2011 Harley-Davidson Softail problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Exterior Lighting (1) · Engine And Engine Cooling (1) · Engine (1)
Safety recalls (1)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2011-01-31 · campaign 11V037000 · 6,964 vehicles
Defect: HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SOFTAIL MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 7, 2010 THROUGH OCTOBER 8, 2010. THE BODY CONTROL MODULES (BCM) INSTALLED ON THESE MOTORCYCLES (PART NUMBERS 69991-11 AND 69993-11) HAVE A CASE THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY SEALED DURING PRODUCTION. AN IMPROPER SEAL MAY ALLOW WATER INTRUSION INTO THE BCM WHICH MAY CAUSE ENGINE STALL.
Risk: AN ENGINE STALL WHILE IN TRAFFIC CAN RESULT IN A CRASH, WHICH COULD LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.
Fix: HARLEY-DAVIDSON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BCM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 21, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
Service bulletins (2)
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.
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2014-04-14 · HD-TT-434 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
harley davidson: information regarding daymaker headlamp experiencing lower current on led headlamp compared to halogen headlamp. model 2011-13 softail, 2012-13 dyna. *pe
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2012-04-03 · SB-M-1322 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
harley davidson mc: information provided regarding the unsecured attachment of saddlebags on some motorcycle. model 2012 dyna fld, 2010-2012 softail cvo. *pe
What owners report
2013-12-19 · Engine · 53,000 mi“tl - the contact owns a 2011 harley davidson soft tail deluxe. the contact stated that while driving approximately 75 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated as the vehicle stalled. the contact mentioned that the headlights were flashing independently. the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the body control module nee…”
2011-11-09 · Exterior Lighting · 500 mi“rear running lights randomly, repeatedly going out -- they've been replaced at least one per month. the bike is currently on its fourth new bulb. others have noted that they're having the same issue. *tr…”
2011-06-15 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 2,500 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2011 harley davidson softail deluxe. the contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. the contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive it to a dealer who advised him that they were unable to diagnose the failure, but it could have been caused by the motor. the vehicle was not repaired. the ma…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.