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2018 Harley-Davidson Flde

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Power train is the leading concern among 5 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 4 Flde model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  2. 5
Primary concernPower train2 reports · 40% of complaints
Owner complaints5Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship2 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train2
  2. Service brakes2
  3. Exterior lighting1
  4. Suspension1
  5. Other or unspecified1

Recalls and investigations

  1. Suspension, rear, shock absorberJun 6, 2025

    Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Softail motorcycles. The mounting tab on the rear shock pre-load adjuster may break, allowing the rear shock absorber adjuster to damage the rear tire, causing a loss of tire pressure.

    A sudden loss of tire pressure increases the risk of a crash.

    Dealers will install a new bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 16, 2025. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0188. Some of the vehicles included in this recall were previously repaired under recall 23V591, and will need to have the new remedy completed.

    Campaign 25V375000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Suspension, rear, shock absorberAug 22, 2023

    Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2018-2019 FLDE, 2018-2021 FLHC, 2018-2023 FLHCS, 2018 and 2023 FLHCS ANV, 2020-2023 FXLRS, 2022-2023 FXLRST, and 2022 FXRST Softail motorcycles. A fastener securing the rear shock absorber may break and allow the rear shock absorber adjuster to damage the rear tire, causing a loss of tire pressure.

    A loss of tire pressure can lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Dealers will replace the shock absorber fastener, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0181.

    Campaign 23V591000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: service brakes

2 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Nov 1, 2022

    Faulty front brake light switch causes the brake light to remain on all the time. Comon failure and the part is on back order for two months. Issue has been confirmed by dealer.

  2. Service brakes, Feb 23, 2019

    2018 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL DELUXE 2400 MILES. WAS RIDING AT LUNCH HEADING BACK TO WORK, ON A CITY STREET CAME TO A INTERSECTION THE LIGHTS WERE TURNING RED WENT TO APPLY MY FRONT BRAKES AND THEY WENT FROM WORKING WITH NO ISSUES OR SIGNS OF ISSUES TO COMPLETE FAIL OF THE FRONT BRAKES PULLED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH WHILE APPLYING MY REAR BRAKES TO AVOID FROM GOING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. NOTE: BIKE WAS MANUFACTURED IN NOVEMBER OF 2018 FROM HARLEY THEY TRIED TO CLAIM THE ISSUE WAS MY FAULT THAT THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO IMPROPER CARE OF THE UNIT. HARLEY SAID I SHOULD HAVE BLEED MY BRAKES THAT IT IS RECOMMENDED EVERY TWO YEARS... THE BIKE IS 15 MONTHS OLD WELL UNDER THE 24 MONTH RECOMMENDATION FOR THE BRAKE FLUSH AND IS NEVER LEFT OUTSIDE OR DRIVEN IN THE RAIN AND IS ALWAYS IN A GARAGE OR WARE HOUSE WHILE AT HOME OR WORK. THEY WILL COVER UNDER WARRANTY BUT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE ON THIS BIKE!