Service Brakes. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Wheels. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Wheels complaints

6 reports

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38,600 miles · Oct 2, 2013

Wheels

FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. (MISSING BALLS - LOSS OF CONTROL). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546525

12,000 miles · Sep 30, 2013

Wheels

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FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS PREMATURELY FAILING. MANY PEOPLE ARE REPORTING FAILURES ON THESE BEARINGS WITH LESS THAN 2000 MILES. I HAVE REPORTED MY COMPLAINTS DIRECTLY TO HARLEY DAVIDSON CUSTOMER CARE DEPARTMENT WHO HAVE LOGGED AGAINST MY VIN. THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT REPLACING WHEEL BEARINGS AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER REGARDLESS OF THE MILEAGE FAILURE. THIS IS A MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURED FOR TOURING, WHICH MY WIFE AND I RIDE WITH LUGGAGE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO US AT 65 MILES PER HOUR AND HAVING A BEARING FREEZE UP, CHEWING THREW AND AXLE. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE WHICH HARLEY DAVIDSON MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546182

13,124 miles · Jul 8, 2013

SteeringWheels

MY FRONT WHEEL BEARING ON MY FLHTK CAME APART AND FRONT AXLE SEIZED. CAUSING FRONT END TO WOBBLE. ALMOST CAUSING ME AND MY PASSENGER TO CRASH. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID ONLY BECAUSE I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR. THIS FLHTK IS EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523661

20,000 miles · Dec 5, 2012

Wheels

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WAS RIDING MY 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTK MOTORCYCLE AND THE FRONT WHEEL NEARLY SEIZED UP WHEN THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. THANKFULLY, I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC FOR ME, AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER QUICKLY AND STOP BEFORE THE BEARING COMPLETELY SEIZED. IT APPEARS THAT THIS FAILURE HAS HAPPENED TO MANY HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE OWNERS FROM THE 2008 MODEL YEAR TO THE PRESENT. ACCORDING TO A CALL WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT 414-343-4056 SPOKE TO JOHN ON 12-5-2012, THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND HAVE CHANGED THE BEARING FROM A SINGLE LIP SEAL TO A DOUBLE LIP SEAL ON THEIR 2013 MODEL YEAR MOTORCYCLES TO HELP PREVENT THE ISSUE, HOWEVER THEY ARE NOT RECALLING ANY OF THE FAULTY BEARINGS THAT ARE OUT THERE ON 2008 MODEL YEAR MOTORCYCLES AND NEWER. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD CAUSE THE FRONT WHEEL TO LOCK UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487449

17,990 miles · Nov 8, 2012

Service BrakesSteeringWheels

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IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT THE WHEEL BEARING WEAR OUT PREMATURELY ON TOURING MODELS ESPECIALLY WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENED TO ME RIDING DOWN THE ROAD, THE WHEEL BEARINGS CAUSED THE MOTORCYCLE TO WOBBLE AND HAD I NOT BEEN AN EXPERIENCED RIDER I VERY WELL WOULD HAVE GONE DOWN OR HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER RIDERS THAT THE BEARINGS HAVE WORN OUT ON THEIR MOTORCYCLES ALSO. THE COMPANY SHOULD DO A RECALL TO REMOVE ALL DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS FROM SERVICE TO PREVENT ANY LOSS OF LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10483682

7,300 miles · Jun 27, 2012

Wheels

WHILE DRIVING APPROX 45MPH I HEARD A LOUD METAL GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM MY FRONT WHEEL. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS COMING APART. I HAD THE BIKE TOWED TO MY DEALER WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED. I HAD THE DEALER REGISTER THE INCIDENT WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON. *T…

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NHTSA ODI #10463351

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.