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: 17 of 19 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 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 3 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 reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
19 reports
Mileage unknown · May 31, 2022
Service BrakesSuspensionCrash
Rear brake failed, & no ABS. Push hard on pedal and NO BRAKES!!! Brake pedal very stiff and applies no brakes!! Almost got into wreck. It was close and I am calling it a wreck. Thank god I was going slow! This issue is highly dangerous!! Why doesn't the NHTSB give a [XXX]? (Rear brake has never worked well since new. H…
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Rear brake failed, & no ABS. Push hard on pedal and NO BRAKES!!! Brake pedal very stiff and applies no brakes!! Almost got into wreck. It was close and I am calling it a wreck. Thank god I was going slow! This issue is highly dangerous!! Why doesn't the NHTSB give a [XXX]? (Rear brake has never worked well since new. Had it in the Harley shop when new, and they say nothing is wrong. Nothing wrong??? No brakes on a motorcycle is not a good thing!!!!!! ) Found that 2011 & earlier bikes have a recall on the ABS. My 2012 has the same system. Why is there not a recall? Also found that Harley will not fix the brake issue on the recalled bikes. WHY??? Also, air suspension system fails. This leads to a loss of control of the bike, somewhat. Also triple trees feel loose which effects handling. This may be related to the air suspension issues. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #11466705
20,000 miles · Feb 1, 2021
Service Brakes
REAR BRAKE PADDLE HARD TO PRESS IN MOTION,AND ON HIGHWAY
NHTSA ODI #11391035
18,000 miles · Apr 15, 2020
Service Brakes
FRONT BRAKE LEVER IS VERY HARD TO PULL, FRONT BRAKES WON'T ENGAGE. THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY AND GETTING READY TO EXIT. I TRIED TO PUMP THE BRAKES AND IT GOT BETTER BUT ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. HE SAID IT'S BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS WITH HARLEY D…
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FRONT BRAKE LEVER IS VERY HARD TO PULL, FRONT BRAKES WON'T ENGAGE. THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY AND GETTING READY TO EXIT. I TRIED TO PUMP THE BRAKES AND IT GOT BETTER BUT ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. HE SAID IT'S BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON'S FAULTY DESIGN. THIS SEEMS TO STILL BE HAPPENING EVEN WITH BIKES NEWER THAN MINE. HOW MANY MORE LIVES HAVE TO BE LOST BECAUSE OF HARLEY DAVIDSON'S FAULTY EQUIPMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT MY MECHANIC USE TO DO ALL THE WARRANTY WORK FOR THE HARLEY DEALERSHIP IN AUGUSTA, GA HE IS A VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND REPUTABLE AND HONEST MECHANIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11321235
18,000 miles · Feb 4, 2020
Service Brakes
WHEN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE I COULD NOT DEPRESS THE FRONT BRAKE HANDLE, IT WAS COMPLETELY STUCK AND WOULD NOT MOVE.
NHTSA ODI #11307034
60 miles · Apr 20, 2019
Service Brakes
FRONT BRAKE LEAVER FROZE UP AS I WAS PREPARING TO STOP. LUCKY REAR BRAKES WORKED. THE BRAKE LEAVER IS FROZE IT WILL NOT OPERATE.
NHTSA ODI #11202668
18,400 miles · Dec 17, 2018
Service Brakes
WHILE RIDING MY BIKE, I OBSERVED TRAFFIC STOPPING/SLOWING AHEAD. I TRIED TO PULL MY FRONT BRAKE LEVER AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. NO GIVE WHATSOEVER. LUCKILY I WAS NOT IN AN EMERGENCY BRAKE SITUATION SO I DOWN SHIFTED MORE RAPIDLY, USED MY REAR BRAKE AND CAME TO A STOP. AT THE NEXT RAMP, I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND PULLED INTO …
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WHILE RIDING MY BIKE, I OBSERVED TRAFFIC STOPPING/SLOWING AHEAD. I TRIED TO PULL MY FRONT BRAKE LEVER AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. NO GIVE WHATSOEVER. LUCKILY I WAS NOT IN AN EMERGENCY BRAKE SITUATION SO I DOWN SHIFTED MORE RAPIDLY, USED MY REAR BRAKE AND CAME TO A STOP. AT THE NEXT RAMP, I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND PULLED INTO A GAS STATION. WHEN I TRIED MY FRONT BRAKE LEVER AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WAS PULLING BACK, BUT NEEDED A LOT OF FORCE. IN ANOTHER MINUTE I TRIED AGAIN AND IT FELT NORMAL, AND ENGAGED THE BRAKE. I CONTINUED HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE NEXT COUPLE TIMES I RODE IT DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. THEN LAST WEEK IT FELT FINE AND WAS WORKING FINE. THE ALL OF THE SUDDEN I TRIED TO BRAKE W/THE FRONT AND IT JAMMED AGAIN. I TRIED A LITTLE MORE PRESSURE, AND IT BEGAN TO MOVE. AFTER ABOUT AN INCH OF TRAVEL, IT GAVE ALL THE WAY AND LOCKED THE BRAKE. I WAS GOING SLOW ENOUGH THAT THE WHEEL DIDN'T SKID, BUT I ENDED UP ON MY GAS TANK UP AGAINST MY FAIRING! I WAS NOT INJURED, AND THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO MY BIKE, BUT IF I HAD BEEN ON THE FREEWAY, MY WELL BEING WOULD HAVE BEEN AT A HUGE RISK. AFTER SEEING A MECHANIC, AND GOING ONLINE TO RESEARCH THIS, I FOUND OUT THAT THE ABS MODULE, IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS AS I HAVE HEARD THIS FROM QUITE A FEW PEOPLE OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE HEARD OF THIS, BUT I WANTED TO GET THIS OUT THERE, SO YOU HAVE A REPORT ON THIS, SO MAYBE YOU FOLKS CAN LOOK INTO THIS. BRAKE SYSTEMS AREN'T SUPPOSE TO KILL RIDERS, IN MY OPINION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
NHTSA ODI #11162130
21,100 miles · Nov 13, 2018
Tires
THE REAR DUNLOP TIRE ON MY 2012 HARLEY ELECTRA GLIDE STARTED TO LOSE AIR. UPON A CLOSER INSPECTION THE TIRE WAS SPLITTING IN NUMEROUS SPOTS. THE TIRE IS NOT DRY ROTTED . FOR SAFETY REASONS IT WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO INSTALLED THE TIRE. HE STATED HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. A NEW TIRE HAD TO BE INSTALLED . UOPN I…
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THE REAR DUNLOP TIRE ON MY 2012 HARLEY ELECTRA GLIDE STARTED TO LOSE AIR. UPON A CLOSER INSPECTION THE TIRE WAS SPLITTING IN NUMEROUS SPOTS. THE TIRE IS NOT DRY ROTTED . FOR SAFETY REASONS IT WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO INSTALLED THE TIRE. HE STATED HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. A NEW TIRE HAD TO BE INSTALLED . UOPN INSPECTION THE MECHANIC AND DEALER STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE MOTORCYCLE TO CAUSE THE ISSUE. DUNLOP STATED IT WAS DUE TO EITHER HEAVY LOAD(THIS IS A MOTORCYLCE NOT A TRUCK) OR RUNNING IT AT LOW PRESSURE. THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE SINCE EVERY TIME THE BIKE IS RIDDEN A FULL SAFETY CHECK IS DONE BEFORE RIDING! OUR LIVES DEPEND ON IT. THE DUNLOP REP (COMPLAINT LINE I CALLED) STATED THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE THE RECIEPTS FOR WHEN THIS TIRE WAS PUT ON AND ALSO FOR THE NEW ONE. THIS TIRE SHOULD HAVE HAD AT LEAST HALF IT'S LIFE LEFT BUT DUE TO IT'S FAILURE IT WORE UNEVENLY AND CRACKED. THIS HAPPENED AT THE MAXIMUM OF 100 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11151141
28,000 miles · Apr 2, 2018
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ULTRA LIMITED (NA). WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GATEWAY HARLEY-DAVIDSON (3600 LEMAY FERRY RD, SAINT LOUIS, MO 63125) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ULTRA LIMITED (NA). WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GATEWAY HARLEY-DAVIDSON (3600 LEMAY FERRY RD, SAINT LOUIS, MO 63125) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 3338038. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
NHTSA ODI #11082510
18,200 miles · Feb 7, 2018
Service Brakes
ABS REAR BRAKE PEDAL IS STUCK AND WILL NOT DEPRESS. I HAVE NO REAR BRAKE AT ALL. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET APPROX. 40MPH. COMING TO A STOP, I TRIED TO APPLY REAR BRAKES AND FOUND THE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS. I HAD NO REAR BRAKE.
NHTSA ODI #11067410
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2017
SuspensionCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCED A SEVERE WOBBLE WHEN BEING OPERATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE WILKINS HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR SHOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. TWO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCED A SEVERE WOBBLE WHEN BEING OPERATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE WILKINS HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR SHOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. TWO DAYS LATER, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED AT APPROXIMATELY 6-10 MPH TURNING A SHARP CORNER, THE FRONT END WOBBLED SEVERELY AND THE MOTORCYCLE CRASHED INTO THE CURB. THE MOTORCYCLE LANDED ON THE CONTACT. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PICKED UP BY A FAMILY MEMBER. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE ANKLE AND HAND, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ASKED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE MOTORCYCLE TO THEIR LOCATION FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
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.
2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Flhtk Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year