2009 Harley-Davidson FLHT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
22,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 8 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 50.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 |
Service Brakes: 4; Power Train:Driveline: 1; Seats: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1; Wheels: 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 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 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: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 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 (5). 0 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 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2011: 1; 2012: 3; 2016: 3; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10392310 · 2011-03-21 (March 21, 2011)
MY 2009 HARLEY FLHT WAS MAKING A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AT START-UP. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY OWNERS HAVING A COMPENSATOR BOLT LOOSE FROM FACTORY. I TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO BRUCHMHLBACH HARLEY DAVIDSON IN BRUCHMHLBACH GERMANY AND WHEN THEY TOOK THE PRIMARY COVER OFF THEY FOUND THE BOLT TO BE LOOSE FROM THE FACTORY. HAD THE BOLT FALLEN OUT IT WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS IN MOTION IT WOULD HAVE FALLEN INTO THE SPINNING CHAIN BELOW AND LOCKED UP THE BACK WHEEL. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE. NO RECALL HAS BEEN …
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10392310 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10476718 · 2012-09-21 (September 21, 2012)
AT AROUND 20,000 MILES I TOOK MY MOTORCYCLE IN TO HAVE THE TIRES CHANGED AND THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE BAD AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL BEARING. A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED ON ME IN MONTANA, I AM FROM WASHINGTON STATE, ON THE FREEWAY AND I ALMOST CRASHED, I COULD HAVE DIED RIGHT THERE BUT LUCKILY I WAS NOT IN A TURN AND MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. A DEALERSHIP IN MONTANA TRAILERED MY MOTORCYCLE IN AND REPLACE THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. NOW AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES I TOOK THE MOTORCYCL…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10476718 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10477353 · 2012-09-28 (September 28, 2012)
WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE SEAT STARTED TO SLIDE OFF THE REAR FENDER. THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT IS HARD PLASTIC SOME HOW IT CRACKED ALL THE WAY AROUND THE SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET SO THE SEAT WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE WHEN YOU DRIVE. THE SEAT RETENTION NUT AND THE SEAT BRACKET AND THE FENDER ARE ALL DAMAGED. FROM NORMAL USE. I TALK TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY SEE THIS ALL THE TIME. IT SOUNDS LIKE MAYBE HARLEY NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED... *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 25,928 miles reported. Look up ODI 10477353 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10482185 · 2012-10-25 (October 25, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE FLHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE MOTORCYCLE LOST POWER AND THE RPM DROPPED TO 1,000. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY BUT IT BEGAN TO DO SO MORE FREQUENTLY. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL ACTUATOR FAILED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 23,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10482185 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10883517 · 2016-07-08 (July 8, 2016)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, MOTORCYCLE PURCHASED IN 2009, AT APPR. 12000 MILES, FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS TO BE ADDRESSED AROUND EVERY 12000 MILES SINCE NEW AND I HAVE 90,000 MILES ON IT NOW. AT APPR. 40,000 MILES, THE HOLE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED, ROTORS, CALIPERS, LINES, MASTER CYLINDER. THE BRAKES WOULD AUTOMATICALLY APPLY THEMSELVES UNTIL I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER. THEY WOULD LOCK DOWN. THEY WOULD WORK PROPERLY AFTER I SAT ON SIDE OF ROAD FOR AROUND 30 MINUTES. I TOOK IT TO HARLEY THE NE…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10883517 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10883606 · 2016-07-08 (July 8, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE HANDLE WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10883606 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10888622 · 2016-07-26 (July 26, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT ELECTRA GLIDE. WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE16009 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,934.
Owner-reported narrative. 29,934 miles reported. Look up ODI 10888622 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11081786 · 2018-03-28 (March 28, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHT ELECTRA GLIDE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). WHILE UNLOADING THE VEHICLE FROM A TRAILER, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO QUEEN CITY HARLEY-DAVIDSON (5960 DIXIE HWY, FAIRFIELD, OH 45014, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ABS WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILU…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11081786 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
09V457000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting
Reported: 2009-12-01 (December 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗11V506000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 2011-10-19 (October 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V076000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Fluid
Reported: 2018-01-29 (January 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗