2009 Harley-Davidson Flhr problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (3) · Engine (3) · Fuel/Propulsion System (2)
Safety recalls (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 2018-01-29 · campaign 18V076000 · 174,636 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch 2011-10-19 · campaign 11V506000 · 250,757 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (16)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-16 · M1684 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin m1684: market specific battery introduction. purpose: initial release. this bulletin informs dealers of the availability of new batteries for new original equipment (oe) vehicle production and in the parts and accessories (p&a) catalog. availability of the new absorbed glass mat (ag
Vehicle Speed Control 2025-01-24 · M1650 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin m1650: milwaukee eight and twin cam camshaft drive gear retention kit changes. purpose: this bulletin informs dealers that changes have been made to the camshaft drive gear retention kit and service proceduresfor the milwaukee-eight and twin cam applications. in an effort to increas
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · M1555 · Warranty Program/Extension
service bulletin m1555 (rev e): battery warranty guidelines. purpose: revision e. added: added procedures for the dca-8000 e battery tester.* updated: all sections. this bulletin informs the dealership network that harley-davidson has provided guidelines for battery warranty.
Unknown Or Other 2024-08-08 · M1490 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin m1490 (v 24.8.8): digital technician ii - updates and release notes. purpose: this bulletin informs dealers that harley-davidson has made a software update to digital technician ii (dt ii). digital technician ii (part number: hd-48650). version 24.8.8. release date: week of august 5
Unknown Or Other 2024-07-10 · PAB1158 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
genuine motor parts and motor accessories bulletin pab1158: oil filter packaging and case quantity update. purpose: to inform dealerships that harley-davidson has made updates to oil filters including new part numbers, packaging design, and bulk case quantity changes.
Unknown Or Other 2024-05-01 · M1490 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin m1490 (v 24.6.4): digital technician ii - updates and release notes. purpose: revision. this bulletin informs dealers that harley-davidson has made a software update to digital technician ii (dt ii). digital technician ii (part number: hd-48650). version 24.6.4. release date: week
Showing the 6 most recent of 16 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2017-11-26 · Service Brakes“abs module is bad. it's a regular problem with harley davidson. if you look at forums you can see a lot of people who have had the same problem. i had just started my motorcycle pulled out in to traffic. then tried to use my front brakes, and was unable to squeeze brake lever. i had just rode my motorcycle the night before. with no problems. luckil…”
2016-07-22 · Service Brakes · 19,851 mi“no front brake. unable to apply front brake. front brake frozen. motorcycle taken to harley dealership for repair, abs hcu replaced.…”
2015-03-25 · Service Brakes · 19,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2009 harley davidson flhr. the contact stated that the front brake failed to engage while attempting to come to a complete stop. as a result, the contact drove through the intersection. the contact inspected the motorcycle and found that the abs module interlock brake system failed. the contact disconnected the abs fuse. the …”
2014-10-09 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 28,540 mi“i was exiting the freeway at 55mph when i slightly banked right, the engine died. i coasted to the side, turned the ignition switch off, then back on and it started and ran perfectly. the engine died again while entering the freeway at a later time. again, i was banking to the right on a sweeping turn. the bike started as before after coasting to s…”
2014-07-17 · Vehicle Speed Control · 30,000 mi“several times over the past 2 years i have lost ability to control my throttle. throttle position closes and does not accept inputs from the accelerator. several times while traveling on the expressway the throttle has shut and the motorcycle went into 'limp home' mode. this will only allow a speed of approximately 10-15mph (dangerous while traveli…”
2013-07-09 · Engine · 13,758 mi“pulled up to a stoplight everything was fine, went to pull away after light changed bike lost power felt like it was running on one cylinder and would not accelerate. managed to get out of traffic without getting hit shut bike off then restarted the bike and acceleration returned to normal. checked for codes and had a p2135 throttle position sensor…”
2013-06-18 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 14,000 mi“bike goes into limp mode, idle only, no throttle response,while driving down the road. the first time i was going 60 mph in traffic and almost got ran over. it has happened several times since, and a few at 70 plus mph. fortunately i was able to get off the road without a problem. but i were to be passing in traffic or hung in the center lane. it c…”
2013-02-01 · Engine · 33,000 mi“ecm plug caused bike to buck and run erratically. brought back to dealer numerous times until they changed the plug. they blamed on the aftermarket seat made by mustang seat for the bike but it happened with the stock seat as well. it seems others are saying the same happened to them with stock seats. *tr…”
2009-06-04 · Tires · 2,200 mi · 💥 crash“tl*the contact owns a 2009 harley davidson flhr motorcycle. the vehicle has dunlop tires. while driving approximately 55 mph, the rear tire blew out without warning. the blow out caused the vehicle to roll over and receive $3,500 worth of damage. the contact is in the process of having the vehicle repaired. the tire size, line, and dot number …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.