Motorcycles · Harley-Davidson · Adventure & touring
IllustrationIllustration (AI-generated) of a 2019 Harley-Davidson Road King, not a photo of a specific motorcycle. Free to use under CC BY 4.0: credit The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Download and credit text
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 2000 to 2020 models.
15 of 30 describe throttle, power-loss or cruise control problems.
Engine and power train lead (7 each).
Brakes are the top complaint (9).
After 2011, no Road King year drew more than 7.
Complaints filed with NHTSA per model year (FLHR, FLHRC, FLHRCI, FLHRS and the other Road King codes), 2005 to 2024, from api.nhtsa.gov on Nov 14, 2026. These are counts, not rates: there are no sales figures per motorcycle model year. A complaint is not proof of a defect.
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.
Please refer to Addendum A for specific vehicle model details.
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.
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 Owners Manual.
In the affected motorcycles, a clamp used to secure an engine oil cooler line may have been improperly installed.
The affected motorcycles have saddlebag mounting receptacles that may not adequately secure the saddlebags to the motorcycle.
On July 31, 2015, Harley-Davidson expanded the recall to cover an additional 61,065 motorcycles.
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 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 clutch master cylinder may allow air into the clutch system.
See the above list for the models included in the recall.
The front fuel tank mounts may distort in reaction to severe frame damage from a frontal collision.
These motorcycles may experience a cracking of the fuel filter shell leading to loss of fuel pressure.
On certain dyna, xl, and touring motorcycles, the tail light bulb can fall out of the socket.
On certain motorcycles, the clips that retain the wiring for the front fender tip light can become detached from the fender, causing the wires to fray and short.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific bike's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
~90 hpClaimed crank figure
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: FLHR, FLHRC, ROAD KING, FLHRCI, FLHRI. Source: NHTSA owner complaints (model years 2000-2026) and recalls. Every motorcycle
Also counted in the Harley-Davidson Touring family page.
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