NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
31 reportsMileage unknown · Apr 27, 2023
Service Brakes
I PURCHASED A 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC LAST JUNE. I WAS RIDING HOME LAST WEEK AND WENT TO USE THE REAR BREAK PEDAL AND THE BRAKE WAS ROCK HARD. I SCHEDULED A SERVICE TO DIAGNOIS THE ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THE ABS MODULE CAN CAUSE THE ISSUE. I WAS NOTIFIED TODAY THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IS NOT COVERED …
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I PURCHASED A 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC LAST JUNE. I WAS RIDING HOME LAST WEEK AND WENT TO USE THE REAR BREAK PEDAL AND THE BRAKE WAS ROCK HARD. I SCHEDULED A SERVICE TO DIAGNOIS THE ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THE ABS MODULE CAN CAUSE THE ISSUE. I WAS NOTIFIED TODAY THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE FLUID CHANGE. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE ONGOING WITH NUMEROUS HARLEYS FROM THE YEAR 2009-2014. THIS ISSUE OF A HARD PETAL WHILE RIDING HOME COULD HAVE RESULTED IN MY DEATH AS THEY DID FUNCTION CORRECT ON THE WAY TO HARLEY DEALER AND FAILED ON MY RIDE HOME. THIS PART SHOULD BE COVERED BY HARLEY AS THIS COULD RESULT IN DEATH.
NHTSA ODI #11519295
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2022
Vehicle Speed Control
on Saturday 8/20/22 i was driving to work when i got in the parking lot i lost throttle control it went to limp mode. shut bike off started it back up worked fine. after work i was riding home got bout 2 mile my engine light came on and i lost power to my throttle. it would not rev up. shut bike off for few seconds it ran fine …
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on Saturday 8/20/22 i was driving to work when i got in the parking lot i lost throttle control it went to limp mode. shut bike off started it back up worked fine. after work i was riding home got bout 2 mile my engine light came on and i lost power to my throttle. it would not rev up. shut bike off for few seconds it ran fine the rest of the way home. this is very dangerous if someone would of been behind me i could of been hit..ive see a lot of forums with thesame issues. this was the first time it happened to me. ive only had the bike since 6/17/22. called talked to a harley store they said it could be my tps (throttle positioning sensor). this issue need to have a recall this could cause a major accident. bike has 63,000 miles.
NHTSA ODI #11481105
21,250 miles · May 25, 2018
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO BLUE RIDGE HARLEY-DAVIDSON (2002 13TH AVE DR. SE, HICKORY, NC 28602) WHERE THE RECALL WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO BLUE RIDGE HARLEY-DAVIDSON (2002 13TH AVE DR. SE, HICKORY, NC 28602) WHERE THE RECALL WAS REPAIRED ALONG WITH SOME OTHER UNKNOWN BRAKE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE REPAIRS THAT HE PAID FOR SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,250. *LN *TT
NHTSA ODI #11097969
70,000 miles · Feb 20, 2018
Service Brakes
REAR BRAKES WOULD NOT OPERATE. I WAS RIDING AND WHEN I WENT TO APPLY THE REAR BRAKES, IT WAS AS IF I WAS AS IF THE PEDAL WAS FROZE AND NO STOP AT ALL. THE FRONT DID WORK BUT THE REAR WAS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. FLUSHING THE BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT WORK AND I ENDED UP REPLACE THE ABS BRAKE MODULE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IN THE OW…
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REAR BRAKES WOULD NOT OPERATE. I WAS RIDING AND WHEN I WENT TO APPLY THE REAR BRAKES, IT WAS AS IF I WAS AS IF THE PEDAL WAS FROZE AND NO STOP AT ALL. THE FRONT DID WORK BUT THE REAR WAS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. FLUSHING THE BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT WORK AND I ENDED UP REPLACE THE ABS BRAKE MODULE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IN THE OWNERS MANUAL IT STATES IF THE ABS SYSTEM FAILS YOU WILL STILL HAVE ADEQUATE BRAKING OTHER THAN ANTI-LOCK. THAT IS NOT CORRECT....THE ABS MODULE CAN FREEZE AND NOT LET ANY BRAKE FLUID GO TO THE REAR BRAKES.
NHTSA ODI #11073800
90,000 miles · Oct 24, 2017
Service Brakes
ABS MODULE FAILURE AT SPEED. HD STATES THAT WITH ABS FAILURE, BRAKES ARE OPERABLE WITHOUT ABS FEATURE. REAR PEDAL HAS NO RESISTANCE AND FRONT LEVER IS LOCKED. BRAKE OPERATION IS NORMAL WITH SWITCH OFF, BUT WITH BIKE RUNNING OR SWITCH IN ON POSITION, SYMPTOMS RETURN.
NHTSA ODI #11039230
38,505 miles · Aug 26, 2017
Service Brakes
FRONT BRAKE LEVER LOCKED UP, NO FRONT BRAKES. INVESTIGATED HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. FOUND THAT HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WAS NOT ALLOWING FLUID TO FLOW, THEREBY CAUSING FRONT BRAKES NOT TO APPLY. INVESTIGATED CONCERN ON HARLEY FORUM THAT I AM A MEMBER OF, MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF THIS CONCERN. I AM REQUESTING THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTOR COM…
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FRONT BRAKE LEVER LOCKED UP, NO FRONT BRAKES. INVESTIGATED HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. FOUND THAT HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WAS NOT ALLOWING FLUID TO FLOW, THEREBY CAUSING FRONT BRAKES NOT TO APPLY. INVESTIGATED CONCERN ON HARLEY FORUM THAT I AM A MEMBER OF, MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF THIS CONCERN. I AM REQUESTING THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY BE INVESTIGATED AND HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
NHTSA ODI #11019863
9,000 miles · Jul 11, 2016
Service BrakesCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WERE DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PAVEMENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK, RIBS, LEFT FOOT, NECK AND LEFT LUNG INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WERE DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PAVEMENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK, RIBS, LEFT FOOT, NECK AND LEFT LUNG INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE CRASH SCENE TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V506000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. UPDATED 08/30/16*LJ *TR
NHTSA ODI #10884028
26,000 miles · Jun 9, 2016
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ACCELERATION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ACCELERATION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. ...UPDATED 07/13/16 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10873475
24,000 miles · May 5, 2016
Service Brakes
I WAS RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE AND EXITING THE FREEWAY RAMP DISCOVERED I HAD NO REAR BRAKES. COULD NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, LIKE IT WAS FROZEN. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE ABS MODULE. IF ABS FAILS IT SHOULD GO TO NON ABS BRAKES (FAIL SAFE) INSTEAD OF NO BRAKES. ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS PROBLEM CAUSES…
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I WAS RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE AND EXITING THE FREEWAY RAMP DISCOVERED I HAD NO REAR BRAKES. COULD NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, LIKE IT WAS FROZEN. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE ABS MODULE. IF ABS FAILS IT SHOULD GO TO NON ABS BRAKES (FAIL SAFE) INSTEAD OF NO BRAKES. ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS PROBLEM CAUSES LOSS OF LIFE
NHTSA ODI #10863506
21,230 miles · Feb 13, 2016
Service Brakes
WHILE RIDING BIKE AND TRIED TO STOP ON A CITY STREET. REAR BRAKE PEDAL WENT ROCK HARD AND WOULD NOT ACTIVATE THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER. CHECKED REAR CALIPER TO SEE IF IT WAS LOCKED UP AND CALIPER WAS FINE. CALIPER PISTONS MOVED FREELY. TOOK BIKE TO DEALER AND THEY FOUND THE ABS DISTRIBUTION BLOCK WAS BAD AND EVEN THOUGH IT WAS FULL…
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WHILE RIDING BIKE AND TRIED TO STOP ON A CITY STREET. REAR BRAKE PEDAL WENT ROCK HARD AND WOULD NOT ACTIVATE THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER. CHECKED REAR CALIPER TO SEE IF IT WAS LOCKED UP AND CALIPER WAS FINE. CALIPER PISTONS MOVED FREELY. TOOK BIKE TO DEALER AND THEY FOUND THE ABS DISTRIBUTION BLOCK WAS BAD AND EVEN THOUGH IT WAS FULL OF FLUID IT WOULD NOT ALLOWING FLUID TO TRAVEL TO REAR CALIPER. THEY REPLACED BLOCK. MY CONCERN IS A TOTAL REAR BRAKE FAILURE. I HAD NO REAR BRAKES AND MADE IT DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TO STOP AN 800 LB MOTORCYCLE AT ANY SPEED. I HAVE FOUND ON SEVERAL FORUMS USERS DESCRIBE THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH VARYING YEARS AND MODELS OF HARLEY DAVIDSON BIKES WITH ABS.
NHTSA ODI #10825939
Official recalls
3Jan 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
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid
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.
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.
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
1PE16009 · 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.
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