2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (33) · Vehicle Speed Control (11) · Wheels (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Harley-Davidson Flhtcu model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
61 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
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 (14)
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 14 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-03-17 · Service Brakes“while riding my 2009 ultra classic cvc harley davidson motorcycle the front brake level became stiff and eventually did not compress, no front brakes, while attempting to stop. the rear brake still operated normally. in an emergency, this could cause serious injury or death with front brake failing and possible rear brake failure at same time. a lo…”
2025-06-05 · Service Brakes“abs module failure. brake pedal solid when depressed with no brakes available. i will request the bad module from the dealer. no brakes is an extremely dangerous condition. the motorcycle is in a harley davidson getting the module replaced. this catastrophic failure happened with no warnings or symptoms.…”
2022-06-29 · Unknown Or Other“the guard/spring housing locater on the rotor behind the drive sprocket developed a fatigue crack, it propagated approximately half way around the circumference before separating and then being pulled thru between the drive chain and sprocket . this caused the drive train to seize up locking up the engine and rear wheel and damaging the engine. …”
2021-11-21 · Service Brakes“when approaching an intersection i went to apply brakes and could not because lever was frozen this resulted in my bike to coast into the intersection i was fortunate the vehicle coming was able to stop.i was told my abs system had failed and would need replaced! the issue was blamed on fluid and lack of flushing and replacement it.the fluid was r…”
2018-12-03 · Service Brakes · 43,176 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2009 harley-davidson flhtcu. while operating the vehicle, the front brakes malfunctioned and the front brake lever could not be pressed to stop the motorcycle. the motorcycle was taken to harley-davidson eastgate (699 cincinnati potavia pike, cincinnati, oh) where it was diagnosed that the valve in the abs module malfunctione…”
2018-09-18 · Service Brakes“tl* the contact owns a 2009 harley-davidson flhtcu. the contact stated that the front brakes failed to fully engage and function properly. the contact stated that the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 18v076000 (service brakes, hydraulic). the contact scheduled an appointment with war horse harley-davidson (5331 n us hwy 441, ocala, fl…”
2018-05-04 · Service Brakes · 35,000 mi“abs hcu suddenly failed causing front brake lever to become so hard it is almost unsqueezable. luckily this happened while stationary in my garage on initial ignition on cycle. i understand things fail but for abs to fail in a way to loose all braking without warning is rediculous. how could nhtsa let harley davidson blame this on fluid or consum…”
2018-04-23 · Service Brakes · 12,800 mi“rear brakes failed to operate. the rear brake pedal would not move when pressure is applied with foot. the harley recall only changes the brake fluid which is not the cause of the problem. the root cause of the malfunction is the abs module is a defective design. harley claims a lack of fluid change is the cause. this a cover up by harley to kee…”
2018-03-10 · Service Brakes · 59,720 mi“when trying to move the brake lever for front brake the lever was frozen and unable to move. *js…”
2018-02-24 · Service Brakes · 88,000 mi · 💥 crash“front brakes failed unexpectedly while on highway. brake lever is locked open and will not move. later that day, the brakes locked open again while in parking lot causing me to wreck into curb and damage front fender.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.