Harley-Davidson FLHXI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
13,113 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 to 2015 model years. Data updated: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 7 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 28.6% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Power Train: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 1; Steering: 1; Structure:Body: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 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: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 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 (5). 1 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2013: 1; 2015: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 10209451 · 2007-11-16 (November 16, 2007)
2006 HARLEY FLHXI WITH VIBRATIONS IN THE FRONT WHEEL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VIBRATION COMES FROM THE FRONT WHEEL DURING BRAKING. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE CONDITION WAS FAIR WEAR AND TEAR.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10209451 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10723083 · 2015-06-02 (June 2, 2015)
ABS ELECTRONIC UNIT IS BAD.
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10723083 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
2006: 1; 2011: 0; 2013: 0; 2015: 0
Year-by-year records
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
7 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
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.
| Component | 2006 | 2011 | 2013 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10733756 · 4,930 miTHE CRUISE CONTROL ON MY 2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE HAS AT TIMES LOCKED THE THROTTLE IN THE FULL OPEN POSITION AND AT OTHER TIMES IT HAS JUST COMPLETELY SHUT THE THROTTLE DOWN. IT HAS DONE THIS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS FIRST HAPPENED WHILE ON AN INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 73 MPH, THE THROTTLE WENT TO FULL OPEN. SINCE THEN I HAVE EXPERIENCE SITUATIONS WHERE THE THROTTLE JUST SHUTS COMPLETELY DOWN WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED. OTHER TIMES IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO EVEN GET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO RESPOND IN ANY MANNER. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10733756 · 4,930 miTHE CRUISE CONTROL ON MY 2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE HAS AT TIMES LOCKED THE THROTTLE IN THE FULL OPEN POSITION AND AT OTHER TIMES IT HAS JUST COMPLETELY SHUT THE THROTTLE DOWN. IT HAS DONE THIS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS FIRST HAPPENED WHILE ON AN INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 73 MPH, THE THROTTLE WENT TO FULL OPEN. SINCE THEN I HAVE EXPERIENCE SITUATIONS WHERE THE THROTTLE JUST SHUTS COMPLETELY DOWN WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED. OTHER TIMES IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO EVEN GET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO RESPOND IN ANY MANNER. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 125.0%ODI 10218675 · 27,000 mi2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHXI INNER CAM BEARINGS FAILURE AT 27,000 MILES CAUSING THE CRANK SHAFT TO BE DESTROYED DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE INNER CAM BEARINGS, DESTROYING THE MOTOR. PURCHASED BIKE WITH ONLY 1,912 MILES ON IT. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10725150 · 2,600 miRIDING IN NC ON HWY 215 COMING DOWN MOUNTAIN WITH A FRIEND WENT AROUND A CURVE TO RIGHT THEN BACK TO LEFT WENT TO DOWN SHIFT AND PULLED IN CLUTCH BIKE KEPT PULLING CLUTCH DIDN'T DISENGAGE CAUSE TO WRECK BIKE. SCRATCHED BAT WING KNOCKED OFF MIRROR SCRATCHED TANK AND DENTED TANK BENT CRASH BAR BACK TO FOOL BOARD SCRATCHED CROME ON ENGINE BENT FRONT FENDER BUSTED LEFT BAG. |
| Service Brakes | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 125.0%ODI 102094512006 HARLEY FLHXI WITH VIBRATIONS IN THE FRONT WHEEL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VIBRATION COMES FROM THE FRONT WHEEL DURING BRAKING. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE CONDITION WAS FAIR WEAR AND TEAR. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Steering | 125.0%ODI 10513947 · 22,000 miMY COMPLAINT IS HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY KNOWINGLY MANUFACTURED UNSAFE PARTS THAT SUPPORTED THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE BAT WING FAIRING MOUNTED TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF ALL TOURING MODEL MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM 2006 TILL 2009. HARLEY DAVIDSON SHOWED BAD FAITH AND THE FACT THAT NO MANUFACTURE SAFETY RECALL OR BEST PRACTICES NOTIFICATION WERE ATTEMPTED. I'M HOPING THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL HOLD HARLEY-DAVIDSON ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR UNSAFE ACT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREE… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Structure:Body | 125.0%ODI 10273600 · 7,225 mi2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHXI MIRRORS VIBRATE TO THE POINT YOU CAN NOT SEE ANYTHING WITH THEM. THE SUPPORT BRACKET INSIDE THE FAIRING BROKEN WHERE UPPER SCREW GOES THREW BRACKET AND INTO FAIRING. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS COME OUT WITH A NEW BRACKET BUT WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE THEY FEEL IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. IF IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE THEN WHY DOES THE STATE OF MARYLAND STATE YOU MUST HAVE THEM ON THE MOTORCYCLE. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | Too few reports for a range | 4,930 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10733756 · 4,930 miTHE CRUISE CONTROL ON MY 2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE HAS AT TIMES LOCKED THE THROTTLE IN THE FULL OPEN POSITION AND AT OTHER TIMES IT HAS JUST COMPLETELY SHUT THE THROTTLE DOWN. IT HAS DONE THIS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS FIRST HAPPENED WHILE ON AN INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 73 MPH, THE THROTTLE WENT TO FULL OPEN. SINCE THEN I HAVE EXPERIENCE SITUATIONS WHERE THE THROTTLE JUST SHUTS COMPLETELY DOWN WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED. OTHER TIMES IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO EVEN GET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO RESPOND IN ANY MANNER. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS… |
| Engine | Too few reports for a range | 4,930 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10733756 · 4,930 miTHE CRUISE CONTROL ON MY 2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE HAS AT TIMES LOCKED THE THROTTLE IN THE FULL OPEN POSITION AND AT OTHER TIMES IT HAS JUST COMPLETELY SHUT THE THROTTLE DOWN. IT HAS DONE THIS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS FIRST HAPPENED WHILE ON AN INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 73 MPH, THE THROTTLE WENT TO FULL OPEN. SINCE THEN I HAVE EXPERIENCE SITUATIONS WHERE THE THROTTLE JUST SHUTS COMPLETELY DOWN WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED. OTHER TIMES IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO EVEN GET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO RESPOND IN ANY MANNER. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS… |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | Too few reports for a range | 27,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10218675 · 27,000 mi2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHXI INNER CAM BEARINGS FAILURE AT 27,000 MILES CAUSING THE CRANK SHAFT TO BE DESTROYED DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE INNER CAM BEARINGS, DESTROYING THE MOTOR. PURCHASED BIKE WITH ONLY 1,912 MILES ON IT. *TR |
| Power Train | Too few reports for a range | 2,600 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10725150 · 2,600 miRIDING IN NC ON HWY 215 COMING DOWN MOUNTAIN WITH A FRIEND WENT AROUND A CURVE TO RIGHT THEN BACK TO LEFT WENT TO DOWN SHIFT AND PULLED IN CLUTCH BIKE KEPT PULLING CLUTCH DIDN'T DISENGAGE CAUSE TO WRECK BIKE. SCRATCHED BAT WING KNOCKED OFF MIRROR SCRATCHED TANK AND DENTED TANK BENT CRASH BAR BACK TO FOOL BOARD SCRATCHED CROME ON ENGINE BENT FRONT FENDER BUSTED LEFT BAG. |
| Service Brakes | Too few reports for a range | 19,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | |
| Steering | Too few reports for a range | 22,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10513947 · 22,000 miMY COMPLAINT IS HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY KNOWINGLY MANUFACTURED UNSAFE PARTS THAT SUPPORTED THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE BAT WING FAIRING MOUNTED TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF ALL TOURING MODEL MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM 2006 TILL 2009. HARLEY DAVIDSON SHOWED BAD FAITH AND THE FACT THAT NO MANUFACTURE SAFETY RECALL OR BEST PRACTICES NOTIFICATION WERE ATTEMPTED. I'M HOPING THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL HOLD HARLEY-DAVIDSON ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR UNSAFE ACT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREE… |
| Structure:Body | Too few reports for a range | 7,225 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10273600 · 7,225 mi2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHXI MIRRORS VIBRATE TO THE POINT YOU CAN NOT SEE ANYTHING WITH THEM. THE SUPPORT BRACKET INSIDE THE FAIRING BROKEN WHERE UPPER SCREW GOES THREW BRACKET AND INTO FAIRING. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS COME OUT WITH A NEW BRACKET BUT WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE THEY FEEL IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. IF IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE THEN WHY DOES THE STATE OF MARYLAND STATE YOU MUST HAVE THEM ON THE MOTORCYCLE. *TR |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
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
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | 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.
2013: 1 complaints · 2015: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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 | Electrical System | Engine | Engine And Engine Cooling | Power Train | Service Brakes | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | Steering | Structure:Body |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | — | 1ODI 10733756 · 4,930 miTHE CRUISE CONTROL ON MY 2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE HAS AT TIMES LOCKED THE THROTTLE IN THE FULL OPEN POSITION AND AT OTHER TIMES IT HAS JUST COMPLETELY SHUT THE THROTTLE DOWN. IT HAS DONE THIS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS FIRST HAPPENED WHILE ON AN INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 73 MPH, THE THROTTLE WENT TO FULL OPEN. SINCE THEN I HAVE EXPERIENCE SITUATIONS WHERE THE THROTTLE JUST SHUTS COMPLETELY DOWN WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED. OTHER TIMES IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO EVEN GET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO RESPOND IN ANY MANNER. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS… | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1ODI 10733756 · 4,930 miTHE CRUISE CONTROL ON MY 2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE HAS AT TIMES LOCKED THE THROTTLE IN THE FULL OPEN POSITION AND AT OTHER TIMES IT HAS JUST COMPLETELY SHUT THE THROTTLE DOWN. IT HAS DONE THIS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS FIRST HAPPENED WHILE ON AN INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 73 MPH, THE THROTTLE WENT TO FULL OPEN. SINCE THEN I HAVE EXPERIENCE SITUATIONS WHERE THE THROTTLE JUST SHUTS COMPLETELY DOWN WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED. OTHER TIMES IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO EVEN GET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO RESPOND IN ANY MANNER. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS… | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Structure:Body | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.