FaultScore

FaultScore report

2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtk problems

Owners have filed 37 complaints about the 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtk with NHTSA between 2010 and 2024. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 8 worst.

D

FaultScore 66/100

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

How this is worked out

The numbers

37

Complaints

1

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

20,455 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

76%

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 76 vs 50 Severity 28 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 76
Against the median year of the Harley-Davidson Flhtk. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 28
5.4% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100
76% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2010 compares with every other Harley-Davidson Flhtk

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 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtk

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

Brakes 16 43.2%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 26,000 mi

Wheels 6 16.2%

Median failure at 15,557 miles

Steering 4 10.8%

Median failure at 15,557 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 4 10.8%

Median failure at 13,062 miles

Electrical System 2 5.4%

Median failure at 14,375 miles

Equipment & Accessories 1 2.7%

Median failure at 8,800 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 1 2.7%

Median failure at 26,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 2.7%

Median failure at 41,260 miles

Suspension 1 2.7%

Median failure at 65 miles

Engine & Cooling 1 2.7%

Median failure at 26,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 4 11.8%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 4 11.8%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 12 35.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 14 41.2%

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.

Jun 2010 peak 4 Jun 2024

NHTSA investigations into the 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtk

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...

Recalls on the 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtk

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

18V076000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

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. Depo

Risk: These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.

11V506000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

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.

Risk: 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.

09V457000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

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.

Risk: 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.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 26,000 miles Riverside, CA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

FRONT BRAKE COMPLETELY INOPERABLE AFTER STARTING ENGINE. BACKING DOWN A DRIVEWAY IN REVERSE, HAD A FROZEN FRONT BRAKE LEVER. COULD NOT CONTROL THE MOTORCYCLE, AND FELL OVER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BIKE AND MYSELF.

NHTSA complaint #10806328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

Omaha, NE

SERVICE BRAKES

And module locked up the rear tire. Break pedal became hard and not operational.

NHTSA complaint #11593078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Enola, AR

SERVICE BRAKES

Lost brakes to rear wheel with abs failure

NHTSA complaint #11481917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,000 miles Greenville, SC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I'M EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY TBW. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NOVEMBER AT THE END OF A CHARITY RIDE AND I THOUGHT PERHAPS THE PACK RIDE CAUSED IT TO OVERHEAT, AFTER SHUTTING THE BIKE OFF IT WENT AWAY BRIEFLY. DID SOME TROUBLESHOOTING ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PLUGS ON THE ECM AND TB WERE TYPICALLY THE ISSUE SO CLEANED, ADDED DIELITHIUM GREASE TO THE CONNECTORS AND ISSUES WENT AWAY. HAPPENED AGAIN, THIS TIME I PULLED THE CEL CODES TO DISCOVER THE TGS AND ETC CODES WERE IN FAULT. AFTER MORE RESEARCH DECIDED TO ELIMINATE THE GREEN QUICK CONNECT PLUGS IN THE HANDLEBARS AND FAIRING BY SODERING AND HEAT SHRINKING CONNECTIONS AS IT WAS DISCUSSED THAT THE CONNECTORS WERE A POSSIBLE CULPRIT FOR SAID CEL CODES. THAT RESOLVED THE ISSUES TEMPORARILY LIKE THE PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS. BACK TO THE SEEMINGLY COMMON ISSUE OF THE DREADED LIMP MODE, TO WHICH I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ON THE INTERSTATE EXIT RAMP AFTER THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. ALL THE ARTICLES ARE HITTING THE SAME SPOT, 08-13YRS, 96, 103, 110CI ENGINES EFFECTED BY THIS SAME ISSUES, HOW MANY OF US HAVE TO GO INTO LIMP MODE OR WORSE BE STRUCK AND KILLED FOR A FACTORY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURE.

NHTSA complaint #11403192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,000 miles Greenville, SC

ENGINE

I'M EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY TBW. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NOVEMBER AT THE END OF A CHARITY RIDE AND I THOUGHT PERHAPS THE PACK RIDE CAUSED IT TO OVERHEAT, AFTER SHUTTING THE BIKE OFF IT WENT AWAY BRIEFLY. DID SOME TROUBLESHOOTING ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PLUGS ON THE ECM AND TB WERE TYPICALLY THE ISSUE SO CLEANED, ADDED DIELITHIUM GREASE TO THE CONNECTORS AND ISSUES WENT AWAY. HAPPENED AGAIN, THIS TIME I PULLED THE CEL CODES TO DISCOVER THE TGS AND ETC CODES WERE IN FAULT. AFTER MORE RESEARCH DECIDED TO ELIMINATE THE GREEN QUICK CONNECT PLUGS IN THE HANDLEBARS AND FAIRING BY SODERING AND HEAT SHRINKING CONNECTIONS AS IT WAS DISCUSSED THAT THE CONNECTORS WERE A POSSIBLE CULPRIT FOR SAID CEL CODES. THAT RESOLVED THE ISSUES TEMPORARILY LIKE THE PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS. BACK TO THE SEEMINGLY COMMON ISSUE OF THE DREADED LIMP MODE, TO WHICH I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ON THE INTERSTATE EXIT RAMP AFTER THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. ALL THE ARTICLES ARE HITTING THE SAME SPOT, 08-13YRS, 96, 103, 110CI ENGINES EFFECTED BY THIS SAME ISSUES, HOW MANY OF US HAVE TO GO INTO LIMP MODE OR WORSE BE STRUCK AND KILLED FOR A FACTORY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURE.

NHTSA complaint #11403192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,000 miles Greenville, SC

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I'M EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY TBW. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NOVEMBER AT THE END OF A CHARITY RIDE AND I THOUGHT PERHAPS THE PACK RIDE CAUSED IT TO OVERHEAT, AFTER SHUTTING THE BIKE OFF IT WENT AWAY BRIEFLY. DID SOME TROUBLESHOOTING ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PLUGS ON THE ECM AND TB WERE TYPICALLY THE ISSUE SO CLEANED, ADDED DIELITHIUM GREASE TO THE CONNECTORS AND ISSUES WENT AWAY. HAPPENED AGAIN, THIS TIME I PULLED THE CEL CODES TO DISCOVER THE TGS AND ETC CODES WERE IN FAULT. AFTER MORE RESEARCH DECIDED TO ELIMINATE THE GREEN QUICK CONNECT PLUGS IN THE HANDLEBARS AND FAIRING BY SODERING AND HEAT SHRINKING CONNECTIONS AS IT WAS DISCUSSED THAT THE CONNECTORS WERE A POSSIBLE CULPRIT FOR SAID CEL CODES. THAT RESOLVED THE ISSUES TEMPORARILY LIKE THE PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS. BACK TO THE SEEMINGLY COMMON ISSUE OF THE DREADED LIMP MODE, TO WHICH I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ON THE INTERSTATE EXIT RAMP AFTER THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. ALL THE ARTICLES ARE HITTING THE SAME SPOT, 08-13YRS, 96, 103, 110CI ENGINES EFFECTED BY THIS SAME ISSUES, HOW MANY OF US HAVE TO GO INTO LIMP MODE OR WORSE BE STRUCK AND KILLED FOR A FACTORY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURE.

NHTSA complaint #11403192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,701 miles Delaware, OH

SERVICE BRAKES

I RECENTLY TOOK MY MOTORCYCLE IN FOR THE RECALL BY HARLEY DAVIDSON. EVEN AFTER HAVING THE RECALL SERVICE PERFORMED, ON A SUDDEN BRAKE, THERE IS A VERY DISTINCT PULL ON THE REAR BRAKE. THIS OCCURS AT 35 MPH, 55 MPH, AND 65 MPH.

NHTSA complaint #11193499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sulligent, AL

SERVICE BRAKES

2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA LIMITED. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HD ABS SAFETY RECALL. *LD

NHTSA complaint #11082808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,500 miles Greenfield, IN

SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE RIDING AND COMING TO A STOP THE FRONT BRAKE LEVEL WOULD NOT MOVE AND I HAD NO FRONT BRAKES. EMERGENCY STOP UTILIZING THE REAR BRAKES WAS NECESSARY TO AVOID PROCEEDING INTO THE INTERSECTION. IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE ABS HYDRAULIC MODULATOR ASSEMBLY (PART NUMBER 48343-09) HAD FAILED. THERE WAS NO ABS LIGHT OR CODES INDICATING A POTENTIAL HAZARD PRIOR OR AFTER INCIDENT. FROM THE OWNERS MANUAL 'IF ABS BECOMES DEFECTIVE YOU WILL STILL HAVE OPERATIONAL BRAKES, BUT WITHOUT ABS.' THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. I LOST ALL FRONT BRAKES DUE TO AN ABS FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #11082647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 23,000 miles Coinjock, NC

SERVICE BRAKES

AS I WAS RIDING FROM MY HOUSE TOWARDS AN INTERSECTION, MY REAR BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY BECAME STIFF AND UNABLE TO PUSH OR APPLY REAR BRAKE. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL HARLEY DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME ABOUT A RECALL FOR A BRAKE FLUID FLUSH FREE OF CHARGE. HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT FLUSH MY BRAKE FLUID UNTIL I BOUGHT A NEW ABS HCU, WHICH WAS $377.00 FOR THE PART AND $773.00 TOTAL INSTALLED. THE DEALER CALLED HARLEY CORPORATE AND TRIED TO GET THEM TO PAY FOR THE NEW ABS HCU SINCE IT ONLY WENT BAD BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE FLUID ISSUES UNDER THE RECALL. HARLEY REFUSED. IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO ME ON WHY I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A PART AND INSTALL WHEN IT WENT BAD AS A RESULT OF RECALLED BRAKE FLUID. APPARENTLY, MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AGREED WITH ME.

NHTSA complaint #11075117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Levitttown, PA

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ULTRA GLIDE FLTHTK. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE LEVER, IT FELT JAMMED. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT BRAKES WOULD NOT APPLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO PENN JERSEY CYCLES (4912 NEW FALLS ROAD, LEVITTTOWN, PA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS BLOCK WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKES BLED APPROXIMATELY 3-4 TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

NHTSA complaint #11022786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Jacksonville, FL

SERVICE BRAKES

FRONT ABS BRAKE FAILED. PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY, GOT TO CORNER STOPPED FOR SIGN AND FRONT BRAKE WOULD NOT WORK, COULD NOT PULL BRAKE LEVER IN AT ALL. BRAKES DID NOT GIVE ANY WARNING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. ABS DID NOT FAIL SAFE.

NHTSA complaint #10884384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,000 miles Pontiac, IL

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE FOOT BRAKE FOR THE MOTORCYCLE FAILED. WHEN THE CONTACT WAS DEPRESSING THE FOOT BRAKE, IT BECAME HARD AND COULD NOT BE DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT RAN A STOP SIGN DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000.

NHTSA complaint #10837548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,000 miles Grove, OK

SERVICE BRAKES

FRONT BRAKE LEVER LOCKED UP NO FRONT BRAKES FRONT BRAKE LEVER WAS HARD TO PULL THEN LOCKED UP WAS ON CITY STREET WAS TRYING TO STOP HAD NO FRONT BRAKE

NHTSA complaint #10837007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,000 miles Riverside, CA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

FRONT BRAKE COMPLETELY INOPERABLE AFTER STARTING ENGINE. BACKING DOWN A DRIVEWAY IN REVERSE, HAD A FROZEN FRONT BRAKE LEVER. COULD NOT CONTROL THE MOTORCYCLE, AND FELL OVER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BIKE AND MYSELF.

NHTSA complaint #10806328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,123 miles Stow, OH

SERVICE BRAKES

COULD NOT STOP THE BIKE. THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WAS FROZEN, TOOK BOTH HANDS TO BRING THE LEVER IN FAR ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS. THEN THE BRAKES WERE SO TOUCHY THAT THE LIGHTEST PRESSURE APPLIED THE BRAKES FULL ON. AFTER PULLING THE LEVER IN MULTIPLE TIMES IT SOFTENED UP TO THE POINT OF BEING ABLE TO RIDE IT HOME. AS SOON AS I TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY THE BRAKE LEVER WAS AGAIN FROZEN.

NHTSA complaint #10703439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,260 miles Alexandria, MN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I TURNED ONTO NORTHBOUND US HIGHWAY 281 FROM EASTBOUND SOUTH DAKOTA HIGHWAY 26 AND ACCELERATED NORMALLY TO 65 MPH AND ACTIVATED THE ELECTRONIC CRUISE CONTROL IN 6TH GEAR. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS I HEARD A NUMBER OF SQUEALS FROM THE FRONT END AND THE HANDLEBARS BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO RAPIDLY SLOW THE MOTORCYCLE DOWN. AT 50 MPH THE SHAKING STOPPED. I DISENGAGED THE CLUTCH AND DIDN'T FEEL ANY NOTICEABLE RESISTANCE. I STOPPED AND INSPECTED THE FRONT WHEEL AND SAW THE BEARING SHIELD HAD MOVED AWAY FROM THE BEARING . I WAS ABOUT 2 MILES FROM REDFIELD SOUTH DAKOTA SO I RODE TO REDFIELD AT A VERY SLOW RATE WITHOUT THE HANDLEBARS SHAKING. I WENT TO THE SUPER 8 MOTEL AND CALLED THE HARLEY OWNERS GROUP ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10637924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,260 miles Alexandria, MN

STEERING

I TURNED ONTO NORTHBOUND US HIGHWAY 281 FROM EASTBOUND SOUTH DAKOTA HIGHWAY 26 AND ACCELERATED NORMALLY TO 65 MPH AND ACTIVATED THE ELECTRONIC CRUISE CONTROL IN 6TH GEAR. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS I HEARD A NUMBER OF SQUEALS FROM THE FRONT END AND THE HANDLEBARS BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO RAPIDLY SLOW THE MOTORCYCLE DOWN. AT 50 MPH THE SHAKING STOPPED. I DISENGAGED THE CLUTCH AND DIDN'T FEEL ANY NOTICEABLE RESISTANCE. I STOPPED AND INSPECTED THE FRONT WHEEL AND SAW THE BEARING SHIELD HAD MOVED AWAY FROM THE BEARING . I WAS ABOUT 2 MILES FROM REDFIELD SOUTH DAKOTA SO I RODE TO REDFIELD AT A VERY SLOW RATE WITHOUT THE HANDLEBARS SHAKING. I WENT TO THE SUPER 8 MOTEL AND CALLED THE HARLEY OWNERS GROUP ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10637924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,260 miles Alexandria, MN

SERVICE BRAKES

THE REAR BRAKE ON THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS SHUDDERED AND HAS HAD ANDTO STILL HAS INADEQUATE AND UNDER-ENGINEERED BRAKING POWER FOR THE WEIGHT AND SPEEDS IT WAS DESIGNED FOR, SINCE THE DAY I TOOK DELIVERY OF IT AS A BRAND NEW BIKE. HARLEY DAVIDSON WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS POORLY DESIGNED AND INADEQUATE BRAKING SYSTEM. THEY LEFT THEIR DEALERS AND CUSTOMERS WITH THIS UNSAFE PRODUCT. MOTORCYCLES REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM BRAKING POWER. THE REAR BRAKE CANNOT GENERATE ENOUGH BRAKING POWER TO EVEN ACTIVATE THE ABS SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #10637932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,325 miles Sayville, NY

POWER TRAIN

THERE ARE TWO BOLTS THREADED INTO TRANSMISSION CASE THAT HOLDS MUFFLER BRACKET, ,BOLT BACKS OUT CAUSING TRANSMISSION OIL TO LEAK ONTO MUFFLER BRACKET WHICH IS EXTREMELY HOT CAUSING A POSSIBLE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10631376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,600 miles Port Deposit, MD

WHEELS

FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. (MISSING BALLS - LOSS OF CONTROL).

NHTSA complaint #10546525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,000 miles Phoenixville, PA

WHEELS

FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS PREMATURELY FAILING. MANY PEOPLE ARE REPORTING FAILURES ON THESE BEARINGS WITH LESS THAN 2000 MILES. I HAVE REPORTED MY COMPLAINTS DIRECTLY TO HARLEY DAVIDSON CUSTOMER CARE DEPARTMENT WHO HAVE LOGGED AGAINST MY VIN. THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT REPLACING WHEEL BEARINGS AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER REGARDLESS OF THE MILEAGE FAILURE. THIS IS A MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURED FOR TOURING, WHICH MY WIFE AND I RIDE WITH LUGGAGE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO US AT 65 MILES PER HOUR AND HAVING A BEARING FREEZE UP, CHEWING THREW AND AXLE. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE WHICH HARLEY DAVIDSON MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10546182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,124 miles Amboy, IN

WHEELS

MY FRONT WHEEL BEARING ON MY FLHTK CAME APART AND FRONT AXLE SEIZED. CAUSING FRONT END TO WOBBLE. ALMOST CAUSING ME AND MY PASSENGER TO CRASH. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID ONLY BECAUSE I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR. THIS FLHTK IS EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #10523661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,124 miles Amboy, IN

STEERING

MY FRONT WHEEL BEARING ON MY FLHTK CAME APART AND FRONT AXLE SEIZED. CAUSING FRONT END TO WOBBLE. ALMOST CAUSING ME AND MY PASSENGER TO CRASH. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID ONLY BECAUSE I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR. THIS FLHTK IS EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #10523661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,910 miles Chula Vista, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

THIS MOTORCYCLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 20,650 MILES WITHOUT INCIDENT. I RODE THE MOTORCYCLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 950 MILES WITHOUT INCIDENT AND EVERYTHING WORKED PROPERLY. I RODE APPROXIMATELY 145 MILES THEN STOPPED FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS. WHEN I RESUMED RIDING UPON APPLYING THE REAR BRAKE AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE MOTORCYCLE REAR BRAKE CAUSED THE MOTORCYCLE TO SHUDDER VIOLENTLY. I MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE BIKE AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP UTILIZING THE FRONT BRAKE ONLY WHICH PRESENTED NO ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR. MY PASSENGER FELT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS UNSAFE AND REFUSED TO RIDE AND TOOK A CAB HOME. THE MOTORCYCLE RECIEVED A 20,000 MILES SERIVICE AND THE REAR BRAKE WAS ALSO CHECKED FOR PROPER OPERATION. THE REAR BRAKE WHILE IT DOES NOT SHUDDER VIOLENTLY IT DOES PULSE AND SHUDDER AND LOW OR HIGH SPEED WHEN APPLYING THE REAR BRAKE.THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGES THEY FEEL THE PULSING OR SHUDDER BUT MAINTAINS IT IS NORMAL AND IS SAFE. I DISAGREED AND CONTACTED HARLEY-DAVIDSON AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT HELP ME THAT THEY WERE RELIANT UPON THEIR DEALERSHIPS TO IDENTIFY PROBLEMS AND WORK ON THE MOTORCYCLES IF THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS A PROBLEM THAT REQUIRED ATTENTION. I DISAGREED AND ASKED FOR A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE TO EVALUATE MY MOTORCYCLE. THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE RODE MY MOTORCYCLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 MILES AND ALSO INDICATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE MOTORCYCLE. I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREED AND LEFT THE DEALERSHIP. SINCE HARLEY-DAVIDSON CLAIMS THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION I PLACED THE MOTORCYCLE FOR SALE AND SOLD IT THE NEXT DAY. I DO SEE THIS EXACT SAFETY ISSUE EXPRESSED ON MANY OF THE MOTORCYCLE ONLINE FORUMS AND HARLEY-DAVIDSON CONSISTENTLY DENYING IT IS A PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY HARLEY-DAVIDSON.

NHTSA complaint #10504276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,000 miles Farmington Hills, MI

WHEELS

WAS RIDING MY 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTK MOTORCYCLE AND THE FRONT WHEEL NEARLY SEIZED UP WHEN THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. THANKFULLY, I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC FOR ME, AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER QUICKLY AND STOP BEFORE THE BEARING COMPLETELY SEIZED. IT APPEARS THAT THIS FAILURE HAS HAPPENED TO MANY HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE OWNERS FROM THE 2008 MODEL YEAR TO THE PRESENT. ACCORDING TO A CALL WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT 414-343-4056 SPOKE TO JOHN ON 12-5-2012, THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND HAVE CHANGED THE BEARING FROM A SINGLE LIP SEAL TO A DOUBLE LIP SEAL ON THEIR 2013 MODEL YEAR MOTORCYCLES TO HELP PREVENT THE ISSUE, HOWEVER THEY ARE NOT RECALLING ANY OF THE FAULTY BEARINGS THAT ARE OUT THERE ON 2008 MODEL YEAR MOTORCYCLES AND NEWER. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD CAUSE THE FRONT WHEEL TO LOCK UP.

NHTSA complaint #10487449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.