comon failure and the part is on back order for two months. Issue has been confirmed by dealer.
2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Flde
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Flde years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 3 of 5 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
Service Brakes complaints
2 reports2018 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL DELUXE 2400 MILES. WAS RIDING AT LUNCH HEADING BACK TO WORK, ON A CITY STREET CAME TO A INTERSECTION THE LIGHTS WERE TURNING RED WENT TO APPLY MY FRONT BRAKES AND THEY WENT FROM WORKING WITH NO ISSUES OR SIGNS OF ISSUES TO COMPLETE FAIL OF THE FRONT BRAKES PULLED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH WHILE APP…
Read full complaint
2018 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL DELUXE 2400 MILES. WAS RIDING AT LUNCH HEADING BACK TO WORK, ON A CITY STREET CAME TO A INTERSECTION THE LIGHTS WERE TURNING RED WENT TO APPLY MY FRONT BRAKES AND THEY WENT FROM WORKING WITH NO ISSUES OR SIGNS OF ISSUES TO COMPLETE FAIL OF THE FRONT BRAKES PULLED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH WHILE APPLYING MY REAR BRAKES TO AVOID FROM GOING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. NOTE: BIKE WAS MANUFACTURED IN NOVEMBER OF 2018 FROM HARLEY THEY TRIED TO CLAIM THE ISSUE WAS MY FAULT THAT THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO IMPROPER CARE OF THE UNIT. HARLEY SAID I SHOULD HAVE BLEED MY BRAKES THAT IT IS RECOMMENDED EVERY TWO YEARS... THE BIKE IS 15 MONTHS OLD WELL UNDER THE 24 MONTH RECOMMENDATION FOR THE BRAKE FLUSH AND IS NEVER LEFT OUTSIDE OR DRIVEN IN THE RAIN AND IS ALWAYS IN A GARAGE OR WARE HOUSE WHILE AT HOME OR WORK. THEY WILL COVER UNDER WARRANTY BUT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE ON THIS BIKE!
Official recalls
225V375000 · Suspension:rear:shock Absorber
Jun 6, 2025
Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Softail motorcycles. The mounting tab on the rear shock pre-load adjuster may break, allowing the rear shock absorber adjuster to damage the rear tire, causing a loss of tire pressure.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A sudden loss of tire pressure increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 16, 2025. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0188. Some of the vehicles included in this recall were previously repaired under recall 23V591, and will need to have the new remedy completed.
23V591000 · Suspension:rear:shock Absorber
Aug 22, 2023
Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2018-2019 FLDE, 2018-2021 FLHC, 2018-2023 FLHCS, 2018 and 2023 FLHCS ANV, 2020-2023 FXLRS, 2022-2023 FXLRST, and 2022 FXRST Softail motorcycles. A fastener securing the rear shock absorber may break and allow the rear shock absorber adjuster to damage the rear tire, causing a loss of tire pressure.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A loss of tire pressure can lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the shock absorber fastener, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0181.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.