2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtc problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (9) · Wheels (2) · Power Train (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Harley-Davidson Flhtc model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
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
2022-08-10 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“bought the hd new in 2008 and used all warranty plans for 1st 10 years of ownership. they performed all work per their guidelines. never once did they flush the system as this recall mentions every 2 years? while riding down my driveway the rear brake failed to engage on a gravel road and i loss control using my front brake to stop before entering …”
2022-05-16 · Steering“the handlebars broke whial driving, the left side weld gave. resulting in that the bar droped into my left lap. yes it is available for inspection. have video.…”
2020-04-05 · Service Brakes · 63,588 mi“after starting bike and leaving driveway, bike has been sitting for the winter, approached first stop sign no brakes on rear. brake pedal hard no movement. lights come on, no brake response..... front brakes work.... abs module problem according to hd forums.…”
2018-01-29 · Service Brakes · 55,000 mi“while riding the motorcycle on city streets the front brake lever became very hard a loss of front brakes occurred. thank god the rear still worked. they kept me from crashing into car ahead of me. now the motorcycle has no front brakes at all. motorcycle was maintained until 9/2017 by a prepaid maintenance program and esp warranty.…”
2017-10-18 · Electrical System · 2 mi“i was accelerating and merging onto the freeway when i lost all throttle response ( throttle by wire - electrical). my motorcycle immediately lost speed in front of vehicles coming up quickly behind me. i was luckily able to get over and off the freeway.…”
2017-10-03 · Service Brakes · 1,100 mi“the owner of 2009 harley davidson flhtc in may 2017 the rear brake failed to operate suddenly and without warning. the peddle was locked and could not be pushed down with any amount of force. fortunately the front brake was still functional and i was able to slow my speed with out crashing. this first occurred going out my 1/4 mile gravel driveway …”
2017-08-29 · Service Brakes · 37,000 mi“in may 2017 the rear brake failed to operate suddenly and without warning. the peddle was locked and could not be pushed down with any amount of force. fortunately the front brake was still functional and i was able to slow my speed with out crashing. this first occurred going out my 1/4 mile gravel driveway with a 90 degree turn at the end of t…”
2017-06-09 · Vehicle Speed Control · 45,000 mi“loss of throttle control, engine runs at idle only. only when moving…”
2017-04-15 · Service Brakes · 24,540 mi“hard brake pedal, could not apply rear brake when trying to stop at a intersection. had to use front brake to stop. harley dealer says it's the abs module and that they are on back order, for there are many that have the same problem.…”
2017-04-14 · Service Brakes · 41,000 mi“my front brake lever froze not allowing application of the front brake. i went into my garage and did my normal pre ride check which includes testing the brake lever/pedal feel, everything was normal. i started the bike checked the lights and turned it off after i was through. i then went to back my motorcycle out of the garage which is on a slight…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.