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NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

3 reports

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36,000 miles · Feb 8, 2018

Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. UPON ACCELERATION AND ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK SEVERAL TIMES AND FAILED TO ENGAGE, CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE DEALER (GATEWAY HARLEY-DAVIDSON, 3600 LEMAY FERRY RD, ST LOUIS, MO 63125, (314) 845-9900) DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE WAS NOT FOLLOWED REGARDING REPLACING THE FLUID FOR THE BRAKES AND THAT THE SOLUTION WAS A BRAKE FLUSH AT NO CHARGE. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE DEALER WOULD PROVIDE A PERMANENT SOLUTION. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT NO LONGER OWNED THE MOTORCYCLE AND STILL HAD THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI #11071704

16,796 miles · Sep 28, 2016

Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE HANDLES AND FRONT BRAKES FAILED TO WORK WHEN APPLIED. A REPAIR SHOP RECOMMENDED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE BE TAKEN TO A DEALER AND PERFORMED AN INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE…

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NHTSA ODI #10910145

24,925 miles · Sep 5, 2011

Service Brakes, HydraulicFire

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REAR BRAKE LIGHT PRESSURE SWITCH FAILURE. THE SWITCH WHICH TRIGGERS THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT TO TOGGLE ON WHEN THE REAR BRAKE LEVER IS DEPRESSED IS A HYDRAULIC PRESSURE SWITCH. THIS SWITCH FAILED ALLOWING BRAKE FLUID TO PASS THROUGH THE SWITCH AND SPRAY OUT THE END WHERE THE TERMINALS ARE ATTACHED. THIS SPRAYING FLUID CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THE HEAT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE WHICH IS CLOSE BY. BIKE WAS SITTING AT A LIGHT WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. A RIDING BUDDY NOTICED A SMALL FIRE LOCATED JUST BELOW THE RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. I WAS STOPPED AT THE TIME WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. NOTICING THE FIRE WE SAFELY PULLED OVER TO A SIDE-STREET AND I EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A BOTTLE OF WATER I WAS CARRYING. I NOTICED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE SWITCH BY GENTLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE LEVER WITH MY HAND AND FLUID DRIPPED OUT. I ALSO NOTICED WHEN I WAS PULLING THE BIKE OVER TO A SAFER LOCATION THAT I HAD LOST THE REAR BRAKE COMPLETELY; THIS, DUE TO A BREACH IN THE OTHERWISE CLOSED BRAKE SYSTEM. THE FIRE BURNED THE WIRES WHICH ATTACH TO THIS PRESSURE SWITCH. I WAS ABLE TO MOTOR UP TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE, REMOVE THE SWITCH (1/8" NPT THREAD) AND PUT A PLUG IN SO I COULD RIDE WITH TWO BRAKES. THERE WAS NO HARLEY DEALER CLOSE BY TO MY LOCATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10423261

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.