Service Brakes. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

5 reports

43,710 miles · Jun 28, 2022

Service Brakes

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHP. The contact stated while riding approximately 45 MPH, the brakes became inoperable. The contact downshifted while turning left and applied the rear brake to assist with stopping the motorcycle. The contact stated there was no warning illuminated. The contact took the motorcycle to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the ABS unit was defective. Additionally, there were clogs that needed to be addressed. The contact also stated there was a recall prior to the failure for the issue with the brakes; however, the manufacturer denied the recall repair. The contact then rode the motorcycle to a local family residence. The motorcycle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 43,710.

NHTSA ODI #11471425

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2018

Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER (REPUBLIC HARLEY-DAVIDSON, 12707 SOUTHWEST FWY, STAFFORD, TX 77477, 281-295-1000) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE N…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #11154532

1 miles · Jul 29, 2016

Service BrakesCrash

FRONT BRAKE LEVER FROZEN IN PLACE RESULTING IN NO BRAKING ACTION FOR FRONT WHEEL. WHILE BACKING VEHICLE (VEHICLE IN MOTION) OUT OF MY GARAGE DOWN DRIVEWAY INCLINE, COULD NOT STOP VEHICLE AND LOST CONTROL. VEHICLE TIPPED OVER RESULTING IN MINOR DAMAGE. LUCKILY NO INJURY TO ME EXCEPT FALLING TO GROUND. ..UPDATED 02/10/17 *BF *…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10891699

6,400 miles · Sep 5, 2012

Power TrainVehicle Speed ControlInjury

Read full complaint

BERKELEY POLICE DEPARTMENT PURCHASED SIX 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KINGS. THREE OF THE SIX ROAD KINGS HAD THE CLUTCH CABLE BROKE WHILE BEING DRIVEN. IN ONE INSTANCE, AN OFFICER WAS AT A RED SIGNAL LIGHT. THE CLUTCH CABLE BROKE AND CAUSED HIM TO PROPEL FORWARD. HIS RIGHT HAND WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR AND WHEN HE WAS PROPELLED FORWARD, HE ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR. THE MOTORCYCLE CHOKED OUT AND DIED. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF HIM. THE CLUTCH CABLE BROKE ON ANOTHER OFFICER AS HE WAS RIDING IT. NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF HIM AND HE WAS ABLE TO STOP. ON 9/5/12, I WAS COMING TO A RED SIGNAL LIGHT. MY CLUTCH CABLE BROKE AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP. I HAD TO TURN AWAY FROM A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. LUCKILY, THE LEFT TURN POCKET WAS EMPTY AS THAT IS WHERE I TURNED. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND TURNED THE ENGINE SWITCH TO OFF. A FOURTH ROAD KING HAD POWER LOSS AND MAY BE CLUTCH RELATED. OVERALL, 3 OF 6 ROAD KINGS HAD THE CLUTCH CABLE SNAP THAT CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. I HAVE CONTACTED HARLEY DAVIDSON AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM, UNDER REFERENCE #[XXX]. THIS IS AN OFFICER SAFETY ISSUE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10473966

10 miles · May 21, 2010

Steering

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE MOTORCYCLE (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND WOULD INTERMITTENTLY PULL FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN. HE STATED THAT THE FRONT FORK HAD NOT BEEN MODIFIED AND WAS PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM STAYING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE DEALER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR A TEST DRIVE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THEY COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THERE WERE NO FAILURE FOUND WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 10.

NHTSA ODI #10331517

Official recalls

18V076000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid

Jan 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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid

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.

11V506000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Oct 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 & remedy

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.

09V457000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

Dec 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

PE16009 · Sudden Brake Failure - Motorcycle

Opened Jul 6, 2016 · Closed Apr 23, 2018

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation in July 2016 based on forty-three (43) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ).During the course of this investigation ODI received a total of 145 VOQs related to the alleged defect on the subject motorcycles.Owners allege they experience a sudden and complete loss of brakes on one or both wheels.To better understand the cause of the braking issue on the subject motorcycles, ODI requested NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) conduct inspections and testing of affected vehicle braking systems.Through its work, VRTC determined that deposits were forming on the valves in the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) of the Antilock Braking System (ABS). These deposits could prevent the proper function of the HCU and render the brakes ineffective.To understand why deposits were forming in the HCU, Harley Davidson completed an analysis of the Dow 460 brake fluid used as original equipment on the subject motorcycles and determined that it had stability issues if left in the brake system for an extended period of time.Harley Davidson found that if a brake fluid flush was not conducted as outlined in the owner?s manual for the motorcycles, and was left in the system for a period of time beyond their recommendation; deposits could form in the HCU.Through further testing, Harley Davidson identified an alternate, commercially available, brake fluid that did not have the same stability issues as the original fluid and could stop the proliferation of any current brake system deposits.ODI sent Information Request (IR) letters to Harley Davidson and Dow Chemical (the supplier of the brake fluid on the subject motorcycles) to collect information about the subject bikes and the alleged defect.Harley Davidson responded in full on Sept 30, 2016 and Dow responded with a confidential submission on October 25, 2017.ODI analyzed the information contained in both IR responses and concluded that motorcycles manufactured during Model Years (MY) 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 were failing at a rate greater than their peers.Based on this analysis and the brake fluid study conducted by Harley Davidson, a group of motorcycles was identified that were potentially affected by the instability of the original brake fluid.2008 marked the introduction of ABS on Harley Davidson motorcycles and a change in the Dow 460 brake fluid used in the 2012 MY vehicles provided the bases for the scope of the affected population.With recall action 18V-076 taken by Harley Davidson this investigation is closed as further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: https://www.nhtsa.gov/ using the complaint identification numbers attached to this resume.