The 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhr has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 536,962 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC18V0760002018-01-29174,636 affected
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)…
Consequence
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.
Consequence
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.
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…
Consequence
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.
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3
SERVICE BRAKES
3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2
TIRES
1
1crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1
Total complaints15
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“Compensator failure”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE16009 Opened 2016-07-06 · closed 2018-04-23
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhr as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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