2009 Harley-Davidson Fltr problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (8) · Vehicle Speed Control (4) · Wheels (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Harley-Davidson Fltr 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
2023-10-17 · Service Brakes“abs module failed for rear brake. the rear brake locks up due to failure from the module. safety of myself and any passenger is at risk by not having any braking ability while riding the motorcycle. i have taken to a dealer where it was checked in the parking lot and i was told of the issue with 2008-2013 harley touring models. the vehicle has n…”
2018-02-16 · Engine · 9,000 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owns a 2017 (na) harley-davidson road glide (fltr). while driving various speeds, the vehicle started to overheat, smoke, and a knocking noise was coming from the engine. there were no warning indicators illuminated. the failure recurred numerous times. the vehicle was taken to simi valley harley-davidson (6190 condor dr, moorpark, …”
2017-06-29 · Service Brakes · 12,000 mi“abs failed while riding. i took to dealer and informed me that brake fluid has to be changed every 2 years which i hsve never heard before plus my ownrrs msnusl says inspect not change. i asked why this is not included in 5000 mile interval service if that is the case? was able to bring bike stavely to stop worh back brakes.…”
2017-06-09 · Service Brakes · 15,600 mi“rear brake pedal locked up. went to apply rear brake peddle would not move. abs module locked up.…”
2017-03-09 · Vehicle Speed Control · 3 mi“engine loses power and goes into an idle mode. this has occurred a number of times the last being on a freeway which put me in grave danger do to the sudden lose of power and having car close behind and this occurs without any warning. everyone that drives a motor cycle with this throttle by wires should be notified by hd and have this issue res…”
2016-07-13 · Service Brakes · 1,000 mi“shortly after i purchased this vehicle brand new in 2009 i noticed when i applied the rear brakes sometimes the pedal would go down and hit the flood board without any braking pressure. dealer said nothing wrong. now after sitting for a few weeks front brake lever is very hard to apply at first but does get better after use.i quit complaining but a…”
2016-07-11 · Service Brakes · 31,260 mi“when driving down the road the front brake lever would not move when you applied pressure to lever to stop. had to use rear brake to stop motorcycle. pulled over to side of road and worked lever and seemed to free up and work ok. restarted bike and drove off. brakes seemed to work. drove bike for about 30 miles and brake lever froze up again. no br…”
2016-07-08 · Service Brakes · 6,997 mi“front brakes locked up. would not apply.…”
2016-04-08 · Service Brakes · 75,960 mi“after replacing front brake pads it was discovered that the front brake handle is locked and wont move when pressure is applied to activate front brakes. took vehicle to dealership it was found that the hydraulic control unit has failed. apparently it fails so much that there is a month long backorder to get the parts in to fix problem. this is …”
2015-12-15 · Service Brakes · 27,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2009 harley davidson road glide (na). while driving various speeds, the front brakes failed while attempting to stop the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the abs module needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate fai…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.