2011 Harley-Davidson Flhx problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (8) · Wheels (2) · Tires (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Harley-Davidson Flhx 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
2021-04-25 · Service Brakes · 19,000 mi“front brake lever is frozen in open position making stopping more dangerous.…”
2018-10-03 · Service Brakes · 21,000 mi“front break lever completely stiff. was about to go for a ride when i noticed it. . luckily i was not riding the bike when this happened. from what i've read and understand this is a ongoing issue with the abs modules on these bikes. instead of issuing a recall harley has opted to replace brake fluid at no charge and recommend changing fluid every…”
2018-03-06 · Service Brakes · 33,000 mi“while riding my hd motorcycle, i turn onto an off ramp from i-95. as i approached the intersection, i eased into the rear brake. i was going to make a right turn at the intersection, and as i approached i ran over a rough spot in the road, this made the rear tire lock up very briefly and i could feel the abs at work. i then went to pull in the fron…”
2017-01-12 · Service Brakes · 49,000 mi“i have a 2011 harley davidson street glide. the anti-lock brake system (abs) failed last week and i almost collided with a car that had stopped in front of me. the front brake froze and was unusable. harley requires you change the brake fluid every 2 years which i do, actually at about every $10k miles. i'm adamant about fluid changes. i change…”
2016-09-06 · Service Brakes · 20 mi“september 2, 2016 the rear brakes (anti-lock) locked up for the second time leaving me stranded on the side of the highway. may 27, 2016 was the first time they locked up and caused a fire. ultimately costing $3500.00 in damages geico covered. biloxi harley davidson repaired the bike in may of 2016 and is now in possession of the bike.…”
2016-07-22 · Service Brakes · 21,000 mi“rear brake pedal bottomed, resulting in sudden loss of rear braking. driving on highway.…”
2016-07-17 · Engine · 100 mi“leg burns due to excessive heat from rear engine cylinder. measure radiant heat at 340 degrees. this has caused red burn on the back of the right leg. heat is felt while in motion on 80 degree days. increases during stops for lights. have brought to dealer and manufacturers attention over the past 5 years.…”
2016-07-13 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“i had a crash with injuries back on march 15 2016 where as i ran into the right rear corner of a suv that stopped for a car that was turning left suddenly in front of me as we traveled down a rural two lane road and i couldn't stop in time because, i feel that the antilock brakes didn't react in time or fast enough, if at all. i had just left the …”
2016-07-08 · Service Brakes · 20 mi · 🔥 fire“rear brakes caught fire. due to brake drag…”
2012-12-04 · Steering“2011 harley-davidson street glide flhx motorcycle. consumer writes in regards to issue with vehicle handlebars. *tgw the consumer stated while riding the bike, he noticed the fairing was slightly crooked. when he took the bike to the repair shop, for a radio problem, he requested that the technician inspect the fairing. the technican stated the ha…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.