The 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhr has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 425,393 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes. 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.
Complaints by component
SERVICE BRAKES
3
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
ENGINE
1
1injuries
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
1
SUSPENSION:REAR
1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1
1crashes1injuries1deaths
Total complaints10
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 harley-davidson electra glide ultra (flhr) motorcycle. The contact stated that the abs indicator illuminated, which signified that the mortorcycle did not have anti-lock braking ability. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…”
“The saddle bag fell off while going down the highway and collided with the motorcycle behind it causing the rider to come off at 100 km/hour. This is not the first time the saddle bag has come off. The previous time, it was the other side so the owner of this motorcycle was extra careful to be…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 harley-davidson flhr (road king). The contact stated that nhtsa campaign number: 18v076000 (service brakes, hydraulic) was performed on march 11, 2018 at queen city harley-davidson (5960 dixie highway fairfield, ohio 45014 phone [REDACTED]) however, the repair did not…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 harley-davidson flhr road king. While driving approximately 55 mph approaching a construction traffic jam, the rear brake locked up when applied and the frontal brake leveler was very hard to apply. The contact had to coast between the lanes of traffic until the frontal…”
“Headlights and passing lamps flicker on and off intermittently. Major safety concern at night. Problem appears to be related to wiring for the headlight and passing lamps. Happens when you turn the handlebars left or right. Happens sitting still and while motorcycle is in motion.”
“Headlights and passing lamps flicker on and off intermittently. Major safety concern at night. Problem appears to be related to wiring for the headlight and passing lamps. Happens when you turn the handlebars left or right. Happens sitting still and while motorcycle is in motion.”
“While trying to stop at a stop sigh the front brakes would not work at all after getting stopped and parking the bike, the break lever would not move. After several attempts pulling on the break it loosened up so I rode bike to repair shop. Every time the front break would engage (which was not…”
“Right side of the engine overheating to the point of burning my pants and legs. Completely unacceptable for a $20k bike. Harley states that is is normal. There is nothing normal for a rider to burn his/her legs. *tr”
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 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhr as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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