2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtcutg problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine And Engine Cooling (2) · Structure:body (1) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Harley-Davidson Flhtcutg model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
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 (27)
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.
Vehicle Speed Control 2026-07-30 · M1508 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin m1508 (rev d): 2009-2025 trike platform - reverse motor. purpose: revision c. to inform dealers of a running change for the new reverse motor (part no. 83388-09c) for trike models. as of january 28, 2020 all trike platform vehicles will be manufactured using the new reverse motor.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-25 · PAB1182 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
genuine motor parts and accessories bulletin pab1182: trike saddlebags kit informational update. purpose: initial release. this bulletin informs dealers that the trike saddlebags kit (part no. 84031-11) has an informational update: the drill template that is inside the kit, is only used for 2009-202
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-30 · M1508 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin m1508 (rev c): 2009-2025 trike platform - reverse motor. purpose: revision c. to inform dealers of a running change for the new reverse motor (part no. 83388-09c) for trike models. as of january 28, 2020 all trike platform vehicles will be manufactured using the new reverse motor.
Unknown Or Other 2025-11-18 · M1490 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin m1490 (v 26.0.2): 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). new software update version 26.0.2.
Unknown Or Other 2025-10-28 · M1391A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin m1391a (revu): midtronics grx-3110 and dca-8000 software. purporse: revision u. the purpose of this bulletin is to inform the dealer network that a software update to the grx-3110 and dca-8000 is now available. dynamic diagnostic charger system (part number: dca-8000). [rev u] ad
Unknown Or Other 2025-10-25 · PAB1171 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
genuine motor parts and accessories bulletin pab1171 (rev b): software update for screamin eagle pro street tuner. purpose: revision b. updated: summary. the app has returned to the apple app store. this bulletin informs dealers that a recent software update to the screamin' eagle pro street tune
Showing the 6 most recent of 27 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-07-17 · Structure:body“one of the bolts holding the floorboard sheared off causing it to collapse. this happened when i placed my weight on the floorboard. if this had occurred when driving at speed (30 to 70 mph) i would have sustained serious injury or resulted in my death. i have researched this and discovered this is a common occurrence as noted on motorcycle forums.…”
2015-04-29 · Engine · 1,900 mi“vehicle engine and exhaust produces excessive heat which i burned my pants on and the heat is overwhelming . i talked to hd and they will not admit there is a problem and want to brush it under the rug. please help this is a major incident burn just waiting to happen. *tr…”
2011-10-27 · Engine And Engine Cooling“excessive heat from exhaust system causes severe burns to underside of right thigh, knee and calf. painful blistering of the skin in many places on rider's right leg from heat, (not from contact with heated or hot components) while wearing long jeans or other riding gear. burns are severe, which makes riding impossible while burns are present (ru…”
2011-08-19 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 2 mi“extreme high heat from the exhaust system, causing burns to rider and passenger right legs.…”
2011-05-09 · Unknown Or Other · 3,116 mi“the motorcycle has run very hot from the day i bought it 5/10/2011. every time i had service, i complained about the heat from the pipes. i stopped at a hd dealer in alexandria, la on 9/17/2010, and asked them to check the bike. i was told at installation the pipes had been installed with no remap or high flow filter. i was charged $413.57 to in…”
2010-10-23 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 5,200 mi · 💥 crash“ i was in a accident do to the brakes on my 2010 harley trike not being able to stop. on 6-5-10 i rear ended a ford explorer at 50 mph. after locking up the front brakes, the rear brakes didn't lock up or help stop much at all. i complained about them squealing, and them not able to stop like they should ,but i never had to stop like i needed to …”
2010-07-12 · Electrical System · 315 mi“i have a harley davidson tri glide ultra classic that while my wife and i were riding, the left side suddenly a had a tremendous drag i believed caused by the reverse coming on while going down the road at around 55 miles per hour. we were thrown into the on coming traffic just missing a pickup and went down into the ditch just missing a large cu…”
2010-04-14 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System · 1,200 mi“excessive heat coming from the exhaust burns leg when riding even though i'm riding with jeans on. *tr…”
2010-03-21 · Fuel System, Other · 2,582 mi“i own a 2009 harley davidson custom classic trike. this bike is equipped with electronic throttle control (so called fly by wire) on march 18 while riding in medina county in ohio at 50 mph the etc had some form of failure and the throttle cut the rpm to less than 1000 and the bike abruptly slowed to a crawl. i was able to pull off the roadway shut…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.