2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLDE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
7
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLDE
The 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLDE has received a total of 7 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Train (2 complaints), Service Brakes (2 complaints), and Exterior Lighting (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLDE
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLDE, potentially affecting up to 212,565 vehicles.
Recall 25V375000 — SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
| 82,117 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A sudden loss of tire pressure increases the risk of a crash.
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...
View full details →Recall 23V591000 — SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
| 65,224 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A loss of tire pressure can lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
View full details →Recall 23V591000 — SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
| 65,224 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A loss of tire pressure can lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLDE
7 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLDE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Safety Rating for the 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLDE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLDE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLDE
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLDE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLDE
- 2017 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLDE — 3 complaints
- 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLDE (current)
- 2019 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLDE — 1 complaint
- 2020 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLDE — 1 complaint
Other HARLEY-DAVIDSON Models
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU — 331 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHX — 233 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTK — 209 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTC — 130 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON HARLEY DAVIDSON — 129 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCUI — 127 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON XG750 — 123 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG — 107 total complaints