The 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhrc has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 536,962 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. 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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3
1crashes1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES
3
1crashes1injuries
ENGINE
2
POWER TRAIN
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2
1fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
1
1fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1
1crashes1injuries
STEERING
1
1injuries
SUSPENSION
1
1injuries
Total complaints18
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2009 harley-davidson road king classic flhrc motorcycle. The contact stated while riding 75 mph, the front lever became resistant and had to press forcefully to slow the motorcycle. The contact stated he continued riding to his destination. The contact took the motorcycle to the…”
“Starting issue that lead to the replacement of the compensator replacement. On going issue with many hd cycles (2006-2012) that owners are left to resolve with their own moneys not at their own fault. Have a little over 10k miles which is an unacceptable issue. I was caught away from home when non…”
“While exiting a town I accelerated to highway speed then my engine stalled out and went into limp-home mode not allowing any more than an idle, very dangerous. Luckily I was not passing anyone or riding in a group when the engine lost all acceleration, worse would have been trying to cross a busy…”
“While exiting a town I accelerated to highway speed then my engine stalled out and went into limp-home mode not allowing any more than an idle, very dangerous. Luckily I was not passing anyone or riding in a group when the engine lost all acceleration, worse would have been trying to cross a busy…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 harley-davidson flhrc road king classic. While pulling into the driveway at approximately 5 mph and attempting to apply the brakes, the abs failed. The contact crashed into the garage door. The contact received injuries to his foot, which required medical attention. A…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 harley-davidson flhrc road king classic. While pulling into the driveway at approximately 5 mph and attempting to apply the brakes, the abs failed. The contact crashed into the garage door. The contact received injuries to his foot, which required medical attention. A…”
“I was having issue with batterys going bad and it turns out to be the compensator in which if I didn't get fixed it could have caused me to crash my bike. It's a known issue with in theses years from 08 to 2011.”
“I was having issue with batterys going bad and it turns out to be the compensator in which if I didn't get fixed it could have caused me to crash my bike. It's a known issue with in theses years from 08 to 2011.”
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 Flhrc as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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