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: 5 of 6 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.
Engine. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. 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.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
6 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2014
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRU MOTORCYCLE. WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPPED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT END VIBRATED AND THE MOTORCYCLE WOBBLED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT RE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRU MOTORCYCLE. WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPPED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT END VIBRATED AND THE MOTORCYCLE WOBBLED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10632674
11,830 miles · Aug 12, 2014
Tires
MY DUNLOP FRONT TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO "DRY ROT" ON THE SIDE WALL. IT IS ON A 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE FLHX WITH ONLY 11800 MILES ON IT. MY DEALER SAID THAT IT IS THE SECOND ONE THAT HE HAS SEEN ON A STREET GLIDE IN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. I WAS ADVISED BY MY MECHANIC NOT TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT COULD BE REPLACE…
Read full complaint
MY DUNLOP FRONT TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO "DRY ROT" ON THE SIDE WALL. IT IS ON A 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE FLHX WITH ONLY 11800 MILES ON IT. MY DEALER SAID THAT IT IS THE SECOND ONE THAT HE HAS SEEN ON A STREET GLIDE IN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. I WAS ADVISED BY MY MECHANIC NOT TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT COULD BE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10621592
24,138 miles · Oct 3, 2012
Engine
COMPENSATOR SHOWED SEVERE WEAR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10478458
300 miles · Aug 13, 2012
Steering
COMING TO A SLOW CONTROLLED STOP AT A RED LIGHT. AS THE BIKE DECELERATED THROUGH 40 MILES PER HOUR THE HANDLES BARS SHOOK, SIDE TO SIDE, OUT OF MY HANDS. MY BIKE IS A US MODEL NOW IMPORTED TO CANADA. HARLEY SAYS THEY HAVE NO WARRANTY COVERAGE BECAUSE OF THIS AND WILL NOT ADDRESS ANY WARRANTY OR SAFETY CONCERNS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10470335
112,000 miles · Aug 1, 2012
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST WAS OVERHEATED AND THE ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE OVERHEATED AS WELL. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST WAS OVERHEATED AND THE ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE OVERHEATED AS WELL. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ALSO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10468846
620 miles · Oct 22, 2011
Power TrainSteering
AT APPROXIMATELY 45-35MPH, WHEN DECELERATING, THE FRONT END WOBBLES VIOLENTLY, TO THE POINT WHERE YOU MUST HAVE YOUR HANDS FIRMLY ON THE BARS TO CONTROL IT. FIRST NOTICED WHEN BIKE WAS IN 3RD GEAR, LET OFF THROTTLE WHILE CRUISING TO STOP AND USED BOTH HANDS TO ZIP UP JACKET; NEARLY CRASHED AS IT WOBBLED ME TOWARDS CENTER LANE. W…
Read full complaint
AT APPROXIMATELY 45-35MPH, WHEN DECELERATING, THE FRONT END WOBBLES VIOLENTLY, TO THE POINT WHERE YOU MUST HAVE YOUR HANDS FIRMLY ON THE BARS TO CONTROL IT. FIRST NOTICED WHEN BIKE WAS IN 3RD GEAR, LET OFF THROTTLE WHILE CRUISING TO STOP AND USED BOTH HANDS TO ZIP UP JACKET; NEARLY CRASHED AS IT WOBBLED ME TOWARDS CENTER LANE. WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE NEARLY EVERY TIME UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS; I.E. RUN BIKE TO ABOUT 50MPH, PLACE HANDS JUST ABOUT 1" ABOVE GRIPS AND LET BIKE NATURALLY SLOW DOWN. AT 40-38MPH WOBBLE WILL OCCUR TO POINT WHERE BARS ARE SHAKING SO BAD YOU HAVE TO GRAB THEM. RESEARCHED ISSUE ON VARIOUS HARLEY DAVIDSON FORUMS...IT'S A WELL KNOW AND HIGHLY DISCUSSED ISSUE. VERY DANGEROUS AND CANNOT POSSIBLY BE GOOD FOR HEAD BEARINGS AND/OR OTHER PARTS IF NOT ADDRESSED. *TR
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 Fltru Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year