2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (3) · Wheels (1) · Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Harley-Davidson Flhtcu 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 (20)
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 2025-11-18 · 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
Unknown Or Other 2025-09-06 · M1490 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin m1490 (v 25.8.9): 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 25.8.9
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-26 · M1490 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin m1490 (v 25.8.7): 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 25.6.4,
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-26 · M1391A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin m1391a (rev t): midtronics grx-3110 and dca-8000 software. purporse: revision t. 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 t] u
Showing the 6 most recent of 20 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-04-28 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking“the recall remedy to flush the system does not address the concern that the abs unit still has the potential for failure. millions of abs systems in cars do not have such issues that require a hydraulic flush every 2 years. failure is the abs control module; it should not be due to moisture in a sealed hydraulic system. failure of the abs contro…”
2018-09-25 · Service Brakes · 6,444 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 harley-davidson ultra-glide flhtcu. while driving approximately 50 mph, the front brakes seized. the contact was only able to engage the rear brake system. with the help of a friend, the contact took the vehicle home. six bends harley-davidson (9501 thunder rd, fort myers, florida, (239) 275-4647) was contacted, but the …”
2017-03-17 · Service Brakes · 42,000 mi“bike parked in garage for about 3 weeks because of cold weather. fired it up to let it warm up for a few min's. climbed on to back it out and the front brake lever would not budge or stop the bike when i needed to stop. fortunately before i lost control, i was able to lean to the right while using rear brake and simultaneously hit the kill switc…”
2016-01-07 · Service Brakes · 10 mi“i own and operate a harley davidson flhtcu ultra classic. while riding on the highway i tried to use my front brakes to stop at a red light and the brake lever was hard as a rock and was not able to make it function to stop the bike, had to rely on my rear brakes which put me in an slide because of the hard breaking to compensate for the front bra…”
2015-08-13 · Wheels · 11,720 mi“noticed increasing wobble in turns, handle bars shake at occasion, took to dealer, he test rode and said it was the front wheel bearings were shot, and that this is a common occurrence on 09-12 harleys, he said harley has since been using a different bearing, and that the replacement wheel bearings were an upgraded product.…”
2011-06-24 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 356 mi“harley davidson tri glide 2011 motorcycle excessive heat blowing from right side of engine while riding over 55 mph for 25 minutes at a time over 2 hour period caused 2nd degree burns, blisters, scabbing and scarring to back of right leg. 356 total miles on motorcycle purchased new. hd inspection post injury states the motorcycle is operating per s…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.