*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Service brakes
ABS MODULE IS BAD. IT'S A REGULAR PROBLEM WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON. IF YOU LOOK AT FORUMS YOU CAN SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAD JUST STARTED MY MOTORCYCLE PULLED OUT IN TO TRAFFIC. THEN TRIED TO USE MY FRONT BRAKES, AND WAS UNABLE TO SQUEEZE BRAKE LEVER. I HAD JUST RODE MY MOTORCYCLE THE NIGHT BEFORE. WITH NO PROBLEMS. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO USE MY REAR BRAKES. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE!!! I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A PROBLEM FOR ONLY A FEW. BUT LOOKING UP THE PART, I FOUND OUT DIFFERENT. HARLEY DAVIDSON CHARGES A LOT OF MONEY FOR THEIR MOTORCYCLES. AND THEY SHOULD MAKE THEM SAFE.
Oct 25, 2017Engine
COMPENSATOR FAILURE
Aug 8, 2016 · 1 milesService brakes
NO FRONT BRAKE. UNABLE TO APPLY FRONT BRAKE. FRONT BRAKE FROZEN. MOTORCYCLE TAKEN TO HARLEY DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, ABS HCU REPLACED.
Jun 29, 2013 · 19,851 milesService brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE MOTORCYCLE AND FOUND THAT THE ABS MODULE INTERLOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE ABS FUSE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. UPDATED 5/12/15*CN UPDATED 10/2/2017*CN
Mar 1, 2015 · 19,000 milesElectrical system
I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY AT 55MPH WHEN I SLIGHTLY BANKED RIGHT, THE ENGINE DIED. I COASTED TO THE SIDE, TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF, THEN BACK ON AND IT STARTED AND RAN PERFECTLY. THE ENGINE DIED AGAIN WHILE ENTERING THE FREEWAY AT A LATER TIME. AGAIN, I WAS BANKING TO THE RIGHT ON A SWEEPING TURN. THE BIKE STARTED AS BEFORE AFTER COASTING TO SIDE OF THE ONRAMP. I RODE WITHOUT A PROBLEM UNTIL I ENTERED THE FREEWAY AT THE SAME ON RAMP A FEW HOURS LATER. THE ENGINE DIED IN THE SAME EXACT PLACE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION! *TR
Oct 7, 2014 · 28,540 milesElectrical system
SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS I HAVE LOST ABILITY TO CONTROL MY THROTTLE. THROTTLE POSITION CLOSES AND DOES NOT ACCEPT INPUTS FROM THE ACCELERATOR. SEVERAL TIMES WHILE TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY THE THROTTLE HAS SHUT AND THE MOTORCYCLE WENT INTO 'LIMP HOME' MODE. THIS WILL ONLY ALLOW A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 10-15MPH (DANGEROUS WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED). THE CONCERN IS WELL KNOW BY THE HARLEY DAVIDSON COMPANY. THEY HAVE EVEN ISSUED A TECHNICAL TIP BULLETIN (#TT418A) ON THE SUBJECT. HOWEVER, NO VOLUNTARY OR REQUIRED SAFETY RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS CONCERN. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN: TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY A SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION MAY MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE…
Jun 18, 2014 · 30,000 milesEngine
PULLED UP TO A STOPLIGHT EVERYTHING WAS FINE, WENT TO PULL AWAY AFTER LIGHT CHANGED BIKE LOST POWER FELT LIKE IT WAS RUNNING ON ONE CYLINDER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. MANAGED TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC WITHOUT GETTING HIT SHUT BIKE OFF THEN RESTARTED THE BIKE AND ACCELERATION RETURNED TO NORMAL. CHECKED FOR CODES AND HAD A P2135 THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR CLEARED CODES AND HAS NOT RETURNED AS OF YET BUT GETTING READY TO TAKE A TRIP AND DON'T TRUST THIS BIKE.... *TR
Jun 25, 2013 · 13,758 milesFuel/propulsion system
BIKE GOES INTO LIMP MODE, IDLE ONLY, NO THROTTLE RESPONSE,WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE FIRST TIME I WAS GOING 60 MPH IN TRAFFIC AND ALMOST GOT RAN OVER. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE, AND A FEW AT 70 PLUS MPH. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT A PROBLEM. BUT I WERE TO BE PASSING IN TRAFFIC OR HUNG IN THE CENTER LANE. IT COULD BE TRAGIC. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER , THE SERVICE MANAGER ACTED AS IF HE NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM. WHEN I TOLD HIM THAT IT IS EASY TO FIND INFO ON THE INTERNET, INCLUDING A HARLEY TECH TIP, TT 418, HE STARTED CHANGING HIS STORY. THEY TOOK IT IN, AND CHARGED ME, TO REPLACE PINS ON THE THROTTLE CONTROL ACTUATOR. NOW 6000 MILES…
Jun 18, 2011 · 14,000 miles
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.