The 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 425,393 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 6 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.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The recall remedy to flush the system does not address the concern that the abs unit still has the potential for failure. Millions of abs systems in cars do not have such issues that require a hydraulic flush every 2 years. Failure is the abs control module; it should not be due to moisture in a…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 harley-davidson ultra-glide flhtcu. While driving approximately 50 mph, the front brakes seized. The contact was only able to engage the rear brake system. With the help of a friend, the contact took the vehicle home. Six bends harley-davidson (9501 thunder rd, fort…”
“Bike parked in garage for about 3 weeks because of cold weather. Fired it up to let it warm up for a few min's. Climbed on to back it out and the front brake lever would not budge or stop the bike when I needed to stop. Fortunately before I lost control, I was able to lean to the right while using…”
“I own and operate a harley davidson flhtcu ultra classic. While riding on the highway I tried to use my front brakes to stop at a red light and the brake lever was hard as a rock and was not able to make it function to stop the bike, had to rely on my rear brakes which put me in an slide because…”
“Noticed increasing wobble in turns, handle bars shake at occasion, took to dealer, he test rode and said it was the front wheel bearings were shot, and that this is a common occurrence on 09-12 harleys, he said harley has since been using a different bearing, and that the replacement wheel…”
“Harley davidson tri glide 2011 motorcycle excessive heat blowing from right side of engine while riding over 55 mph for 25 minutes at a time over 2 hour period caused 2nd degree burns, blisters, scabbing and scarring to back of right leg. 356 total miles on motorcycle purchased new. Hd inspection…”
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 Flhtcu as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.