Owners have filed 23 complaints
about the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtc with NHTSA between 2011 and 2022.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 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 — 62
Against the median year of the Harley-Davidson Flhtc. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 45
8.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 97
57% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2009 compares with every other Harley-Davidson Flhtc
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
14.8%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
14.8%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
628.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1047.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
314.3%
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.
Sep 2011peak 3Aug 2022
NHTSA investigations into the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtc
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.
Mason, TNCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
Bought the HD new in 2008 and used all warranty plans for 1st 10 years of ownership. They performed all work per their guidelines. Never once did they flush the system as this recall mentions every 2 years? While riding down my driveway the rear brake failed to engage on a gravel road and I loss control using my front brake to stop before entering a 2 lane road with traffic at 45 MPH. Loss of control caused the bike to crash on the road. 2 months after the crash I get a recall notice on this issue. My ABS failure was directly related to this crash yet HD claims it is not? Really, the ABS freezes due to moisture in the fluid and its my fault that 10 years of preventive MX by my dealership failed to change the fluid? Can someone light the fire under HD and get this recall expanded to cover this part. Maybe use one of the 87,000 IRS agents the Biden Admin is hiring to work on this. I followed the rules and ALL MX required yet only now its an owner issue to replace the ABS module at a cost of $1,000.00. Hold HD accountable for selling an ABS system in 2008 that was not vetted properly on a first year run model.
NHTSA complaint #11478674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Mason, TNCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
Bought the HD new in 2008 and used all warranty plans for 1st 10 years of ownership. They performed all work per their guidelines. Never once did they flush the system as this recall mentions every 2 years? While riding down my driveway the rear brake failed to engage on a gravel road and I loss control using my front brake to stop before entering a 2 lane road with traffic at 45 MPH. Loss of control caused the bike to crash on the road. 2 months after the crash I get a recall notice on this issue. My ABS failure was directly related to this crash yet HD claims it is not? Really, the ABS freezes due to moisture in the fluid and its my fault that 10 years of preventive MX by my dealership failed to change the fluid? Can someone light the fire under HD and get this recall expanded to cover this part. Maybe use one of the 87,000 IRS agents the Biden Admin is hiring to work on this. I followed the rules and ALL MX required yet only now its an owner issue to replace the ABS module at a cost of $1,000.00. Hold HD accountable for selling an ABS system in 2008 that was not vetted properly on a first year run model.
NHTSA complaint #11478674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
STEERING
THE HANDLEBARS BROKE WHIAL DRIVING, THE LEFT SIDE WELD GAVE. RESULTING IN THAT THE BAR DROPED INTO MY LEFT LAP. YES IT IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. HAVE VIDEO.
NHTSA complaint #11464834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,588 milesSomerset, KY
SERVICE BRAKES
AFTER STARTING BIKE AND LEAVING DRIVEWAY, BIKE HAS BEEN SITTING FOR THE WINTER, APPROACHED FIRST STOP SIGN NO BRAKES ON REAR. BRAKE PEDAL HARD NO MOVEMENT. LIGHTS COME ON, NO BRAKE RESPONSE..... FRONT BRAKES WORK.... ABS MODULE PROBLEM ACCORDING TO HD FORUMS.
NHTSA complaint #11320245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesSouth Mills, NC
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE ON CITY STREETS THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER BECAME VERY HARD A LOSS OF FRONT BRAKES OCCURRED. THANK GOD THE REAR STILL WORKED. THEY KEPT ME FROM CRASHING INTO CAR AHEAD OF ME. NOW THE MOTORCYCLE HAS NO FRONT BRAKES AT ALL. MOTORCYCLE WAS MAINTAINED UNTIL 9/2017 BY A PREPAID MAINTENANCE PROGRAM AND ESP WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #11065634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2 milesEtna, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS ACCELERATING AND MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY WHEN I LOST ALL THROTTLE RESPONSE ( THROTTLE BY WIRE - ELECTRICAL). MY MOTORCYCLE IMMEDIATELY LOST SPEED IN FRONT OF VEHICLES COMING UP QUICKLY BEHIND ME. I WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO GET OVER AND OFF THE FREEWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11034391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,100 milesSomerset, WI
SERVICE BRAKES
THE OWNER OF 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTC IN MAY 2017 THE REAR BRAKE FAILED TO OPERATE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE PEDDLE WAS LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE PUSHED DOWN WITH ANY AMOUNT OF FORCE. FORTUNATELY THE FRONT BRAKE WAS STILL FUNCTIONAL AND I WAS ABLE TO SLOW MY SPEED WITH OUT CRASHING. THIS FIRST OCCURRED GOING OUT MY 1/4 MILE GRAVEL DRIVEWAY WITH A 90 DEGREE TURN AT THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER THE INCIDENT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE REAR BRAKE PEDDLE TO SLOWLY MOVE DOWNWARD WITH A GREAT AMOUNT OF FORCE AND WITH MULTIPLE PUSHES IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY FOR THE REST OF MY 60 MILE RIDE. THE FROZEN REAR BRAKE PEDDLE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE BIKE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT. BEFORE I WOULD RIDE THE BIKE I WOULD NEED TO PUT GREAT PRESSURE ON THE PEDDLE AND PUMP IT SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. EVENTUALLY I COULD NOT GET THE PEDDLE TO FUNCTION NORMALLY AND THE BIKE IS IN FOR REPAIRS. THE FRONT BRAKE CONTINUED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY OVER THE ENTIRE TIME PERIOD. THE BIKE HAS ABS BRAKES AND APPARENTLY A CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED THAT WILL COST $1,100 TO REPLACE. COPY
NHTSA complaint #11031476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 milesSomerset, WI
SERVICE BRAKES
IN MAY 2017 THE REAR BRAKE FAILED TO OPERATE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE PEDDLE WAS LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE PUSHED DOWN WITH ANY AMOUNT OF FORCE. FORTUNATELY THE FRONT BRAKE WAS STILL FUNCTIONAL AND I WAS ABLE TO SLOW MY SPEED WITH OUT CRASHING. THIS FIRST OCCURRED GOING OUT MY 1/4 MILE GRAVEL DRIVEWAY WITH A 90 DEGREE TURN AT THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER THE INCIDENT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE REAR BRAKE PEDDLE TO SLOWLY MOVE DOWNWARD WITH A GREAT AMOUNT OF FORCE AND WITH MULTIPLE PUSHES IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY FOR THE REST OF MY 60 MILE RIDE. THE FROZEN REAR BRAKE PEDDLE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE BIKE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT. BEFORE I WOULD RIDE THE BIKE I WOULD NEED TO PUT GREAT PRESSURE ON THE PEDDLE AND PUMP IT SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. EVENTUALLY I COULD NOT GET THE PEDDLE TO FUNCTION NORMALLY AND THE BIKE IS IN FOR REPAIRS. THE FRONT BRAKE CONTINUED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY OVER THE ENTIRE TIME PERIOD. THE BIKE HAS ABS BRAKES AND APPARENTLY A CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED THAT WILL COST $1,100 TO REPLACE.
NHTSA complaint #11020472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesPalm BAY, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL, ENGINE RUNS AT IDLE ONLY. ONLY WHEN MOVING
NHTSA complaint #10994210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,540 milesLargo, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
HARD BRAKE PEDAL, COULD NOT APPLY REAR BRAKE WHEN TRYING TO STOP AT A INTERSECTION. HAD TO USE FRONT BRAKE TO STOP. HARLEY DEALER SAYS IT'S THE ABS MODULE AND THAT THEY ARE ON BACK ORDER, FOR THERE ARE MANY THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10978660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,000 milesPerry, GA
SERVICE BRAKES
MY FRONT BRAKE LEVER FROZE NOT ALLOWING APPLICATION OF THE FRONT BRAKE. I WENT INTO MY GARAGE AND DID MY NORMAL PRE RIDE CHECK WHICH INCLUDES TESTING THE BRAKE LEVER/PEDAL FEEL, EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. I STARTED THE BIKE CHECKED THE LIGHTS AND TURNED IT OFF AFTER I WAS THROUGH. I THEN WENT TO BACK MY MOTORCYCLE OUT OF THE GARAGE WHICH IS ON A SLIGHT DECLINE AND WENT TO APPLY MY FRONT BRAKE LEVER TO STOP THE BIKE...IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THANKFULLY THE REAR BRAKE WAS STILL FUNCTIONAL AND I GOT THE BIKE STOPPED BEFORE ANY DAMAGE COULD BE CAUSED. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE AN ABS HCU FAILURE AND THAT THEY WOULD BE GLAD TO CHECK IT OUT FOR ME. I WENT INTO THE HOUSE AND LOOKED UP HARLEY ABS FAILURE AND FOUND OUT THERE WERE SEVERAL CASES LIKE MINE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH.
NHTSA complaint #10978526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,000 milesEagan, MN
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHPE ELECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM NOT WORKING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. UPDATED 04/18/17 LJ
NHTSA complaint #10939643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesHenderson, NV
SERVICE BRAKES
FRONT HAND BRAKE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN EXITING THE FREEWAY ON AN OFF RAMP AND APPROACHING RED LIGHT. STOPPED USING REAR BRAKE. LEVER WAS FROZE IN POSITION WHICH WOULD NOT ALLOW BRAKE TO BE APPLIED. HAD BIKE TRAILERED TO HARLEY DAVIDSON SHOP AND THEY REPORTED A FAILURE OF THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (WHICH THEY STATED ON RECIPT). UNIT WAS REPLACED AT MY COST. I KEPT AND STILL HAVE THE FAILED UNIT.
NHTSA complaint #10899382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesAugusta, ME
POWER TRAIN
MY HARLEY COMPENSATOR HAS FAILED TWICE NOW, I REPLACED AT MY OWN COST. NOW THIS ONE IS FAILING. HARLEY KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS PART. I DON'T THINK THE CONSUMER SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THEIR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. IT CLUNKS WHEN IT STARTS, VIBRATES SEVERELY AND I AM AFRAID IT COULD BREAK AND LOCK THE REAR WHEEL CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
NHTSA complaint #10860017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesSwedesboro, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ABS ELEC CONTROLLER (MODULATOR) FAILED. BIKE STARTED UP AND INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWED ABS WAS WORKING, PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND LIGHT WENT OUT...(ALL NORMAL). THEN I HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP AND APPLIED BOTH BRAKES AND THE REAR LOCKED UP INSTEAD OF PULSING TO A STOP, I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND BROUGHT THE BIKE IN FOR SERVICE AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS MOD. HAD FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACING. AT NO TIME DID THE INDICATOR LIGHT EVER COME ON AND STAY ON TO INDICATE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS.
NHTSA complaint #10759835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesSwedesboro, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS ELEC CONTROLLER (MODULATOR) FAILED. BIKE STARTED UP AND INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWED ABS WAS WORKING, PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND LIGHT WENT OUT...(ALL NORMAL). THEN I HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP AND APPLIED BOTH BRAKES AND THE REAR LOCKED UP INSTEAD OF PULSING TO A STOP, I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND BROUGHT THE BIKE IN FOR SERVICE AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS MOD. HAD FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACING. AT NO TIME DID THE INDICATOR LIGHT EVER COME ON AND STAY ON TO INDICATE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS.
NHTSA complaint #10759835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,364 milesDover, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS MOTORCYCLE, WITH NO WARNING WILL GO INTO "LIMP MODE". LIMP MODE IS WHEN THE ECM SHUTS THE ENGINE DOWN TO 1000 RPM AND WILL NOT LET IT EXCEED THIS RPM. TWICE THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD WAS I NOT RUN OVER FROM BEHIND. THE BIKE REGISTER THREE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODES, P1511, P2135 AND U1097. ALL CODES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE THROTTLE BY WIRE SYSTEM LOSING COMMUNICATION WITH THE CONTROL MODULE. TWICE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY TWO DIFFERENT HD DEALERS AND BOTH DEALERS REPLACED CONNECTORS IN THE WIRING HARNESS. BOTH DEALERS HAVE STATED THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2009 MODELS AND THAT HD OFFERS O PIN UPGRADE KIT TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, BUT THAT THE KIT SELDOM CURES THE PROBLEM. IT CERTAINLY DID NOT FIX MINE. IN MY HUMBLE OPINION HD NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10631150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,364 milesDover, OH
ENGINE
THIS MOTORCYCLE, WITH NO WARNING WILL GO INTO "LIMP MODE". LIMP MODE IS WHEN THE ECM SHUTS THE ENGINE DOWN TO 1000 RPM AND WILL NOT LET IT EXCEED THIS RPM. TWICE THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD WAS I NOT RUN OVER FROM BEHIND. THE BIKE REGISTER THREE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODES, P1511, P2135 AND U1097. ALL CODES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE THROTTLE BY WIRE SYSTEM LOSING COMMUNICATION WITH THE CONTROL MODULE. TWICE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY TWO DIFFERENT HD DEALERS AND BOTH DEALERS REPLACED CONNECTORS IN THE WIRING HARNESS. BOTH DEALERS HAVE STATED THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2009 MODELS AND THAT HD OFFERS O PIN UPGRADE KIT TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, BUT THAT THE KIT SELDOM CURES THE PROBLEM. IT CERTAINLY DID NOT FIX MINE. IN MY HUMBLE OPINION HD NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10631150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,364 milesDover, OH
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THIS MOTORCYCLE, WITH NO WARNING WILL GO INTO "LIMP MODE". LIMP MODE IS WHEN THE ECM SHUTS THE ENGINE DOWN TO 1000 RPM AND WILL NOT LET IT EXCEED THIS RPM. TWICE THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD WAS I NOT RUN OVER FROM BEHIND. THE BIKE REGISTER THREE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODES, P1511, P2135 AND U1097. ALL CODES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE THROTTLE BY WIRE SYSTEM LOSING COMMUNICATION WITH THE CONTROL MODULE. TWICE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY TWO DIFFERENT HD DEALERS AND BOTH DEALERS REPLACED CONNECTORS IN THE WIRING HARNESS. BOTH DEALERS HAVE STATED THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2009 MODELS AND THAT HD OFFERS O PIN UPGRADE KIT TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, BUT THAT THE KIT SELDOM CURES THE PROBLEM. IT CERTAINLY DID NOT FIX MINE. IN MY HUMBLE OPINION HD NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10631150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,500 milesPowderly, TX
POWER TRAIN
THE COMPENSATOR SPROCKET HAS GONE OUT TWICE ON THIS BIKE , THIS CAN CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF IT FAILS AT HWY SPEEDS , THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS PART , ITS BEEN REDONE 3 TIMES SINCE 2009 ! THIS IS SERIOUS GUYS!
NHTSA complaint #10588039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,024 milesOmaha, NE
WHEELS
PREMATURE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE, EXCESSIVE PLAY AND ROUGH MOVEMENT. MANY OTHERS POSTING SAME PROBLEMS ON MOTORCYCLE FORUMS. BIG SAFETY ISSUE!!!
NHTSA complaint #10575517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,000 milesSandy, UT
WHEELS
FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT AT 22000 MILES. NOTICED CONDITION DURING HIGHWAY SPEED WAS FRONT WHEEL WOBBLE WHEN CROSSING OVER BRIDGE JOINTS.
NHTSA complaint #10531954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesIrving, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE RANDOMLY GOES INTO "LIMP" MODE UNDER ACCELERATION, HAS RESULTED IN SEVERAL NEAR COLLISIONS. HARLEY DAVIDSON IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE (HARLEY DAVIDSON TT418) BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE.
NHTSA complaint #10428104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesIrving, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE RANDOMLY GOES INTO "LIMP" MODE UNDER ACCELERATION, HAS RESULTED IN SEVERAL NEAR COLLISIONS. HARLEY DAVIDSON IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE (HARLEY DAVIDSON TT418) BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE.
NHTSA complaint #10428104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.