NHTSA vehicle safety data

2018 Harley-Davidson Flde Recalls & Complaints

The 2018 Harley-Davidson Flde has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 5 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2018 Harley-Davidson Flde. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2018 Harley-Davidson Flde owner complaints

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Harley-Davidson Flde, describing incidents dated February 20, 2018 to August 25, 2025.

Most-cited components

Power Train 2 complaints
Service Brakes 2 complaints
Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
Suspension 1 complaint
Unknown or Other 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11684413 · Filed September 2, 2025
My 2018 Harley Softail was repaired .The rear shock adjuster bolt was broken 11/1/2018 at 1500 mile this was before the recalls.Then it was repaired again with the recall 2/6/24 it was broken again.My bike was then repaired again on 7/29/25 for the recall .It was broken at the time again. On 8/25/25…
ODI #11491743 · Filed November 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.
ODI #11190569 · Filed March 21, 2019
MY MOTORCYCLE WAS RECALLED FOR A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING CONDITION. FLUID COULD LEAK PAST THE CLUTCH RESERVOIR AND CAUSE THE DRIVE TRAIN TO STAY ENGAGED AND YOU CANT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR CAUSING YOU TO CRASH. THIS IS MARCH 21, 2019 AND I AM 123 CUSTOMERS AWAY FROM THE HARLEY DEALERSHIP FROM HAVING…

Read all 5 complaints

Sudden Loss of Rear Tire Pressure

NHTSA #25V375000 · Suspension — Rear — Shock Absorber · NHTSA notice

Reported June 6, 2025 · Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Potentially affected: 82,117 vehicles

Repair completion: 42.11% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Harley-Davidson campaign 0188 · Owners notified July 1, 2025 · Vehicles built starting June 30, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Rear Shock Absorber Fastener May Break

NHTSA #23V591000 · Suspension — Rear — Shock Absorber · NHTSA notice

Reported August 22, 2023 · Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Potentially affected: 65,224 vehicles

Repair completion: 64.56% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Harley-Davidson campaign 0181 · Owners notified September 8, 2023

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2018 Harley-Davidson Flde. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

5 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Harley-Davidson Flde.

Suspension; Unknown or Other

ODI #11684413

Incident: August 25, 2025 · Filed: September 2, 2025

My 2018 Harley Softail was repaired .The rear shock adjuster bolt was broken 11/1/2018 at 1500 mile this was before the recalls.Then it was repaired again with the recall 2/6/24 it was broken again.My bike was then repaired again on 7/29/25 for the recall .It was broken at the time again. On 8/25/25 I was riding home I felt a large bang to the rear and thought I had been hit.I was going slow I was able to handle the bike.I pulled to the shoulder and realized it was the shock adjuster again.I took my bike to Harley 8/30 with all my paperwork.Where it is now.I can visibly see my rear fender is pushed it to the tire.This is 4X the same defect.I could have been killed.Wondering how many have been killed or hurt for this very defect??? That is why I'm filing this report and calling Harley.

Exterior Lighting; Service Brakes

ODI #11491743

Incident: October 12, 2022 · Filed: November 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.

Power Train

ODI #11190569

Incident: November 5, 2018 · Filed: March 21, 2019

MY MOTORCYCLE WAS RECALLED FOR A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING CONDITION. FLUID COULD LEAK PAST THE CLUTCH RESERVOIR AND CAUSE THE DRIVE TRAIN TO STAY ENGAGED AND YOU CANT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR CAUSING YOU TO CRASH. THIS IS MARCH 21, 2019 AND I AM 123 CUSTOMERS AWAY FROM THE HARLEY DEALERSHIP FROM HAVING PARTS TO FIX MY BIKE.

Service Brakes

ODI #11182098

Incident: February 20, 2018 · Filed: February 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!

Power Train

ODI #11166076

Incident: November 5, 2018 · Filed: January 9, 2019

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON NOVEMBER 5TH 2018 AND STILL CANNOT GET THE DEALER TO FIX THE RECALL ISSUE, IT IS NOW JANUARY 9TH 2019

Other Harley-Davidson Flde model years

Check your 2018 Harley-Davidson Flde VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Harley-Davidson Flde at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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