NHTSA vehicle safety data

2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu Recalls & Complaints

The 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 70 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 Flhtcu. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu owner complaints

Owners have filed 70 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu, describing incidents dated August 28, 2008 to February 7, 2026.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 36 complaints
Engine 12 complaints
Electrical System 11 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 11 complaints
Power Train 5 complaints
Wheels 4 complaints

Of the 70 complaints on file, 2 report a crash and 1 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11725017 · Filed March 17, 2026
While riding my 2009 ultra classic cvc Harley davidson motorcycle the front brake level became stiff and eventually did not compress, no front brakes, while attempting to stop. The rear brake still operated normally. In an emergency, this could cause serious injury or death with front brake failing…
ODI #11665136 · Filed June 5, 2025
ABS Module failure. Brake pedal solid when depressed with no brakes available. I will request the bad module from the dealer. No brakes is an extremely dangerous condition. The motorcycle is in a Harley Davidson getting the module replaced. This catastrophic failure happened with no warnings or…
ODI #11471559 · Filed June 29, 2022
The guard/spring housing locater on the rotor behind the drive sprocket developed a fatigue crack, it propagated approximately half way around the circumference before separating and then being pulled thru between the drive chain and sprocket . this caused the drive train to seize up locking up the…

Read all 70 complaints

Owner-reported

2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu mileage at failure

58 of the 70 complaints on file for the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Service Brakes	Median 30,000 miles	Middle half 17,000–45,000 miles	Based on 31 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu 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 March 22, 2007 – June 16, 2011 (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 Flhtcu. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

70 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu.

Service Brakes

ODI #11725017

Incident: February 7, 2026 · Filed: March 17, 2026

While riding my 2009 ultra classic cvc Harley davidson motorcycle the front brake level became stiff and eventually did not compress, no front brakes, while attempting to stop. The rear brake still operated normally. In an emergency, this could cause serious injury or death with front brake failing and possible rear brake failure at same time. a local repair shop inspected the brakes and attempted to bleed system and determined the ABS mudule failed. there were no warning lamp indications of ABS failure. When ABS module fails on HD motorcycles, brakes can also fail. This is a major safety issue with the braking system that shoud still operate to stop motorcycle when ABS module fails.

Service Brakes

ODI #11665136

Incident: April 12, 2025 · Filed: June 5, 2025

ABS Module failure. Brake pedal solid when depressed with no brakes available. I will request the bad module from the dealer. No brakes is an extremely dangerous condition. The motorcycle is in a Harley Davidson getting the module replaced. This catastrophic failure happened with no warnings or symptoms.

Power Train; Unknown or Other; Engine

ODI #11471559

Incident: June 24, 2022 · Filed: June 29, 2022

The guard/spring housing locater on the rotor behind the drive sprocket developed a fatigue crack, it propagated approximately half way around the circumference before separating and then being pulled thru between the drive chain and sprocket . this caused the drive train to seize up locking up the engine and rear wheel and damaging the engine. being a motorcycle this can lead to a serious injury or death crash. fortunately for me it let go at low speed.

Service Brakes

ODI #11441177

Incident: November 21, 2021 · Filed: November 21, 2021

When approaching an intersection I went to apply brakes and could not because lever was frozen this resulted in my bike to coast into the intersection I was fortunate the vehicle coming was able to stop.I was told my abs system had failed and would need replaced! The issue was blamed on fluid and lack of flushing and replacement it.The fluid was replaced by dealer 5 months earlier so I’m not buying the fluid is the culprit.Bike has 12,000 miles on it.

Service Brakes

ODI #11155634

Incident: November 1, 2018 · Filed: December 3, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER COULD NOT BE PRESSED TO STOP THE MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO HARLEY-DAVIDSON EASTGATE (699 CINCINNATI POTAVIA PIKE, CINCINNATI, OH) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE IN THE ABS MODULE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000(SERVICE BRAKES) IN JULY OF 2018, BUT THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,176.

Service Brakes

ODI #11130210

Incident: April 2, 2018 · Filed: September 18, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED TO FULLY ENGAGE AND FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH WAR HORSE HARLEY-DAVIDSON (5331 N US HWY 441, OCALA, FL 34475, 1-(352) 732-2488) AND WAS PROVIDED WITH A REMEDY FOR THE RECALL REPAIR FROM THE MANUFACTURER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE, INDICATING THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Service Brakes

ODI #11091997

Incident: April 30, 2018 · Filed: May 4, 2018

ABS HCU SUDDENLY FAILED CAUSING FRONT BRAKE LEVER TO BECOME SO HARD IT IS ALMOST UNSQUEEZABLE. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED WHILE STATIONARY IN MY GARAGE ON INITIAL IGNITION ON CYCLE. I UNDERSTAND THINGS FAIL BUT FOR ABS TO FAIL IN A WAY TO LOOSE ALL BRAKING WITHOUT WARNING IS REDICULOUS. HOW COULD NHTSA LET HARLEY DAVIDSON BLAME THIS ON FLUID OR CONSUMER? ARE YOU IMPLYING THAT HARLEY TOURING OWNERS OF 2008-11 ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO DIDNT FLUSH BRAKE FLUID? MY FLUID WAS ALWAYS FLUSHED. ITS A DEFECTIVE MODULE. COME ON NHTSA WAKE UP!

Service Brakes

ODI #11089758

Incident: March 3, 2018 · Filed: April 23, 2018

REAR BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE. THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED WITH FOOT. THE HARLEY RECALL ONLY CHANGES THE BRAKE FLUID WHICH IS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION IS THE ABS MODULE IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. HARLEY CLAIMS A LACK OF FLUID CHANGE IS THE CAUSE. THIS A COVER UP BY HARLEY TO KEEP FROM HAVING TO REPLACE ALL OF THE ABS MODULES ON THEIR DANGEROUS MOTORCYCLES ON THE ROAD. THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE EVER HEARD OF THAT MUST HAVE THE BRAKE FLUID CHANGED EVERY TWO YEARS ( JUST A COVER UP BY HARLEY) THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD COST LIVES ON THE ROAD.

Service Brakes

ODI #11078519

Incident: March 3, 2018 · Filed: March 10, 2018

WHEN TRYING TO MOVE THE BRAKE LEVER FOR FRONT BRAKE THE LEVER WAS FROZEN AND UNABLE TO MOVE. *JS

Service Brakes

ODI #11074665

Crash

Incident: February 11, 2018 · Filed: February 24, 2018

FRONT BRAKES FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE ON HIGHWAY. BRAKE LEVER IS LOCKED OPEN AND WILL NOT MOVE. LATER THAT DAY, THE BRAKES LOCKED OPEN AGAIN WHILE IN PARKING LOT CAUSING ME TO WRECK INTO CURB AND DAMAGE FRONT FENDER.

Other Harley-Davidson Flhtcu model years

Check your 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Harley-Davidson Flhtcu at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Harley-Davidson VIN