Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhr with NHTSA between 2012 and 2019.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 36
Against the median year of the Harley-Davidson Flhr. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
50% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
70% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2011 compares with every other Harley-Davidson Flhr
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhr
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
550.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 62,232 mi
Other & Unspecified
110.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 6,000 mi
Lights
110.0%
Median failure at 27,000 miles
Suspension
110.0%
Median failure at 33,000 miles
Electrical System
110.0%
Median failure at 27,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
110.0%
Median failure at 7,500 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
110.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
220.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
110.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
330.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
330.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2012peak 2Oct 2019
NHTSA investigations into the 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhr
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation in July 2016 based on forty-three (43) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ).During the course of this investigation ODI received a total of 145 VOQs related to the alleged defect on the subject motorcycles.Owners allege they experience a sudden and complete loss of brakes on one or both wheels.To better understand the cause of the braking issue on the subject motorcycles, ODI requested NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) conduct inspections and testing of affected vehicle braking systems.Through its work, VRTC determ...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 6,000 milesRedvers, NDCrash1 injured1 killed
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE SADDLE BAG FELL OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND COLLIDED WITH THE MOTORCYCLE BEHIND IT CAUSING THE RIDER TO COME OFF AT 100 KM/HOUR. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE SADDLE BAG HAS COME OFF. THE PREVIOUS TIME, IT WAS THE OTHER SIDE SO THE OWNER OF THIS MOTORCYCLE WAS EXTRA CAREFUL TO BE SURE THE BAGS WERE LATCHED PROPERLY PRIOR TO THE TRIP. IN OUR GROUP OF ABOUT 12 RIDERS, TWO OTHER MOTORCYCLISTS HAVE HAD HD SADDLEBAGS FALL OFF. WHEN I SPOKE TO OUR LOCAL DEALER, HE SAID HE'S HAD LOTS OF COMPLAINTS WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO HAVE THEIR SADDLE BAG REPLACED BECAUSE IT FELL OFF GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND GOT SCURFFED UP.I'VE REPORTED THE ACCIDENT TO HARLEYDAVIDSON.I AM WORRIED PEOPLE WILL DIE DUE TO THIS DEFECT.THEY ARE SELF REGULATING, SO I AM VERY VERY CONCERNED THAT THEY ARE NOT DOING A RECALL EVEN THOUGH LIVES ARE AT RISK.THEY WOULD NOT TELL ME HOW MANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS THEY HAVE RECEIVED, NOR WOULD THEY TELL ME HOW MANY THEY WOULD GET BEFORE DECIDING THEY SHOULD DO A VOLUNTARY RECALL. THERE NEEDS TO BE OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT ON THIS SORT OF THING, BECAUSE OF COURSE HARLEY DAVIDSON IS NOT GOING TO WANT TO ADMIT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AND IT WAS VEY CLEAR TO ME THAT THE RISK POSED BY THESE BAGS WAS NOT GETTING THE ATTENTION IT DESERVED. I AM CONCERNED THIS IS UNDER REPORTED, BECAUSE PEOPLE ASSUME THEY MUST HAVE FORGOT TO ATTACH IT WHEN FACT THE ATTACHEMENTS ARE FAULTY. ALSO, I THOUGHT BY REPORTING IT TO HD THAT THE SAFETY BOARD WOULD KNOW ABOUT IT TOO, BECAUSE I ASSUMED HD WOULD BE OBLIGATED TO PASS ON THE REPORT TO THE TRAFFIC SAFETY BOARD. THEY DO NOT. THEY TOLD ME TO HAVE A HD MECHANIC ASSESS IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THIS IS A HUGE CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND IS ENDANGERING LIVES!*DT MORE PICS OF INJURIES AND HELMET.
NHTSA complaint #11219095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,232 milesNEW Smyrna Beach, FLCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE TRYING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGH THE FRONT BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL AFTER GETTING STOPPED AND PARKING THE BIKE, THE BREAK LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS PULLING ON THE BREAK IT LOOSENED UP SO I RODE BIKE TO REPAIR SHOP. EVERY TIME THE FRONT BREAK WOULD ENGAGE (WHICH WAS NOT EVERY TIME), IT WOULD CATCH AND LOCK UP THE FRONT TIRE CAUSING ME TO DROP THE BIKE ONCE. REPAIR SHOP SAID THE ENTIRE ABS SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING. HARLEY CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID I WOULD HAVE TO ALLOW THEM TO FIX IF BUT THAT IT WOULD BE AT THEIR NORMAL RATE FOR PARTS AND SERVICE. I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS AWARE THEY HAVE RECALLED THE SAME BIKE FOR MANY YEARS BUT NOT FOR THE 2011 MODEL AND THAT IT APPEARS THAT IT IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE OTHER BIKES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE IS APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #10723670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,500 milesSAN Jose, CA1 injured
ENGINE
RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE OVERHEATING TO THE POINT OF BURNING MY PANTS AND LEGS. COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A $20K BIKE. HARLEY STATES THAT IS IS NORMAL. THERE IS NOTHING NORMAL FOR A RIDER TO BURN HIS/HER LEGS.
NHTSA complaint #10616320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 15,875 milesOdessa, DE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA (FLHR) MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH SIGNIFIED THAT THE MORTORCYCLE DID NOT HAVE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING ABILITY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,875.
NHTSA complaint #11271643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesRedvers, NDCrash1 injured1 killed
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE SADDLE BAG FELL OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND COLLIDED WITH THE MOTORCYCLE BEHIND IT CAUSING THE RIDER TO COME OFF AT 100 KM/HOUR. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE SADDLE BAG HAS COME OFF. THE PREVIOUS TIME, IT WAS THE OTHER SIDE SO THE OWNER OF THIS MOTORCYCLE WAS EXTRA CAREFUL TO BE SURE THE BAGS WERE LATCHED PROPERLY PRIOR TO THE TRIP. IN OUR GROUP OF ABOUT 12 RIDERS, TWO OTHER MOTORCYCLISTS HAVE HAD HD SADDLEBAGS FALL OFF. WHEN I SPOKE TO OUR LOCAL DEALER, HE SAID HE'S HAD LOTS OF COMPLAINTS WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO HAVE THEIR SADDLE BAG REPLACED BECAUSE IT FELL OFF GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND GOT SCURFFED UP.I'VE REPORTED THE ACCIDENT TO HARLEYDAVIDSON.I AM WORRIED PEOPLE WILL DIE DUE TO THIS DEFECT.THEY ARE SELF REGULATING, SO I AM VERY VERY CONCERNED THAT THEY ARE NOT DOING A RECALL EVEN THOUGH LIVES ARE AT RISK.THEY WOULD NOT TELL ME HOW MANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS THEY HAVE RECEIVED, NOR WOULD THEY TELL ME HOW MANY THEY WOULD GET BEFORE DECIDING THEY SHOULD DO A VOLUNTARY RECALL. THERE NEEDS TO BE OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT ON THIS SORT OF THING, BECAUSE OF COURSE HARLEY DAVIDSON IS NOT GOING TO WANT TO ADMIT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AND IT WAS VEY CLEAR TO ME THAT THE RISK POSED BY THESE BAGS WAS NOT GETTING THE ATTENTION IT DESERVED. I AM CONCERNED THIS IS UNDER REPORTED, BECAUSE PEOPLE ASSUME THEY MUST HAVE FORGOT TO ATTACH IT WHEN FACT THE ATTACHEMENTS ARE FAULTY. ALSO, I THOUGHT BY REPORTING IT TO HD THAT THE SAFETY BOARD WOULD KNOW ABOUT IT TOO, BECAUSE I ASSUMED HD WOULD BE OBLIGATED TO PASS ON THE REPORT TO THE TRAFFIC SAFETY BOARD. THEY DO NOT. THEY TOLD ME TO HAVE A HD MECHANIC ASSESS IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THIS IS A HUGE CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND IS ENDANGERING LIVES!*DT MORE PICS OF INJURIES AND HELMET.
NHTSA complaint #11219095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,064 milesGermantown, OH
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHR (ROAD KING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) WAS PERFORMED ON MARCH 11, 2018 AT QUEEN CITY HARLEY-DAVIDSON (5960 DIXIE HIGHWAY FAIRFIELD, OHIO 45014 PHONE 513-874-4343) HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM BY FAILING TO PUT THE MOTORCYCLE DATA PORT SERVICE PROCESS AS FOUND. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,064.
NHTSA complaint #11081438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 milesTroy, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS AND PASSING LAMPS FLICKER ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AT NIGHT. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO WIRING FOR THE HEADLIGHT AND PASSING LAMPS. HAPPENS WHEN YOU TURN THE HANDLEBARS LEFT OR RIGHT. HAPPENS SITTING STILL AND WHILE MOTORCYCLE IS IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #11001841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 milesTroy, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEADLIGHTS AND PASSING LAMPS FLICKER ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AT NIGHT. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO WIRING FOR THE HEADLIGHT AND PASSING LAMPS. HAPPENS WHEN YOU TURN THE HANDLEBARS LEFT OR RIGHT. HAPPENS SITTING STILL AND WHILE MOTORCYCLE IS IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #11001841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesNorth Port, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHR ROAD KING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH APPROACHING A CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC JAM, THE REAR BRAKE LOCKED UP WHEN APPLIED AND THE FRONTAL BRAKE LEVELER WAS VERY HARD TO APPLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST BETWEEN THE LANES OF TRAFFIC UNTIL THE FRONTAL BRAKE ENGAGED AND CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT PUSHED THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE RIGHT LANE THAT WAS CLOSED DUE TO CONSTRUCTION. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS DRIVEN HOME SLOWLY. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ABS FAILURE AND THE ENTIRE ABS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS AT THE DEALER BEING REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. ...UPDATED 05/03/17 *BF
NHTSA complaint #10971085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,232 milesNEW Smyrna Beach, FLCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE TRYING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGH THE FRONT BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL AFTER GETTING STOPPED AND PARKING THE BIKE, THE BREAK LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS PULLING ON THE BREAK IT LOOSENED UP SO I RODE BIKE TO REPAIR SHOP. EVERY TIME THE FRONT BREAK WOULD ENGAGE (WHICH WAS NOT EVERY TIME), IT WOULD CATCH AND LOCK UP THE FRONT TIRE CAUSING ME TO DROP THE BIKE ONCE. REPAIR SHOP SAID THE ENTIRE ABS SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING. HARLEY CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID I WOULD HAVE TO ALLOW THEM TO FIX IF BUT THAT IT WOULD BE AT THEIR NORMAL RATE FOR PARTS AND SERVICE. I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS AWARE THEY HAVE RECALLED THE SAME BIKE FOR MANY YEARS BUT NOT FOR THE 2011 MODEL AND THAT IT APPEARS THAT IT IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE OTHER BIKES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE IS APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #10723670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,000 milesCabot, AR
SUSPENSION:REAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHR ROAD KING. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE AND WOBBLE. THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000. ...UPDATED 02/11/15
NHTSA complaint #10670897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,500 milesSAN Jose, CA1 injured
ENGINE
RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE OVERHEATING TO THE POINT OF BURNING MY PANTS AND LEGS. COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A $20K BIKE. HARLEY STATES THAT IS IS NORMAL. THERE IS NOTHING NORMAL FOR A RIDER TO BURN HIS/HER LEGS.
NHTSA complaint #10616320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15 milesOklahoma City, OK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
HARLEY HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH REAR BRAKES. THIS BIKE WAS BRAND NEW THEY FAILED TO ADDRESS IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE INSTABILITY TO A NEW DRIVER. WITH 53 YEARS RIDING EXPERIENCE I GOT THE BIKE TO A HALT. THIS PROBLEM IS SYSTEM WIDE AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH RECALL. HARLEY REFUSES TO WARRANTY THIS ITEM EVEN ON NEW BIKES. IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY RELATIONSHIP TO MOTOR MOUNTS BUT TO DEFECTIVE DISKS, PADS OR ALIGNMENT WHEEL TABS (WELDED) ON THE REAR WHEEL IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO A NEW RIDER.
NHTSA complaint #10452886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.