Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
290–25K
2525–50K
550–75K
175–100K
1100–150K
0150K+
61 reports with mileage · 9 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
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
What owners actually said
70 reports
12,545 miles · Dec 26, 2016
Service Brakes
EXITING INTERSTATE FRONT BRAKE LEVER INOPERATIVE. TOTAL LOSS OF FRONT BRAKES AS I APPROACHED INTERSECTION. BACK BRAKES OPERATED NORMALLY. CONTINUED HOME CHECKED FOR LEAKS, NONE. FLUID FULL. MASTER CYLINDER WORKING, BUT NO FLUID @ CALIPERS. STILL CANNOT DEPRESS BRAKE LEVER. WAS INFORMED MAYBE ABS MODULE HOWEVER STILL SHOULDN'T CA…
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EXITING INTERSTATE FRONT BRAKE LEVER INOPERATIVE. TOTAL LOSS OF FRONT BRAKES AS I APPROACHED INTERSECTION. BACK BRAKES OPERATED NORMALLY. CONTINUED HOME CHECKED FOR LEAKS, NONE. FLUID FULL. MASTER CYLINDER WORKING, BUT NO FLUID @ CALIPERS. STILL CANNOT DEPRESS BRAKE LEVER. WAS INFORMED MAYBE ABS MODULE HOWEVER STILL SHOULDN'T CAUSE TOTAL FAILURE. THANK YOU
NHTSA ODI #10937459
60,000 miles · Nov 8, 2016
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE FLHTCU. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR ABS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE FLHTCU. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR ABS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10924953
40,000 miles · Oct 13, 2016
Service BrakesCrash
WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WOULD NOT COMPRESS SO THE MOTORCYCLE ONLY HAD BACK BRAKES. IT CONTRIBUTED TO A COLLISION WITHOUT INJURIES. I'M TOLD IT IS BECAUSE THE ABS FAILED. I DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT HAD HAPPENED AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION SO THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS NOT MENTIONED IN THE POLICE REPORT. …
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WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WOULD NOT COMPRESS SO THE MOTORCYCLE ONLY HAD BACK BRAKES. IT CONTRIBUTED TO A COLLISION WITHOUT INJURIES. I'M TOLD IT IS BECAUSE THE ABS FAILED. I DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT HAD HAPPENED AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION SO THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS NOT MENTIONED IN THE POLICE REPORT. IT SHOULD HAVE FAILED "SAFE" WHICH MEANS THAT THE ABS SHOULD HAVE "SWITCHED OFF" SO THAT THE BRAKES WOULD STILL FUNCTION BUT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN. I STILL CANNOT COMPRESS THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER. ..UPDATED 02/10/17 *BF *TR
NHTSA ODI #10915783
103,800 miles · Oct 12, 2016
Service Brakes
WHILE RIDING AND COMMING TO A STOP SIGN REAR BRAKE PEDDEL GOT VERY HARD TO PUSH DOWN RESULTING IN NO REAR BRAKES, STIL HAD FRONT BRAKES. TOOK TO HARLEY SHOP AND THEY DIAGNOISED THAT THE ABS MODULE HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THEY HAD TO REPLACE IT TOOK 2.5 WEEKS TO GET THE NEW MODULE IN AS HATRLEY DAVIDSON HAD NONE IN THEIR SYSTEM. WHAT …
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WHILE RIDING AND COMMING TO A STOP SIGN REAR BRAKE PEDDEL GOT VERY HARD TO PUSH DOWN RESULTING IN NO REAR BRAKES, STIL HAD FRONT BRAKES. TOOK TO HARLEY SHOP AND THEY DIAGNOISED THAT THE ABS MODULE HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THEY HAD TO REPLACE IT TOOK 2.5 WEEKS TO GET THE NEW MODULE IN AS HATRLEY DAVIDSON HAD NONE IN THEIR SYSTEM. WHAT BOTHERE ME THE MOST IS THAT WE WERE TOLD WHEN WE BOUGTH THE BIKES WITH ABS THAT IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO THE BABS UNIT WE WOULD HAVE REGULAR BRAKES WITCH WAS NOT TRUE AS I HAD NO REAR BRAKES.
NHTSA ODI #10915518
16,796 miles · Sep 28, 2016
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE HANDLES AND FRONT BRAKES FAILED TO WORK WHEN APPLIED. A REPAIR SHOP RECOMMENDED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE BE TAKEN TO A DEALER AND PERFORMED AN INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE HANDLES AND FRONT BRAKES FAILED TO WORK WHEN APPLIED. A REPAIR SHOP RECOMMENDED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE BE TAKEN TO A DEALER AND PERFORMED AN INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,796. UPDATED 12/21/16*LJ THE DEALER REPAIRED THE MOTORCYCLE AT NO CHARGE. UPDATED 12/27/16.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10910145
28,200 miles · Sep 6, 2016
Power Train
COMPENSATOR PRIMARY CHAIN FAILURE SHUTTER WHEN DRIVING HARD STARTING FAILURE TO STARTER MOTOR PART IS JUNK WILL CAUSE REAR WHEEL TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING ENDING UP IN CRASH AND DEATH
NHTSA ODI #10903896
12,000 miles · Aug 25, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU ELECTRA GLIDE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU ELECTRA GLIDE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.
NHTSA ODI #10898562
7,000 miles · Aug 23, 2016
Service Brakes
DRIVING DOWN A BUSY HWY WHEN II WENT TO APPLY BRAKES THE FRONT BRAKE HANDLE WOULD NOT WORK. WOULDN'T COMPRESS. .JUST MISSED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND SLOW THE BIKE DOWN BEFORE I CAME TO A DRAINAGE DITCH. THIS IS INSANITY. NO WARNING NO MECHANICAL TAKE OVER. I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE…
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DRIVING DOWN A BUSY HWY WHEN II WENT TO APPLY BRAKES THE FRONT BRAKE HANDLE WOULD NOT WORK. WOULDN'T COMPRESS. .JUST MISSED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND SLOW THE BIKE DOWN BEFORE I CAME TO A DRAINAGE DITCH. THIS IS INSANITY. NO WARNING NO MECHANICAL TAKE OVER. I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HURT OR MAYBE KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS. THIS IS NOT NORMAK . WHERE IS CONSUMER PROTECTION? WHERE IS CUSTOMER AWARENESS OR CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION. MAYBE NEXT TIME I WON'T BE SO LUCKY. HAVING IT TOWED TO TREASUR COAST TOMOROW. DISAPPOINTED IN HARLEY
NHTSA ODI #10898031
25 miles · Aug 14, 2016
Unknown Or Other
REAR BRAKES ON MY 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC, THEY FROZE AND I HAD NO BRAKES, PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. IT WAS LIKE PRESSING AGAINST A SOLID WALK WITH ME FOOT, IF IT WASN'T FOR MY FRONT BRAKE I MIGHT NOT BE ALIVE TODAY ! THIS IS VERY DEADY.
NHTSA ODI #10895828
43,000 miles · Aug 9, 2016
Service Brakes
WHEN I RODE MY MOTORCYCLE TO WORK IN THE MORNING MY FRONT BRAKES WORKED FINE. WHILE RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE DOWN THE INTERSTATE HOME FROM WORK, I WENT TO APPLY MY FRONT BRAKES AND FOUND THE BRAKE LEVER ON THE HANDLE BAR WAS FROZEN. THE MOTOR CYCLE IS IN MY GARAGE AND I STILL CANNOT APPLY THE FRONT BRAKE.
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
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: 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
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: 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.
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.
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
1
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.
2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Flhtcu Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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