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.
The worst 2018 Harley-Davidson Flde problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes2
- Transmission2
- Lights1
- Suspension1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes2
- Transmission2
- Lights1
- Suspension1
Recalls 2
Suspension: rear: shock absorber
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 in this recall were previously repaired under recall 23V591, and will need to have the new remedy completed.
Recall number 25V375000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear: shock absorber
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 23V591000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2018 Harley-Davidson Flde 65
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- TIRE TREAD DEPTH GUIDE-UPDATE. PURPOSE: [Revision C. Updated: Tire Tread Depth Guide
- Battery warranty guidelines
- BATTERY WARRANTY GUIDELINES. PURPOSE: [Revision F. Added: Added video link for the DCA-8000 Battery Tester
- TIRE TREAD DEPTH GUIDE-UPDATE. PURPOSE: [Revision B. Updated: Tire Tread Depth Guide
- Battery warranty guidelines
- Digital technician II - updates and release notes
- Cosmetic cylinder staining (all milwaukee-eight models)
- Digital technician II - updates and release notes
- Digital technician II - updates and release notes
- Digital technician II - updates and release notes
What 2018 Harley-Davidson Flde owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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!
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
Compare the 2018 Harley-Davidson Flde
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Questions about the 2018 Harley-Davidson Flde
Is the 2018 Harley-Davidson Flde reliable?
Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2018 Harley-Davidson Flde, 1.7 times a typical Flde model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Harley-Davidson Flde?
Brakes, with 2 complaints. Next is transmission (2).
How many recalls does the 2018 Harley-Davidson Flde have?
2 recalls, covering suspension.
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