The 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcutg has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 362,326 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1
1fires
SERVICE BRAKES
1
Total complaints5
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The rear brakes on a 2009 hd trike has very little stopping power,harley knows it has a problem because they started putting bigger brakes on the 2011 models. I thought that they would have to fix the 2009,and 2010 models.but there never was a recall on them.there is a safety problem when you…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 harley davidson flhtcutg. The contact stated while driving various speed there was a slight vibration which caused two bolts to detach from the exhaust. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the engine mount dislodged and the head would need to…”
“Rider experienced 2nd degree burns due to heat emanating from the engine during hot weather and stop-and-go traffic; rear cylinder shuts off and then motorcycle runs poorly (no acceleration); also affects braking (rear brake gets "mushy"); has resulted in discoloration of horn and air filer cover;…”
“Heat coming off the exhaust/engine makes the bike unbearable to ride...especially when the weather gets warmer and you are stopped or going slowly in traffic. It will burn your right calf severely and harley davisdon refuses to admit the problem or offer a remedy for it. Also rear brakes squeal…”
“On the above date this vehicle caught on fire less than a minute after starting it. I had rode this vehicle to work and was at work for around two hours. Upon leaving work, I started the motorcycle without getting on and was reaching to put items in the trunk when the fire started. When walking up…”
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 Flhtcutg as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.