Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2009 Harley-Davidson Fltru with NHTSA between 2012 and 2015.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 4 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 — 38
Against the median year of the Harley-Davidson Fltru. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
63.6% 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 2009 compares with every other Harley-Davidson Fltru
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 Fltru
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
218.2%
Median failure at 26,350 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
218.2%
Median failure at 21,350 miles
Engine & Cooling
218.2%
Median failure at 16,015 miles
Wheels
19.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 6,057 mi
Fuel & Propulsion
19.1%
Median failure at 32,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
19.1%
Median failure at 8,000 miles
Brakes
19.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 6,057 mi
Steering
19.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 6,057 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
19.1%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
436.4%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
327.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
327.3%
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.
Jul 2012peak 4Jun 2015
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 6,057 milesMalden, MAFire1 injured
WHEELS
AFTER A NICE HOUR LONG RIDE, ENTERING THE HIGHWAY (RT1 SAUGUS) COMING TO A STOP AT THE ON RAMP I APPLIED PRESSURE TO BOTH MY FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. MY RIGHT FOOT PUSHED THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSED ME TO THROTTLE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. MY REAR TIRE STARTED TO SPIN OUT COMPARED TO BEING ON ICE. I IMMEDIATELY CORRECTED THE BIKE AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. WHILE INSPECTING MY BIKE I PUSHED THE FOOT BRAKE IN WITH MY HAND AND FLUID FROM THE BRAKE SWITCH AND BRAKE LINE WAS SHOOTING OUT. THIS WAS CAUSING FLUID TO HIT MY EXHAUST PIPE CHROME AND SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN THE BIKE AND THE SWITCH ITSELF STARTED TO FLAME UP. I THEN WENT TO MY SADDLE BAG WET A RAG AND PUT THE FLAME OUT, ALONG WITH WIPING THE REMAINING BRAKE FLUID OFF OF MY CHROME. I BURNT MY HAND, BUT SAVED MY BIKE. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS BIKE. I PURCHASED THIS BIKE IN 2011 FROM HD BRUCE ROSMEYER BOSTON, THE RECALL HAPPENED BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. IT WAS NEVER TAKEN CARE OF AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALLS THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON PUT OUT ON MY BIKE. NICE KNOWING THAT THE BIKE GOES IN FOR SERVICE AT HD AND THEY DON'T FIX RECALLED ITEMS. THIS COULD OF BEEN A LIFE CHANGING EVENT. I AM REALLY PISSED THAT LIFE SAFETY IS NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION FROM SUCH A LARGE COMPANY LIKE HD. I HAD MY BIKE TOWED TO THE LOCAL BIKE SHOP AND NOW I WILL BE PAYING OUT OF POCKET UNTIL I GO AFTER HD FOR MY REFUND. VERY CONCERNED RIDER THAT'S PISSED.........
NHTSA complaint #10536521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,057 milesMalden, MAFire1 injured
STEERING
AFTER A NICE HOUR LONG RIDE, ENTERING THE HIGHWAY (RT1 SAUGUS) COMING TO A STOP AT THE ON RAMP I APPLIED PRESSURE TO BOTH MY FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. MY RIGHT FOOT PUSHED THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSED ME TO THROTTLE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. MY REAR TIRE STARTED TO SPIN OUT COMPARED TO BEING ON ICE. I IMMEDIATELY CORRECTED THE BIKE AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. WHILE INSPECTING MY BIKE I PUSHED THE FOOT BRAKE IN WITH MY HAND AND FLUID FROM THE BRAKE SWITCH AND BRAKE LINE WAS SHOOTING OUT. THIS WAS CAUSING FLUID TO HIT MY EXHAUST PIPE CHROME AND SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN THE BIKE AND THE SWITCH ITSELF STARTED TO FLAME UP. I THEN WENT TO MY SADDLE BAG WET A RAG AND PUT THE FLAME OUT, ALONG WITH WIPING THE REMAINING BRAKE FLUID OFF OF MY CHROME. I BURNT MY HAND, BUT SAVED MY BIKE. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS BIKE. I PURCHASED THIS BIKE IN 2011 FROM HD BRUCE ROSMEYER BOSTON, THE RECALL HAPPENED BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. IT WAS NEVER TAKEN CARE OF AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALLS THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON PUT OUT ON MY BIKE. NICE KNOWING THAT THE BIKE GOES IN FOR SERVICE AT HD AND THEY DON'T FIX RECALLED ITEMS. THIS COULD OF BEEN A LIFE CHANGING EVENT. I AM REALLY PISSED THAT LIFE SAFETY IS NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION FROM SUCH A LARGE COMPANY LIKE HD. I HAD MY BIKE TOWED TO THE LOCAL BIKE SHOP AND NOW I WILL BE PAYING OUT OF POCKET UNTIL I GO AFTER HD FOR MY REFUND. VERY CONCERNED RIDER THAT'S PISSED.........
NHTSA complaint #10536521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,057 milesMalden, MAFire1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
AFTER A NICE HOUR LONG RIDE, ENTERING THE HIGHWAY (RT1 SAUGUS) COMING TO A STOP AT THE ON RAMP I APPLIED PRESSURE TO BOTH MY FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. MY RIGHT FOOT PUSHED THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSED ME TO THROTTLE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. MY REAR TIRE STARTED TO SPIN OUT COMPARED TO BEING ON ICE. I IMMEDIATELY CORRECTED THE BIKE AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. WHILE INSPECTING MY BIKE I PUSHED THE FOOT BRAKE IN WITH MY HAND AND FLUID FROM THE BRAKE SWITCH AND BRAKE LINE WAS SHOOTING OUT. THIS WAS CAUSING FLUID TO HIT MY EXHAUST PIPE CHROME AND SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN THE BIKE AND THE SWITCH ITSELF STARTED TO FLAME UP. I THEN WENT TO MY SADDLE BAG WET A RAG AND PUT THE FLAME OUT, ALONG WITH WIPING THE REMAINING BRAKE FLUID OFF OF MY CHROME. I BURNT MY HAND, BUT SAVED MY BIKE. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS BIKE. I PURCHASED THIS BIKE IN 2011 FROM HD BRUCE ROSMEYER BOSTON, THE RECALL HAPPENED BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. IT WAS NEVER TAKEN CARE OF AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALLS THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON PUT OUT ON MY BIKE. NICE KNOWING THAT THE BIKE GOES IN FOR SERVICE AT HD AND THEY DON'T FIX RECALLED ITEMS. THIS COULD OF BEEN A LIFE CHANGING EVENT. I AM REALLY PISSED THAT LIFE SAFETY IS NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION FROM SUCH A LARGE COMPANY LIKE HD. I HAD MY BIKE TOWED TO THE LOCAL BIKE SHOP AND NOW I WILL BE PAYING OUT OF POCKET UNTIL I GO AFTER HD FOR MY REFUND. VERY CONCERNED RIDER THAT'S PISSED.........
NHTSA complaint #10536521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30 milesHiawatha, IA1 injured
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH WHEN ENGINE EXHAUST EMITTED HEAT AND BURNED THE CONTACT'S RIGHT LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,600.
NHTSA complaint #10467666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 32,000 milesKailua Kona, HI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME WHEN ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC THE THROTTLE RESPONSE AND ENGINE POWER SHIFTS INTO LIMP HOME MODE. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN A SAFE SPEED AND REQUIRED RAPID RESPONSE TO CLEAR THE ROAD AND GET TO THE SHOULDER.
NHTSA complaint #10730701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesKailua Kona, HI
ENGINE
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME WHEN ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC THE THROTTLE RESPONSE AND ENGINE POWER SHIFTS INTO LIMP HOME MODE. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN A SAFE SPEED AND REQUIRED RAPID RESPONSE TO CLEAR THE ROAD AND GET TO THE SHOULDER.
NHTSA complaint #10730701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesKailua Kona, HI
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME WHEN ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC THE THROTTLE RESPONSE AND ENGINE POWER SHIFTS INTO LIMP HOME MODE. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN A SAFE SPEED AND REQUIRED RAPID RESPONSE TO CLEAR THE ROAD AND GET TO THE SHOULDER.
NHTSA complaint #10730701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,000 milesChapin, SC
POWER TRAIN
WHEN STARTING HOT THE COMPENSATOR MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FROM READING THE HARLEY FORUMS. CHECK THE HARLEY SITE AND THERE WAS NO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10637162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,700 milesFairfield, CA
POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING WEST ON INTERSTATE 80 NEAR DAVIS, CA IN THE NUMBER ONE LANE. IT WAS VERY HEAVY SUNDAY AFTERNOON TRAFFIC. SUDDENLY, WITHOUT WARNING, I LOST MY THROTTLE FUNCTION AND THE MOTOR SEEMED TO QUIT RUNNING. I WAS BARELY ABLE THE MANEUVER THREE LANES OVER TO THE SHOULDER JUST AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT. THE MOTORCYCLE HAD GONE INTO "LIMP MODE", MEANING THE MOTOR WILL IDLE AT 1,500 REGARDLESS OF THROTTLE POSITION. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND DEPENDING ON WHEN IT OCCURS, COULD BE FATAL. I FOUND OUT HARLEY KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM. IT IS BASICALLY A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE TCA CONNECTOR AND HARLEY SHOULD RECALL ALL AFFECTED PRODUCTS.
NHTSA complaint #10549818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,700 milesFairfield, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING WEST ON INTERSTATE 80 NEAR DAVIS, CA IN THE NUMBER ONE LANE. IT WAS VERY HEAVY SUNDAY AFTERNOON TRAFFIC. SUDDENLY, WITHOUT WARNING, I LOST MY THROTTLE FUNCTION AND THE MOTOR SEEMED TO QUIT RUNNING. I WAS BARELY ABLE THE MANEUVER THREE LANES OVER TO THE SHOULDER JUST AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT. THE MOTORCYCLE HAD GONE INTO "LIMP MODE", MEANING THE MOTOR WILL IDLE AT 1,500 REGARDLESS OF THROTTLE POSITION. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND DEPENDING ON WHEN IT OCCURS, COULD BE FATAL. I FOUND OUT HARLEY KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM. IT IS BASICALLY A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE TCA CONNECTOR AND HARLEY SHOULD RECALL ALL AFFECTED PRODUCTS.
NHTSA complaint #10549818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,057 milesMalden, MAFire1 injured
WHEELS
AFTER A NICE HOUR LONG RIDE, ENTERING THE HIGHWAY (RT1 SAUGUS) COMING TO A STOP AT THE ON RAMP I APPLIED PRESSURE TO BOTH MY FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. MY RIGHT FOOT PUSHED THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSED ME TO THROTTLE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. MY REAR TIRE STARTED TO SPIN OUT COMPARED TO BEING ON ICE. I IMMEDIATELY CORRECTED THE BIKE AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. WHILE INSPECTING MY BIKE I PUSHED THE FOOT BRAKE IN WITH MY HAND AND FLUID FROM THE BRAKE SWITCH AND BRAKE LINE WAS SHOOTING OUT. THIS WAS CAUSING FLUID TO HIT MY EXHAUST PIPE CHROME AND SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN THE BIKE AND THE SWITCH ITSELF STARTED TO FLAME UP. I THEN WENT TO MY SADDLE BAG WET A RAG AND PUT THE FLAME OUT, ALONG WITH WIPING THE REMAINING BRAKE FLUID OFF OF MY CHROME. I BURNT MY HAND, BUT SAVED MY BIKE. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS BIKE. I PURCHASED THIS BIKE IN 2011 FROM HD BRUCE ROSMEYER BOSTON, THE RECALL HAPPENED BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. IT WAS NEVER TAKEN CARE OF AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALLS THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON PUT OUT ON MY BIKE. NICE KNOWING THAT THE BIKE GOES IN FOR SERVICE AT HD AND THEY DON'T FIX RECALLED ITEMS. THIS COULD OF BEEN A LIFE CHANGING EVENT. I AM REALLY PISSED THAT LIFE SAFETY IS NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION FROM SUCH A LARGE COMPANY LIKE HD. I HAD MY BIKE TOWED TO THE LOCAL BIKE SHOP AND NOW I WILL BE PAYING OUT OF POCKET UNTIL I GO AFTER HD FOR MY REFUND. VERY CONCERNED RIDER THAT'S PISSED.........
NHTSA complaint #10536521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,057 milesMalden, MAFire1 injured
STEERING
AFTER A NICE HOUR LONG RIDE, ENTERING THE HIGHWAY (RT1 SAUGUS) COMING TO A STOP AT THE ON RAMP I APPLIED PRESSURE TO BOTH MY FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. MY RIGHT FOOT PUSHED THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSED ME TO THROTTLE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. MY REAR TIRE STARTED TO SPIN OUT COMPARED TO BEING ON ICE. I IMMEDIATELY CORRECTED THE BIKE AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. WHILE INSPECTING MY BIKE I PUSHED THE FOOT BRAKE IN WITH MY HAND AND FLUID FROM THE BRAKE SWITCH AND BRAKE LINE WAS SHOOTING OUT. THIS WAS CAUSING FLUID TO HIT MY EXHAUST PIPE CHROME AND SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN THE BIKE AND THE SWITCH ITSELF STARTED TO FLAME UP. I THEN WENT TO MY SADDLE BAG WET A RAG AND PUT THE FLAME OUT, ALONG WITH WIPING THE REMAINING BRAKE FLUID OFF OF MY CHROME. I BURNT MY HAND, BUT SAVED MY BIKE. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS BIKE. I PURCHASED THIS BIKE IN 2011 FROM HD BRUCE ROSMEYER BOSTON, THE RECALL HAPPENED BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. IT WAS NEVER TAKEN CARE OF AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALLS THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON PUT OUT ON MY BIKE. NICE KNOWING THAT THE BIKE GOES IN FOR SERVICE AT HD AND THEY DON'T FIX RECALLED ITEMS. THIS COULD OF BEEN A LIFE CHANGING EVENT. I AM REALLY PISSED THAT LIFE SAFETY IS NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION FROM SUCH A LARGE COMPANY LIKE HD. I HAD MY BIKE TOWED TO THE LOCAL BIKE SHOP AND NOW I WILL BE PAYING OUT OF POCKET UNTIL I GO AFTER HD FOR MY REFUND. VERY CONCERNED RIDER THAT'S PISSED.........
NHTSA complaint #10536521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,057 milesMalden, MAFire1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
AFTER A NICE HOUR LONG RIDE, ENTERING THE HIGHWAY (RT1 SAUGUS) COMING TO A STOP AT THE ON RAMP I APPLIED PRESSURE TO BOTH MY FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. MY RIGHT FOOT PUSHED THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSED ME TO THROTTLE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. MY REAR TIRE STARTED TO SPIN OUT COMPARED TO BEING ON ICE. I IMMEDIATELY CORRECTED THE BIKE AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. WHILE INSPECTING MY BIKE I PUSHED THE FOOT BRAKE IN WITH MY HAND AND FLUID FROM THE BRAKE SWITCH AND BRAKE LINE WAS SHOOTING OUT. THIS WAS CAUSING FLUID TO HIT MY EXHAUST PIPE CHROME AND SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN THE BIKE AND THE SWITCH ITSELF STARTED TO FLAME UP. I THEN WENT TO MY SADDLE BAG WET A RAG AND PUT THE FLAME OUT, ALONG WITH WIPING THE REMAINING BRAKE FLUID OFF OF MY CHROME. I BURNT MY HAND, BUT SAVED MY BIKE. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS BIKE. I PURCHASED THIS BIKE IN 2011 FROM HD BRUCE ROSMEYER BOSTON, THE RECALL HAPPENED BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. IT WAS NEVER TAKEN CARE OF AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALLS THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON PUT OUT ON MY BIKE. NICE KNOWING THAT THE BIKE GOES IN FOR SERVICE AT HD AND THEY DON'T FIX RECALLED ITEMS. THIS COULD OF BEEN A LIFE CHANGING EVENT. I AM REALLY PISSED THAT LIFE SAFETY IS NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION FROM SUCH A LARGE COMPANY LIKE HD. I HAD MY BIKE TOWED TO THE LOCAL BIKE SHOP AND NOW I WILL BE PAYING OUT OF POCKET UNTIL I GO AFTER HD FOR MY REFUND. VERY CONCERNED RIDER THAT'S PISSED.........
NHTSA complaint #10536521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesMilwaukee, WI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX STREET GLIDE (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, VEHICLE SPEED DECREASED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 10 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT NO CAUSE FOR FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
NHTSA complaint #10535309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30 milesHiawatha, IA1 injured
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH WHEN ENGINE EXHAUST EMITTED HEAT AND BURNED THE CONTACT'S RIGHT LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,600.
NHTSA complaint #10467666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.