IllustrationAT AROUND 3,000 MILES THE FORK BEARINGS/ STEERING NECK BEARINGS STARTED TO RUST CAUSING THE STEERING TO BECOME CHOPPY OR UNSAFE. THE PROBLEM STARTED AFTER SPENDING ONE RAINY SEASON OUTSIDE, HOWEVER WAS PARKED INDOORS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS.
2016 HARLEY-DAVIDSON XG500
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 XG500 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: 2 of 2 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.
- Steering. Review the 2 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
Steering complaints
2 reportsTHE FORK BEARINGS RUSTED UP AND BECAME NOTCHY AFTER RIDING IN RAINY WEATHER DURING THE WINTER. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING TO BE JERKY AND UNSTABLE.
Official recalls
118V927000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
Dec 21, 2018
Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Street 500 (XG500), Street 750 (XG750), and 2017-2019 Street 750A (XG750A) motorcycles. The brake calipers may corrode internally after exposure to certain driving environments such as coastal regions or road salt, resulting in increased brake drag.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Excessive brake drag can increase the risk of crash.
Remedy: Harley-Davidson has notified owners, and dealers will install new front and rear brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2019. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0174.
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.