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2017 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Flhxse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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: 4 of 6 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 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. 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

What owners actually said

6 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2022
Power Train

At the 25K service no mention was made by the service tech. At the 30K service I was informed that oil is migrating form the transmission to the primary case. I was told to operate for 1000 miles bring it back to be verified. Brought it back on 10/22/2022. It was verified that oil is in fact migrating from the transmission to t…

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At the 25K service no mention was made by the service tech. At the 30K service I was informed that oil is migrating form the transmission to the primary case. I was told to operate for 1000 miles bring it back to be verified. Brought it back on 10/22/2022. It was verified that oil is in fact migrating from the transmission to the primary case. This is a known problem with the M8 motorcycles. A service bulletin (M1492) has been made and the dealer stocks the repair kit. Part number 26500027. My concern is that the transmission (gearbox) will run low on lubricant and lock up while in use. This applies to 2017 - 2019 touring motorcycles. The dealer said this may or may not correct the issue. Also it is only covered if the vehicle is still under the factory warranty. No extended warranty will cover this. My cost for this was $283.29 . I do not agree that consumers should need to pay for known issues like this. Corrective action would be greatly appreciated. Thank you,

NHTSA ODI #11490510

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2018
Engine

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

NHTSA ODI #11140703

5,600 miles · Sep 11, 2018
Exterior Lighting

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 CONTACTED HARLEY DAVIDSON COMPANY 2 T…

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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 CONTACTED HARLEY DAVIDSON COMPANY 2 TIMES AND THEY NOTED THE CONCERN WITH NO RESOLUTION. I HAVE HAD THE BIKE TO 2 SEPERATE DEALERSHIPS MULTIPLE TIMES AND NO RESOLUTION FOR THE CONCERN. BOTH DEALERSHIPS MENTIONED THAT THEY HAVE HAD MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CONCERN AND RECOMMENDED BUYING MORE LIGHTS FOR THE BIKE. SPENDING MORE MONEY ON SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED UNDER WARRANTY AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN IS NOT A SOLUTION TO ME. MY CONCERN HAS NOT BECOME AN ACCIDENT AT THIS TIME BUT WHEN RIDING A BIKE I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTACT YOU AFTERWARDS.

NHTSA ODI #11128766

9,000 miles · Aug 24, 2018
Power Train

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

NHTSA ODI #11122249

1,309 miles · Jul 1, 2018
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FLUID MIGRATES TO PRIMARY WHILE IN MOTION DEPLETING FLUID IN TRANSMISSION AND OVERFILLING PRIMARY. MIGRATION OCCURS WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND AFTER SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES FLUID IS NO LONGER MEASURABLE ON THE TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK. LOW FLUID RISKS DAMAGE/LOCKUP OF TRANSMISSION AND OR MALFUNCTION OF CLUTCH DUE TO EXCESSI…

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TRANSMISSION FLUID MIGRATES TO PRIMARY WHILE IN MOTION DEPLETING FLUID IN TRANSMISSION AND OVERFILLING PRIMARY. MIGRATION OCCURS WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND AFTER SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES FLUID IS NO LONGER MEASURABLE ON THE TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK. LOW FLUID RISKS DAMAGE/LOCKUP OF TRANSMISSION AND OR MALFUNCTION OF CLUTCH DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL THAT HAS MIGRATED INTO PRIMARY. HD HAS KNOWN ABOUT PROBLEM SINCE INTRODUCTION OF M8 MOTOR AND/OR HYDRAULIC CLUTCH ON CERTAIN BIKES AND HAS NOT COME UP WITH A REPAIR NOR ARE THEY WILLING TO REPLACE COMPONENTS RELATED TO THE ISSUE ON AFFECTED BIKES. HD'S SOLUTION VIA (TA0022) IS TO HAVE LOCAL DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENTS DRAIN PRIMARY AND FILL TRANSMISSION AS NEEDED WITCH IS EVERY FEW HUNDRED MILES. A LUDICROUS RESPONSE THAT PREVENTS USE OF MOTORCYCLE FOR INTENDED PURPOSE. *TT *JS

NHTSA ODI #11104938

11,000 miles · Sep 11, 2017
Electrical System

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 >1500. THE STEREO SHOULD BE …

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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 >1500. THE STEREO SHOULD BE CLEARLY AUDIBLE, BUT INSTEAD CUTS OUT. IF THE RPM IS LOWERED, SUCH AS WHEN PULLING IN THE CLUTCH AND LETTING OFF THE THROTTLE, THE AUDIO WILL RETURN. THE SYMPTOMS ARE PRESENT AT ALL AUTOMATIC VOLUME CONTROL (AVC) SETTINGS (OFF AND 1-4). AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, ISSUE CAN BE PARTIALLY OVERCOME BY INCREASING THE VOLUME UP TO 13 BARS OR ABOVE, AT WHICH POINT THE STEREO WILL BE QUITE LOUD, BUT MUCH (NOT ALL) OF THE CLIPPING IS REDUCED. THIS WORKAROUND IS NOT APPROPRIATE AT LOW TO MIDRANGE SPEEDS BECAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE VOLUME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WITH THIS BOOM! AUDIO FAILURE, I OFTEN FIND MYSELF FIDDLING WITH THE AUDIO WHEN I SHOULD BE CONCENTRATING ON THE ROAD. RIDER SAFETY IS PARTICULARLY COMPROMISED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS AT LOW TO MIDRANGE SPEEDS IN CITY TRAFFIC BECAUSE OF THE DISTRACTIONS IT PRODUCES AND THE NEED TO CONTINUALLY FIDDLE WITH THE AUDIO. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP (SUMMERVILLE HARLEY-DAVIDSON) ON OR ABOUT 08 AUG 2017. DEALERSHIP TECHNICIANS INDICATED THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE SYMPTOMS. DEALERSHIP DID UPGRADE THE AMPLIFIER SOFTWARE. UPON DEPARTING THE DEALERSHIP ON THE MOTORCYCLE, THE SYMPTOMS RETURNED.

NHTSA ODI #11022617

Official recalls

1

18V734000 · Power Train:clutch Assembly

Oct 18, 2018

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 & remedy

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.