AutoDefect IQ

2012 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu103 problems, complaints & recalls

Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (5) · Engine (2) · Electrical System (2)

15
Complaints
1
Recalls
21
Service bulletins
3
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Deaths

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 (21)

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 21 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.

What owners report

2020-02-17 · Service Brakes · 48,000 mi

“2012 road glide ultra. abs module has gone bad at 48000 miles. this seems to becoming a common problem. it is very expensive to replace and the brakes do not function now. motorcycle is not road worth and now parked.…”

2020-01-13 · Service Brakes · 31,000 mi

“tl* the contact owns a 2012 harley davidson flhtcu. the contact stated that while driving about 30 mph, the vehicle lost brake power without warning. the vehicle was taken to the savannah harley-davidson dealer (912-925-0005, located at 1 fort argyle rd, savannah, ga 31419) where it was diagnosed that the brake model needed to be replaced. the manu…”

2019-10-11 · Service Brakes · 14,172 mi

“tl* the contact owns a 2012 harley-davidson flhtcu electra glide ultra motorcycle. while driving various speeds, the brake pedal was applied, but was stiff and difficult to depress. there were no warning indicators illuminated. the local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the failure mileage was 1…”

2018-09-13 · Unknown Or Other · 37,600 mi · 💥 crash

“kickstand spring broke causing bike to jump ninto 180 degree crash…”

2017-06-21 · Electrical System · 22,000 mi

“start vehicle and no charging. less than 12v on dash gauge. 2nd time in two weeks this has happened. check engine and battery light come on. 3 miles down the road, and voltage is now 14v. check engine and battery light switch off. suspect a faulty voltage regulator. had this happen on the 05 flhtcu i owned previously. $200+ for new voltage regulato…”

2017-02-17 · Electrical System

“tl* the contact owns a 2012 harley-davidson electra glide ultra flhtcu. while riding the motorcycle, the voltage fluctuated and the motorcycle began to sputter. the motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the contact was informed that there was a technical service bulletin, which had expired. the fail…”

2016-06-01 · Suspension · 12,000 mi

“tl* the contact owns a 2012 harley-davidson flhtcu. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 mph, the rear of the motorcycle started to wobble. the contact decreased in speed to approximately 30 mph when the failure stopped. the contact drove the motorcycle to the dealer no diagnosis was rendered. the contact stated that the same f…”

2016-05-18 · Service Brakes · 98,000 mi · 💥 crash

“abs hydraulic control unit (hcu) failure. front brake lever and rear pedal locked out. no braking abaility. component failure mode leaves vehicle with no braking ability causing accident w/o fatality. harley davidson mo co notified with no response. contacted 800-258-2464.…”

2015-10-02 · Electrical System:horn · 45,000 mi

“tl* the contact owns a 2012 harley-davidson flhtcu. while driving at 5 mph, the contact attempted to use the horn of the motorcycle and an abnormal noise emitted from the vehicle. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the dealer stated that the horn was not properly sealed and needed to be replaced to operate in a working manor. the manufactur…”

2013-09-03 · Wheels · 11,901 mi

“while taking my harley davidson for a ride, about 30 miles into the ride, i noticed abnormal sounds coming from my front wheel area. it sounded as if i hit a rock, or that my tire was going flat. i slowed down and as i pulling into a gas station, i could hear more noises and feel vibrations. it sounded like worn brake pads. i parked the bike and go…”

Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.