AutoDefect IQ

2009 Harley-Davidson Flhrc problems, complaints & recalls

Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (3) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (2) · Power Train (2)

13
Complaints
2
Recalls
13
Service bulletins
2
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Deaths

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 (13)

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 13 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.

What owners report

2021-07-21 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 26,000 mi

“the contact owns a 2009 harley-davidson road king classic flhrc motorcycle. the contact stated while riding 75 mph, the front lever became resistant and had to press forcefully to slow the motorcycle. the contact stated he continued riding to his destination. the contact took the motorcycle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing t…”

2017-07-05 · Power Train · 10,000 mi

“starting issue that lead to the replacement of the compensator replacement. on going issue with many hd cycles (2006-2012) that owners are left to resolve with their own moneys not at their own fault. have a little over 10k miles which is an unacceptable issue. i was caught away from home when non starting issue occurred. currently awaiting parts…”

2017-05-01 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 20,575 mi

“while exiting a town i accelerated to highway speed then my engine stalled out and went into limp-home mode not allowing any more than an idle, very dangerous. luckily i was not passing anyone or riding in a group when the engine lost all acceleration, worse would have been trying to cross a busy intersection. certain disaster!!…”

2016-09-15 · Service Brakes · 21,000 mi

“while attempting to come to a stop i went to apply brakes, applied rear brake and attempted to apply front brake and the front brake lever was frozen solid and the front brakes did not actuate. i was able to stop completely with rear brake only…”

2016-08-31 · Power Train

“i was having issue with batterys going bad and it turns out to be the compensator in which if i didn't get fixed it could have caused me to crash my bike. it's a known issue with in theses years from 08 to 2011.…”

2016-08-05 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · 12,000 mi · 💥 crash

“tl* the contact owns a 2009 harley-davidson flhrc road king classic. while pulling into the driveway at approximately 5 mph and attempting to apply the brakes, the abs failed. the contact crashed into the garage door. the contact received injuries to his foot, which required medical attention. a police report was not filed. the dealer diagnosed tha…”

2016-07-15 · Service Brakes · 25,800 mi

“abs quit working, had to replace. start bike and the brake handle was frozen in place. if you force it using both hands it would begin to work. would work until turn off the bike. when starting bike again, same problem. dealership said "abs hcu failed, must replace..…”

2014-03-03 · Service Brakes · 28,663 mi · 💥 crash

“while moving the bike in the garage under power, the front brake lever would not move. no front brakes!! lifted foot to use rear brake and bike and my self fell over as bike hit another motorcycle in garage. the brake are frozen in the non braking position. bike was last used 4 days ago and no brake problems noted at that time. having bike towed t…”

2013-05-02 · Vehicle Speed Control · 17,000 mi

“tl* the contact owns a 2009 harley davidson road king motorcycle. the contact stated that the throttle warning light illuminated and the vehicle engaged into idle mode. the contact stated that the vehicle did not stall, but did become unresponsive. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the throttle sensor needed to be replace…”

2013-01-25 · Suspension · 18,000 mi

“when decelerating, and bike is between 35-45 mph, a harsh front end wobble occurs. can be limited by tightly gripping the bars. dealer indicated it was the tires, though they were new. have replaced the tires twice since and still no fix. dealer's solution now is to sustain a hard grip on the bars at all times, which is unsafe and not a practic…”

Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.

Other Harley-Davidson Flhrc years