Danville, IL
WHEELS
The Dunlop back tire cracked in center while less than half worn. Thread depth new is 8/32 inch and tire check 5/32 inch.
NHTSA complaint #11546765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FaultScore report
2016 Harley-Davidson Flhtk problems
Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2016 Harley-Davidson Flhtk with NHTSA between 2017 and 2023. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 8 worst.
B
FaultScore 35/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Harley-Davidson Flhtk.
How this is worked outThe numbers
14
Complaints
0
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
13,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
100%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
What kind of bad
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
- Complaint volume — 29
- Against the median year of the Harley-Davidson Flhtk. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
- Severity — 0
- 0% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
- Early failure — 100
- 100% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.
How 2016 compares with every other Harley-Davidson Flhtk
Click any bar to open that year's report.
What breaks on a 2016 Harley-Davidson Flhtk
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
5
35.7%
Median failure at 14,620 miles
Wheels
4
28.6%
Median failure at 23,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
2
14.3%
Median failure at 13,000 miles
Tires
1
7.1%
Median failure at 3,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
1
7.1%
Median failure at 9,960 miles
Engine & Cooling
1
7.1%
Median failure at 9,960 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
4
36.4%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
6
54.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1
9.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 2017
peak 2
Sep 2023
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Lebanon, MO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The coolant pump failed causing the engine to over heat which I was informed is a known issue with this year model. Plus my ABS system failed which makes the bike unable to operate.
NHTSA complaint #11510017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lebanon, MO
SERVICE BRAKES
The coolant pump failed causing the engine to over heat which I was informed is a known issue with this year model. Plus my ABS system failed which makes the bike unable to operate.
NHTSA complaint #11510017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,000 miles
Summit Point, WV
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WE WERE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES INSTANTLY LOCKED UP. WE WENT FROM 70 TO 0 IN SECONDS. WE BARELY MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER AS WE NEEDED TO CLEAR OTHER BIKES. PEOPLE BEHIND US CLAIM THE BRAKE LIGHTS NEVER CAME ON NOR DID THE ABS LIGHT TO INDICATE AN ISSUE. THE BRAKES REMAINED LOCKED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE WE COULD EVEN MOVE THE BIKE. THE BIKE WAS TRAILER TO HD IN FREDERICK WHERE THEY CLAIM IT'S A FAULTY ABS MODULE. NOW HD IS FIGHTING THE REPAIR. SEARCHING ONLINE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ABS MODULES. THIS ISSUE COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY AND A LESSER EXPERIENCED RIDER WOULD HAVE DROPPED THE BIKE WHEN IT BIT DOWN HARD, THE FRONT END OF THE BIKE DROPPED DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11339520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,000 miles
Summit Point, WV
SERVICE BRAKES
WE WERE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES INSTANTLY LOCKED UP. WE WENT FROM 70 TO 0 IN SECONDS. WE BARELY MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER AS WE NEEDED TO CLEAR OTHER BIKES. PEOPLE BEHIND US CLAIM THE BRAKE LIGHTS NEVER CAME ON NOR DID THE ABS LIGHT TO INDICATE AN ISSUE. THE BRAKES REMAINED LOCKED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE WE COULD EVEN MOVE THE BIKE. THE BIKE WAS TRAILER TO HD IN FREDERICK WHERE THEY CLAIM IT'S A FAULTY ABS MODULE. NOW HD IS FIGHTING THE REPAIR. SEARCHING ONLINE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ABS MODULES. THIS ISSUE COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY AND A LESSER EXPERIENCED RIDER WOULD HAVE DROPPED THE BIKE WHEN IT BIT DOWN HARD, THE FRONT END OF THE BIKE DROPPED DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11339520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,567 miles
Kennewick, WA
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS FAILURE, NO ABS FAILURE LIGHT ON. RIDING ON I82 BETWEEN KENNEWICK WA AND UMATILLA OR. RIDING AT 70 MPH, ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE FOR SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC AND DISCOVERED REAR BRAKE PEDAL IN HYDRAULIC LOCK CONDITION, UNABLE TO PUSH PEDAL DOWN...SO NO REAR BRAKE. ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. WAS ABLE TO GET HARLEY HOME SAFELY. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 EXIST FOR EARLIER MODELS WITH SAME ABS PROBLEM. COST OF REPAIR $1500 TO $2000. NEED SAME RECALL FOR LATER YEARS
NHTSA complaint #11321876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,729 miles
LA Marque, TX
WHEELS
LAST YEAR AT APROX 20K MILES ON A LONG STRETCH OF HIGHWAY THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE, HAD TO HAVE IT HAULED IN ON WRECKER TO GET FIXED UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY DID NOT PAY FOR THAT , WELL HERE IT IS APROX 13K MILES SINCE THEN AND IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN
NHTSA complaint #11268911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,960 miles
Winona, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTK LIMITED. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, IT DISENGAGED AUTOMATICALLY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. ALSO, THE THROTTLE WOULD DECREASE AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. ON JULY 30, 2019, WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE THROTTLE COMPLETELY FAILED IN TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT HAD TO ROLL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LA CROSSE AREA HARLEY-DAVIDSON (1116 OAK FOREST DR, ONALASKA, WI 54650, (608) 783-6112) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SIX TERMINAL SOCKET CAUSED THE THROTTLE TO MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER PERFORMED WIRING REPAIRS AND REPLACED THE TERMINAL SOCKET TO THE THROTTLE. THE DEALER DID NOT COVER THE REPAIRS SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD RECENTLY EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,960.
NHTSA complaint #11255545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,960 miles
Winona, MN
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTK LIMITED. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, IT DISENGAGED AUTOMATICALLY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. ALSO, THE THROTTLE WOULD DECREASE AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. ON JULY 30, 2019, WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE THROTTLE COMPLETELY FAILED IN TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT HAD TO ROLL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LA CROSSE AREA HARLEY-DAVIDSON (1116 OAK FOREST DR, ONALASKA, WI 54650, (608) 783-6112) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SIX TERMINAL SOCKET CAUSED THE THROTTLE TO MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER PERFORMED WIRING REPAIRS AND REPLACED THE TERMINAL SOCKET TO THE THROTTLE. THE DEALER DID NOT COVER THE REPAIRS SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD RECENTLY EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,960.
NHTSA complaint #11255545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,000 miles
Welcome, MN
WHEELS
THE FRONT WHEEL WHERE THE TIRE SEALS AGAINST THE WHEEL THAT MATERIAL IN THAT AREA IS SEPARATING CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE ROAD HAZARD WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED.
NHTSA complaint #11221767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,288 miles
LA Marque, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN LA AND TEXAS ON IH10 WEST I APPLIED REAR BRAKES,DUE TOO RIDING IN A RAIN STORM ,WHERE AS THERE WAS NO PEDAL WENT TO FOOT BOARD ,APPLIED FRONT BRAKES AND SLOWED BIKE(ALMOST HIT THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME),TRIED REAR BRAKES AND HAD A PEDAL SO CONTINUED ON,LATER I SMELT SOMETHING BURNING SO I GOT OFF HIGHWAY TO CHECK, GOT SMOKE FROM MY REAR BRAKES , PROCEEDED TO NEAREST HARLEY DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD IT WAS TO LATE FOR THEM TO LOOK AT (CLOSING TIME) PROCEEDED HOME ANOTHER 100 MILES,NEXT DAY I REMOVED REAR BRAKE CALIBER FOUND THE PADS BURNT UP ,GOT SO HOT THEY WHERE WHITE ,THE ONLY THING THAT KEEP THEM FROM CATCHING FIRE I THINK WAS IT WAS RAINING ,FURTHER INSPECTION FOUND ONE PISTON STUCK IN THE OUT POSITION ,GOT REPLACEMENT PADS AND AFTER MARKET CALIPER KIT (HARLEY DOES NOT SELL REPAIR KITS FOR CALIPERS) REPLACED PADS AND REBUILD KIT COST ME 346$ AND BRAKES HAVE WORKED FINE EVER SINCE (3K MILES AGO), KIT CONTAINED 4 PISTONS AND SEAL REPLACEMENTS,
NHTSA complaint #11181760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,240 miles
LA Marque, TX
WHEELS
WHILE RIDING ON HWY THE FRONT END STARTING SHAKING OUT OF CONTROL , MY FIRST THOUGHT I RAN OVER SOME THING , APPLIED BRAKE BUT THE BRAKE LEVER WENT FLAT NO BRAKING ACTION AT ALL , DUE TO HAVING MANY YEARS RIDING EXPERIENCE I JUST HIT THE KILL SWITCH AND USED THE ENGINE AS A BRAKE LUCKILY IT WORKED AFTER GETTING IT STOPPED I INSPECTED AND FOUND MY FRONT BEARINGS HAD FALLEN APART AND OUT OF THE FRONT WHEEL . I ONLY HAVE 16K MILES ON THE BIKE , WELL THE ABS SYSTEM WORKS OFF THE WHEEL BEARINGS , I AM SUSPECTING THAT'S WHY I LOST MY BRAKES'' THE BEARINGS FAILED SO I LOST MY BRAKING ABILITY TOO.. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS CONDITION . I GOT LUCKY AND DID NOT CRASH ,SOMEONE WILL NOT BE SO LUCKY. THEY NEED TO FIND AN ALTERNATE SOURCE TO REGULATE THE ABS SYSTEM MAYBE PICK UP AND MAGNET SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #11046397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,240 miles
LA Marque, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE RIDING ON HWY THE FRONT END STARTING SHAKING OUT OF CONTROL , MY FIRST THOUGHT I RAN OVER SOME THING , APPLIED BRAKE BUT THE BRAKE LEVER WENT FLAT NO BRAKING ACTION AT ALL , DUE TO HAVING MANY YEARS RIDING EXPERIENCE I JUST HIT THE KILL SWITCH AND USED THE ENGINE AS A BRAKE LUCKILY IT WORKED AFTER GETTING IT STOPPED I INSPECTED AND FOUND MY FRONT BEARINGS HAD FALLEN APART AND OUT OF THE FRONT WHEEL . I ONLY HAVE 16K MILES ON THE BIKE , WELL THE ABS SYSTEM WORKS OFF THE WHEEL BEARINGS , I AM SUSPECTING THAT'S WHY I LOST MY BRAKES'' THE BEARINGS FAILED SO I LOST MY BRAKING ABILITY TOO.. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS CONDITION . I GOT LUCKY AND DID NOT CRASH ,SOMEONE WILL NOT BE SO LUCKY. THEY NEED TO FIND AN ALTERNATE SOURCE TO REGULATE THE ABS SYSTEM MAYBE PICK UP AND MAGNET SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #11046397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 miles
SAN Juan Capistrano, CA
TIRES
TIRE IS 4 MONTHS OLD WITH APPROXIMATELY 3,000 MILES ON IT. TREAD APPARENTLY DE-LAMINATED FROM THE CORE CAUSING A BUBBLE ON THE TREAD APPROXIMATELY 5" LONG BY 4" WIDE BY 1.5" DEEP.
NHTSA complaint #11004352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.