The 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhx has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 536,962 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 41 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
10
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
6
SERVICE BRAKES
6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
6
1crashes1injuries
POWER TRAIN
3
ENGINE
2
STEERING
2
WHEELS
2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
Total complaints41
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2009 harley davidson hlfx equipped with shinko tire line: shinko tires e705, tire size: 180/65/r16, dot number: (n/a). The contact stated that while riding 20-25 mph in the rain, the rear tire began to skid while rounding a curve and the contact lost control of the motorcycle.…”
“I took my bike in to myrtle beach harley davidson for the repair as described in the recall. My bike had no issues with brakes or abs light. The service department hooked it up to their computer and the abs light was triggered. The service caused the abs module to fail. They refuse to repair the…”
“The contact owns a 2009 harley-davidson street glide (flhx). The contact stated while driving out of his driveway at 10 mph, the front hand-brake pedal was depressed, however felt hard. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. There was no crash. The contact stated he researched the…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 harley davidson street motorcycle. The contact came to a stop at an intersection, the rear wheel sped off and the contact was ejected from the vehicle. The contact flipped off the motorcycle and onto the concrete. The motor malfunctioned due to a failed "fly by wire…”
“Hundreds of riders in forums online have reported the same issue where the contact between the motorcycle's wire pins going into the throttle induction model actuator becomes disrupted while riding. Harley-davidson has programed the bike to shut down the rpms to no more than 2,000 and shutting…”
“Anti lock brakes front and rear, hard pedal top and bottom. Vehicle does not stop.”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 harley-davidson street glide (flhx) motorcycle. While driving approximately 35 mph, the rear brakes locked up. The contact downshifted and used the front brakes to drive back to his residence. The vehicle was taken to the motorcity harley-davidson dealer (24800 haggerty…”
“Transmission is poorly manufactured. Motorcycle has 40k miles and when ring on shifter gets hot, it becomes brittle causing it to break off 1/4" causing bike to loose power and gear while traveling at highway speeds. When taken to repair shop, piece had damaged other 5 gears can provide pictures…”
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 Flhx as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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