2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtcutg problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Wheels (2) · Engine And Engine Cooling (2) · Electrical System (2)
🧭 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 (26)
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 26 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2015-11-20 · Unknown Or Other“the brakes seem to be locked up at times when you put the reverse drive in. you can step down on the foot brake, and it frees up. this trike has less than 14000 miles on it the trike is a 2011 triglide, and it is now nov 2015. the park brake is adjusted all the way out, and does not hold at all. the vehicle is stationary with this complaint.. m…”
2014-11-09 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 50 mi“the exhaust burns my leg when i stop for a light or anything else. $35,000.00 and cant use it when ambient temp is above 80 unless i want to go to the hospital with 2nd degree burns. *tr…”
2013-08-09 · Wheels · 💥 crash“on july 7, 2013, while traveling eastbound in the lefthand lane of us highway 64 just outside nashville, north carolina, well below the posted speed limit, the left rear tire of a 2011 harley-davidson tri-glide (model flhtcutg) detached and swerved away from the tri-glide. the tri-glide veered left off the road, striking the left side guard rail, …”
2013-06-25 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 4,064 mi“driving 70 mph on highway put on brakes to exit at offramp bike dies complete shut off no throttle no anything coast to stop on off ramp bike will not start at all trouble code p1511 which is the throttle managment system is dead 2nd time this has happened first time was at 30 mph after sitting bike statrted again this is happing to all efi harley …”
2012-10-31 · Wheels“while on a ride with my wife on a county road in idaho i started feeling a vibration. within 5 sec. the left rear tire of my harley tri-glide came off causing me to lose control. the bike slide into on coming traffic and into a ditch. the tire traveled appox. 50 yards down the road before stopping. i had never removed the tires since i purchased t…”
2012-09-04 · Electrical System · 42 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 harley davidson trike flhtcutg. the contact stated that while driving the engine stalled. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the fuse block and the electrical module needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure and the current mileage was 42.…”
2012-05-10 · Engine And Engine Cooling“after a very short period of riding usually 10-30 minutes, the heat is so intense coming off the engine that it will burn my leg. harley reps say this is normal! how can this be normal? i have been told that the only solution is to disconnect the converter which is illegal and expensive. they should be made to fix it. *tr…”
2012-04-11 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 575 mi“the right side of the motorcycle runs extremely hot especially in traffic and hot weather. the condition will actually cause mild burns to legs during riding. many cases have been noted on line in different forums and brought to the attention of harley davidson dealers. some resolve to problem has been done by changing header exhaust pipes withou…”
2011-11-21 · Electrical System · 1,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 harley davidson flhtcutg. while driving approximately 65 mph the vehicle suddenly stalled. the engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel intermittently. the contact was able to restart the vehicle after approximately one hour. the vehicle was taken to two dealers for diagnostic testing. the technicians wer…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.