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FaultScore report

2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtcutg problems

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtcutg with NHTSA between 2011 and 2015. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 4 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Harley-Davidson Flhtcutg All 2011 cars
F

FaultScore 81/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Harley-Davidson Flhtcutg.

How this is worked out

The numbers

15

Complaints

1

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries reported

1 complaint reports a death.

787 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

100%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 61 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 61
Against the median year of the Harley-Davidson Flhtcutg. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
33.3% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100
100% 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 Flhtcutg

Click any bar to open that year's report.

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 Flhtcutg

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 4 26.7%

Median failure at 575 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 3 20.0%

Median failure at 2,319 miles

Electrical System 3 20.0%

Median failure at 1,000 miles

Wheels 2 13.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Other & Unspecified 1 6.7%
Tires 1 6.7%
Brakes 1 6.7%

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.

Nov 2011 peak 3 Nov 2015

NHTSA investigations into the 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtcutg

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.

PE16009 Opened 6 Jul 2016 Closed 23 Apr 2018 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Sudden Brake Failure - Motorcycle

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 50 miles Ocilla, GA 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE EXHAUST BURNS MY LEG WHEN I STOP FOR A LIGHT OR ANYTHING ELSE. $35,000.00 AND CANT USE IT WHEN AMBIENT TEMP IS ABOVE 80 UNLESS I WANT TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL WITH 2ND DEGREE BURNS.

NHTSA complaint #10653696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX Crash 2 injured 1 killed

WHEELS

ON JULY 7, 2013, WHILE TRAVELING EASTBOUND IN THE LEFTHAND LANE OF US HIGHWAY 64 JUST OUTSIDE NASHVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, WELL BELOW THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT, THE LEFT REAR TIRE OF A 2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON TRI-GLIDE (MODEL FLHTCUTG) DETACHED AND SWERVED AWAY FROM THE TRI-GLIDE. THE TRI-GLIDE VEERED LEFT OFF THE ROAD, STRIKING THE LEFT SIDE GUARD RAIL, EJECTING BOTH THE HELMETED DRIVER AND THE HELMETED PASSENGER OVER THE GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER, DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF HIS INJURIES, DIED AND THE PASSENGER WAS INJURED. THE DETACHED LEFT REAR TIRE SPUN AWAY TO AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE RIGHTHAND LANE. THE TIRE WAS LOST DURING THE INCIDENT, AS WERE ALL FOUR LUG-NUTS THAT PREVIOUSLY HELD THE TIRE IN PLACE. THE TRI-GLIDE WAS BEING RIDDEN AS PART OF AN ORGANIZED RIDE AND WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH IN A 70 MPH ZONE WHEN THE TIRE AND LUG NUTS SEPARATED. FOLLOWING INVESTIGATION OF THE CRASH, NORTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY PATROL STATED MECHANICAL FAILURE AS THE CRASH'S ONLY APPARENT CAUSE. THE TRI-GLADE WAS BOUGHT NEW IN MAY 2011. SINCE THEN IT HAD BEEN SERVICED ONLY AT THE DEALERSHIP, INCLUDING SERVICE FOR THE WARRANTY RECALL ON THE BRAKE SWITCH, AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10534542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cornelius, NC 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

AFTER A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF RIDING USUALLY 10-30 MINUTES, THE HEAT IS SO INTENSE COMING OFF THE ENGINE THAT IT WILL BURN MY LEG. HARLEY REPS SAY THIS IS NORMAL! HOW CAN THIS BE NORMAL? I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO DISCONNECT THE CONVERTER WHICH IS ILLEGAL AND EXPENSIVE. THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO FIX IT.

NHTSA complaint #10457976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Lees Summit, MO

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE BRAKES SEEM TO BE LOCKED UP AT TIMES WHEN YOU PUT THE REVERSE DRIVE IN. YOU CAN STEP DOWN ON THE FOOT BRAKE, AND IT FREES UP. THIS TRIKE HAS LESS THAN 14000 MILES ON IT THE TRIKE IS A 2011 TRIGLIDE, AND IT IS NOW NOV 2015. THE PARK BRAKE IS ADJUSTED ALL THE WAY OUT, AND DOES NOT HOLD AT ALL. THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WITH THIS COMPLAINT.. MOST OF MY RIDING IS ALL HIGHWAY WITHOUT THE FREQUENT STOP, AND GO ALONG WITH THE VERY FEW USE OF THE BRAKES ON A 100 MILE TRIP. I MIGHT AD THAT I HAVE THE CRUISE SET AT 65 FOR THE FULL TRIP, AND THAT THE FUEL ECONOMY IS A FAR CRY FROM THE ADVERTISED MPG. IT'S FEW, AND FAR BETWEEN THAT I GET 30 MPG IN IDEAL RIDING CONDITIONS. THE BRAKE PADS SHOW A LOT OF WEAR FOR A VEHICLE UNDER 14,000 MILES O IT. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP BEFORE FOR THE PARK BRAKE NOT HOLDING.

NHTSA complaint #10795009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lees Summit, MO

SERVICE BRAKES

THE BRAKES SEEM TO BE LOCKED UP AT TIMES WHEN YOU PUT THE REVERSE DRIVE IN. YOU CAN STEP DOWN ON THE FOOT BRAKE, AND IT FREES UP. THIS TRIKE HAS LESS THAN 14000 MILES ON IT THE TRIKE IS A 2011 TRIGLIDE, AND IT IS NOW NOV 2015. THE PARK BRAKE IS ADJUSTED ALL THE WAY OUT, AND DOES NOT HOLD AT ALL. THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WITH THIS COMPLAINT.. MOST OF MY RIDING IS ALL HIGHWAY WITHOUT THE FREQUENT STOP, AND GO ALONG WITH THE VERY FEW USE OF THE BRAKES ON A 100 MILE TRIP. I MIGHT AD THAT I HAVE THE CRUISE SET AT 65 FOR THE FULL TRIP, AND THAT THE FUEL ECONOMY IS A FAR CRY FROM THE ADVERTISED MPG. IT'S FEW, AND FAR BETWEEN THAT I GET 30 MPG IN IDEAL RIDING CONDITIONS. THE BRAKE PADS SHOW A LOT OF WEAR FOR A VEHICLE UNDER 14,000 MILES O IT. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP BEFORE FOR THE PARK BRAKE NOT HOLDING.

NHTSA complaint #10795009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50 miles Ocilla, GA 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE EXHAUST BURNS MY LEG WHEN I STOP FOR A LIGHT OR ANYTHING ELSE. $35,000.00 AND CANT USE IT WHEN AMBIENT TEMP IS ABOVE 80 UNLESS I WANT TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL WITH 2ND DEGREE BURNS.

NHTSA complaint #10653696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX Crash 2 injured 1 killed

WHEELS

ON JULY 7, 2013, WHILE TRAVELING EASTBOUND IN THE LEFTHAND LANE OF US HIGHWAY 64 JUST OUTSIDE NASHVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, WELL BELOW THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT, THE LEFT REAR TIRE OF A 2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON TRI-GLIDE (MODEL FLHTCUTG) DETACHED AND SWERVED AWAY FROM THE TRI-GLIDE. THE TRI-GLIDE VEERED LEFT OFF THE ROAD, STRIKING THE LEFT SIDE GUARD RAIL, EJECTING BOTH THE HELMETED DRIVER AND THE HELMETED PASSENGER OVER THE GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER, DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF HIS INJURIES, DIED AND THE PASSENGER WAS INJURED. THE DETACHED LEFT REAR TIRE SPUN AWAY TO AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE RIGHTHAND LANE. THE TIRE WAS LOST DURING THE INCIDENT, AS WERE ALL FOUR LUG-NUTS THAT PREVIOUSLY HELD THE TIRE IN PLACE. THE TRI-GLIDE WAS BEING RIDDEN AS PART OF AN ORGANIZED RIDE AND WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH IN A 70 MPH ZONE WHEN THE TIRE AND LUG NUTS SEPARATED. FOLLOWING INVESTIGATION OF THE CRASH, NORTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY PATROL STATED MECHANICAL FAILURE AS THE CRASH'S ONLY APPARENT CAUSE. THE TRI-GLADE WAS BOUGHT NEW IN MAY 2011. SINCE THEN IT HAD BEEN SERVICED ONLY AT THE DEALERSHIP, INCLUDING SERVICE FOR THE WARRANTY RECALL ON THE BRAKE SWITCH, AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10534542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,064 miles Neenah, WI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVING 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY PUT ON BRAKES TO EXIT AT OFFRAMP BIKE DIES COMPLETE SHUT OFF NO THROTTLE NO ANYTHING COAST TO STOP ON OFF RAMP BIKE WILL NOT START AT ALL TROUBLE CODE P1511 WHICH IS THE THROTTLE MANAGMENT SYSTEM IS DEAD 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED FIRST TIME WAS AT 30 MPH AFTER SITTING BIKE STATRTED AGAIN THIS IS HAPPING TO ALL EFI HARLEY DAVIDSONS SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED.

NHTSA complaint #10521801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,064 miles Neenah, WI

ENGINE

DRIVING 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY PUT ON BRAKES TO EXIT AT OFFRAMP BIKE DIES COMPLETE SHUT OFF NO THROTTLE NO ANYTHING COAST TO STOP ON OFF RAMP BIKE WILL NOT START AT ALL TROUBLE CODE P1511 WHICH IS THE THROTTLE MANAGMENT SYSTEM IS DEAD 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED FIRST TIME WAS AT 30 MPH AFTER SITTING BIKE STATRTED AGAIN THIS IS HAPPING TO ALL EFI HARLEY DAVIDSONS SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED.

NHTSA complaint #10521801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,064 miles Neenah, WI

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

DRIVING 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY PUT ON BRAKES TO EXIT AT OFFRAMP BIKE DIES COMPLETE SHUT OFF NO THROTTLE NO ANYTHING COAST TO STOP ON OFF RAMP BIKE WILL NOT START AT ALL TROUBLE CODE P1511 WHICH IS THE THROTTLE MANAGMENT SYSTEM IS DEAD 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED FIRST TIME WAS AT 30 MPH AFTER SITTING BIKE STATRTED AGAIN THIS IS HAPPING TO ALL EFI HARLEY DAVIDSONS SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED.

NHTSA complaint #10521801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Moscow, ID

WHEELS

WHILE ON A RIDE WITH MY WIFE ON A COUNTY ROAD IN IDAHO I STARTED FEELING A VIBRATION. WITHIN 5 SEC. THE LEFT REAR TIRE OF MY HARLEY TRI-GLIDE CAME OFF CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. THE BIKE SLIDE INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC AND INTO A DITCH. THE TIRE TRAVELED APPOX. 50 YARDS DOWN THE ROAD BEFORE STOPPING. I HAD NEVER REMOVED THE TIRES SINCE I PURCHASED THE BIKE FROM THE LONE WOLF HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER IN SPOKANE VALLEY WASHINGTON. WE HAVE RESEARCHED OTHER TRI-GLIDE OWNERS TO LEARN THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE HARLEY DAVIDSON MANF. IN WEST CONN. (CASE#[XXX]) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10482753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Moscow, ID

TIRES

WHILE ON A RIDE WITH MY WIFE ON A COUNTY ROAD IN IDAHO I STARTED FEELING A VIBRATION. WITHIN 5 SEC. THE LEFT REAR TIRE OF MY HARLEY TRI-GLIDE CAME OFF CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. THE BIKE SLIDE INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC AND INTO A DITCH. THE TIRE TRAVELED APPOX. 50 YARDS DOWN THE ROAD BEFORE STOPPING. I HAD NEVER REMOVED THE TIRES SINCE I PURCHASED THE BIKE FROM THE LONE WOLF HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER IN SPOKANE VALLEY WASHINGTON. WE HAVE RESEARCHED OTHER TRI-GLIDE OWNERS TO LEARN THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE HARLEY DAVIDSON MANF. IN WEST CONN. (CASE#[XXX]) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10482753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Moscow, ID

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE ON A RIDE WITH MY WIFE ON A COUNTY ROAD IN IDAHO I STARTED FEELING A VIBRATION. WITHIN 5 SEC. THE LEFT REAR TIRE OF MY HARLEY TRI-GLIDE CAME OFF CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. THE BIKE SLIDE INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC AND INTO A DITCH. THE TIRE TRAVELED APPOX. 50 YARDS DOWN THE ROAD BEFORE STOPPING. I HAD NEVER REMOVED THE TIRES SINCE I PURCHASED THE BIKE FROM THE LONE WOLF HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER IN SPOKANE VALLEY WASHINGTON. WE HAVE RESEARCHED OTHER TRI-GLIDE OWNERS TO LEARN THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE HARLEY DAVIDSON MANF. IN WEST CONN. (CASE#[XXX]) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10482753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 42 miles None, DC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON TRIKE FLHTCUTG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE BLOCK AND THE ELECTRICAL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42.

NHTSA complaint #10473737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cornelius, NC 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

AFTER A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF RIDING USUALLY 10-30 MINUTES, THE HEAT IS SO INTENSE COMING OFF THE ENGINE THAT IT WILL BURN MY LEG. HARLEY REPS SAY THIS IS NORMAL! HOW CAN THIS BE NORMAL? I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO DISCONNECT THE CONVERTER WHICH IS ILLEGAL AND EXPENSIVE. THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO FIX IT.

NHTSA complaint #10457976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 575 miles Brook Park, OH

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE MOTORCYCLE RUNS EXTREMELY HOT ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC AND HOT WEATHER. THE CONDITION WILL ACTUALLY CAUSE MILD BURNS TO LEGS DURING RIDING. MANY CASES HAVE BEEN NOTED ON LINE IN DIFFERENT FORUMS AND BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALERS. SOME RESOLVE TO PROBLEM HAS BEEN DONE BY CHANGING HEADER EXHAUST PIPES WITHOUT CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND CHANGING THE FUEL MIXTURE TO RICHER ADJUSTMENTS TO RUN COOLER.

NHTSA complaint #10454903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 575 miles Brook Park, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE MOTORCYCLE RUNS EXTREMELY HOT ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC AND HOT WEATHER. THE CONDITION WILL ACTUALLY CAUSE MILD BURNS TO LEGS DURING RIDING. MANY CASES HAVE BEEN NOTED ON LINE IN DIFFERENT FORUMS AND BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALERS. SOME RESOLVE TO PROBLEM HAS BEEN DONE BY CHANGING HEADER EXHAUST PIPES WITHOUT CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND CHANGING THE FUEL MIXTURE TO RICHER ADJUSTMENTS TO RUN COOLER.

NHTSA complaint #10454903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,000 miles EGG Harbor Township, NJ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DEALERS FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

NHTSA complaint #10436558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.