2017 Harley-Davidson Flhxse 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 2017 FLHXSE.
- 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
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 2017 Harley-Davidson Flhxse owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (3), Engine (1), Lights (1), Electrical system (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (6)
10/23/2022 · Transmission / drivetrain
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 k…
10/16/2018 · 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
09/11/2018 · Lights
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 CONCE…
08/24/2018 · Transmission / drivetrain
TRANSMISSION FLUID TRANSFERRING TO THE PRIMARY CASE, DEPLETING THE FLUID REQUIRED FOR THE TRANSMISSION. HAPPENS PERIODICALLY WHILE IN MOTION.
07/01/2018 · Transmission / drivetrain
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…
09/11/2017 · 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 CLEARLY AUDIBLE, BUT INSTEAD…