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Harley-Davidson · NHTSA safety record

2010 Harley-Davidson FLHTCUSE5

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

8

Complaints

1

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHTCUSE5 have filed 8 safety complaints with NHTSA between September 2010 and April 2019. The most complained-about system is the brakes, named in 3 of them (38%). The typical failure was reported at 15,991 miles, the median across the 8 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 3 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (3)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

18V076000 · January 29, 2018

The defect
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 (EFI) (FLHTCU) and Street Glide (EFI) (FLHX), 2008 VROD (VRSCAWA), CVO Road King 4 (FLHRSE4), Night Rod (VRSCDA), CVO Ultra Classic 3 (FLHTCUSE3), Night Rod Special (VRSCDXA), 2008-2010 Road King Classic (EFI) (FLHRC), 2008-2009 Road Glide (EFI) (FLTR) and Electra Glide Standard (EFI) (FLHT), 2009-2010 V-Rod (VRSCAW), 2009 CVO Ultra Classic (FLHTCUSE4) and CVO Road Glide 3 (FLTRSE3), 2009-2011 Night Rod Special (VRSCDX) and V-Rod Muscle (VRSCF), 2010 CVO Ultra Classic 5 (FLHTCUSE5) and CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), 2010-2011 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (FLHTK) and Road Glide Custom (FLTRX), 2011 Road Glide Ultra 103 (FLTRU103), Street Glide 103 (FLHX103), Road King Classic 103 (FLHRC103), CVO Ultra Classic 6 (FLHTCUSE6), CVO Road Glide Ultra (FLTRUSE), Road Glide Custom 103 (FLTRX103), and CVO Street Glide 2 (FLHXSE2) motorcycles. Deposits may form on components within the brake system if the DOT 4 brake fluid is not replaced for a prolonged period of time beyond the 2-year maintenance schedule specified in the Owner’s Manual.
The 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.
The 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 Motor Company · up to 174,636 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

11V506000 · October 19, 2011

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY · up to 250,757 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

09V457000 · December 1, 2009

The defect
HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 TOURING FAMILY MOTORCYCLES, INCLUDING CVO TOURING AND TRIKE PRODUCTS, MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 6, 2008 THROUGH NOVEMBER 19, 2009. THE FRONT FUEL TANK MOUNTS MAY DISTORT IN REACTION TO SEVERE FRAME DAMAGE FROM A FRONTAL COLLISION. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE A FUEL LEAK AT THE WELD OF THE FRONT BRACKET TO THE TUNNEL.
The risk
A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE, WHICH COULD LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LEFT AND RIGHT BRACE, WHICH ARE INTENDED TO REDUCE FRONT MOUNT DISTORTION DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS. THIS REPAIR WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY · up to 111,569 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Sudden Brake Failure - Motorcycle

PE16009

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened July 6, 2016 · closed April 23, 2018 · led to recall 18V076000

the hydraulic brakes

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.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 8.

SERVICE BRAKES 3 38%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2 25%
ENGINE 1 13%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 1 13%
POWER TRAIN 1 13%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 1 13%
STRUCTURE 1 13%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2010 at 1.

2010 2019
2010 to 2019

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

fire · 13,982 miles

REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WIRES CAUGHT ON FIRE LEADING TO COMPLETE REAR BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10432822. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

crash · 18,000 miles

ANTI LOCK BRAKES SYSTEM (ABS) FAILED ON MY MOTORCYCLE CAUSING MY BRAKES NOT TO WORK AT ALL. I HAD A LOW SPEED WRECK BECAUSE OF THIS. HARLEY DAVIDSON IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO TAKE CREDIT FOR IT. THIS ABS PROBLEM STEMS FROM THE RECOMMENDED BRAKE FLUID CAN CREATE MOISTURE IN THE ABS SYSTEM CAUSE IF THE ABS TO FAIL. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO MY MOTORCYCLE. I HAVE REPLACED MY BRAKE FLUID PER THE OWNERS MANUAL EVERY 2 YEARS SINCE I'VE OWNED THE BIKE. THIS WAS SUMITTED TO HARLEY AND THEY STILL REFUSE TO REPLACE MY ABS SYSTEM DUE TO ME NOT HAVING THE PREVIOUS OWNERS RECEIPTS SHOW WHERE HE HAD THE SERVICE DONE.

NHTSA complaint 11080131. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

20,250 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC (FLHTCUSE5). WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. HENDERSON HARLEY-DAVIDSON (1010 W WARM SPRINGS RD, HENDERSON, NV 89014) WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,250. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint 11196701. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

58,000 miles

BACK BRAKE HARD PEDAL. BACK TIRE LOCKED UP . ABS MODULE FAILED

NHTSA complaint 11010610. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

13,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCUSE5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A COMPLETE HALT, THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER FAILED TO DEPRESS. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE ANTI-LOCK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MODULE FOR THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

NHTSA complaint 10883927. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

8,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE FLHTCUSE5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. ## VIN PASSED ## HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHT CUSE5 ##

NHTSA complaint 10636988. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

21,000 miles

THE REAR BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD NOT ALLOW PRESSURE PAST THE ABS MODULE. THIS FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY AN OBSTRUCTION IN THE MODULE. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10551156. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other 2010 Harley-Davidson models

Every Harley-Davidson on this site — 32 vehicles, 96 recall campaigns and 0 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

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