Harley-Davidson · NHTSA safety record

2014 Harley-Davidson FLHXS

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 17 safety complaints about the 2014 Harley-Davidson FLHXS with the US government. Of those, 1 describes a crash, 1 person was injured and no death is recorded. 5 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the brakes, named in 4 complaints, 24% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 7,500 miles, the median across the 16 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers February 2014 to March 2020 · How this is counted

What is on file

17 complaints on file

Complaints

Describe a crash

Mention fire

People injured

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system

SERVICE BRAKES 4 · 24% 4 24%

ENGINE 2 · 12% 2 12%

EQUIPMENT 2 · 12% 2 12%

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2 · 12% 2 12%

POWER TRAIN 2 · 12% 2 12%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2 · 12% 2 12%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2 · 12% 2 12%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 1 · 6% 1 6%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 · 6% 1 6%

STRUCTURE 1 · 6% 1 6%

0 4 8

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 17.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2015 at 4.

8 6 4 2

14 2014 15 2015 16 2016 17 2017 18 2018 19 2019 20 2020

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2014 to 2020.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2014 Harley-Davidson FLHXS. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

5 on file

EQUIPMENT

15V427000 · July 6, 2015

The defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Road King (FLHR), Street Glide (FLHX), Street Glide Special (FLHXS), Electra Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU), Ultra Limited (FLHTK), Police Road King (FLHP), Police Electra Glide (FLHTP), CVO Ultra Limited (FLHTKSE), 2014 CVO Road King (FLHRSE), and 2015 Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low (FLHTCUL), Ultra Limited Low (FLHTKL), Road Glide (FLTRX), Road Glide Special (FLTRXS), CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), and CVO Road Glide Ultra (FLTRUSE) motorcycles. The affected motorcycles have saddlebag mounting receptacles that may not adequately secure the saddlebags to the motorcycle.
The risk: If a saddlebag is not adequately secured, it may separate from the motorcycle while riding, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected saddlebag mounting receptacles with updated receptacles, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2015. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0166.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company · up to 185,272 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

15V216000 · April 13, 2015

The defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) notified the agency on April 9, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Electra Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU), Electra Glide Ultra Classic - Twin Cooled (FLHTCU TC), Ultra Limited (FLHTK), Police Electra Glide (FLHTP), Street Glide (FLHX), Street Glide Special (FLHXS), CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), 2015 Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low (FLHTCUL), Ultra Limited Low (FLHTKL), Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low - Twin Cooled (FLHTCUL TC), Road Glide Special (FLTRXS), Road Glide (FLTRX), and 2014 CVO Road King (FLHRSE) motorcycles. On July 31, 2015, Harley-Davidson expanded the recall to cover an additional 61,065 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the clutch master cylinder may lose the ability to generate enough lift to disengage the clutch, especially if the motorcycle has been parked for an extended period of time.
The risk: When the engine is running and the motorcycle is in gear, if the clutch cannot be fully disengaged, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush the clutch system and rebuild the clutch master cylinder, free of charge. The recall began April 23, 2015. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0165.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company · up to 106,966 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

14V537000 · September 5, 2014

The defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2014 Electra Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU), Ultra Limited (FLHTK), Police Electra Glide (FLHTP), Street Glide Special (FLHXS), Street Glide (FLHX), Tri Glide Ultra (FLHTCUTG), CVO Limited (FLHTKSE), CVO Road King (FLHRSE), CVO Breakout (FXSBSE), Electra Glide Ultra Classic Twin Cooled (FLHTCUTC), Ultra Limited Shrine (FLHTK SHRINE), Street Glide Shrine (FLHX SHRINE), and CVO Softail Deluxe (FLSTNSE). In the affected motorcycles, a component in the clutch master cylinder may fail, reducing the pressure available to keep the clutch disengaged.
The risk: If the clutch does not remain disengaged, the motorcycle may creep forward while the rider intends to be stopped, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will rebuild the affected clutch master cylinders, free of charge. The recall began on September 17, 2014. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0159 & 0160.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company · up to 105,746 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

14V319000 · June 12, 2014

The defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2014 ABS-equipped Touring and CVO Touring motorcycles, models FLHTK, FLHTKSE, FLHTKSHRINE, FLHTCU, FLHTCUTC, FLHTP, FLHX, FLHXS, FLHXSHRINE, FLHR, FLHRC, FLHP, and FLHRSE, manufactured July 1, 2013, through May 7, 2014. The affected motorcycles may have been assembled with the front brake line positioned so that it can be pinched between the fuel tank and frame causing the front brake fluid pressure to increase.
The risk: A pinched brake line will increase the front brake fluid pressure, possibly resulting in a front wheel lock-up, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the motorcycles for brake line damage and replace the damaged lines as necessary. Dealers will also install one or two cable straps to properly prevent the line from being pinched in the future, free of charge. The recall began on June 25, 2014. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company · up to 66,421 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

13V515000 · October 17, 2013

The defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2014 FLHTCU, FLHTK, FLHTP, FLHX, FLHXS, FLHTKSE, and FLHRSE motorcycles manufactured May 3, 2013, through October 14, 2013. The clutch master cylinder may allow air into the clutch system. Additionally, the motorcycles may have been assembled with an incorrect clutch release plate. Either condition may prevent the clutch from disengaging.
The risk: If the clutch does not disengage, the rider may have difficulty slowing or stopping the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Harley-Davidson has already notified owners, and dealers will rebuild the clutch master cylinder and install the proper clutch release plate, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in late October 2013. Harley-Davidson's recall number is 0153. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson at 1-800-258-2464.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company · up to 19,597 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SERVICE BRAKES Filed November 18, 2018

1 injured · crash · 2,300 miles

I JUST GOT ON TO MY BIKE AND COMMING UP TO A CURVE AT THE END OF MY STREET I GRABBED MY FRONT BRAKE AND HAD NO BRAKE RESPONSE AT ALL. IT RESULTED IN ME CRASHING INTO A FENCE AT LOW SPEED. HARLEY HAS RECALLED THE ABS ON OLDER MODEL BIKES BUT MINE HAS THE SAME MODULE AS THOSE BIKES RECALLED. NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE ON 2014 BIKES YET.

NHTSA complaint 11152324. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES Filed March 15, 2020

18,500 miles

WAS RIDING AND WHEN I WAS COMING TO A STOP THE FRONT BRAKES COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS COMPLETLY IMMOVABLE

NHTSA complaint 11318094. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Filed December 26, 2019

8,646 miles

I FILLED THE GAS TANK AND RETURNED HOME. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR, THE WIFE NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM THE GARAGE. I WENT OUTSIDE AND NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF GASOLINE WAS ON THE FLOOR. I STARTED INVESTIGATING AS TO WHY THIS OCCURRED. I WASN'T ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM, BUT NOTICED THAT WHEN I LIFTED THE FRONT OF THE TANK, THE LEAK WOULD STOP. I TOOK THE BIKE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND BETWEEN US WE DETERMINED A WELD ON THE FRONT OF THE TANK WAS THE LEAK. WE DRAINED APPROXIMATELY A GALLON AND A HALF OF FUEL OUT AND THE LEAK STOPPED. I CONTACTED TWO DEALERSHIPS AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE BIKE DOWN AND THEY WOULD CHECK IT, BUT DO TO THE AGE IT WOULD LIKELY NOT BE COVERED. I

NHTSA complaint 11291357, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER Filed June 12, 2018

8,100 miles

PURCHASED OUR 2014 STREET GLIDE SPECIAL ON APRIL 21, 2018. ON JUNE 11, 2018 THE PINS HOLDING THE RIGHT SADDLEBAG FAILED CAUSING THE SADDLEBAG TO FALL OFF. (WE ALWAYS CHECK BEFORE A RIDE!), LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED. WE WERE DOING ABOUT 55 MPH ON A MOUNTAIN HWY GOING UPHILL AND ON A SLIGHT LEFT TURN. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED US THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PINS IN 2015 AND THAT OURS HAD BEEN REPLACED IN 2017. SO, NOT EVEN A YEAR LATER THE SAME ISSUE IS HAPPENING WITH THE RECALLED REPLACEMENT PINS? DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE OUR SADDLEBAGS. BECAUSE IT'S A SPECIAL THEY ARE ASKING OVER $600 TO REPLACE THE BAG. WE'VE ONLY HAD THE BIKE 7 WEEKS.

NHTSA complaint 11101456. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE Filed November 6, 2017

8,000 miles

I RIDE 2014 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE. COMING HOME FROM WEEKEND RIDE. I STOPPED TO PUT ON WARMER CLOTHES, WHEN I GOT OFF FREEWAY, WENT TO DOWN SHIFT AND MY SHIFTER SHAFT AND SHIFTER ARM WERE STRIPPED OFF. I HADN"T TOUCHED MY SHIFTER FOR 200 MILES. I WAS LEFT STRANDED AND HAD TO CALL FOR A TOW. I WENT ON HARLEY WEBSITE THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM 2013 AND UP OF FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. HARLEY WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL WITCH I FILL IS THERE PROBLEM. BEING STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IS DANGEROUS AND IRRESPONSIBLE ON HARLEYS PART. I HAVE HAD 4 OTHER HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES IN 35 YEARS RIDING AND HAVE NEVER BROKE DOWN. THIS IS CLEARLY BAD MANUFACTURING ON

NHTSA complaint 11043718, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE Filed March 22, 2017

12,000 miles

THE SPARK PLUG WIRE IN WEARING BY RUBBING AGAINST SOMETHING. I'VE SEEN THIS ON EVERY 2014 HARLEY DAVIDSON TOURING BIKE I'VE SEEN INCLUDING MINE. IT HASN'T WORN THROUGH YET BUT IT WILL SOONER OR LATER AND WHEN IT DOES IT WILL ARCH TO THE GAS TANK. I DIDN'T HEAR ABOUT THE PROBLEM UNTIL MY BIKE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HD IS REPLACING THOSE THAT ARE UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint 10967851. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other 2014 Harley-Davidson models

FLHTK 37 Flhtcu 9 FLHX 8

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Harley-Davidson on this site — 33 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

Complaints: NHTSA's ODI complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed July 6, 2015.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI investigation file, published October 2, 2026.

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by guarledes
Independent developer and analyst