Service Brakes. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Wheels. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 4 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

29 reports

Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2024

Service Brakes

And module locked up the rear tire. Break pedal became hard and not operational.

NHTSA ODI #11593078

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2022

Service Brakes

Lost brakes to rear wheel with abs failure

NHTSA ODI #11481917

26,000 miles · Mar 16, 2021

Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

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I'M EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY TBW. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NOVEMBER AT THE END OF A CHARITY RIDE AND I THOUGHT PERHAPS THE PACK RIDE CAUSED IT TO OVERHEAT, AFTER SHUTTING THE BIKE OFF IT WENT AWAY BRIEFLY. DID SOME TROUBLESHOOTING ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PLUGS ON THE ECM AND TB WERE TYPICALLY THE ISSUE SO CLEANED, ADDED DIELITHIUM GREASE TO THE CONNECTORS AND ISSUES WENT AWAY. HAPPENED AGAIN, THIS TIME I PULLED THE CEL CODES TO DISCOVER THE TGS AND ETC CODES WERE IN FAULT. AFTER MORE RESEARCH DECIDED TO ELIMINATE THE GREEN QUICK CONNECT PLUGS IN THE HANDLEBARS AND FAIRING BY SODERING AND HEAT SHRINKING CONNECTIONS AS IT WAS DISCUSSED THAT THE CONNECTORS WERE A POSSIBLE CULPRIT FOR SAID CEL CODES. THAT RESOLVED THE ISSUES TEMPORARILY LIKE THE PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS. BACK TO THE SEEMINGLY COMMON ISSUE OF THE DREADED LIMP MODE, TO WHICH I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ON THE INTERSTATE EXIT RAMP AFTER THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. ALL THE ARTICLES ARE HITTING THE SAME SPOT, 08-13YRS, 96, 103, 110CI ENGINES EFFECTED BY THIS SAME ISSUES, HOW MANY OF US HAVE TO GO INTO LIMP MODE OR WORSE BE STRUCK AND KILLED FOR A FACTORY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURE.

NHTSA ODI #11403192

43,701 miles · Apr 2, 2019

Service Brakes

I RECENTLY TOOK MY MOTORCYCLE IN FOR THE RECALL BY HARLEY DAVIDSON. EVEN AFTER HAVING THE RECALL SERVICE PERFORMED, ON A SUDDEN BRAKE, THERE IS A VERY DISTINCT PULL ON THE REAR BRAKE. THIS OCCURS AT 35 MPH, 55 MPH, AND 65 MPH.

NHTSA ODI #11193499

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2018

Service Brakes

2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA LIMITED. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HD ABS SAFETY RECALL. *LD *JS

NHTSA ODI #11082808

38,500 miles · Apr 3, 2018

Service Brakes

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WHILE RIDING AND COMING TO A STOP THE FRONT BRAKE LEVEL WOULD NOT MOVE AND I HAD NO FRONT BRAKES. EMERGENCY STOP UTILIZING THE REAR BRAKES WAS NECESSARY TO AVOID PROCEEDING INTO THE INTERSECTION. IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE ABS HYDRAULIC MODULATOR ASSEMBLY (PART NUMBER 48343-09) HAD FAILED. THERE WAS NO ABS LIGHT OR CODES INDICATING A POTENTIAL HAZARD PRIOR OR AFTER INCIDENT. FROM THE OWNERS MANUAL 'IF ABS BECOMES DEFECTIVE YOU WILL STILL HAVE OPERATIONAL BRAKES, BUT WITHOUT ABS.' THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. I LOST ALL FRONT BRAKES DUE TO AN ABS FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #11082647

23,000 miles · Feb 26, 2018

Service Brakes

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AS I WAS RIDING FROM MY HOUSE TOWARDS AN INTERSECTION, MY REAR BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY BECAME STIFF AND UNABLE TO PUSH OR APPLY REAR BRAKE. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL HARLEY DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME ABOUT A RECALL FOR A BRAKE FLUID FLUSH FREE OF CHARGE. HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT FLUSH MY BRAKE FLUID UNTIL I BOUGHT A NEW ABS HCU, WHICH WAS $377.00 FOR THE PART AND $773.00 TOTAL INSTALLED. THE DEALER CALLED HARLEY CORPORATE AND TRIED TO GET THEM TO PAY FOR THE NEW ABS HCU SINCE IT ONLY WENT BAD BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE FLUID ISSUES UNDER THE RECALL. HARLEY REFUSED. IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO ME ON WHY I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A PART AND INSTALL WHEN IT WENT BAD AS A RESULT OF RECALLED BRAKE FLUID. APPARENTLY, MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AGREED WITH ME.

NHTSA ODI #11075117

25,000 miles · Sep 12, 2017

Service Brakes

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ULTRA GLIDE FLTHTK. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE LEVER, IT FELT JAMMED. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT BRAKES WOULD NOT APPLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO PENN JERSEY CYCLES (4912 NEW FALLS ROAD, LEVITTTOWN, PA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS BLOCK WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKES BLED APPROXIMATELY 3-4 TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #11022786

35,000 miles · Jul 12, 2016

Service Brakes

FRONT ABS BRAKE FAILED. PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY, GOT TO CORNER STOPPED FOR SIGN AND FRONT BRAKE WOULD NOT WORK, COULD NOT PULL BRAKE LEVER IN AT ALL. BRAKES DID NOT GIVE ANY WARNING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. ABS DID NOT FAIL SAFE.

NHTSA ODI #10884384

43,000 miles · Feb 22, 2016

Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE FOOT BRAKE FOR THE MOTORCYCLE FAILED. WHEN THE CONTACT WAS DEPRESSING THE FOOT BRAKE, IT BECAME HARD AND COULD NOT BE DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT RAN A STOP SIGN DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REP…

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NHTSA ODI #10837548

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.