2010 Harley-Davidson FLHTK: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
21,455 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 29 complaints (51.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 58.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.4% |
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 | 15 |
| Wheels | 6 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
Service Brakes: 15; Wheels: 6; Power Train: 4; Steering: 4; Electrical System: 2; Engine: 1; Equipment: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 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 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 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: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 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 (15). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2010: 3; 2011: 3; 2012: 3; 2013: 4; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10340776 · 2010-06-30 (June 30, 2010)
AFTER PURCHASING A 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON ELECTRA-GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC LIMITED IN OCT 2009, I EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING WHILE ON A RIDE FROM MY HOME TO RICHMOND VA: ?STEREO CONSTANTLY WENT ON AND OFF WITH INTERMITTENT INTERCOM AND VOLUME CONTROL PROBLEMS. ?BATTERY AND ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND OFF THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE TRIP. ?BIKE WOULD NOT START UNLESS THE FUSE PANEL WAS PRESSED ON TWO (2) OCCASIONS. ?LOST ALL ACCELERATION ABILITY WITH THE THROTTLE AT 65MPH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AFTER GOING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. WE WERE FORTUNATE …
Owner-reported narrative. 2,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10340776 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10345045 · 2010-07-24 (July 24, 2010)
I OWN A 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTK WITH ABS. THE REAR BRAKES ON THIS BIKE HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE NEW. WHEN STOPPING USING THE REAR BRAKE THE BIKE DISPLAYED A VERY NOTICEABLE SHUDDER RIGHT UP UNTIL THE MOTORCYCLE COMES TO A STOP. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE BIKE IS HOT OR COLD. I HAVE RETURNED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY SATISFACTION. AFTER READING SEVERAL HARLEY DAVIDSON FORUMS THIS APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS COULD POSSIBLE CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN STOPPIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10345045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10353491 · 2010-09-02 (September 2, 2010)
LOUD METALLIC NOISES COMING FROM PRIMARY(COMPENSATOR SPROCKET). LOUD METALLIC BANGING WHEN STARTING ENGINE. THIS IS ON A 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE. IF THE COMPENSATOR FAILS, AND LOCKS UP, A MOTORCYCLE CRASH IS INEVITABLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 16 miles reported. Look up ODI 10353491 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10397298 · 2011-04-25 (April 25, 2011)
2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA LIMITED FLHTK, COMPENSATOR. THE WEAK COMPENSATOR IS NOT DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE TORQUE AND WEARS OUT PREMATURELY. WHEN THE PART WEARS OUT AND EVENTUALLY BREAKS IT COULD GET CAUGHT IN THE CAM CHAIN. THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE CAUSING POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE AND/OR SERIOUS INJURY . HARLEY DAVIDSON IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE UPGRADED THE COMPENSATOR ON 2011 MOTORCYCLES. I WOULD EXPECT A RECALL TO BE ISSUED FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES TO HAVE THIS UPGRADED COMPENSATOR TO BE IN…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10397298 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10423201 · 2011-09-04 (September 4, 2011)
ENGINE COMPENSATOR WORE OUT, MADE LOTS OF NOISE. IF THE PART HAD COMPLETELY BROKE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE REAR WHEEL ON THE MOTORCYCLE TO LOCK UP. HARLEY DAVIDSON UPGRADED THE PART ON THE 2011 MODELS. UNDER WARRANTY THEY WILL REPLACE PART WITH UPGRADED PART BUT CHARGE AROUND A 100.00 TO DO IT. THEY CHANGED THE PART FOR THE 2011 MODEL BECAUSE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. WHY DID I HAVE TO PAY A 100.00 DOLLARS FOR THEIR MISTAKE? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10423201 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10432514 · 2011-10-23 (October 23, 2011)
I PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE IN MAY OF 2011. IMMEDIATELY EXPERIENCED AT INTERMITTENT SPEEDS AND NON-SPECIFIC CONDITIONS THE FRONT END WILL START TO WOBBLE IN EVER INCREASING INTENSITY, IF HANDS ARE OFF THE HANDLE BARS. WITH HAND ON THE BARS, THE CONDITION CAN BE FELT BUT IS KEPT UNDER MORE CONTROL OF THE RIDER. HAT HIGH SPEEDS IT IS MORE PRESENT EVEN WITH HANDS ON THE HANDLE BARS. THIS CONDITION DID NOT EXIST IN HARLEY MOTORCYCLES UNTIL THE FRAME ENGINEERING AND MAJOR REDESIGN CHANGE IN THE 2009, 2010 AND 2011 (AND PRESUMABLY UP) MOTORCYCLES. I …
Owner-reported narrative. 65 miles reported. Look up ODI 10432514 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10463351 · 2012-06-27 (June 27, 2012)
WHILE DRIVING APPROX 45MPH I HEARD A LOUD METAL GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM MY FRONT WHEEL. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS COMING APART. I HAD THE BIKE TOWED TO MY DEALER WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED. I HAD THE DEALER REGISTER THE INCIDENT WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10463351 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10483682 · 2012-11-08 (November 8, 2012)
IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT THE WHEEL BEARING WEAR OUT PREMATURELY ON TOURING MODELS ESPECIALLY WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENED TO ME RIDING DOWN THE ROAD, THE WHEEL BEARINGS CAUSED THE MOTORCYCLE TO WOBBLE AND HAD I NOT BEEN AN EXPERIENCED RIDER I VERY WELL WOULD HAVE GONE DOWN OR HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER RIDERS THAT THE BEARINGS HAVE WORN OUT ON THEIR MOTORCYCLES ALSO. THE COMPANY SHOULD DO A RECALL TO REMOVE ALL DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS FROM SERVICE TO PREVENT ANY LOSS OF LIFE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 17,990 miles reported. Look up ODI 10483682 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 ↗