Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 3 of 4 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Service Brakes. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. 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.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
4 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2021
Electrical SystemService Brakes
ABS warning light comes on. The ABS system had a recall in 2018/19 to change fluid. It supposedly could create an issue if not done every 2 years. This light came on and part needs to be ordered. The service that was done did not even have 1000 miles on it if it even had 500. I believe this module issue should have been part of …
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ABS warning light comes on. The ABS system had a recall in 2018/19 to change fluid. It supposedly could create an issue if not done every 2 years. This light came on and part needs to be ordered. The service that was done did not even have 1000 miles on it if it even had 500. I believe this module issue should have been part of the recall
NHTSA ODI #11421413
26,000 miles · Sep 25, 2017
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHRC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO STOP THE MOTORCYCLE WHEN PRESSING THE REAR BRAKE LEVER. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (ADAMEC HARLEY-DAVIDSON IN JACKSON, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHRC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO STOP THE MOTORCYCLE WHEN PRESSING THE REAR BRAKE LEVER. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (ADAMEC HARLEY-DAVIDSON IN JACKSON, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ABS WAS REPLACED AND THE BRAKE LINES WERE FLUSHED AS RECOMMENDED. APPROXIMATELY 1,600 MILES LATER, THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN. WHILE RIDING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED AND THE MOTORCYCLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE RIDER HAD NOT PRESSED THE BRAKE LEVER AND WAS NOT ATTEMPTING TO STOP. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER AND ROTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
NHTSA ODI #11025359
31,000 miles · Jul 9, 2016
Service Brakes
FRONT BRAKE IS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE ABS MODULE IS BAD ACCORDING TO THE HARLEY SHOP. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS RIDING ON A HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN I'M UNABLE TO PULL THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER. I JUST READ AN ARTICLE THAT YOU GUYS ARE LOOKING INTO THIS AND ISSUE AND IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED. I WAS C…
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FRONT BRAKE IS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE ABS MODULE IS BAD ACCORDING TO THE HARLEY SHOP. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS RIDING ON A HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN I'M UNABLE TO PULL THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER. I JUST READ AN ARTICLE THAT YOU GUYS ARE LOOKING INTO THIS AND ISSUE AND IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED. I WAS CONSIDERING LEAVING A REPORT BEFORE SINCE THIS IS SO UNSAFE AND I'M GLAD YOU ARE LOOKING INTO IT. THERE'S NO REASON I SHOULD EVER BE WITHOUT BRAKES. I HAVE NOT FIXED IT YET MOSTLY BECAUSE HARLEY WANTS 790$ TO FIX IT. IF YOU WANNA SEE IT JUST LET ME KNOW. I CAN GIVE YOU ANY FURTHER INFORMATION YOU REQUIRE.
NHTSA ODI #10883711
21,000 miles · Sep 21, 2015
Service Brakes
FRONT BRAKE LEVER WILL NOT MOVE MUCH AND TAKES A LOT OF FORCE TO GET IT TO MOVE. FRONT BRAKE WILL NOT WORK. THIS IS A BIG AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM!! AFTER RESEARCHING, I FOUND IT TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON ABS EQUIPPED BIKES.
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.
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
1
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.
2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Flhrc Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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