2012 Harley-Davidson Flhtcutg problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (2) · Structure:body (1) · Steering (1)
🧭 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 (27)
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 27 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-07-11 · Steering · 💥 crash“all #'s/times are approx. at 2:15p, sun to back, and 30-35mph going into a curve, bike went off road. no brake lights, new tire, 406 miles on it, 6.6 miles fr: dealership, 3rd time there for random electrical issues, radio, starting, etc. less than 1 mile tested in parking lot. battery replaced. drove thousands of miles since the 1970s. trike maint…”
2021-10-15 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“the contact's husband owned a 2012 harley-davidson tri glide ultra classic. the contact stated while her husband was driving at 30-35 mph on a curve, the brake pedal or caliber was depressed but failed to respond. the contact stated the motorcycle rolled over and her husband jumped off and fell into a ditch. the emergency units pronounced the conta…”
2017-12-14 · Unknown Or Other · 10,000 mi“failure of the compensator-i also hear from hd mechanics that so many of these have failed it should be a recall. i was lucky, mine failed when i had a trailer to tow it. however, the failure of the compensator did cost me $4500 to repair for a $299 part. please check to see if hd is having that many fail.…”
2016-07-19 · Service Brakes · 10,600 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2012 harley-davidson flhtcutg. while driving downhill at approximately 15-20 mph and depressing the brake pedal, the pedal traveled to the floorboard and failed to stop the motorcycle. as a result of the brake failure, the contact crashed into a guardrail. a police report was filed. the contact sustained injuries that require…”
2014-06-24 · Power Train“cpsc: i1460341a. 2012 harley-davidson flhtcutg. consumer stated the rear driver differential unexpectedly failed. *ln the motorcycle was repaired. *jb…”
2012-08-13 · Structure:body · 1,000 mi“took a 400 mile trip from orlando, florida to key west, florida on 7/27/11. on the way down to key west, the right side of the motorcycle was extremely hot!! heat caused inside calf of my wife's right leg to become extremely red and burned. had her leg checked by a nurse in key west and was advised not to ride motorcycle any further! whe…”
2012-03-23 · Engine And Engine Cooling“this bike has excessive heat issues it is almost to the point this bike cannot be ridden. i have been told to take care of this problem i would need to invest nearly $2,000 more dollars into this bike. i think this is an ongoing issue with harley-davidson and they refuse to acknowlege the problem. *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.