2009 Harley-Davidson Flht problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (4) · Wheels (1) · Vehicle Speed Control (1)
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 (12)
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 12 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-03-28 · Service Brakes · 36,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2009 harley-davidson flht electra glide motorcycle. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 18v076000 (service brakes, hydraulic). while unloading the vehicle from a trailer, it was noticed that the brakes did not work. the vehicle was taken to queen city harley-davidson (5960 dixie hwy, fairfield, oh 4501…”
2016-07-26 · Service Brakes · 29,934 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2009 harley-davidson flht electra glide. while backing out of a parking space, the front brakes failed to respond. the motorcycle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the anti-brake system module failed and needed to be replaced. the motorcycle was repaired. the vin was not included in nhtsa action number: pe16…”
2016-07-08 · Service Brakes · 22,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2009 harley-davidson flht. while driving 60 mph, the brakes failed to respond when the brake handle was depressed. the failure recurred intermittently. the motorcycle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the anti-lock brake module failed and needed to be replaced. the motorcycle was repaired. the m…”
2016-07-08 · Service Brakes · 12,000 mi“anti-lock brakes, motorcycle purchased in 2009, at appr. 12000 miles, front brake rotors warped and had to be replaced. this is an issue that has to be addressed around every 12000 miles since new and i have 90,000 miles on it now. at appr. 40,000 miles, the hole front brake system had to be replaced, rotors, calipers, lines, master cylinder. the b…”
2012-10-25 · Vehicle Speed Control · 18,000 mi“tl* the contact owns 2009 harley davidson motorcycle flht. the contact stated that while driving at any speed the motorcycle lost power and the rpm dropped to 1,000. the failure occurred intermittently but it began to do so more frequently. the motorcycle was not taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. the contact believes that the thro…”
2012-09-28 · Seats · 25,928 mi“while pulling away from a stop light, the seat started to slide off the rear fender. the bottom of the seat is hard plastic some how it cracked all the way around the seat mounting bracket so the seat will not stay in place when you drive. the seat retention nut and the seat bracket and the fender are all damaged. from normal use. i talk to the dea…”
2012-09-21 · Wheels · 22,000 mi“at around 20,000 miles i took my motorcycle in to have the tires changed and the rear wheel bearings were bad and the dealership replace the rear wheel bearing. a few thousand miles later the front wheel bearings failed on me in montana, i am from washington state, on the freeway and i almost crashed, i could have died right there but luckily i wa…”
2011-03-21 · Power Train:driveline · 3,000 mi“my 2009 harley flht was making a loud clunking noise at start-up. i searched the internet and found many owners having a compensator bolt loose from factory. i took the motorcycle to bruchmhlbach harley davidson in bruchmhlbach germany and when they took the primary cover off they found the bolt to be loose from the factory. had the bolt fallen out…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.