The Lemon Index

Motorcycles · Harley-Davidson · Adventure & touring

Harley-Davidson Road Glide, illustration

Illustration

Harley-Davidson Road Glide.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 2000 to 2026 models.

249owner complaints
12recalls
10%involved a crash, fire or injury
8,000typical miles at complaint

Harley-Davidson Road Glide years to avoid. The model years with the most complaints filed with NHTSA.

201129 complaints

5 of 29 describe a front-end shake or wobble around 40 mph.

1 reported a crash.

  • Recall 18V076000 (service brakes, hydraulic): Deposits may form on components within the brake system if the DOT 4 brake fluid is not replaced for a prolonged period of time beyond the 2-year maintenance schedule specified in the Owner’s Manual.
  • Recall 11V506000 (exterior lighting): See the above list for the models included in the recall.
200928 complaints

14 of 28 describe the brakes or the ABS.

9 mention the throttle-by-wire going into limp mode.

2 reported a fire.

201624 complaints

14 of 24 describe the instruments or infotainment screen (water, glare).

1 reported a crash.

  • Recall 16V471000 (power train): 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.

After 2016, no model year drew more than 15.

Fewest complaints on file: 2000 (2), 2005 (2), 2021 (2). Few complaints is not a clean bill of health, just fewer owners filing.

What each year's complaints describe comes from reading their text. These are counts, not rates: there are no sales figures per motorcycle model year. A complaint is not proof of a defect.

Complaints by model year.

20002
20036
20052
20065
20076
200814
200928
201013
201129
201216
201318
201512
201624
201715
20188
20194
20206
20212
20226
20236
202415
20259
20263

Popular years get more complaints just because more were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect them. There are no U.S. sales figures by motorcycle model year, so these are counts, not rates.

What owners complain about. Share of complaints.

brakes24%
electrical21%
engine20%
transmission & drivetrain14%
throttle & speed control9%

Recalls 12

  • Engine And Engine Cooling 2026

    The engine control module (ECM) may communicate the incorrect gear position of neutral when the transmission is actually in gear.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling 2026

    The airbox backplate breather port may be blocked, allowing pressure to build up inside the crankcase.

  • Electrical System 2024

    The voltage regulator output wire may rub on the front corner of the crankcase, exposing the wire and causing an electrical short circuit.

Show all 12
  • Exterior Lighting 22V781000

    Please refer to Addendum A for specific vehicle model details.

  • Visibility 19V574000

    The kit did not include replacement rear red reflectors for the ones that are eliminated by installing this kit.

  • Power Train 18V734000

    The secondary clutch actuator cylinder may leak fluid internally and the clutch master cylinder may lose the ability to generate enough lift to disengage the clutch.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic 18V076000

    Deposits may form on components within the brake system if the DOT 4 brake fluid is not replaced for a prolonged period of time beyond the 2-year maintenance schedule specified in the Owner’s Manual.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling 17V333000

    In the affected motorcycles, a clamp used to secure an engine oil cooler line may have been improperly installed.

  • Power Train 16V471000

    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.

  • Equipment 15V427000

    The affected motorcycles have saddlebag mounting receptacles that may not adequately secure the saddlebags to the motorcycle.

  • Power Train 15V216000

    On July 31, 2015, Harley-Davidson expanded the recall to cover an additional 61,065 motorcycles.

  • Exterior Lighting 11V506000

    See the above list for the models included in the recall.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific bike's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Specs The maker's claimed figures for a representative year. ~ means approximate.

Harley-Davidson Road Glide

2000–now

~90 hpClaimed crank figure

Engine
1,746 cc air/oil-cooled 45-degree V-twin Milwaukee-Eight 107Milwaukee-Eight family
Torque
111 lb-ftclaimed
Weight
~855 lbwet or curb, as the maker quotes it
Seat height
26.3 in
Price new
~$22,199 (2019)base U.S. MSRP before destination, approximate

From the makers' U.S. spec sheets (the EU sheet for horsepower where the U.S. one leaves it out), checked against a sample on Nov 11; years and versions differ.

Filed as: FLTRX, FLTRU, FLTRXS, FLTR, FLTRI. Source: NHTSA owner complaints (model years 2000-2026) and recalls. Every motorcycle

Also counted in the Harley-Davidson Touring family page.

More adventure & touring: Harley-Davidson Touring · Can-Am Spyder · BMW GS (R1200/R1250GS) · BMW RT (R1200/R1250RT) · BMW K 1200 / K 1300 S, R, GT · Harley-Davidson Street Glide · Honda Gold Wing · Harley-Davidson Road King · Every motorcycle

A new bike every day: follow @lemonindexmotorcycle on TikTok and Instagram.

Updated

Spot a mistake or have an idea? Tell us

How can we make Lemon Index better?