Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flstc with NHTSA between 2011 and 2019.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
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 — 54
Against the median year of the Harley-Davidson Flstc. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
86% 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 Flstc
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2009 Harley-Davidson Flstc
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Lights
321.4%
Median failure at 13,000 miles
Electrical System
321.4%
Median failure at 13,000 miles
Brakes
214.3%
Median failure at 19,875 miles
Seats
17.1%
Median failure at 31,875 miles
Wheels
17.1%
Median failure at 56,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
17.1%
Median failure at 5,838 miles
Suspension
17.1%
Median failure at 14,987 miles
Body & Structure
17.1%
Median failure at 20,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
17.1%
Median failure at 38,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
17.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
964.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
321.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
17.1%
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 2011peak 4Oct 2019
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 38,000 milesHorsebend, AR
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SOFT TAIL HERITAGE CLASSIC (FLSTC) MOTORCYCLE. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, AN ABNORMAL RUMBLING NOISE WAS DETECTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. PIG TRAIL HARLEY-DAVIDSON (409 W HUDSON RD, ROGERS, AR 72756, (479) 636-9797) WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE COMPENSATOR SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
NHTSA complaint #11269920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesSML, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTC. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE PASSENGER SEAT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLTS AND RIVOTS FRACTURED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC WAS NOT DURABLE ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND CONSTANT WEAR AND TEAR. COLONIAL HARLEY DAVIDSON OF PETERSBURG, VA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE SEAT WAS DESIGNED AS SUCH AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11002348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesBlanco, TX
WHEELS
WHEEL BEARING ON RIGHT SIDE (BRAKE SIDE) OF REAR WHEEL CAME APART WHILE OPERATING THE MOTORCYCLE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE MOTORCYCLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR. MY MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME THAT HE HAS SEEN AN UNUSUAL NUMBER OF PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE WITH THIS MODEL MOTORCYCLE.
NHTSA complaint #10852251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 milesTemple, GA
SERVICE BRAKES
RIDER BEHIND ME NOTICED THAT WHILE STOPPING THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING. SOMETHING IN THE FOOT PEDAL NOT LETTING THE REAR BREAK LIGHTS WORK. BULBS ARE GOOD AND FRONT WORKS GREAT AND ALSO ALLOWS THE LIGHTS TO WORK , JUST NOT THE FOOT PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #10723179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,875 milesHuntsville, AL
SEATS
I REMOVED THE SEAT TO DO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON THE MOTORCYCLE AND FOUND THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT HAD CRACKED DOWN THE CENTER OF THE SEAT FRAME WHICH COULD CAUSE THE SEAT TO SEPARATE INTO TWO PIECES, THIS COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE BIKE IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN. I HAVE PICTURES I CAN SEND IF I CAN GET AN E-MAIL ADDRESS TO SEND THEM TO.
NHTSA complaint #10588622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,750 milesEnfield, CT
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DESCENDING A STEEP INCLINE AND ABOUT TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN IN LESS THAN 100 YARDS THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL, WHEN APPLIED, WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN RENDERING THE REAR BRAKE USELESS. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BROUGHT TO A SAFE STOP BY USING THE FRONT BRAKE AND DOWNSHIFTING AND WAS ABLE TO BE SAFELY RIDDEN TO A LOCAL H-D DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT THE REAR STOP LIGHT SWITCH HAD FAILED RESULTING IN A MAJOR BRAKE FLUID RELEASE, THE SWITCH APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST. INTERESTING ENOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED BY H-D IN OCTOBER OF 2011 WHICH AFFECTED OVER 300,000 BIKES OF THE TOURING, CVO TOURING AND TRIKE MODELS FROM THE 2009 THROUGH 2012 MODEL YEARS. OF COURSE THE SOFTTAIL MODELS WERE LEFT OFF THIS RECALL BUT IN MY ESTIMATION THIS APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO THE 2011 RECALL AND SHOULD BE FURTHER INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA AND H-D.
NHTSA complaint #10549005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,300 milesWhitefield, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLSTC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE HORN AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE. THERE WAS A MANUFACTURERS RECALL FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,300.
NHTSA complaint #10525555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,300 milesWhitefield, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLSTC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE HORN AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE. THERE WAS A MANUFACTURERS RECALL FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,300.
NHTSA complaint #10525555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,838 milesLAS Vegas, NV
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
DURING INCREASING AND DECREASING SPEED FUEL WOULD RUN DOWN THE TANK ONTO THE HOT ENGINE. IT DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE THE CORRECT POWER AT TIMES. THE AREA AROUND THE FUEL TANK CAP AND FILLER NECK BECAME INCREASING YELLOW WITH ONE AREA MARKING THE TANK WITH A YELLOW TRIANGLE LIKE GAS FUMES PUSHING OUT UNDER PRESSURE. 6/22/12, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER (RED ROCK) AND THEY DID NOTHING AND LET ME LEAVE. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND GOT WORSE DAMAGING THE PAINT AND THE BIKE STARTED TO STALL WHILE I WAS GETTING ON THE FREEWAY AND AT SIGNALS WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUS. SEPT. 7, 2012, THE BIKE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER. THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME MY BIKE WAS READY AND THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE MY VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR BUT KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE FUEL TAKE LEAKING. I TOLD THEM AGAIN AND THAT THEY DID NOT FIX IT THE FIRST TIME I BROUGHT IT IN AND THAT IT IS A FIRE DANGER. THEY CALLED ME LATER AND SAID THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL FILLER NECK WHICH THEY NOW FIXED. THE FUEL NO LONGER LEAKS, HOWEVER, MY FUEL TANK PAINT IS DAMAGED. THE CLEAR COAT HAS BUBBLED, PEALING AND IS YELLOW. I CONTACTED BOTH THE SERVICE MANAGER, THE GENERAL MANAGER AND HARLEY DAVIDSON AND THEY SAID THE RECALL WAS ONLY FOR A VAPOR LEAK AND NOT FUEL. I EXPLAINED IF VAPOR CAN ESCAPE SO CAN GAS AND THE DAMAGE CLEARLY SHOWS THE LOCATION OF THE VAPOR LEAK (YELLOW TRIANGLE) ON MY WHITE TANK. HARLEY DAVIDSON REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULD REPAINT 1/2 THE TANK AT THEIR COST OF $350 WHICH I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR. I FEEL IF A RECALL FACTORY DEFECT CLEARLY CAUSES DAMAGE WHERE IT WAS LOCATED THEY SHOULD ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE DAMAGE. I WAS ALSO REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THE SENSOR WHICH PROBABLY ALSO WAS CAUSED BY THIS VAPOR LEAK. CAN YOU PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE OR GUIDANCE TO FIX MY TANK? I ALSO HAVE PICTURES I CAN SEND YOU IF NEEDED. THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #10485160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,987 milesBIG Bend, WI
SUSPENSION
DRIVING ALONG WHEN I NOTICED A VIBRATION, KEPT RIDING AND THEN IT BECAME A LOUD SQUEAKING INTERMITTENT SOUND. PARKED AT HOME AND NOTICED IT WAS THE REAR BEARING AS IT CAME APART INSIDE THE REAR WHEEL. IT IS A CHEAP CHINESE CRAP BEARING THAT HARLEY IS USING IN THEIR BIKES. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE.... WE HAVE TO STOP THE USE OF CHEAP OUTSOURCED PRODUCTS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. WE ARE IN DEBT TO A COMMUNIST COUNTRY AND WE DON'T EVEN KNOW IT.......
NHTSA complaint #10474395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,000 milesHuntsville, AL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE FOUND THAT THE SWITCH FOR THE REAR BRAKE WILL NOT LIGHT THE BRAKE LIGHT AFTER THE BIKE WARMS UP, IF THE BIKE IS ALLOWED TO COOL BACK DOWN THE LIGHT STARTS TO FUNCTION AGAIN. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT IS CAUSING THE CURRENT RECALL ON OTHER MODEL HARLEYS IN THE 2009 MODEL YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10434889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,000 milesHuntsville, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE FOUND THAT THE SWITCH FOR THE REAR BRAKE WILL NOT LIGHT THE BRAKE LIGHT AFTER THE BIKE WARMS UP, IF THE BIKE IS ALLOWED TO COOL BACK DOWN THE LIGHT STARTS TO FUNCTION AGAIN. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT IS CAUSING THE CURRENT RECALL ON OTHER MODEL HARLEYS IN THE 2009 MODEL YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10434889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,000 milesTuttle, OK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
A FRIEND WAS FOLLOWING ME AND TOLD ME MY BRAKE LIGHT WAS STAYING ON. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RELEASED IT, BUT THE LIGHT STAYED ON. I TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO HARLEY DAVIDSON WORLD IN OKLAHOMA CITY FOR REPAIR. THEY REPAIRED IT BY REPLACING THE REAR BRAKE SWITCH. SINCE THEN HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS RECALLED ALL TOURING MODEL BIKES FROM 09 AND UP, BUT EXCLUDED SOFTTAIL MODELS LIKE MINE FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. ACCORDING TO THE RECALL, HEAT CAUSES THE CONTACTS ON THE SWITCH TO MELT CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHT TO EITHER STAY ON OR NOT COME ON AT ALL OR ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. I'VE CONTACTED HARLEY DAVIDSON TO SEE IF THE SWITCH ON MY SOFTTAIL SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED DUE TO THE SIMILARITIES OF THE COMPLAINTS. HARLEY CUSTOMER CARE INDICATED THERE WAS NO CONNECTION BETWEEN MY SWITCH GOING OUT AND THE RECALL ON TOURING MODELS. THE CUSTOMER CARE REPRESENTATIVE SAID MY FAILURE WAS A ONE IN A MILLION CHANCE. I DOUBT HIS ASSUMPTION AND BELIEVE THERE IS A CONNECTION AND AM CONCERNED THAT THE SWITCH THAT REPLACED MY FAULTY SWITCH MAY ALSO MALFUNCTION CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BY MY EITHER LOSING BRAKE FLUID AND THE RESULTING LOSS OF BRAKES OR BY MY GETTING REAR ENDED BY A MOTORIST NOT REALIZING THAT I WAS STOPPING DUE TO NO BRAKE LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10433863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,000 milesTuttle, OK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A FRIEND WAS FOLLOWING ME AND TOLD ME MY BRAKE LIGHT WAS STAYING ON. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RELEASED IT, BUT THE LIGHT STAYED ON. I TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO HARLEY DAVIDSON WORLD IN OKLAHOMA CITY FOR REPAIR. THEY REPAIRED IT BY REPLACING THE REAR BRAKE SWITCH. SINCE THEN HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS RECALLED ALL TOURING MODEL BIKES FROM 09 AND UP, BUT EXCLUDED SOFTTAIL MODELS LIKE MINE FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. ACCORDING TO THE RECALL, HEAT CAUSES THE CONTACTS ON THE SWITCH TO MELT CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHT TO EITHER STAY ON OR NOT COME ON AT ALL OR ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. I'VE CONTACTED HARLEY DAVIDSON TO SEE IF THE SWITCH ON MY SOFTTAIL SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED DUE TO THE SIMILARITIES OF THE COMPLAINTS. HARLEY CUSTOMER CARE INDICATED THERE WAS NO CONNECTION BETWEEN MY SWITCH GOING OUT AND THE RECALL ON TOURING MODELS. THE CUSTOMER CARE REPRESENTATIVE SAID MY FAILURE WAS A ONE IN A MILLION CHANCE. I DOUBT HIS ASSUMPTION AND BELIEVE THERE IS A CONNECTION AND AM CONCERNED THAT THE SWITCH THAT REPLACED MY FAULTY SWITCH MAY ALSO MALFUNCTION CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BY MY EITHER LOSING BRAKE FLUID AND THE RESULTING LOSS OF BRAKES OR BY MY GETTING REAR ENDED BY A MOTORIST NOT REALIZING THAT I WAS STOPPING DUE TO NO BRAKE LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10433863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.