2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Harley-Davidson › Flhtcu › 2011
These records cover every 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush the entire brake system with new Platinum Label DOT 4 brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0171.
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 and remedy
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.
Remedy
Harley-davidson will notify owners, and dealers will a install a rear brake light switch kit, free of charge. the safety recall IS expected to begin during october 31, 2011. owners may contact harley-davidson at 1-414-343-4056.
Owner complaints
6 complaints1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking
the recall remedy to flush the system does not address the concern that the ABS unit still has the potential for failure. Millions of ABS systems in cars do not have such issues that require a hydraulic flush every 2 years. Failure is the ABS control module; it should not be due to moisture in a…
the recall remedy to flush the system does not address the concern that the ABS unit still has the potential for failure. Millions of ABS systems in cars do not have such issues that require a hydraulic flush every 2 years. Failure is the ABS control module; it should not be due to moisture in a sealed hydraulic system. Failure of the ABS control module can cause complete loss of braking function or a complete lockup of the brake with resultant severe injury. A one-time system flush does not address the primary fault - replacement of the ABS module. I had front brake system completely fail within 1 minute following a harley dealer brake flush. As the motorcycle was on a hill, the front brake was to hold the bike from rolling backwards. It did roll backwards before I could rebalance an use rear brake. The motorcycle fell over - no injury of damage.
- Service brakes
TL* the contact owns a 2011 harley-davidson ultra-glide flhtcu. While driving approximately 50 mph, the front brakes seized. The contact was only able to engage the rear brake system. With the help of a friend, the contact took the vehicle home. Six bends harley-davidson (9501 thunder rd, fort…
TL* the contact owns a 2011 harley-davidson ultra-glide flhtcu. While driving approximately 50 mph, the front brakes seized. The contact was only able to engage the rear brake system. With the help of a friend, the contact took the vehicle home. Six bends harley-davidson (9501 thunder rd, fort myers, florida, (239) 275-4647) was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,444.
- Service brakes
Bike parked in garage for about 3 weeks because of cold weather. fired it up to let it warm up for a few min's. climbed on to back it out and the front brake lever would not budge or stop the bike when I needed to stop. fortunately before I lost control, I was able to lean to the right while…
Bike parked in garage for about 3 weeks because of cold weather. fired it up to let it warm up for a few min's. climbed on to back it out and the front brake lever would not budge or stop the bike when I needed to stop. fortunately before I lost control, I was able to lean to the right while using rear brake and simultaneously hit the kill switch and pop it in 1ST gear to stop it. checked calipers. they were fine. started breaking lines and found that on the inlet to ABS unit there was fluid and brake movement. retightened and then broke the ABS output line and no fluid escaped and no movement of front lever. and I mean zero movement. it will not budge. started researching and found this to be a common issue for my bike and earlier versions. rear brake operation IS fine and not affected.
- Service brakes
I own and operate a harley davidson flhtcu ultra classic. while riding on the highway I tried to use my front brakes to stop at a red light and the brake lever was hard as a rock and was not able to make it function to stop the bike, had to rely on my rear brakes which put me in an slide because…
I own and operate a harley davidson flhtcu ultra classic. while riding on the highway I tried to use my front brakes to stop at a red light and the brake lever was hard as a rock and was not able to make it function to stop the bike, had to rely on my rear brakes which put me in an slide because of the hard breaking to compensate for the front brakes malfunction. I managed to return home using my rear brakes only. the malfunction of the front ABS brakes occurred without notice and it IS a hazardous condition. When I contacted the local HD dealership I was informed that they were not aware of any such malfunction on my 2011 flhtcu. They also advised that there are no recalls. When I spoke with other harley owners, I learned that this IS an ongoing problem with HD bikes beginning in 1999 when ABS brakes were first introduced but the manufacturer, harley davidson, does not accept any responsibility for the brake malfunction which costs over $1,000.00 to repair. This IS an issue that IS a serious problem. A front brake failure can have dire consequences and can result in a casualty because failure to stop on a two wheel vehicle IS dangerous and can be deadly.
- Wheels
Noticed increasing wobble in turns, handle bars shake at occasion, took to dealer, he test rode and said it was the front wheel bearings were shot, and that this IS a common occurrence on 09-12 harleys, he said harley has since been using a different bearing, and that the replacement wheel bearings were an upgraded product.
- Engine and engine cooling
Harley davidson tri glide 2011 motorcycle excessive heat blowing from right side of engine while riding over 55 mph for 25 minutes at a time over 2 hour period caused 2ND degree burns, blisters, scabbing and scarring to back of right leg. 356 total miles on motorcycle purchased new. HD inspection…
Harley davidson tri glide 2011 motorcycle excessive heat blowing from right side of engine while riding over 55 mph for 25 minutes at a time over 2 hour period caused 2ND degree burns, blisters, scabbing and scarring to back of right leg. 356 total miles on motorcycle purchased new. HD inspection post injury states the motorcycle IS operating per specifications to meet epa standard. No alterations and under warranty. *tr
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- 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…
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 determined that deposits were forming on the valves in the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) of the Antilock Braking System (ABS). These deposits could prevent the proper function of the HCU and render the brakes ineffective.To understand why deposits were forming in the HCU, Harley Davidson completed an analysis of the Dow 460 brake fluid used as original equipment on the subject motorcycles and determined that it had stability issues if left in the brake system for an extended period of time.Harley Davidson found that if a brake fluid flush was not conducted as outlined in the owner?s manual for the motorcycles, and was left in the system for a period of time beyond their recommendation; deposits could form in the HCU.Through further testing, Harley Davidson identified an alternate, commercially available, brake fluid that did not have the same stability issues as the original fluid and could stop the proliferation of any current brake system deposits.ODI sent Information Request (IR) letters to Harley Davidson and Dow Chemical (the supplier of the brake fluid on the subject motorcycles) to collect information about the subject bikes and the alleged defect.Harley Davidson responded in full on Sept 30, 2016 and Dow responded with a confidential submission on October 25, 2017.ODI analyzed the information contained in both IR responses and concluded that motorcycles manufactured during Model Years (MY) 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 were failing at a rate greater than their peers.Based on this analysis and the brake fluid study conducted by Harley Davidson, a group of motorcycles was identified that were potentially affected by the instability of the original brake fluid.2008 marked the introduction of ABS on Harley Davidson motorcycles and a change in the Dow 460 brake fluid used in the 2012 MY vehicles provided the bases for the scope of the affected population.With recall action 18V-076 taken by Harley Davidson this investigation is closed as further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: https://www.nhtsa.gov/ using the complaint identification numbers attached to this resume.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 11008736SERVICE BULLETIN M1555 (REV E): BATTERY WARRANTY GUIDELINES. PURPOSE: Revision E. Added: Added procedures for the DCA-8000 E Battery Tester.* Updated: All sections. This bulletin informs the dealership network that Harley-Davidson has provided guidelines for battery warranty.
- 11007544SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 24.8.8): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). Version 24.8.8. Release Date: Week of August 5, 2024. New Features for Harley-Davidson vehicles: Advanced Module Replace for 2021 and later Revolution Max; 2023 and later CVO Touring; and 2024 Street Glide (FLHX), Road Glide (FLTRX). New Features for LiveWire vehicles: Updated calibrations for 2024 S2DM EV1/ EV6; 2024 S2MH EV1; and 2024 S2DM, S2MH. Changes: Added Hand Control Module (HCM) (Part No. 71500522A and 71500536A) for reflash support.
- 11005514GENUINE MOTOR PARTS AND MOTOR ACCESSORIES BULLETIN PAB1158: OIL FILTER PACKAGING AND CASE QUANTITY UPDATE. PURPOSE: To inform dealerships that Harley-Davidson has made updates to oil filters including new part numbers, packaging design, and bulk case quantity changes.
- 11001293SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 24.6.4): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). Version 24.6.4. Release Date: Week of May 1, 2024. New Features for LiveWire S2DM and S2MH, 2024 Revolution Max, and 2024 Touring.
- 10254115SERVICE BULLETIN M1612 (REV A): MILWAUKEE-EIGHT AND TWIN CAM TRANSMISSION GEAR PACKS. Purpose: Revision. Update: Notes for Table 3 and 4. * Updated: Part Numbers. This bulletin informs dealers that all: Twin Cam gear packs on CVO, Dyna, Police, Softail, Touring & Trike models and Milwaukee-Eight gear packs on CVO, Police, Softail, Touring & Trike models ordered after December 04, 2023 will not come with the shift drum, forks, shafts and related hardware. Models Affected: 2006-2017 Twin Cams: Dyna models 2007-2016 Twin Cams: CVO, Police, Touring and Trike models 2007-2017 Twin Cams: Softail models 2017-2024 Milwaukee-Eight: CVO, Police, Touring and Trike models 2018-2024 Milwaukee-Eight: Softail models
- 10248401GENUINE MOTOR PARTS AND MOTOR ACCESSORIES BULLETIN PAB1146: 68193-95 BULB WEDGE, FENDER TIP LAMP. Purpose: To inform dealers of an issue with the bulb wire terminals not being to specification. The light bulbs were used in numerous front and rear fender tip light assemblies for domestic and international applications.
- 10248398SERVICE BULLETIN M1612: MILWAUKEE-EIGHT AND TWIN CAM TRANSMISSION GEAR PACKS. Purpose: This bulletin informs dealers that all: Twin Cam gear packs on CVO, Dyna, Police, Softail, Touring & Trike models and Milwaukee-Eight gear packs on CVO, Police, Softail, Touring & Trike models ordered after December 04, 2023 will not come with the shift drum, forks, shafts and related hardware. Note: Resubmission is a correction to Selected Products Section of Transaction ID 24MC44619, NHTSA ID 10248397. Models Affected by M1612 to include only: 2006-2017 Twin Cams: Dyna models 2007-2016 Twin Cams: CVO, Police, Touring and Trike models 2007-2017 Twin Cams: Softail models 2017-2024 Milwaukee-Eight: CVO, Police, Touring and Trike models 2018-2024 Milwaukee-Eight: Softail models
- 10248397SERVICE BULLETIN M1612: MILWAUKEE-EIGHT AND TWIN CAM TRANSMISSION GEAR PACKS. Purpose: This bulletin informs dealers that all: Twin Cam gear packs on CVO, Dyna, Police, Softail, Touring & Trike models and Milwaukee-Eight gear packs on CVO, Police, Softail, Touring & Trike models ordered after December 04, 2023 will not come with the shift drum, forks, shafts and related hardware.
- 10193480The purpose of this service bulletin is to communicate updates and corrections to certain 2008-2016 service literature.
- 10179446GENUINE MOTOR PARTS AND MOTOR ACCESSORIES BULLETIN PAB1100: TWIN CAM LONGBLOCK & WARRANTY ENGINE - PROGRAM UPDATES. PURPOSE: To inform dealers of certain twin cam longblock and twin cam warranty engines are no longer supported. Instead, shortblocks should be ordered where applicable.
- 10176926TECHNICAL TIP BULLETIN TT413: 2009 - 2020 TOURING REAR FORK RUSTY WATER LEAKAGE. PURPOSE: Revision. Some 2009 - 2020 Touring, Touring CVO, Touring Police models exhibit drainage of rusty water from the rear fork (where the debris deflector mounts), which has raised customer concern. Updated Model Years. NOTE: This is a cosmetic concern and not an indication of an internal issue.
- 10139399TECH ARTICLE TA0023: TA0023: Crankshaft Rod Bearing. Purpose: Technicians have been falsely identifying connecting rod bearings as failed due to a perception of resistance as the rods are rotated. The clearance of the Twin Cam and Milwaukee-Eight crank pin bearings are maintained to a very tight range. This optimizes performance and maintains low mechanical noise in operation. The connecting rod bore can also distort slightly in operation due to stress relaxation. As a result, bearing clearance decreases due to the contact zone broadening and the load being distributed over more rollers. The combination of a bore being slightly out of round and reduced bearing clearance can result in varying degrees of resistance through the range of motion. Axial clearance is also tightly controlled for proper alignment. For these reasons, zones of resistance can be found when the connecting rods are rotated by hand through their range of motion. Resistance during rod motion, by itself, is not an indication of a performance or durability concern.
Every Harley-Davidson Flhtcu model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.