Owners have filed 15 complaints
about the 2010 Harley-Davidson Fltrx with NHTSA between 2010 and 2021.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 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 — 56
Against the median year of the Harley-Davidson Fltrx. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 69
13.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
77% 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 Fltrx
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 Fltrx
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
853.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 42,750 mi
Electrical System
213.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 28,214 mi
Tires
16.7%
Median failure at 14,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
16.7%
Median failure at 16,000 miles
Suspension
16.7%
Median failure at 5,275 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
16.7%
Median failure at 1 miles
Engine & Cooling
16.7%
Median failure at 35,679 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
17.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
17.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
538.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
323.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
215.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
17.7%
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.
Aug 2010peak 3Jan 2021
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 20,750 milesOmaha, NEFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON 3/13/2012 I PAID HOLSTEIN'S HARLEY-DAVIDSON FOR SERVICE THAT INCLUDED A 5K SERVICE. HOLSTEIN'S FAILED TO OBSERVE AND REPAIR A BRAKE SWITCH RECALL. ON 7/12/2012, THE BRAKE SWITCH STARTED ON FIRE. ON 7/14/2012 HOLSTEIN'S REFUSED TO REPAIR THE BRAKES AND I HAD IT TOWED TO WERNER CYCLE WORKS FOR REPAIR. HARLEY-DAVIDSON CUSTOMER CARE REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR REPAIR SINCE WERNER'S IS NOT A HARLEY-DAVIDSON SHOP (FILED CASE # [XXX]). HOLSTEIN'S REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME EVEN THOUGH THEY VERBALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT I PAID FOR A 5K SERVICE CHECK AND THEY SHOULD HAVE REPAIRED THE BRAKE SWITCH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10509791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,750 milesOmaha, NEFire
SERVICE BRAKES
ON 3/13/2012 I PAID HOLSTEIN'S HARLEY-DAVIDSON FOR SERVICE THAT INCLUDED A 5K SERVICE. HOLSTEIN'S FAILED TO OBSERVE AND REPAIR A BRAKE SWITCH RECALL. ON 7/12/2012, THE BRAKE SWITCH STARTED ON FIRE. ON 7/14/2012 HOLSTEIN'S REFUSED TO REPAIR THE BRAKES AND I HAD IT TOWED TO WERNER CYCLE WORKS FOR REPAIR. HARLEY-DAVIDSON CUSTOMER CARE REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR REPAIR SINCE WERNER'S IS NOT A HARLEY-DAVIDSON SHOP (FILED CASE # [XXX]). HOLSTEIN'S REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME EVEN THOUGH THEY VERBALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT I PAID FOR A 5K SERVICE CHECK AND THEY SHOULD HAVE REPAIRED THE BRAKE SWITCH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10509791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 14,000 milesMiddleburg, FL
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRX EQUIPPED WITH KENDA TIRES, TIRE LINE: CATACLYSM, TIRE SIZE: 130/70/R18, DOT NUMBER: 1K32P. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, HE FELT VIBRATIONS IN THE HANDLE BARS. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED HE NOTICED TREAD SEPARATION ON THE FRONT TIRE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED HE REPLACED THE FRONT TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11389379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,679 milesFairfield, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE RED SECURITY LIGHT APPEARED ON THE SCREEN AND A CODE OF B1154 WAS LOGGED IN THE SYSTEM, AFTER THEY THE BIKE WOULD NOT START WHILE IN GEAR. IT HAS TO BE IN NEUTRAL TO START.
NHTSA complaint #11120579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,679 milesFairfield, AL
ENGINE
THE RED SECURITY LIGHT APPEARED ON THE SCREEN AND A CODE OF B1154 WAS LOGGED IN THE SYSTEM, AFTER THEY THE BIKE WOULD NOT START WHILE IN GEAR. IT HAS TO BE IN NEUTRAL TO START.
NHTSA complaint #11120579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Navarre, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
IT IS VERY NICE THAT HD IS DOING A "VOLUNTARY" RECALL. THEY ARE NOT ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM, WHICH IS THE ELECTRONICS MODULE HAS COLD-SOLDER JOINTS ON THE ANTI-LOCK SOLENOIDS. IT IS NOT DUE TO THE LACK OF MAINTENANCE OF THE BRAKE FLUID. I HAD A FIVE YEAR WARRANTY ON MY 2010 FLTRX AND THEY DID ALL OF THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, AND MY FRONT BRAKE BECAME UNUSEABLE LAST FALL WHILE RIDING. I CHACKED ALL THE COMPONENTS; MASTER CYLINDER, CALIPERS, BRAKE LINES, AND FINALLY THE ANTI-LOCK MODULE. THE SOLENOIDS WERE LOCKED TIGHT, I CUT THE COVER OFF THE ELECTRONCS MODULES AND DISCOVERED THREE COLD-SOLDER JOINTS ON THREE OF THE FOUR SOLENOIDS. WHEN 12V DC WAS APPLIED TO THE SOLENOIDS DIRECTLY, THE WOULD THEN FUNCTION AS DESIGNED. THIS WILL CONTINUE TO BE A HAZARD TO RIDERS UNTIL HD REPLACES ALL OF THE ELECTRONIC MODULES ON THESE MOTORCYCLES.
NHTSA complaint #11071756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesGroesbeck, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
HARLEY SENT OUT NOTICE TO FLUSH THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH I DID, BUT COULDN'T BLEED THE SYSTEM,SO I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER IN WACO. THEY TOLD ME THE SYSTEM HAD FAILED AND IT WOULD COST $755.49 TO REPLACE THE VALVE. I HAVE DISCOVERED THROUGH ONLINE FORUMS THAT HARLEY'S ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. ABS FAILURE CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. HARLEY NEEDS TO RECALL THE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #11067139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Navarre, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
SUPPLEMENT TO NHTSA REPORT 11035954. I AM HAVING MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACED. I HAVE TAKEN THE OLD SYSTEM APART DO TO CLAIMS FROM THE MANUFACTURER ISSUES RELATED TO SERVICE INTERVALS, NOT MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. AFTER REMOVING THE TOP OF THE ABS MODULE 40601-08A, THREE COLD-SOLDER JOINTS WERE DISCOVERED ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD TO BRAKE SOLENOID CONNECTIONS. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH MANY AUTOMOBILE ABS SYSTEMS ALSO, HOWEVER, ON A THIS MOTORCYCLE IT CAUSES A COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES, NOT JUST A LOSS OF ANTI-LOCK SERVICE. AND, IT DOESN'T TRIGGER AN ABS SERVICE LIGHT, THERE IS ZERO INDICATION WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS. IF I HAD THE MONEY I WOULD TAKE A FEW DOZEN ABS UNITS FROM RANDOM DEALERSHIPS AND CHECK THEM FOR COLD-SOLDER CONDITIONS. BUT, I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY AND IT NEEDS TO BE CHECKED.
NHTSA complaint #11040388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,640 milesNavarre, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
FRONT BRAKE LEVER BECAME HARD (NOT MOVABLE) DURING HIGHWAY RIDING. ONLY NOTICED IT BECAUSE A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. FORTUNATELY I ALWAYS USE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE WHEN STOPPING OR SLOWING. A RIDER WITH LESS EXPERIENCE CERTAINLY COULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. AFTER SEARCHING FOR POSSIBLE REMEDIES IT HAS BECOME OBVIOUS THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH FIRST GENERATION HD ANTI-LOCK SYSTEMS.
NHTSA complaint #11035954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,000 milesLafayette, LA
SERVICE BRAKES
I STARTED MY MOTORCYCLE AND PROCEEDED DOWN THE CITY STREET. WHEN I APPROACHED A STOP SIGN MY FRONT BRAKE FAILED. BRAKE HANDLE WAS STIFF(HARD) WITH NO MOVEMENT. I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE WITH THE REAR BRAKE. I ALMOST GOT HIT AT THE INTERSECTION. I KEPT HAVING THIS PROBLEM SO I BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC. MECHANIC TELLS ME THE ABS MODULE HAS GONE BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE PART IS ABOUT $500.00. HE TELLS ME THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME WITH OTHER BIKES AND IS PRETTY COMMON. FRONT BRAKE WORKS ONCE IN A WHILE WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT BUT FAILS WHEN ENGINE IS COOL.
NHTSA complaint #10991284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,500 milesEads, TN
SERVICE BRAKES
COMPLETE REAR BRAKE FAILURE, NO WARNING. STOP-AND-GO RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE. I WAS GOING ABOUT 30 MPH AND TRAFFIC AHEAD WAS SLOWING. I PRESSED THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WAS STUCK... WOULD NOT MOVE. ABSOLUTELY NO REAR BRAKES AT ALL. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO REACT QUICK ENOUGH TO GRAB THE FRONT BRAKE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I NURSED THE BIKE THE LOCAL HARLEY DEALER AND THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. IN FACT, A BIKE PULLED OUT AS I WAS THERE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THE PART IS CURRENTLY BACKORDERED SO THEY SENT BOTH US OUT THE DOOR WITH KNOWINGLY FAULTY BRAKES BECAUSE THE PARTS TO FIX IT ARE UNAVAILABLE. I UNDERSTAND PART FAILURES. BUT, THE FAILURE OF THE ABS SYSTEM SHOULD NOT CAUSE A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS. A LESSOR EXPERIENCED RIDER WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10903400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesBroomfield, CO
SERVICE BRAKES
THE REAR BRAKE ON MY 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRX WITH ABS FAILED. THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL FROZE IN THE UP POSITION, NOT ALLOWING ME TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE. NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUSHED IT WOULD NOT GO DOWN. I WAS TRAVELLING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME. I RODE HOME USING ONLY THE FRONT BRAKE FOR STOPPING, FORTUNATELY IT DID NOT FAIL ALSO. I TOOK IT IN TO THE LOCAL HARLEY DEALER AND THE TECH TOLD ME THAT A VALVE IN THE HCU HAD GOTTEN STUCK AND IT WOULD BE $700 TO REPAIR. I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT SO I TOOK THE BIKE HOME AND IT HAS BEEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE EVER SINCE, UN-REPAIRED. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS STILL LOCKED IN THE UP POSITION IF ANYONE WANTS TO LOOK AT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10883712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,750 milesOmaha, NEFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON 3/13/2012 I PAID HOLSTEIN'S HARLEY-DAVIDSON FOR SERVICE THAT INCLUDED A 5K SERVICE. HOLSTEIN'S FAILED TO OBSERVE AND REPAIR A BRAKE SWITCH RECALL. ON 7/12/2012, THE BRAKE SWITCH STARTED ON FIRE. ON 7/14/2012 HOLSTEIN'S REFUSED TO REPAIR THE BRAKES AND I HAD IT TOWED TO WERNER CYCLE WORKS FOR REPAIR. HARLEY-DAVIDSON CUSTOMER CARE REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR REPAIR SINCE WERNER'S IS NOT A HARLEY-DAVIDSON SHOP (FILED CASE # [XXX]). HOLSTEIN'S REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME EVEN THOUGH THEY VERBALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT I PAID FOR A 5K SERVICE CHECK AND THEY SHOULD HAVE REPAIRED THE BRAKE SWITCH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10509791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,750 milesOmaha, NEFire
SERVICE BRAKES
ON 3/13/2012 I PAID HOLSTEIN'S HARLEY-DAVIDSON FOR SERVICE THAT INCLUDED A 5K SERVICE. HOLSTEIN'S FAILED TO OBSERVE AND REPAIR A BRAKE SWITCH RECALL. ON 7/12/2012, THE BRAKE SWITCH STARTED ON FIRE. ON 7/14/2012 HOLSTEIN'S REFUSED TO REPAIR THE BRAKES AND I HAD IT TOWED TO WERNER CYCLE WORKS FOR REPAIR. HARLEY-DAVIDSON CUSTOMER CARE REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR REPAIR SINCE WERNER'S IS NOT A HARLEY-DAVIDSON SHOP (FILED CASE # [XXX]). HOLSTEIN'S REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME EVEN THOUGH THEY VERBALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT I PAID FOR A 5K SERVICE CHECK AND THEY SHOULD HAVE REPAIRED THE BRAKE SWITCH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10509791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,275 milesWilloughby Hills, OH
SUSPENSION
2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE CUSTOM (FLTRX) FRONT END SHAKE WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS BETWEEN 38-40 MPH. AIR PRESSURE FOR TIRES AT RECOMMENDED VALUE FROM OWNERS MANUAL. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THE MOTORCYCLE HAD 5201 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. I NOTICED IT SHORTLY AFTER BUYING IT. IT NOW HAS 10,642 MILES ON IT AND STILL DOES IT CONSISTANTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10508948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesNEW Port Richey, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL AND THE PINS FOR THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,200.
NHTSA complaint #10504429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1 milesEncinitas, CA
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY DAVISON TOUR GLIDE FLTRX MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS STARTING THE VEHICLE IN FIRST GEAR WHILE HOLDING THE CLUTCH AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED FROM 6 TO 12 INCHES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY ADJUSTED THE CLUTCH. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,200.
NHTSA complaint #10352952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.