The 2012 Harley-Davidson Flhtcutg has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 250,757 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes. 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.
Complaints by component
SERVICE BRAKES
3
3crashes2injuries2deaths
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
1crashes1deaths
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
POWER TRAIN
1
STEERING
1
1crashes1deaths
STRUCTURE:BODY
1
1injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1
Total complaints9
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact's husband owned a 2012 harley-davidson tri glide ultra classic. The contact stated while her husband was driving at 30-35 mph on a curve, the brake pedal or caliber was depressed but failed to respond. The contact stated the motorcycle rolled over and her husband jumped off and fell…”
“All #'s/times are approx. At 2:15p, sun to back, and 30-35mph going into a curve, bike went off road. No brake lights, new tire, 406 miles on it, 6.6 miles fr: dealership, 3rd time there for random electrical issues, radio, starting, etc. Less than 1 mile tested in parking lot. Battery replaced.…”
“All #'s/times are approx. At 2:15p, sun to back, and 30-35mph going into a curve, bike went off road. No brake lights, new tire, 406 miles on it, 6.6 miles fr: dealership, 3rd time there for random electrical issues, radio, starting, etc. Less than 1 mile tested in parking lot. Battery replaced.…”
“All #'s/times are approx. At 2:15p, sun to back, and 30-35mph going into a curve, bike went off road. No brake lights, new tire, 406 miles on it, 6.6 miles fr: dealership, 3rd time there for random electrical issues, radio, starting, etc. Less than 1 mile tested in parking lot. Battery replaced.…”
“Failure of the compensator-I also hear from hd mechanics that so many of these have failed it should be a recall. I was lucky, mine failed when I had a trailer to tow it. However, the failure of the compensator did cost me $4500 to repair for a $299 part. Please check to see if hd is having that…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 harley-davidson flhtcutg. While driving downhill at approximately 15-20 mph and depressing the brake pedal, the pedal traveled to the floorboard and failed to stop the motorcycle. As a result of the brake failure, the contact crashed into a guardrail. A police report…”
“Cpsc: i1460341a. 2012 harley-davidson flhtcutg. Consumer stated the rear driver differential unexpectedly failed. *ln the motorcycle was repaired. *jb”
“Took a 400 mile trip from orlando, florida to key west, florida on 7/27/11. On the way down to key west, the right side of the motorcycle was extremely hot!! Heat caused inside calf of my wife's right leg to become extremely red and burned. Had her leg checked by a nurse in key west and was…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2012 Harley-Davidson Flhtcutg as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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