Service Brakes. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

6 reports

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16,000 miles · Jan 30, 2012

Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLS AND QUITS. NO POWER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION AND TURNING IT BACK ON, ENGINE IS OPERATIONAL AGAIN. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10445798

29,000 miles · Nov 30, 2011

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SUDDENLY ACTS ERRATIC SOMETIMES REVVING THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY AND SOMETIMES GOING INTO "LIMP MODE" CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER IN TRAFFIC AND CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI #10438369

47,500 miles · Aug 16, 2011

Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVISON FLHTCUI (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS WITHOUT ENGAGING THE THROTTLE AND THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED TO THEIR MAXIMUM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE AND THE DEALER FELT THAT THERE WAS A SHORT WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS. THE FAILURE…

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NHTSA ODI #10419728

22,000 miles · Apr 15, 2011

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

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MULTIPLE INCIDENTS. WHILE MAINTAINING A CRUISE SPEED OF 65 MPH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE RPM DROPPED TO IDLE RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED. ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND TO THROTTLE CONTROL. WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SHOULDER OF ROAD. RETURNED MOTORCYCLE TO DEALER. DEALER CLAIMED THEY CLEARED FAILURE CODES BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE SYMPTOMS. THEY CALLED TECH SERVICES AND WERE TOLD OF A SERVICE BULLETIN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL CONNECTION CORROSION FOR THROTTLE CONTROL. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SUDDEN LOSS OF ABILITY TO MAINTAIN FLOW WITHIN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ODI #10396505

5,312 miles · Mar 28, 2011

Engine And Engine Cooling

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS EXHIBITING AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AND THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD CONTINUOUSLY TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR TO ALLOW THE COMPUTER TO READJUST ITSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT NEVER RESPONDED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,312.

NHTSA ODI #10393116

533 miles · Oct 19, 2008

Engine And Engine Cooling

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THIS VEHICLE IS A NEW HARLEY-DAVIDSON 2009 FLHTUCTG TRI-GLIDE TRIKE, THAT WENT IN FOR IT'S FIRST 500 (ACTUAL MILES 533) MILE SERVICE CHECK. AT DEPARTURE OF THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THE SERVICE WAS COMPLIED WITH, AND WITHIN 1 MILE, I HEARD A NOISE FROM UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE TRIKE, AT WHICH I COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT THE SOUND WAS AT THE TIME. I BACKED UP AND LOOKED FOR ANYTHING THAT MAY HAVE FALLEN OFF OF THE TRIKE WITH NO AVAIL, AS IT WAS DARK AT THE TIME OF LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP, AND CONTINUED HOME (ABOUT 30 MILES AWAY). THE NEXT DAY I RODE FOR ANOTHER 10-15 MILES, AND ON MY DASH CAME ON WARNING LIGHTS TO CHECK ENGINE, AND THE BATTERY LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. SO STRAIGHT HOME I GO. AFTER EXAMINING THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE TRIKE I NOTICED 1 FORWARD ENGINE MOUNT BOLT (APPROX 5 INCHES LONG) WAS MISSING, AND THE OTHER WAS BEING HELD IN PLACE BY THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR (V/R) WIRING. THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE DASH LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE, AS THE V/R PLUG WAS PULLED OUT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES SPEAKING TO ERIC HUFF'S (GENERAL MANAGER) ANSWERING SERVICE MACHINE, JAMES ? (SERVICE MANAGER) ANSWERING SERVICE MACHINE, THEN TO EDDIE A SERVICE WRITER. JAMES RETURNED MY CALL, SENT OUT A TOW TRAILER, AND TOOK THE TRIKE IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN. VIA CORRESPONDENCE WITH EDDIE, THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO KEEP MY TRIKE FOR ANOTHER DAY TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURE TO VERIFY NO SAFETY ISSUE EXIST. I INFORMED HIM THAT THESE BOLTS WERE INSTALLED UPSIDEDOWN, AND NO LOCK NUT OR WASHER WAS BEING USED. ONLY A TORQUE. ON TUESDAY, I PICKED UP THE TRIKE AGAIN, AND AFTER LATER INSPECTING THE JOB PERFORMED, I FIND THE BOLTS INSTALLED UPSIDE-DOWN AGAIN, WITH NO LOCK NUT (SHOULD HAVE BE A CASTLE NUT W/ COTTER PIN, COMPRESSION LOCK NUT, OR A TEFLON LOCK NUT). ALSO NO LOC-TITE, OR LOCK WASHER WAS INSTALLED EITHER. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT IN THE WAITING TO HAPPEN. WHEN A FOLLOWING DRIVER CATCHES A 5 INCH BOLT IN THE WINDSHIELD, AND CAUSES A DEATH, THEN MAYBE HARLEY-DAVIDSON WILL TAKE INTEREST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246013

Official recalls

18V076000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid

Jan 29, 2018

Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling all 2008-2011 Touring, CVO Touring and VSRC motorcycles equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), including Road King (FLHR), Road King Police (EFI) (FLHP), Road King Police (EFI) (FLHPE), Electra Glide Standard Police (EFI) (FLHTP), Electra Glide Classic (EFI) (FLHTC), Electra Glide Ultra Classic (EFI) (FLHTCU) and Street Glide (EFI) (FLHX), 2008 VROD (VRSCAWA), CVO Road King 4 (FLHRSE4), Night Rod (VRSCDA), CVO Ultra Classic 3 (FLHTCUSE3), Night Rod Special (VRSCDXA), 2008-2010 Road King Classic (EFI) (FLHRC), 2008-2009 Road Glide (EFI) (FLTR) and Electra Glide Standard (EFI) (FLHT), 2009-2010 V-Rod (VRSCAW), 2009 CVO Ultra Classic (FLHTCUSE4) and CVO Road Glide 3 (FLTRSE3), 2009-2011 Night Rod Special (VRSCDX) and V-Rod Muscle (VRSCF), 2010 CVO Ultra Classic 5 (FLHTCUSE5) and CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), 2010-2011 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (FLHTK) and Road Glide Custom (FLTRX), 2011 Road Glide Ultra 103 (FLTRU103), Street Glide 103 (FLHX103), Road King Classic 103 (FLHRC103), CVO Ultra Classic 6 (FLHTCUSE6), CVO Road Glide Ultra (FLTRUSE), Road Glide Custom 103 (FLTRX103), and CVO Street Glide 2 (FLHXSE2) motorcycles. 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush the entire brake system with new Platinum Label DOT 4 brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0171.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

Consequence: These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush the entire brake system with new Platinum Label DOT 4 brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0171.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid

Consequence: These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.

11V506000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Oct 19, 2011

HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 TOURING, CVO TOURING AND TRIKE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 6, 2008, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. SEE THE ABOVE LIST FOR THE MODELS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY BE EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY CAUSE THE SWITCH TO NOT ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP OR ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP WHEN NO BRAKE IS APPLIED AND/OR CAUSE A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, AFFECTING REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE. EITHER CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: HARLEY-DAVIDSON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL A INSTALL A REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH KIT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.

09V457000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

Dec 1, 2009

HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 TOURING FAMILY MOTORCYCLES, INCLUDING CVO TOURING AND TRIKE PRODUCTS, MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 6, 2008 THROUGH NOVEMBER 19, 2009. THE FRONT FUEL TANK MOUNTS MAY DISTORT IN REACTION TO SEVERE FRAME DAMAGE FROM A FRONTAL COLLISION. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE A FUEL LEAK AT THE WELD OF THE FRONT BRACKET TO THE TUNNEL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE, WHICH COULD LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LEFT AND RIGHT BRACE, WHICH ARE INTENDED TO REDUCE FRONT MOUNT DISTORTION DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS. THIS REPAIR WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

PE16009 · Sudden Brake Failure - Motorcycle

Opened Jul 6, 2016 · Closed Apr 23, 2018

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation in July 2016 based on forty-three (43) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ).During the course of this investigation ODI received a total of 145 VOQs related to the alleged defect on the subject motorcycles.Owners allege they experience a sudden and complete loss of brakes on one or both wheels.To better understand the cause of the braking issue on the subject motorcycles, ODI requested NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) conduct inspections and testing of affected vehicle braking systems.Through its work, VRTC determined that deposits were forming on the valves in the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) of the Antilock Braking System (ABS). These deposits could prevent the proper function of the HCU and render the brakes ineffective.To understand why deposits were forming in the HCU, Harley Davidson completed an analysis of the Dow 460 brake fluid used as original equipment on the subject motorcycles and determined that it had stability issues if left in the brake system for an extended period of time.Harley Davidson found that if a brake fluid flush was not conducted as outlined in the owner?s manual for the motorcycles, and was left in the system for a period of time beyond their recommendation; deposits could form in the HCU.Through further testing, Harley Davidson identified an alternate, commercially available, brake fluid that did not have the same stability issues as the original fluid and could stop the proliferation of any current brake system deposits.ODI sent Information Request (IR) letters to Harley Davidson and Dow Chemical (the supplier of the brake fluid on the subject motorcycles) to collect information about the subject bikes and the alleged defect.Harley Davidson responded in full on Sept 30, 2016 and Dow responded with a confidential submission on October 25, 2017.ODI analyzed the information contained in both IR responses and concluded that motorcycles manufactured during Model Years (MY) 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 were failing at a rate greater than their peers.Based on this analysis and the brake fluid study conducted by Harley Davidson, a group of motorcycles was identified that were potentially affected by the instability of the original brake fluid.2008 marked the introduction of ABS on Harley Davidson motorcycles and a change in the Dow 460 brake fluid used in the 2012 MY vehicles provided the bases for the scope of the affected population.With recall action 18V-076 taken by Harley Davidson this investigation is closed as further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: https://www.nhtsa.gov/ using the complaint identification numbers attached to this resume.