2018 Harley-Davidson Flhr recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. 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 Speci…
What could happen: If the clutch cannot be disengaged it can result in a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 FLHR.
- Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V734000 (manufacturer code 0173).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-258-2464.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
Summary: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (3), Engine (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (5)
07/12/2026 · Engine
I have oil in my breather which is a result from engine sumping problems, I have had Harley Davidson to check recalls and there were none., the bike has 22853 miles on it. Also Harley Davidson checked maintenance records to see if my oil pump had been replaced, they said it had not. The sumping problems could cause a catastrophic failure and an accident
04/15/2022 · Transmission / drivetrain
The contact owns a 2018 Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King. The contact stated that upon start of the motorcycle there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the motorcycle without warning. The contact had taken the motorcycle to a dealer where he was informed that the gears inside of the transmission were breaking apart and that the transmission needed to…
06/18/2020 · Transmission / drivetrain
THIS IS A DESCRIPTION OF THE DRIVABILITY PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE EXCESSIVE PRIMARY CASE FLUID. WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD SOMETIMES NOT SHIFT DOWN FROM 3RD-2ND OR FROM 2ND TO 1ST GEARS. THIS CAUSES PROBLEMS WHEN TURNING AND WANTING TO USE ENGINE BREAKING TO SLOW DOWN DURING THE TURN. I COULD NOT USE THE ENGINE BREAKING AND WOULD H…
05/28/2019 · Transmission / drivetrain
SAME ISSUE WITH 2017-2017 RECALL ON HARLEY CLUTCHES PURCHASED A 2019 ROAD KING BY HARLEY AND THE CLUTCH WILL NOT RELEASE THE GEAR IN 1ST/ BIKE CREEPS FORWARD WHEN CLUTCH HANDLED IS PULLED IN. WONT GO INTO NEUTRAL WITH OUT DOUBLE CLUTCHING THE CLUTCH HANDLE.OUT OF TOWN DEALERSHIP INSPECTED AND FOUND MASTER CYLINDER COVER GASKET SUCKED DOWN AND NOT FLUID.…
05/24/2018 · Engine
ENGINE GETS HOT AND STALLS OUT IN TRAFFIC DUE TO ENGINE CASE FILLING WITH OIL, HARLEY CALLS THIS WET SUMPING, HUNDREDS OF BIKE ENGINES ARE BLOWING UP ALL OVER THE WORLD, ITS ALL OVER THE INTERNET, WITH HARLEYS NEW M8 ENGINE, THE BIKE STALLS OUT WITH NO WARNING, IVE HAD CARS AND TRUCKS ALMOST RUN ME OVER.