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: 7 of 9 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. 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 reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
9 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2025
Structure
One of the bolts holding the floorboard sheared off causing it to collapse. This happened when I placed my weight on the floorboard. If this had occurred when driving at speed (30 to 70 mph) I would have sustained serious injury or resulted in my death. I have researched this and discovered this is a common occurrence as noted o…
Read full complaint
One of the bolts holding the floorboard sheared off causing it to collapse. This happened when I placed my weight on the floorboard. If this had occurred when driving at speed (30 to 70 mph) I would have sustained serious injury or resulted in my death. I have researched this and discovered this is a common occurrence as noted on motorcycle forums. This raises the question how many cyclists have lost their lives or been injured when the foot support fails and results in the loss of control of the motorcycle. There was no indication the bolt was going to fail.
NHTSA ODI #11674201
1,900 miles · Apr 29, 2015
Engine
VEHICLE ENGINE AND EXHAUST PRODUCES EXCESSIVE HEAT WHICH I BURNED MY PANTS ON AND THE HEAT IS OVERWHELMING . I TALKED TO HD AND THEY WILL NOT ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WANT TO BRUSH IT UNDER THE RUG. PLEASE HELP THIS IS A MAJOR INCIDENT BURN JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10713538
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingInjury
EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM CAUSES SEVERE BURNS TO UNDERSIDE OF RIGHT THIGH, KNEE AND CALF. PAINFUL BLISTERING OF THE SKIN IN MANY PLACES ON RIDER'S RIGHT LEG FROM HEAT, (NOT FROM CONTACT WITH HEATED OR HOT COMPONENTS) WHILE WEARING LONG JEANS OR OTHER RIDING GEAR. BURNS ARE SEVERE, WHICH MAKES RIDING IMPOSSIBLE WHILE B…
Read full complaint
EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM CAUSES SEVERE BURNS TO UNDERSIDE OF RIGHT THIGH, KNEE AND CALF. PAINFUL BLISTERING OF THE SKIN IN MANY PLACES ON RIDER'S RIGHT LEG FROM HEAT, (NOT FROM CONTACT WITH HEATED OR HOT COMPONENTS) WHILE WEARING LONG JEANS OR OTHER RIDING GEAR. BURNS ARE SEVERE, WHICH MAKES RIDING IMPOSSIBLE WHILE BURNS ARE PRESENT (RUNNING RISK OF INFECTION AS WELL AS INCREASING NUMBER OF AND SEVERITY OF BURNS). SCARRING HAS OCCURED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10432972
2 miles · Aug 19, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
EXTREME HIGH HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, CAUSING BURNS TO RIDER AND PASSENGER RIGHT LEGS.
NHTSA ODI #10421848
3,116 miles · May 9, 2011
Unknown Or OtherInjury
THE MOTORCYCLE HAS RUN VERY HOT FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT 5/10/2011. EVERY TIME I HAD SERVICE, I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE HEAT FROM THE PIPES. I STOPPED AT A HD DEALER IN ALEXANDRIA, LA ON 9/17/2010, AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE BIKE. I WAS TOLD AT INSTALLATION THE PIPES HAD BEEN INSTALLED WITH NO REMAP OR HIGH FLOW FILTER. I WAS C…
Read full complaint
THE MOTORCYCLE HAS RUN VERY HOT FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT 5/10/2011. EVERY TIME I HAD SERVICE, I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE HEAT FROM THE PIPES. I STOPPED AT A HD DEALER IN ALEXANDRIA, LA ON 9/17/2010, AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE BIKE. I WAS TOLD AT INSTALLATION THE PIPES HAD BEEN INSTALLED WITH NO REMAP OR HIGH FLOW FILTER. I WAS CHARGED $413.57 TO INSTALL THE NEEDED FILTER AND DOWNLOADED A NEW REMAP. I LEFT ABOUT 5:30 P.M. TO RETURN TO MADISON, MS. THE ONLY STOPS WERE AT GAS STATIONS TO FILL UP. THE VENTS ON THE FAIRINGS WERE WIDE OPEN. I RODE WITH MY LEGS UP FROM THE PEDALS BUT COULD FEEL MY RIGHT LEG GETTING UNCOMFORTABLY HOT. WHEN I REACHED MY DESTINATION, I PULLED UP MY PANT LEG. I SAW MY RIGHT CALF WAS BLISTERED FROM THE EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE PIPES. (I HAVE A PICTURE OF MY BLISTERED LEG.) I CALLED HD HEADQUARTERS AND THEY SAID I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT COOPERATIVE WHEN I CALLED TO TALK TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY SAID THE TRIKES RUN HOT . APRIL 2011, I WENT TO WILDCAT HD IN LONDON, KY BECAUSE THEY HAVE A TRIKE DYNAMOMETER. THEY TESTED THE BIKE AND IT SHOWED IT RAN A FEW DEGREES ABOVE ACCEPTABLE LIMITS. HD HEADQUARTERS REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANY MODIFICATIONS TO THE BIKE. IT COST ME $1470 TO INSTALL POWER DUAL HEADPIPES AND A SUPER TUNER AS WELL AS THE COST OF THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE DYNAMOMETER. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRIKE THAT IT HAS BEEN A COMFORTABLE RIDE WITHOUT EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING FROM THE PIPES. IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY YET, HARLEY DAVIDSON DOESN'T CONSIDER THIS TO BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. I HAVE LOOKED AT THE WEB PAGES AT HDFORUMS.COM AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH OTHER TRIKE OWNERS. THEY HAVE RECEIVED NO HELP FROM HD HEADQUARTERS. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON NEEDS TO ADDRESS AND FIX.
NHTSA ODI #10400369
5,200 miles · Oct 23, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
I WAS IN A ACCIDENT DO TO THE BRAKES ON MY 2010 HARLEY TRIKE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP. ON 6-5-10 I REAR ENDED A FORD EXPLORER AT 50 MPH. AFTER LOCKING UP THE FRONT BRAKES, THE REAR BRAKES DIDN'T LOCK UP OR HELP STOP MUCH AT ALL. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THEM SQUEALING, AND THEM NOT ABLE TO STOP LIKE THEY SHOULD ,BUT I NEVER HAD TO ST…
Read full complaint
I WAS IN A ACCIDENT DO TO THE BRAKES ON MY 2010 HARLEY TRIKE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP. ON 6-5-10 I REAR ENDED A FORD EXPLORER AT 50 MPH. AFTER LOCKING UP THE FRONT BRAKES, THE REAR BRAKES DIDN'T LOCK UP OR HELP STOP MUCH AT ALL. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THEM SQUEALING, AND THEM NOT ABLE TO STOP LIKE THEY SHOULD ,BUT I NEVER HAD TO STOP LIKE I NEEDED TO THAT DAY.. IT IS TOTALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCK UP THE REAR BRAKES OR TO STOP HARD WITH THE REAR BRAKES. AFTER HAVING THE BRAKES LOOKED AT 6 TIMES AT LEAST AND TWO DEALERS DOING WHAT THEY COULD, INCLUDING REPLACING THE PADS WITH NEW STOCK PADS. STILL NOT HAPPY I HAD THEM REPLACED WITH LYNDALL BRAKES. THEY STOPPED THE SQUEALING BUT DIDN'T SEEM TO HELP WITH THE STOPPING BUT DIDN'T HURT ANYTHING EITHER. I CALLED H.D. ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY MADE IT SEEM LIKE I WAS THE ONLY ONE WITH ANY PROBLEMS AND DIDN'T HEAR FROM THEM AFTER. MY INJURIES CONSISTED OF 4 BROKEN RIBS, TORN MENISCUS IN MY KNEE THAT NEEDS TO BE SCOPED OUT, I HAD PRIOR HIP PAIN BUT BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT I NEED A HIP REPLACEMENT 15-20 YEARS SOONER. FRACTURED A BONE OFF IN MY SPINE BUT THEY SAID WERE IT WAS WASN'T IN A SPOT THAT NEEDED SURGERY. ROAD RASH ON BOTH ARMS. HAD TO HAVE A TATTOO REDONE. MY BACK, LOWER BACK, HIP AND RT FOOT WAS BRUISED BADLY. THREE MONTHS OFF OF WORK, 17,000 DAMAGE TO BIKE, AND 18,000 DAMAGE TO MYSELF. I JUST GOT MY BIKE BACK 10-8-10 I KNEW AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT I HAD PLENTY OF DISTANCE. I ALWAYS SAID I JUST COULDN'T STOP. IT WAS SAID THAT I MUST HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING TO CLOSE. I REMEMBERED THE FRONT BRAKE LOCKING UP AND PUSHING AS HARD AS I COULD ON THE REAR PEDAL. I KNEW FOR 3-5 SEC. I WAS GOING TO HIT THE TRUCKS BUMPER. 10-8-10 I PICKED THE BIKE UP AND ON THE WAY HOME I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE REAR BRAKES. LONG STORY SHORT ON MY WAY BACK TO THE DEALER I HAD TO STOP FAST AND ONCE AGAIN COULDN'T STOP. I KNOW FOR A FACT MY ACCIDENT WAS DUE TO THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM NOT BEING BIG ENOUGH TO STOP THE TRIKE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10362084
315 miles · Jul 12, 2010
Electrical SystemInjury
I HAVE A HARLEY DAVIDSON TRI GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC THAT WHILE MY WIFE AND I WERE RIDING, THE LEFT SIDE SUDDENLY A HAD A TREMENDOUS DRAG I BELIEVED CAUSED BY THE REVERSE COMING ON WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT AROUND 55 MILES PER HOUR. WE WERE THROWN INTO THE ON COMING TRAFFIC JUST MISSING A PICKUP AND WENT DOWN INTO THE DITCH JUS…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A HARLEY DAVIDSON TRI GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC THAT WHILE MY WIFE AND I WERE RIDING, THE LEFT SIDE SUDDENLY A HAD A TREMENDOUS DRAG I BELIEVED CAUSED BY THE REVERSE COMING ON WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT AROUND 55 MILES PER HOUR. WE WERE THROWN INTO THE ON COMING TRAFFIC JUST MISSING A PICKUP AND WENT DOWN INTO THE DITCH JUST MISSING A LARGE CULVERT. MY WIFE WAS THROWN OFF AND RECEIVED MANY BROKEN BONES AND BRUISES. SHE WILL BE IN THE HOSPITAL FOR 6 WEEKS AND THEN MANY MONTHS OF TERAPHY. I WAS ABLE TO STAY ON AND ONLY RECEIVED A LITTLE BACK PAIN. WE WERE BOTH VERY LUCKY NOT TO BE KILLED. HARLEY HAS A BIG PROBLEM THAT NEED ATTENTION BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10342784
1,200 miles · Apr 14, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING FROM THE EXHAUST BURNS LEG WHEN RIDING EVEN THOUGH I'M RIDING WITH JEANS ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10325600
2,582 miles · Mar 21, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other
I OWN A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON CUSTOM CLASSIC TRIKE. THIS BIKE IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (SO CALLED FLY BY WIRE) ON MARCH 18 WHILE RIDING IN MEDINA COUNTY IN OHIO AT 50 MPH THE ETC HAD SOME FORM OF FAILURE AND THE THROTTLE CUT THE RPM TO LESS THAN 1000 AND THE BIKE ABRUPTLY SLOWED TO A CRAWL. I WAS ABLE TO PULL …
Read full complaint
I OWN A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON CUSTOM CLASSIC TRIKE. THIS BIKE IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (SO CALLED FLY BY WIRE) ON MARCH 18 WHILE RIDING IN MEDINA COUNTY IN OHIO AT 50 MPH THE ETC HAD SOME FORM OF FAILURE AND THE THROTTLE CUT THE RPM TO LESS THAN 1000 AND THE BIKE ABRUPTLY SLOWED TO A CRAWL. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROADWAY SHUT DOWN THE BIKE AND AFTER FIVE MINUTES RESTART AND THE THROTTLE WORKED AS DESIGNED. I ROAD THE BIKE TO CENTURY HARLEY DAVIDSON AND THEY ADVISED I HAD A CODE WHICH VERIFIED THE ETC HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THEY ADVISED THEY ARE NOT SURE WHAT IS WRONG BUT THEY REPORTED THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE H D ETC. I AM SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE SYSTEM CHECKED AND REPAIRED ON MARCH 29, 2010. I WAS ADVISED THE BIKE IS SAFE TO RIDE AS IS. ON MARCH 21, THE EXACT SAME THING OCCURRED. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF I WERE RIDING ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE MIDDLE LANE, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THIS HAPPENS I WOULD BE A SITTING DUCK AND COULD BE KILLED. I BELIEVE HARLEY DAVIDSON IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT IS DOING NOTHING TO GET THE WORD OUT AND TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
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.
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
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.
2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Flhtcutg Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year