2011 Harley-Davidson FLHTCU: complaints, problems and recalls

HARLEY DAVIDSON TRI GLIDE 2011 MOTORCYCLE EXCESSIVE HEAT BLOWING FROM RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE WHILE RIDING OVER 55 MPH FOR 25 MINUTES AT A TIME OVER 2 HOUR PERIOD CAUSED 2ND DEGREE BURNS, BLISTERS, SCABBING AND SCARRING TO BACK OF RIGHT LEG. 356 TOTAL MILES ON MOTORCYCLE PURCHASED NEW. HD INSPECTION POST INJURY STATES THE MOTORCYCLE IS OPERATING PER SPECIFICATIONS TO MEET EPA STANDARD. NO ALTERATIONS AND UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 356 miles reported. Look up ODI 10408742 at NHTSA ↗

NOTICED INCREASING WOBBLE IN TURNS, HANDLE BARS SHAKE AT OCCASION, TOOK TO DEALER, HE TEST RODE AND SAID IT WAS THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE SHOT, AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON 09-12 HARLEYS, HE SAID HARLEY HAS SINCE BEEN USING A DIFFERENT BEARING, AND THAT THE REPLACEMENT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE AN UPGRADED PRODUCT.

Owner-reported narrative. 11,720 miles reported. Look up ODI 10748553 at NHTSA ↗

I OWN AND OPERATE A HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU ULTRA CLASSIC. WHILE RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY I TRIED TO USE MY FRONT BRAKES TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LEVER WAS HARD AS A ROCK AND WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT FUNCTION TO STOP THE BIKE, HAD TO RELY ON MY REAR BRAKES WHICH PUT ME IN AN SLIDE BECAUSE OF THE HARD BREAKING TO COMPENSATE FOR THE FRONT BRAKES MALFUNCTION. I MANAGED TO RETURN HOME USING MY REAR BRAKES ONLY. THE MALFUNCTION OF THE FRONT ABS BRAKES OCCURRED WITHOUT NOTICE AND IT IS A HAZARDOUS CONDITION. WHEN I CONTACTED THE LOCAL HD DEA…

Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10818724 at NHTSA ↗

BIKE PARKED IN GARAGE FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS BECAUSE OF COLD WEATHER. FIRED IT UP TO LET IT WARM UP FOR A FEW MIN'S. CLIMBED ON TO BACK IT OUT AND THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WOULD NOT BUDGE OR STOP THE BIKE WHEN I NEEDED TO STOP. FORTUNATELY BEFORE I LOST CONTROL, I WAS ABLE TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT WHILE USING REAR BRAKE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY HIT THE KILL SWITCH AND POP IT IN 1ST GEAR TO STOP IT. CHECKED CALIPERS. THEY WERE FINE. STARTED BREAKING LINES AND FOUND THAT ON THE INLET TO ABS UNIT THERE WAS FLUID AND BRAKE MOVEMENT. RETIGHTENED AND THEN BROKE…

Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10966542 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ULTRA-GLIDE FLHTCU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT BRAKES SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO ENGAGE THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. WITH THE HELP OF A FRIEND, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME. SIX BENDS HARLEY-DAVIDSON (9501 THUNDER RD, FORT MYERS, FLORIDA, [phone removed]) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,444.

Owner-reported narrative. 6,444 miles reported. Look up ODI 11131584 at NHTSA ↗

the recall remedy to flush the system does not address the concern that the ABS unit still has the potential for failure. Millions of ABS systems in cars do not have such issues that require a hydraulic flush every 2 years. Failure is the ABS control module; it should not be due to moisture in a sealed hydraulic system. Failure of the ABS control module can cause complete loss of braking function or a complete lockup of the brake with resultant severe injury. A one-time system flush does not address the primary fault - replacement of the AB…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11657161 at NHTSA ↗

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.

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 Owner’s 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.