2011 Harley-Davidson FLHTK

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

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

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.

crash · 31,000 miles

I WAS ON A COUNTRY ROAD GOING INTO A CORNER. I HIT THE REAR BRAKE TO FIND I DID NOT HAVE ANY REAR BRAKES. AFTER THE ACCIDENT WHEN I GOT THE BIKE HOME AND HAD TIME TO INSPECT IT I FOUND THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAD BLOW OUT CAUSING THE BACK BRAKES TO FAIL. I CALLED HARLEY CUSTOMER SERVICE AND DID NOT GET ANY ANSWERS OR EVEN A PHONE BACK AFTER I TOLD THEM THAT THEY MAY HAVE A PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL. I THEN CALLED MY DEALER. THEY ARE TRYING TO HELP BUT ARE NOT SURE WHAT THEY CAN DO EITHER. THE END RESULT IS THIS, I HAVE THE SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS. IT IS WELL MAINTAINED AND GARAGE KEPT. I BOUGHT IT NEW AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE THIS FAILURE. IT JUST HAD A MAJOR …

NHTSA complaint 10585844, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

crash · 35,000 miles

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY STEEP DRIVEWAY AND MY FRONT BRAKE SUDDENLY BECAME VERY HARD TO PULL, BORDERING ON IMPOSSIBLE, AND BASICALLY HAD NO STOPPING POWER. AS THIS IS THE ONLY BRAKE I COULD USE WHILE WALKING/BACKING MY BIKE DOWN MY SLOPED THE DRIVEWAY THE BIKE PICKED UP SPEED AND CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND THE BIKE FELL OVER. SINCE THEN I HAVE TRIED TO BLEED THE BRAKES 3 TIME WITH NO CHANGE. BRAKE LEVER IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL. I THEN REPLACED MY MASTER CYLINDER AND FLUID,BUT COULD STILL NOT BLEED THE FLUID TO GET PROPER LEVER PULL AN BRAKE ACTUATION. I HAVE NOW TROUBLESHOT THIS ISSUE AND NARROWED IT DOWN TO THE ABS MODULATOR, AS I AM GETTING FLUID FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER THROUGH THE LINE …

NHTSA complaint 10883646, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

22,000 miles

The contact owns a 2011 Harley-Davidson FLHTK Electra Glide Ultra. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V076000 (Services Brakes, Hydraulic) was performed; however, while riding and coming to a complete stop, the front brake was engaged but failed to respond. The contact was able to stop the motorcycle by engaging the rear brake. The contact stated that the front brake was inoperable. The dealer was notified of the failure and charged a fee for the repair. The motorcycle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.

NHTSA complaint 11553821. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

12,167 miles

WHEN I WENT TO APPLY THE REAR BRAKE THE PEDAL WAS SOLID AND BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. I NARROWLY AVOIDED CRASHING BUT NOT MY BIKE IS NOT SAFE TO RIDE. AFTER RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT HARLEY HAS BEEN AWARE OF ABS FAILURE FOR MANY YEARS THAT WAS CAUSED BY POOR DESIGN OF THEIR ABS SYSTEM. HOWEVER IT IS UP TO THE CONSUMER TO REPLACE THE PART. THEIR RECALL STATES TO CHANGE BRAKE FLUID EVERY TWO YEARS. HOWEVER OTHER VEHICLES WITH TH ESAME BRAKE FLUID HAVE NO ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint 11323169. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

48,000 miles

I HAD JUST PULLED OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREA AND MY MOTORCYCLE STARTED PRODUCING A CLANKING NOISE FROM THE PRIMARY CASE AND AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE PRIMARY COMPENSATOR WAS FAILING. AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED, MY CYCLE ALSO DROPPED VOLTAGE FROM 14.8 VOLTS DC DOWN TO 8 OR 9 VOLTS DC AND CAUSED THE CYCLE TO BOG, AND LOST MECHANICAL POWER ON A HILL WITH HIGH TRAFFIC FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS ON A HEAVILY TRAFFICKED MAIN U.S. HIGHWAY. HAD IT BEEN DAYLIGHT, THE ISSUE COULD HAVE COSTED MY LIFE HAD IT NOT BEEN FROM THE GLOW OF MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS GLOWING IN THE DARK NIGHT, BLINKING. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WHERE TO PULL OFF OF …

NHTSA complaint 11316186, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

32,000 miles

HAD BRAKE RECALL DONE FOR BRAKE FLUSHING BUT INTERMITTENTLY THE BRAKE PEDAL GET HARD AND WILL NOT STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE REAR BRAKE. HARLEY DEALER FLUSHED THE FLUID BUT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS CONTROLLER AND THEY SAY THAT'S NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I HAVE FLUSHED THE FLUID EVERY YEAR BY MYSELF SO IT IS NOT A FLUID PROBLEM ALTHOUGH HARLEY WON'T ADMIT IT. THEY HAVE SINCE CHANGED TO ANOTHER SUBLET MANUFACTURER (BOSCH) TO MAKE THEIR NEW CONTROLLERS. I THINK MINE SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE FACTORY AT NO CHARGE FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE CONTROLER.

NHTSA complaint 11109787. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

31,000 miles

LOSS OF BRAKING- AFTER SERVICE OF BRAKE FLUID RECALL- BRAKES FAILED AT 70 MPH ON FREEWAY. THE FRONT BRAKE HANDLE BECAME STIFF AND HAD NO MOVEMENT OR BRAKING.

NHTSA complaint 11083544. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

22,044 miles

FRONT BRAKE HANDLE BECAME FROZEN....COULD NOT SQUEEZE HANDLE TO OPERATE FRONT BRAKES. ONLY DROVE A VERY SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE I REALIZED I HAD NO FRONT BRAKES....PUT BIKE BACK INTO GARAGE AND CALLED TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. HARLEY REPAIR SHOP QUICKLY DETERMINED SOURCE OF PROBLEM...A DEFECTIVE ABS MODULE. THEY INDICATED THEY HAD SEEN OTHER BIKES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IF I HADN'T NOTICED PROBLEM AS SOON AS I TOOK OFF, AND HAD TO STOP QUICKLY IN TRAFFIC, I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN SERIOUS TROUBLE. I CALLED HARLEY CUSTOMER SERVICE AS WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT PROVIDING WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THIS DEFECT. I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD RECALL THE BIKES TO INSPECT THE PART.

NHTSA complaint 11060864. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.