FaultScore report
Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 2006 Harley-Davidson Flhtcui with NHTSA between 2005 and 2026. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 6 worst.
FaultScore 78/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Harley-Davidson Flhtcui.
How this is worked out18
Complaints
2
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
9,359 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
93%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
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.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 14,630 miles
Median failure at 1,200 miles
Median failure at 35,500 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 8,017 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 35 mi
Median failure at 1,200 miles
Median failure at 10,461 miles
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
MOTOR STUMBLES, COUGHS, DIES FOR NO REASON. MOTORCYCLE DIES WHEN TURNING AND FALL OVER ON MY LEG CAUSING INJURY. HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER SAYS CANT FIND PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10171022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF HIS 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC WHEN THE REAR TIRE WENT FLAT. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. *TS THE VEHICLE'S LEFT HEADLIGHT, LEFT FRONT PEGS, SEAT, LEFT DRY BOX, LEFT SIDE AND HANDLE BAR WERE DAMAGED.
NHTSA complaint #10169109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SERVICE BRAKES
Rear brakes. Can place rider in extreme danger it the event of a crash when losing rear brakes due to a hole in the brake line caused by friction against the clutch cable in factory routing of the line and cable. I called Harley Davidson customer service to see is I could get help to resolve my issue due the fact that this issue is the same basic problem as the current Recall Number: The campaign number is 26V234000, with Harley-Davidson's internal recall number XXX. Harley Davidson denied my request for help. While researching repair parts on the web, I discovered the current recall as noted above. I also read (on the web) that many others have experienced the same issue. There were no warnings other than a soft pedal. A Harley Davidson Dealer video attached also outlines this issue, as it is the exact problem I have. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11737094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO INCORRECT MILEAGE ON MOTORCYCLE. *LD
NHTSA complaint #11174173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC FRONT BRAKE LINE FAILED. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS 8,2XX MILES. I SQUEEZED THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER AS I WAS STARTING THE BIKE AND FELT THE LEVER FULLY DEPRESS. I SAW BRAKE FLUID SQUIRT ON THE BIKE AND ONTO MY LEG. MY MECHANIC SAYS HE HAS HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM FROM OTHER MECHANICS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER.
NHTSA complaint #10356518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FAILURE HAS NOT OCCURED ON MY BIKE HOWEVER NUMEROUS REPORTS FROM OTHERS AND DEALER RECOMMENDATION TO HAVE CAM CHAIN TENSIONERS CHECKED BECAUSE AS I WAS TOLD, IT IS NOT A QUESTION OF WHETHER BUT WHEN THEY WILL FAIL. FAILURE RESULTS IN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER WHICH UNDER HIGHWAY CONDITIONS, FOR EXAMPLE WOULD LEAD TO DECELERATION, AS IN PASSING OR MERGING ONTO A FREEWAY. CONSEQUENTLY, PROBABILITY IS HIGH THAT COLLISION WILL OCCUR RESULTING IN DEATH OR SEVERE INJURY TO THE RIDER. THUS IT APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE BUT IT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED AS SUCH AND UNLESS AN OWNER OF A TWIN CAM 88 BIKE IS AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR DISASTER, THE DEALERS NOR THE HOME OFFICE HAVE NOTIFIED HARLEY OWNERS TO MY KNOWLEDGE. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN DIFFICULTY FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND IF YOU ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE AVOIDED A CRASH AND GOTTEN YOUR BIKE TO A DEALER FOR UPGRADED TENSIONERS IT STILL REMAINS THAT WE OWNERS HAVE BEEN LEFT HANGING WITHOUT INFORMATION UNLESS WE CALL AND THEN ARE SADDLED WITH A HIGH COST TO REPAIR WHAT IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT KNOWN TO THE MANUFACTURER. AS FAILURE HAS NOT OCCURED I HAD TO SUBMIT NUMBERS IN REQUIRED FIELDS IN ORDER TO GET THE COMPLAINT STATED. I APPOLOGIZE FOR THE DISPARITY BUT WANT YOU TO BE INFORMED. I INTEND TO CONTACT THE COMPANY AND REQUEST SATISFACTION FOR MYSELF AND OTHER RIDER/OWNERS BEFORE DEATHS OCCUR. SOME MAY HAVE ALREADY BUT BEEN FILED AS UNKOWN CAUSE OR RIDER ERROR OR SOME OTHER FICTION.
NHTSA complaint #10316874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUI. BROKEN UPPER FAIRING MOUNTS. FAILURE OF THESE MOUNTS (BREAKING AT ONE OR BOTH ENDS ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF INNER FAIRING) RESULTS IN CATASTROPHIC VIBRATION CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. I HAVE JUST EXPERIENCED THIS PERSONALLY AND I CAN ATTEST THAT HUNDREDS OF OTHERS INVOLVING SEVERAL OTHER YEAR MODELS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN ONLINE HARLEY DAVIDSON WEBSITES. HARLEY DAVIDSON CORPORATE ADMITS TO NO MANUFACTURING FAULT, YET IT HAS REDESIGNED THESE MOUNTS AND NOW EMPLOYS A MUCH HEAVIER VERSION FOR LATER YEARS. THIS FAIRING MOUNT FAILURE IS PRESENT ON ANY HARLEY DAVIDSON MODEL INCORPORATING A FAIRING. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT YEAR HD WENT TO THE STRONGER MOUNTS BUT HD HAS NEVER OFFERED REPLACEMENTS TO THOSE WITH A KNOWN PROBLEM. I BELIEVE I CAN FAIRLY SAY THAT ALL FAIRING EQUIPPED HD MODELS USING THE OLD-STYLE MOUNTS HAVE HAD FAIRING MOUNTS BREAK.
NHTSA complaint #10301813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE LINE WAS FOUND TO BE CHAFFED FROM RUBBING ON THE CLUTCH LINE WHICH IS BUNDLE TOGETHER. THIS RESULTED IN A APPROXIMATELY 1/8" HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE. FOUND WHEN CHANGING THE BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10237897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
INNER CAM BEARING FAILED ON MY 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC. THE MOTOR HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT INCLUDING NEW BEARINGS, OIL PUMP, CAMSHAFTS. CAM COVER AND ALL GASKETS.
NHTSA complaint #10234473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LINING OF THE BRAKE PAD FELL OFF AFTER IT RUSTED. WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH, THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER EXTENDED COMPLETELY DOWN AND THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE REAR BRAKES TO STOP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND HAD THEM REPLACE THE SHOES IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,680 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,140. UPDATED 03/18/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE PAD WAS FALLING APART. UPDATED 03/18/08
NHTSA complaint #10219389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
I AM WRITING ABOUT A BRAND NEW DUNLOP D402 MU85B16 SW TIRE I BOUGHT FOR MY 2006 (HARLEY DAVIDSON) FLHTCUI IN PREPARATION FOR A NEARLY 3700 MILE ROAD TRIP. THE TRIP WENT JUST FINE, FOR ABOUT THE FIRST 450 MILES. AT THAT POINT THE TIRE, WHICH HAD LESS THAN 500 MILES TOTAL USE, SELF- DESTRUCTIVE. THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE INNER CORE ( PHOTOGRAPHS CAN BE PROVIDED). THE RUBBER TREAD ?FLAPPING? AGAINST THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE REAR FENDER ENTIRELY SEVERED THE WIRING. BY SEVERING THE WIRING HARNESS, OF COURSE, THE TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER AND ODOMETER) WERE DISABLED. THE DUNLOP TIRE REPRESENTATIVE WOULD NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY SINCE WE DID NOT SHIP THE TIRE TO THEM TO DETERMINE IF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO MATERIAL AND/OR WORKMANSHIP. I AM WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY RECOURSE FOR BUYING A TIRE THAT SELF-DESTRUCTS. WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT THE TIRE DID NOT BLOW OUT WHEN THE TREAD SEPARATED. CONSIDERING THE TREAD SEPARATION OCCURRED ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, THE CONSEQUENCES OF A BLOWOUT COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH TO EITHER MYSELF, MY WIFE (WHO WAS A PASSENGER), OR BOTH.
NHTSA complaint #10198972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
I WAS PREPARING TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON MY 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUI WHEN MY FRONT BRAKE LEVER LOST ALL FEELING AND MOVED TO THE HANDLE BAR. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE BRAKE MATERIAL HAD SEPARATED FROM THE BACKING PLATE. NOW, I HAVE HAD A SECOND BRAKE PAD, ON THE REAR BRAKE DO THE SAME WITH THE BRAKE MATERIAL SEPARATING FROM THE BACKING PLATE. NEITHER SET OF BRAKES WAS BELOW THE WEAR LIMIT. THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT COULD VERY EASILY RESULT IN A CATASTROPHIC DEATH OR INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10175580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
MOTOR STUMBLES, COUGHS, DIES FOR NO REASON. MOTORCYCLE DIES WHEN TURNING AND FALL OVER ON MY LEG CAUSING INJURY. HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER SAYS CANT FIND PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10171022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF HIS 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC WHEN THE REAR TIRE WENT FLAT. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. *TS THE VEHICLE'S LEFT HEADLIGHT, LEFT FRONT PEGS, SEAT, LEFT DRY BOX, LEFT SIDE AND HANDLE BAR WERE DAMAGED.
NHTSA complaint #10169109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
REAR BRAKE FAILURE AT APPROXIMATELY 14, 630 MILES, DUE TO CORROSION OF BRAKE SHAFT PIVOT ARM. UNIT NO LONGER HAS GREASE FITTING. I CAN FIND NO SERVICE INTERVAL SPECIFICATION FOR THIS PART. REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BY HARLEY-DAVIDSON TECHNICIAN IN BLUE SPRINGS, MO.
NHTSA complaint #10166611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MOTORCYCLE ELECTRONIC SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER LOST POWER (NEEDLES TO ZERO). FOUND THAT BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND EMERGENCY FLASHER LIGHTS WERE ALSO A NONFUNCTIONAL, LEAVING ME UNABLE TO RENDER ANY OF THE STANDARD WARNINGS OF STOPS, TURNS OR TROUBLE.*AK HD MECHANICS BELIEVE THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE SPEEDOMETER AND SAY THAT THE FAILURE IMPACTS THE LIGHTS AS THE TURN SIGNALS' AUTO SHUTOFF IS INTEGRATED WITH THE SPEEDOMETER. I THINK THAT THIS DESIGN IS FAULTY DO TO THE LACK OF REDUNDENCY OR SEPARATENESS IN THE CIRCUIT WHICH ALLOWS A SINGLE FAILURE TO WIPE OUT ALL SAFETY AND LEGALLY REQUIRED LIGHTS HD IS REPLACING SPEEDOMETER IN HOPES OF REMEDIATING ELECTRICAL FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #10148742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
MOTORCYCLE ELECTRONIC SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER LOST POWER (NEEDLES TO ZERO). FOUND THAT BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND EMERGENCY FLASHER LIGHTS WERE ALSO A NONFUNCTIONAL, LEAVING ME UNABLE TO RENDER ANY OF THE STANDARD WARNINGS OF STOPS, TURNS OR TROUBLE.*AK HD MECHANICS BELIEVE THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE SPEEDOMETER AND SAY THAT THE FAILURE IMPACTS THE LIGHTS AS THE TURN SIGNALS' AUTO SHUTOFF IS INTEGRATED WITH THE SPEEDOMETER. I THINK THAT THIS DESIGN IS FAULTY DO TO THE LACK OF REDUNDENCY OR SEPARATENESS IN THE CIRCUIT WHICH ALLOWS A SINGLE FAILURE TO WIPE OUT ALL SAFETY AND LEGALLY REQUIRED LIGHTS HD IS REPLACING SPEEDOMETER IN HOPES OF REMEDIATING ELECTRICAL FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #10148742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
MOTORCYCLE ELECTRONIC SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER LOST POWER (NEEDLES TO ZERO). FOUND THAT BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND EMERGENCY FLASHER LIGHTS WERE ALSO A NONFUNCTIONAL, LEAVING ME UNABLE TO RENDER ANY OF THE STANDARD WARNINGS OF STOPS, TURNS OR TROUBLE.*AK HD MECHANICS BELIEVE THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE SPEEDOMETER AND SAY THAT THE FAILURE IMPACTS THE LIGHTS AS THE TURN SIGNALS' AUTO SHUTOFF IS INTEGRATED WITH THE SPEEDOMETER. I THINK THAT THIS DESIGN IS FAULTY DO TO THE LACK OF REDUNDENCY OR SEPARATENESS IN THE CIRCUIT WHICH ALLOWS A SINGLE FAILURE TO WIPE OUT ALL SAFETY AND LEGALLY REQUIRED LIGHTS HD IS REPLACING SPEEDOMETER IN HOPES OF REMEDIATING ELECTRICAL FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #10148742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS
MOTORCYCLE ELECTRONIC SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER LOST POWER (NEEDLES TO ZERO). FOUND THAT BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND EMERGENCY FLASHER LIGHTS WERE ALSO A NONFUNCTIONAL, LEAVING ME UNABLE TO RENDER ANY OF THE STANDARD WARNINGS OF STOPS, TURNS OR TROUBLE.*AK HD MECHANICS BELIEVE THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE SPEEDOMETER AND SAY THAT THE FAILURE IMPACTS THE LIGHTS AS THE TURN SIGNALS' AUTO SHUTOFF IS INTEGRATED WITH THE SPEEDOMETER. I THINK THAT THIS DESIGN IS FAULTY DO TO THE LACK OF REDUNDENCY OR SEPARATENESS IN THE CIRCUIT WHICH ALLOWS A SINGLE FAILURE TO WIPE OUT ALL SAFETY AND LEGALLY REQUIRED LIGHTS HD IS REPLACING SPEEDOMETER IN HOPES OF REMEDIATING ELECTRICAL FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #10148742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2006 ULTRA CLASSIC HAS SMOKED SINCE DAY I BOUGHT IT! HAD ONLY 2 MILES ON IT WHEN I WAS GIVEN THE PDI BY SALESMAN. BIKE IS STILL SMOKING ON STARTUP WHEN COLD. SO FAR HARLEY'S ONLY ANSWER IS TO WRENCH MY ENGINE, WHICH IN ESSENCE MEANS I HAVE PURCHASED A USED BIKE FOR A NEW PRICE!
NHTSA complaint #10145151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.