NHTSA vehicle safety data

2009 Harley-Davidson Flhrc Recalls & Complaints

The 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhrc has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 13 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhrc. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2009 Harley-Davidson Flhrc owner complaints

Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhrc, describing incidents dated May 11, 2011 to July 15, 2021.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 6 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints
Engine 2 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints
Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint

Of the 13 complaints on file, 2 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 13 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11425758 · Filed July 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Harley-Davidson Road King Classic FLHRC Motorcycle. The contact stated while riding 75 mph, the front lever became resistant and had to press forcefully to slow the motorcycle. The contact stated he continued riding to his destination. The contact took the motorcycle to the…
ODI #11003065 · Filed July 5, 2017
STARTING ISSUE THAT LEAD TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE COMPENSATOR REPLACEMENT. ON GOING ISSUE WITH MANY HD CYCLES (2006-2012) THAT OWNERS ARE LEFT TO RESOLVE WITH THEIR OWN MONEYS NOT AT THEIR OWN FAULT. HAVE A LITTLE OVER 10K MILES WHICH IS AN UNACCEPTABLE ISSUE. I WAS CAUGHT AWAY FROM HOME WHEN NON…
ODI #10981722 · Filed May 1, 2017
WHILE EXITING A TOWN I ACCELERATED TO HIGHWAY SPEED THEN MY ENGINE STALLED OUT AND WENT INTO LIMP-HOME MODE NOT ALLOWING ANY MORE THAN AN IDLE, VERY DANGEROUS. LUCKILY I WAS NOT PASSING ANYONE OR RIDING IN A GROUP WHEN THE ENGINE LOST ALL ACCELERATION, WORSE WOULD HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY…

Read all 13 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhrc in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE16-009: Sudden Brake Failure - Motorcycle
Closed April 23, 2018
- Recall 18V-076

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Brakes may Fail Due to Not Flushing Brake Fluid

NHTSA #18V076000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Fluid · NHTSA notice

Reported January 29, 2018 · Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Potentially affected: 174,636 vehicles

Repair completion: 49.48% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Harley-Davidson campaign 0171 · Owners notified February 14, 2018 · Vehicles built May 26, 2006 – June 10, 2010 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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), Night Rod Special (VRSCDXA), 2008-2010 Road King Classic (EFI) (FLHRC), 2008-2009 Road Glide (EFI) (FLTR) and Electra Glide Standard (EFI) (FLHT), 2009-2010 V-Rod (VRSCAW), 2009 CVO Ultra Classic (FLHTCUSE4) and CVO Road Glide 3 (FLTRSE3), 2009-2011 Night Rod Special (VRSCDX) and V-Rod Muscle (VRSCF), 2010 CVO Ultra Classic 5 (FLHTCUSE5) and CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), 2010-2011 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (FLHTK) and Road Glide Custom (FLTRX), 2011 Road Glide Ultra 103 (FLTRU103), Street Glide 103 (FLHX103), Road King Classic 103 (FLHRC103), CVO Ultra Classic 6 (FLHTCUSE6), CVO Road Glide Ultra (FLTRUSE), Road Glide Custom 103 (FLTRX103), and CVO Street Glide 2 (FLHXSE2) motorcycles. Deposits may form on components within the brake system if the DOT 4 brake fluid is not replaced for a prolonged period of time beyond the 2-year maintenance schedule specified in the Owners Manual.

Safety consequence

These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

REAR BRAKE LAMP SWITCH

NHTSA #11V506000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported October 19, 2011 · HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 250,757 vehicles

Harley-Davidson campaign 0145 · Owners notified October 31, 2011 · Vehicles built June 6, 2008 – September 16, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

HARLEY-DAVIDSON SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS 0145.CUSTOMERS OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FRONT FUEL TANK MOUNTS/FUEL LEAK

NHTSA #09V457000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly — Mounting · NHTSA notice

Reported December 1, 2009 · HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 111,569 vehicles

Owners notified December 11, 2009 · Vehicles built June 6, 2008 – November 19, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 TOURING FAMILY MOTORCYCLES, INCLUDING CVO TOURING AND TRIKE PRODUCTS, MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 6, 2008 THROUGH NOVEMBER 19, 2009. THE FRONT FUEL TANK MOUNTS MAY DISTORT IN REACTION TO SEVERE FRAME DAMAGE FROM A FRONTAL COLLISION. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE A FUEL LEAK AT THE WELD OF THE FRONT BRACKET TO THE TUNNEL.

Safety consequence

A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE, WHICH COULD LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LEFT AND RIGHT BRACE, WHICH ARE INTENDED TO REDUCE FRONT MOUNT DISTORTION DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS. THIS REPAIR WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhrc. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

13 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhrc.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #11425758

Incident: July 15, 2021 · Filed: July 21, 2021

The contact owns a 2009 Harley-Davidson Road King Classic FLHRC Motorcycle. The contact stated while riding 75 mph, the front lever became resistant and had to press forcefully to slow the motorcycle. The contact stated he continued riding to his destination. The contact took the motorcycle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the ABS Hydraulic Unit replaced. Additionally, the vehicle was subjected to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V076000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The motorcycle was not repaired however, the repair was pending. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.

Power Train

ODI #11003065

Incident: June 24, 2017 · Filed: July 5, 2017

STARTING ISSUE THAT LEAD TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE COMPENSATOR REPLACEMENT. ON GOING ISSUE WITH MANY HD CYCLES (2006-2012) THAT OWNERS ARE LEFT TO RESOLVE WITH THEIR OWN MONEYS NOT AT THEIR OWN FAULT. HAVE A LITTLE OVER 10K MILES WHICH IS AN UNACCEPTABLE ISSUE. I WAS CAUGHT AWAY FROM HOME WHEN NON STARTING ISSUE OCCURRED. CURRENTLY AWAITING PARTS AND LABOR AT GOWANDA HARLEY DAVIDSON!

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10981722

Incident: April 27, 2017 · Filed: May 1, 2017

WHILE EXITING A TOWN I ACCELERATED TO HIGHWAY SPEED THEN MY ENGINE STALLED OUT AND WENT INTO LIMP-HOME MODE NOT ALLOWING ANY MORE THAN AN IDLE, VERY DANGEROUS. LUCKILY I WAS NOT PASSING ANYONE OR RIDING IN A GROUP WHEN THE ENGINE LOST ALL ACCELERATION, WORSE WOULD HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION. CERTAIN DISASTER!!

Service Brakes

ODI #10906894

Incident: March 12, 2016 · Filed: September 15, 2016

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP I WENT TO APPLY BRAKES, APPLIED REAR BRAKE AND ATTEMPTED TO APPLY FRONT BRAKE AND THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WAS FROZEN SOLID AND THE FRONT BRAKES DID NOT ACTUATE. I WAS ABLE TO STOP COMPLETELY WITH REAR BRAKE ONLY

Power Train; Engine

ODI #10899813

Incident: May 9, 2016 · Filed: August 31, 2016

I WAS HAVING ISSUE WITH BATTERYS GOING BAD AND IT TURNS OUT TO BE THE COMPENSATOR IN WHICH IF I DIDN'T GET FIXED IT COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO CRASH MY BIKE. IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH IN THESES YEARS FROM 08 TO 2011.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Electrical System

ODI #10893536

Crash 1 injury

Incident: July 31, 2016 · Filed: August 5, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC. WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE ABS FAILED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO HIS FOOT, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR FAILED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. UPDATED 09/20/16*LJ

Service Brakes

ODI #10885064

Incident: August 10, 2015 · Filed: July 15, 2016

ABS QUIT WORKING, HAD TO REPLACE. START BIKE AND THE BRAKE HANDLE WAS FROZEN IN PLACE. IF YOU FORCE IT USING BOTH HANDS IT WOULD BEGIN TO WORK. WOULD WORK UNTIL TURN OFF THE BIKE. WHEN STARTING BIKE AGAIN, SAME PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP SAID "ABS HCU FAILED, MUST REPLACE..

Service Brakes

ODI #10566734

Crash 1 injury

Incident: March 3, 2014 · Filed: March 3, 2014

WHILE MOVING THE BIKE IN THE GARAGE UNDER POWER, THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE. NO FRONT BRAKES!! LIFTED FOOT TO USE REAR BRAKE AND BIKE AND MY SELF FELL OVER AS BIKE HIT ANOTHER MOTORCYCLE IN GARAGE. THE BRAKE ARE FROZEN IN THE NON BRAKING POSITION. BIKE WAS LAST USED 4 DAYS AGO AND NO BRAKE PROBLEMS NOTED AT THAT TIME. HAVING BIKE TOWED TO SHOP FOR REPAIRS. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10510385

Incident: April 28, 2013 · Filed: May 2, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE ENGAGED INTO IDLE MODE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL, BUT DID BECOME UNRESPONSIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000. *TR UPDATED 8/5/13 *CN

Steering; Suspension

ODI #10494660

1 injury

Incident: June 16, 2011 · Filed: January 25, 2013

WHEN DECELERATING, AND BIKE IS BETWEEN 35-45 MPH, A HARSH FRONT END WOBBLE OCCURS. CAN BE LIMITED BY TIGHTLY GRIPPING THE BARS. DEALER INDICATED IT WAS THE TIRES, THOUGH THEY WERE NEW. HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES TWICE SINCE AND STILL NO FIX. DEALER'S SOLUTION NOW IS TO SUSTAIN A HARD GRIP ON THE BARS AT ALL TIMES, WHICH IS UNSAFE AND NOT A PRACTICAL SOLUTION. IN THE INCIDENT ON 6/16/11, IT CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL AND A SLOW-SPEED TUMBLE FROM THE BIKE, IN WHICH MY ELBOW WAS INJURED. *TR

Other Harley-Davidson Flhrc model years

Check your 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhrc VIN

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