2009 Harley-Davidson FLHRC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
19,288 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 13 complaints (23.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 46.2% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 15.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Engine: 2; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2016: 4; 2017: 2; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10424304 · 2011-09-08 (September 8, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MELTED DUE TO THE LIGHT BEING BUILT NEXT TO THE ENGINE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE REAR BRAKES TO STOP WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,200.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10424304 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10566734 · 2014-03-03 (March 3, 2014)
WHILE MOVING THE BIKE IN THE GARAGE UNDER POWER, THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE. NO FRONT BRAKES!! LIFTED FOOT TO USE REAR BRAKE AND BIKE AND MY SELF FELL OVER AS BIKE HIT ANOTHER MOTORCYCLE IN GARAGE. THE BRAKE ARE FROZEN IN THE NON BRAKING POSITION. BIKE WAS LAST USED 4 DAYS AGO AND NO BRAKE PROBLEMS NOTED AT THAT TIME. HAVING BIKE TOWED TO SHOP FOR REPAIRS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 28,663 miles reported. Look up ODI 10566734 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10510385 · 2013-05-02 (May 2, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE ENGAGED INTO IDLE MODE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL, BUT DID BECOME UNRESPONSIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000. *TR UPDATED 8/5/13 *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10510385 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10981722 · 2017-05-01 (May 1, 2017)
WHILE EXITING A TOWN I ACCELERATED TO HIGHWAY SPEED THEN MY ENGINE STALLED OUT AND WENT INTO LIMP-HOME MODE NOT ALLOWING ANY MORE THAN AN IDLE, VERY DANGEROUS. LUCKILY I WAS NOT PASSING ANYONE OR RIDING IN A GROUP WHEN THE ENGINE LOST ALL ACCELERATION, WORSE WOULD HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION. CERTAIN DISASTER!!
Owner-reported narrative. 20,575 miles reported. Look up ODI 10981722 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10455386 · 2012-04-16 (April 16, 2012)
AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, MY MOTORCYCLE DID NOT RESPOND TO THROTTLE INPUT. THE ENGINE RAN, BUT WENT INTO "LIMP MODE", WHICH IS A LOW RPM ONLY MODE. I COULD NOT MAINTAIN THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT. I PULLED OVER, SHUT THE BIKE ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND THE ISSUE CEASED. THIS SITUATION OCCURRED ONE OTHER TIME LATER THAT SAME DAY BUT REQUIRED AT LEAST 5 ATTEMPTS AT TURNING THE POWER ON AND OFF BEFORE I COULD REGAIN THE FULL RANGE OF THROTTLE RESPONSE REQUIRED TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD. I TOOK THE BIKE INTO THE LOCAL HD DEALER. …
Owner-reported narrative. 4,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10455386 at NHTSA ↗