2009 Harley-Davidson FXDL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
6,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System 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 | 1 | 20.0% |
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 And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 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 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 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: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 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 (4). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System leads the component reports. Braking behavior 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 10280058 · 2009-08-11 (August 11, 2009)
DURING ROUTINE OPERATION OF NEW MOTORCYCLE, NORMAL APPLICATION OF FRONT BRAKE RESULTS IN BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT JUNCTION OF FRONT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND FRONT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER COVER. BRAKE FLUID ERODES PAINTED SURFACES AT JUNCTION OF MASTER CYLINDER AND MASTER CYLINDER COVER, RESULTING IN FURTHER DEGRADATION OF SEAL. CONSEQUENCES INCLUDE: (A) POTENTIAL LOSS OF ABILITY TO TIMELY AND SAFELY STOP VEHICLE DUE TO INEFFECTIVE FRONT BRAKE; (B) POTENTIAL LOSS OF ABILITY TO TIMELY AND SAFELY STOP VEHICLE DUE TO BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING ON TO FRONT BR…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10280058 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10343133 · 2010-07-14 (July 14, 2010)
REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED AT 6,100 MILES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 6,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10343133 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10386621 · 2011-03-06 (March 6, 2011)
LOUD CLANK AT STARTUP IN FRONT OF PRIMARY. COMPENSATOR PROBLEM. SPOKEN TO MULTIPLE TECHNICIANS WHO HAVE SAID THAT THE OEM HARLEY DAVIDSON COMPENSATORS ON THE 09 96 CUBIC INCH MOTORS HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES. IF THIS COMPENSATOR FAILS WHILE CRUISING IT COULD BE CATASTROPHIC AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THERE IS A FIX BY GOING WITH THE SCREAMING EAGLE COMPENSATOR WHICH IS A HEAVIER BUILD TO WITHSTAND TENSION AT STARTUP ETC. THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED INTO CAUSE APPARENTLY THERE ARE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10386621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10405743 · 2011-06-09 (June 9, 2011)
SERIOUS OVER HEATING OF ENGINE WHEN DRIVING. HOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE BURNS ON RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE. AT 5,000 MILE SERVICE ALL FUEL LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED AS THEY WERE MELTED FROM HEAT. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS ABOUT THIS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS "NORMAL". *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10405743 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10715706 · 2015-05-11 (May 11, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE (NA).WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE SPEED DECREASED TO 15 MPH AND A LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE SPEEDOMETER. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,007.
Owner-reported narrative. 31,007 miles reported. Look up ODI 10715706 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.
08V625000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage
Reported: 2008-11-26 (November 26, 2008)
HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING 349 MY 2009 FXDB, FXDC, FXDF, AND FXDL MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES HAVE A FUEL TANK VENT TUBE ASSEMBLY, PART NO. 27389-04A, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH A DEFECTIVE ULTRASONIC WELD ON THE ANTI-SLOSH VALVE.
Consequence: IF THE VALVE SEPARATES AND THE BIKE IS TIPPED OVER, IT MAY LEAK FUEL. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL VENT TUBE ASSEMBLY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 8, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
NHTSA campaign record ↗08V659000 · Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand
Reported: 2008-12-15 (December 15, 2008)
HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING 3,285 MY 2009 FXD, FXDF, FXDC, FXDL, AND FXDB MOTORCYCLES. THE JIFFY STAND SPRING ANCHOR MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A DEFECTIVE WELD THAT MAY ALLOW THE JIFFY STAND ASSEMBLY TO NOT RETRACT AS INTENDED.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE ORIGINAL JIFFY STAND SPRING ANCHOR AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW SPRING ANCHOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 22, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-342-4680.
NHTSA campaign record ↗