Car Defect Radar
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Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 3 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

3 total · 3 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Brakes recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 18V076000 · Jan 2018

These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush the entire brake system with new Platinum Label DOT 4 brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0171.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Exterior lighting recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 11V506000 · Oct 2011

THE EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY CAUSE THE SWITCH TO NOT ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP OR ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP WHEN NO BRAKE IS APPLIED AND/OR CAUSE A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, AFFECTING REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE. EITHER CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy
HARLEY-DAVIDSON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL A INSTALL A REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH KIT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Fuel system recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 09V457000 · Dec 2009

A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE, WHICH COULD LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.

Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LEFT AND RIGHT BRACE, WHICH ARE INTENDED TO REDUCE FRONT MOUNT DISTORTION DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS. THIS REPAIR WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

24 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
6

Most reports here involve sudden stalling.

sudden stalling 4
A recent report: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL ACTUATOR/INDUCTION MODULE FRACTURED INTERNALLY ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPONENT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL ACTUATOR/INDUCTION MODULE FRACTURED INTERNALLY ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPONENT WAS NOT STRUCTURALLY SOUND. IN ADDITION, WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE PART FAILED AGAIN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER REPLACED THE PART TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND SUGGESTED THAT THE DEALER REPLACE THE PART. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11122932 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
4

Most reports here involve sudden stalling.

sudden stalling 1premature wear 1
A recent report: THE THROTTLE BY WIRE CONNECTOR HOOKS IN BEHIND THE BREATHER. DUE TO THE HARD TURN OF THE CONNECTOR GOING INTO THE PLUG IT BENDS THE WIRES RESULTING IN THEM BREAKING OVER TIME. THIS CAUSES THE…
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THE THROTTLE BY WIRE CONNECTOR HOOKS IN BEHIND THE BREATHER. DUE TO THE HARD TURN OF THE CONNECTOR GOING INTO THE PLUG IT BENDS THE WIRES RESULTING IN THEM BREAKING OVER TIME. THIS CAUSES THE MOTORCYCLE TO LOSE THROTTLE AND GO INTO LIMP MODE CAUSING ME TO VERY CLOSELY COME TO GETTING RUN OVER ON THE HIGHWAY. IT HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY, TURNING. AND ON CITY STREETS.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11382745 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
12

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

loss of braking 11
A recent report: Front Brakes do not work. I can not operate brake lever will not pull in, brakes have been service to manufacture recommendations, Rear brakes work, the front brake has failed in ABS unit and failed…
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Front Brakes do not work. I can not operate brake lever will not pull in, brakes have been service to manufacture recommendations, Rear brakes work, the front brake has failed in ABS unit and failed not working.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11612138 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
2

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 1
A recent report: I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP, AFTER BEING ASSURED THE BIKE WAS SAFE TO RIDE. I WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT A CRUNCHING NOISE AND VIBRATION WITH SLOW SPEED BRAKING. THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I GOT 10 MILES…
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I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP, AFTER BEING ASSURED THE BIKE WAS SAFE TO RIDE. I WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT A CRUNCHING NOISE AND VIBRATION WITH SLOW SPEED BRAKING. THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I GOT 10 MILES DOWN THE ROAD. MY FRONT END STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. I PULLED OVER TO DISCOVER I HAD AN AXEL WITH NO BEARINGS ON THE LEFT SIDE. MY ENTIRE WHEEL AND BEARINGS HAD TO REPLACED. THE WHEEL HAD 3 TO 4 INCHES OF PLAY. I WAS RIDDING ON MY WHEEL HUB NO BEARING. UPON CHECKING THE FORUMS, I FOUND THIS WAS NOT A ISOLATED EVENT. SOME ONE IS GOING TO DIE FROM THESE FAILURES. I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10445024 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 24 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2024, roughly 2 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 24 complaints on file, more than the 2011 (18). That is the most of the 4 model years of the Harley-Davidson Flhx we cover. Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.