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2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Flhtcutg

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
7Owner complaints

Model-year median: 5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
5
20099
20109
20117
20127
20135
20146
2015
Compare all Flhtcutg years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Service Brakes
3Electrical System
1Engine And Engine Cooling
1Power Train
1Steering
1
All reported categories
Structure
1Unknown Or Other
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 3 of 7 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2024
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteeringCrash

All #'s/times are approx. At 2:15p, sun to back, and 30-35mph going into a curve, bike went off road. No brake lights, New tire, 406 miles on it, 6.6 miles fr: dealership, 3rd time there for random electrical issues, radio, starting, etc. Less than 1 mile tested in parking lot. Battery replaced. Drove thousands of miles since th…

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All #'s/times are approx. At 2:15p, sun to back, and 30-35mph going into a curve, bike went off road. No brake lights, New tire, 406 miles on it, 6.6 miles fr: dealership, 3rd time there for random electrical issues, radio, starting, etc. Less than 1 mile tested in parking lot. Battery replaced. Drove thousands of miles since the 1970s. Trike maintained on schedule by dealer. Searched this on the internet, shocked at all of the similar complaints and deaths by sensors and brakes locking up since 2008 and that Harley-Davidson knew about it and did nothing. Witnesses said there was nothing that would have caused crash; not speeding, nothing ran in front, paved road, brake lights didn't work. Autopsy showed enlarged heart, saw PCP and heart specialist within the month before. Great health. Police file at Hartford, NY

NHTSA ODI #11601261

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2021
Service BrakesCrashInjury

The contact's husband owned a 2012 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra Classic. The contact stated while her husband was driving at 30-35 MPH on a curve, the brake pedal or caliber was depressed but failed to respond. The contact stated the motorcycle rolled over and her husband jumped off and fell into a ditch. The emergency units …

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The contact's husband owned a 2012 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra Classic. The contact stated while her husband was driving at 30-35 MPH on a curve, the brake pedal or caliber was depressed but failed to respond. The contact stated the motorcycle rolled over and her husband jumped off and fell into a ditch. The emergency units pronounced the contact's husband died at the scene. The contact stated the autopsy revealed that her husband sustained a broken neck and fractured bones. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact did not know whether the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11436887

10,600 miles · Jul 19, 2016
Service BrakesCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO STOP THE MOTORCYCLE. AS A RESULT OF THE BRAKE FAILURE, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO STOP THE MOTORCYCLE. AS A RESULT OF THE BRAKE FAILURE, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND REHABILITATION. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT AWAITED REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,600. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 02/10/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI #10885793

Official recalls

1

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.