2009 Harley-Davidson FLHTCUTG: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
1,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 5 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 60.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Service Brakes: 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 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 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 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2011: 3; 2013: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 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 10400948 · 2011-05-15 (May 15, 2011)
HEAT COMING OFF THE EXHAUST/ENGINE MAKES THE BIKE UNBEARABLE TO RIDE...ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WEATHER GETS WARMER AND YOU ARE STOPPED OR GOING SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC. IT WILL BURN YOUR RIGHT CALF SEVERELY AND HARLEY DAVISDON REFUSES TO ADMIT THE PROBLEM OR OFFER A REMEDY FOR IT. ALSO REAR BRAKES SQUEAL CONSTANTLY AND ARE BARELY ADEQUATE FOR STOPPING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10400948 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10410669 · 2011-07-06 (July 6, 2011)
RIDER EXPERIENCED 2ND DEGREE BURNS DUE TO HEAT EMANATING FROM THE ENGINE DURING HOT WEATHER AND STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC; REAR CYLINDER SHUTS OFF AND THEN MOTORCYCLE RUNS POORLY (NO ACCELERATION); ALSO AFFECTS BRAKING (REAR BRAKE GETS "MUSHY"); HAS RESULTED IN DISCOLORATION OF HORN AND AIR FILER COVER; OIL PRESSURE DROPS TO 0; HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 QTS. OF OIL IN 1300 MILES; LITERALLY WAS "SMOKING"; AMBIENT TEMP. PEGGED OUT AT 120 DEGREES. EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD TO RIDER AND DEALER CAN OFFER NO SOLUTION; CAN'T EVEN TUNE THE MOTORCYCLE BECAUSE THEY C…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10410669 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10433622 · 2011-10-31 (October 31, 2011)
ON THE ABOVE DATE THIS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE LESS THAN A MINUTE AFTER STARTING IT. I HAD RODE THIS VEHICLE TO WORK AND WAS AT WORK FOR AROUND TWO HOURS. UPON LEAVING WORK, I STARTED THE MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT GETTING ON AND WAS REACHING TO PUT ITEMS IN THE TRUNK WHEN THE FIRE STARTED. WHEN WALKING UP TO THE VEHICLE I DID NOT SMELL GASOLINE OR NOTICE ANY LEAKING FUEL BEFORE STARTING THE MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES VERY QUICKLY. I WAS VERY CLOSE TO BEING BURNED. SOME CO-WORKERS AND MYSELF ATTEMPTED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE, BUT WERE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10433622 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10536020 · 2013-08-19 (August 19, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEED THERE WAS A SLIGHT VIBRATION WHICH CAUSED TWO BOLTS TO DETACH FROM THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT DISLODGED AND THE HEAD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED UNDER THE SERVICE WARRANTY ONCE THE PART BECAME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,219.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,219 miles reported. Look up ODI 10536020 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11071954 · 2018-02-09 (February 9, 2018)
THE REAR BRAKES ON A 2009 HD TRIKE HAS VERY LITTLE STOPPING POWER,HARLEY KNOWS IT HAS A PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY STARTED PUTTING BIGGER BRAKES ON THE 2011 MODELS. I THOUGHT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO FIX THE 2009,AND 2010 MODELS.BUT THERE NEVER WAS A RECALL ON THEM.THERE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM WHEN YOU CAN'T STOP. PLUS NOW MY REAR BRAKES QUIT WORKING ALL TOGETHER.
Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 11071954 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 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 ↗