U.S. public vehicle records

2016 Harley-Davidson FLHTKSE problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

4 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

975 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2016 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 4 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 4 complaints (75.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Transmission and shifting	2	50.0%
Braking behavior	1	25.0%
Electrical and battery issues	1	25.0%
Fuel system concerns	1	25.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Power Train

Electrical System

Power Train: 3; Electrical System: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2017

2017: 4

Pattern summary

Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10981526 · 2017-04-30 (April 30, 2017)

TRANSMISSION SHIFTING HARD AND LOUD SHIFTING BETWEEN SOME OF THE GEARS IS EXTREMELY HARSH AND LOUD AND CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE WHOLE BIKE, FROM MY HANDS ON THE HANDLEBARS TO MY FEET ON THE FLOORBOARDS! IT FEELS LIKE A HAMMER HITTING THE TRANSMISSION WHETHER IT IS AN UPSHIFT OR A DOWNSHIFT. IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION COULD SHATTER THE NEXT TIME I SHIFT AND POSSIBLY FAIL ME SOMETIME I WILL NEED IT THE MOST IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND CAUSE ME TO GET IN A CAR ACCIDENT!

Owner-reported narrative. 450 miles reported. Look up ODI 10981526 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10992600 · 2017-06-01 (June 1, 2017)

THE ASSIST & SLIP CLUTCH OF MY HD NEARLY GOT ME KILLED THE OTHER DAY. I WAS TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION AND HAD SHIFTED INTO 2ND GEAR WHEN A CAR DIDN'T SEE ME AND WAS COMING RIGHT AT ME. I ACCELERATED HARD WHILE LETTING THE CLUTCH OUT, AND INSTEAD OF IT GRABBING, IT SLIPPED! SO MY MOTORCYCLE JUST SAT THERE REVVING THE ENGINE AND BARELY MOVING BECAUSE THE CLUTCH WAS SLIPPING! THANK GOD THE ONCOMING CAR SLAMMED ON ITS BRAKES AT THE LAST MINUTE AND BARELY MISSED ME. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE A&S CLUTCH HARLEY HAS IN MY CVO HARLEY.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10992600 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10995731 · 2017-06-18 (June 18, 2017)

THE SPARK PLUG WIRE FOR THE FRONT CYLINDER RUBS AGAINST THE FUEL TANK WEARING THE PROTECTIVE SHEATH AROUND THE SPARK PLUG WIRE. PROLONGED RUBBING WILL WEAR A HOLE IN THE SHEATHING AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AGAINST THE FUEL TANK OR ENGINE STUMBLE. MOTORCYCLE HAS LESS THAN 8100 MILES ON IT AND VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED TO CAUSE THE RUBBING. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD ACROSS ALL 2014-2016 HARLEY DAVIDSON TOURING SERIES MOTORCYCLES, BOTH OF MY NEIGHBORS 2015 AND 2016 MOTORCYCLES HAVE THE SAME ISSUE.

Owner-reported narrative. 8,096 miles reported. Look up ODI 10995731 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

4 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

100.0%Usable mileage4 / 4 records

100.0%Valid incident date4 / 4 records

100.0%Valid filing date4 / 4 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates4 / 4 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Engine	240.0% ODI 10553637 · 700 mi ENGINE COOLANT LEAK STARTED AT ABOUT 700 TOTAL MILES. THE LEAK APPEARS FROM THE COOLANT PUMP HOUSING. IF IT IS LEAKING WHILE RIDING THE SLIPPERY COOLANT SPLASHES ONTO THE REAR TIRE AFFECTING TRACTION. THE LEAK CAN POSSIBLY BE SPLASHING ON THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS AFFECTING BRAKING. NOW WITH ONLY 1,450 TOTAL MILES THE LEAK BECAME A FULL BLOWN GUSHER. IT'S IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. I HAVE READ OVER 60 PAGES ON THE HD FORUM ABOUT OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR Look up ODI 10553637 at NHTSA ↗	133.3% ODI 11110013 · 36,339 mi A TAPPET CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED, CAUSING COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE ON A MOTORCYCLE IS A VERY DANGEROUS EVENT. MANY HARLEY-DAVIDSON CVO 110 ENGINES HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECT, WHICH IS THE RESULT OF BAD METALLURGY AND POOR DESIGN OF THE TAPPET TO CAM INTERFACE IN THE 110 TWIN-CAM ENGINES. THESE BIKES SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE CAMS AND TAPPETS. AG… Look up ODI 11110013 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11310386 · 8,900 mi ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND BECAME VERY HOT AFTER SUSTAINED HIGHWAY SPEEDS (75MPH), WHEN SHIFTED DOWN TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN ADDITION TO THE LOSS OF POWER VEHICLE FUEL CONSUMPTION INCREASED DRAMATICALLY. DEALER FOUND ENGINE EXPERIENCED ENGINE OIL SUMPING, WHEREBY THE ENGINE OIL PUMP WAS NOT RETURNING SUFFICIENT OIL TO THE OIL TANK. EXCESS OIL WAS COLLECTING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CRANK CASE. THIS OIL WOULD BUILD UP TO THE POINT THAT THE CRANK WOULD COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE EXCESS AND CAUSE FOAMING. THE RESULTING LACK OF LUBRICATION HAS … Look up ODI 11310386 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Power Train	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	375.0% ODI 10981522 · 400 mi CLUTCH MAY NOT FULLY DISENGAGE WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE MOTORCYCLE IS IN GEAR, THE CLUTCH MAY NOT BE FULLY DISENGAGED. Look up ODI 10981522 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 11156587 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ULTRA LIMITED CVO (FLHTKSE). THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V734000 (POWER TRAIN). THE DEALER (COWBOY HARLEY-DAVIDSON OF AUSTIN, 10917 I-35, AUSTIN, TX 78747, [phone removed]) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH FAILED TO DISENGAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WAS NUMBER THREE ON THE WAITING LIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION… Look up ODI 11156587 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10749439 2015 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTKSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE BIKE, IT SHUT OFF AND WOULD NO RESTART. AFTER SEVERAL MORE ATTEMPTS, THE BIKE STARTED AND THEN SHUT OFF, AND DISPLAYED A FAULT CODE " FORKS LOCKED". THE BIKE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THE BIKE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER, WITH THE REPAIRS. WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TURN RIGHT AFTER A COMPLETE STOP, THE BIKE SHUT DOWN AGAIN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. … Look up ODI 10749439 at NHTSA ↗	125.0% ODI 10995731 · 8,096 mi THE SPARK PLUG WIRE FOR THE FRONT CYLINDER RUBS AGAINST THE FUEL TANK WEARING THE PROTECTIVE SHEATH AROUND THE SPARK PLUG WIRE. PROLONGED RUBBING WILL WEAR A HOLE IN THE SHEATHING AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AGAINST THE FUEL TANK OR ENGINE STUMBLE. MOTORCYCLE HAS LESS THAN 8100 MILES ON IT AND VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED TO CAUSE THE RUBBING. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD ACROSS ALL 2014-2016 HARLEY DAVIDSON TOURING SERIES MOTORCYCLES, BOTH OF MY NEIGHBORS 2015 AND 2016 MOTORCYCLES HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. Look up ODI 10995731 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Structure:Body	120.0% ODI 10747265 · 4,915 mi RIGHT REAR SADDLE BAG DEPARTED THE MOTORCYCLE ON I-90 JUST EAST OF WALLACE AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED. THIS WAS 8 DAYS AFTER HAVING THE HARLEY DAVIDSON RECALL INCORPORATED AT A QUALIFIED DEALER IN ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. THE BAG DEPARTED WITHOUT WARNING AND I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE MOTORCYCLE TO A SAFE STOP IN THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE BAG SKIDDED ON THE PAVEMENT AND CAME TO A STOP IN THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE I-90 EASTBOUND LANE. THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND THE SITUATION OCCURRED WITHOUT INCIDENT. I HAVE GREAT CONCERN THA… Look up ODI 10747265 at NHTSA ↗	133.3% ODI 11479875 I brought my motorcycle into a Harley Davidson dealer for a Virginia State Safety Inspection. The inspector noticed a crack in the powder-coat of paint covering a welded section of the frame. Further investigation revealed the crack in the paint followed the edge of the weld and the weld is lifted off of the frame. Harley Davidson Corporate was notified and I was told the motorcycle is out of warranty and damage was probably cause by miss use or accident. They told me it was an insurance issue. I called Geico and reported the claim. They invest… Look up ODI 11479875 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Unknown Or Other	240.0% ODI 10616821 · 78 mi SLOWING DOWN TO A 35 MPH ZONE AND WOKE UP IN THE HOSPITAL. *JS Look up ODI 10616821 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Fuel/Propulsion System	120.0% ODI 10893935 · 12,500 mi CLUTCH COMPENSATOR FAILED AT 12,500 MILES ON A 6500 MILE TRIP THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS TO CALIFORNIA. BIKE WAS KNOCKING FROM THE PRIMARY COVER AND COST $750.00 TO REPAIR. HARLEY DENIED CLAIM TO REPLACE PART ON A $40,000 MOTORCYCLE. Look up ODI 10893935 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Steering	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 11479875 I brought my motorcycle into a Harley Davidson dealer for a Virginia State Safety Inspection. The inspector noticed a crack in the powder-coat of paint covering a welded section of the frame. Further investigation revealed the crack in the paint followed the edge of the weld and the weld is lifted off of the frame. Harley Davidson Corporate was notified and I was told the motorcycle is out of warranty and damage was probably cause by miss use or accident. They told me it was an insurance issue. I called Geico and reported the claim. They invest… Look up ODI 11479875 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Suspension	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 11479875 I brought my motorcycle into a Harley Davidson dealer for a Virginia State Safety Inspection. The inspector noticed a crack in the powder-coat of paint covering a welded section of the frame. Further investigation revealed the crack in the paint followed the edge of the weld and the weld is lifted off of the frame. Harley Davidson Corporate was notified and I was told the motorcycle is out of warranty and damage was probably cause by miss use or accident. They told me it was an insurance issue. I called Geico and reported the claim. They invest… Look up ODI 11479875 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Power Train	Too few reports for a range	450 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10981522 · 400 mi CLUTCH MAY NOT FULLY DISENGAGE WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE MOTORCYCLE IS IN GEAR, THE CLUTCH MAY NOT BE FULLY DISENGAGED. Look up ODI 10981522 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10981526 · 450 mi TRANSMISSION SHIFTING HARD AND LOUD SHIFTING BETWEEN SOME OF THE GEARS IS EXTREMELY HARSH AND LOUD AND CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE WHOLE BIKE, FROM MY HANDS ON THE HANDLEBARS TO MY FEET ON THE FLOORBOARDS! IT FEELS LIKE A HAMMER HITTING THE TRANSMISSION WHETHER IT IS AN UPSHIFT OR A DOWNSHIFT. IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION COULD SHATTER THE NEXT TIME I SHIFT AND POSSIBLY FAIL ME SOMETIME I WILL NEED IT THE MOST IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND CAUSE ME TO GET IN A CAR ACCIDENT! Look up ODI 10981526 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10992600 · 1,500 mi THE ASSIST & SLIP CLUTCH OF MY HD NEARLY GOT ME KILLED THE OTHER DAY. I WAS TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION AND HAD SHIFTED INTO 2ND GEAR WHEN A CAR DIDN'T SEE ME AND WAS COMING RIGHT AT ME. I ACCELERATED HARD WHILE LETTING THE CLUTCH OUT, AND INSTEAD OF IT GRABBING, IT SLIPPED! SO MY MOTORCYCLE JUST SAT THERE REVVING THE ENGINE AND BARELY MOVING BECAUSE THE CLUTCH WAS SLIPPING! THANK GOD THE ONCOMING CAR SLAMMED ON ITS BRAKES AT THE LAST MINUTE AND BARELY MISSED ME. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE A&S CLUTCH HARLEY HAS IN MY CVO HARLEY. Look up ODI 10992600 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	8,096 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10995731 · 8,096 mi THE SPARK PLUG WIRE FOR THE FRONT CYLINDER RUBS AGAINST THE FUEL TANK WEARING THE PROTECTIVE SHEATH AROUND THE SPARK PLUG WIRE. PROLONGED RUBBING WILL WEAR A HOLE IN THE SHEATHING AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AGAINST THE FUEL TANK OR ENGINE STUMBLE. MOTORCYCLE HAS LESS THAN 8100 MILES ON IT AND VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED TO CAUSE THE RUBBING. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD ACROSS ALL 2014-2016 HARLEY DAVIDSON TOURING SERIES MOTORCYCLES, BOTH OF MY NEIGHBORS 2015 AND 2016 MOTORCYCLES HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. Look up ODI 10995731 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2020: 0 complaints · 2021: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2020	0	0	0
2021	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2020	0	0	0
2021	0	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Power Train	Electrical System
Power Train	—	0
Electrical System	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

1 patterns with matching reports.

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 25.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 450 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10981526 · 450 mi

Look up ODI 10981526 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule