2011 Harley-Davidson Flhp

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 complete loss of brakes on one or both wheels.To better understand the cause of the braking issue on the subject motorcycles, ODI requested NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) conduct inspections and testing of affected vehicle braking systems.Through its work, VRTC determined that deposits were forming on the valves in the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) of the Antilock Braking System (ABS). These deposits could prevent the proper function of the HCU and render the brakes ineffective.To understand why deposits were forming in the HCU, Harley Davidson completed an analysis of the Dow 460 brake fluid used as original equipment on the subject motorcycles and determined that it had stability issues if left in the brake system for an extended period of time.Harley Davidson found that if a brake fluid flush was not conducted as outlined in the owner?s manual for the motorcycles, and was left in the system for a period of time beyond their recommendation; deposits could form in the HCU.Through further testing, Harley Davidson identified an alternate, commercially available, brake fluid that did not have the same stability issues as the original fluid and could stop the proliferation of any current brake system deposits.ODI sent Information Request (IR) letters to Harley Davidson and Dow Chemical (the supplier of the brake fluid on the subject motorcycles) to collect information about the subject bikes and the alleged defect.Harley Davidson responded in full on Sept 30, 2016 and Dow responded with a confidential submission on October 25, 2017.ODI analyzed the information contained in both IR responses and concluded that motorcycles manufactured during Model Years (MY) 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 were failing at a rate greater than their peers.Based on this analysis and the brake fluid study conducted by Harley Davidson, a group of motorcycles was identified that were potentially affected by the instability of the original brake fluid.2008 marked the introduction of ABS on Harley Davidson motorcycles and a change in the Dow 460 brake fluid used in the 2012 MY vehicles provided the bases for the scope of the affected population.With recall action 18V-076 taken by Harley Davidson this investigation is closed as further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: https://www.nhtsa.gov/ using the complaint identification numbers attached to this resume.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHP ROAD KING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WAS BLOCKED AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALLIGATOR ALLEY HARLEY-DAVIDSON (201 INTERNATIONAL PKWY, SUNRISE, FL 33325, (954) 414-4135). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL DID NOT COVER THE ABS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 23,000.

NHTSA ID

11076921

Incident

Dec 9, 2017

Mileage

23,000 mi

THE VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE REAR BRAKE FUNCTION. DEALER DIAGNOSED AS BRAKE SWITCH. WAS TOLD VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED FOR THIS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V506000. I PURCHASED VEHICLE WITH 1,200 MILES IT NOW HAS 21,000 MILES. I WAS CHARGED $50 FOR THE REPAIR. QUITE ODD AS THERE ARE VIRTUALLY NO REPAIRS EXECUTED AT THAT PRICE. I DID NOT RECEIVE THE FAILED PART BACK. THIS IS PARTICULARLY WORRISOME AS IT IS A VERY HEAVY MOTORCYCLE AND REAR BRAKES ARE REQUIRED TO STOP AS WELL AS ENSURE SAFE HANDLING WHEN REDUCING SPEED AND TURNS. RELIANCE ON ONLY THE FRONT BRAKE IS DISCOURAGED BY THE MANUFACTURER IN THE CONTEXT OF SAFE RIDING. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED ASAP.

NHTSA ID

11016309

Incident

Aug 9, 2017

Mileage

21,000 mi

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY WE HAVEN'T RESEARCH IN HARLEY DAVIDSON DEATH WOBBLE , BEEN NOTED BY CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM, ENOUGH WE'RE THEY HAVE TESTED THESE BIKE AND WILL NO LONGER PUT THEIR OFFICERS AT RISK, THEIR HAVE BEEN MANY CRASHES OVER THE YRS WITH THE PUBLIC WITH THIS ISSUE, I ALSO DRIVE A HARLEY FLIP BIKE AND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE AT LOW SPEEDS 30 TO 40 MPH I WAS NOT HURT AND WAS ABLE TO GET BIKE OUT OF WOBBLE , HARLEY DAVIDSON CORP ADMITS TO THIS PROBLEM, BUT FUNNY NEVER HAS OFFERED A FIX OR RECALL, DON'T YOU THINK THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE ANYMORE CONSUMER GET HURT OR KILLED, OR OUR POLICE FORCE AT RISK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10611160

Incident

Jun 3, 2014

Mileage

9,340 mi

I WAS RIDING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED A LOUD HOWLING COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY MOTORCYCLE. I RODE TO THE NEAREST HARLEY DEALER AND THEY REPLACED MY FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10597240

Incident

Jun 4, 2014

Mileage

24,000 mi

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.0.2): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). New Software Update Version 26.0.2. Release Date: Week of November 18, 2025. New Features, Changes. 2026 Vehicles, 2025 Softail and LiveWire S2DM/MH/AP EV3. NOTE: Digital Technician II (DT II) supports additional Harley-Davidson motorcycle models and model years outside of those listed.

SERVICE BULLETIN M1391A (REVU): MIDTRONICS GRX-3110 AND DCA-8000 SOFTWARE. PURPORSE: Revision U. The purpose of this bulletin is to inform the dealer network that a software update to the GRX-3110 and DCA-8000 is now available. DYNAMIC DIAGNOSTIC CHARGER SYSTEM (PART NUMBER: DCA-8000). [Rev U] Added: Description of improvements made to the testing algorithm for GRX software Version P and DCA-8000 software Version E.

GENUINE MOTOR PARTS AND ACCESSORIES BULLETIN PAB1171 (REV B): SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR SCREAMIN EAGLE PRO STREET TUNER. PURPOSE: Revision B. Updated: Summary. The App has returned to the Apple App Store. This bulletin informs dealers that a recent software update to the Screamin' Eagle Pro Street Tuner application will require the use of a Personal Computer (PC) to complete a Bluetooth Communication Interface (BCI) firmware update.

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 25.8.9): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). New Software Update Version 25.8.9 Release Date: Week of September 2, 2025. Changes: LiveWire 2024 S2MH: Removal of incorrect Electro Hydraulic Control Unit (EHCU) reflash support; EHCU Module (Part No. 41100123): Addressed issue where module became unrecoverable after failed reflash attempted. NOTE: Digital Technician II (DT II) supports additional Harley-Davidson motorcycle models and model years outside of those listed.

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 25.8.7): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). New Software Update Version 25.6.4, Release Date: Week of August 19, 2025. Includes New Features and Changes for the Models & Model Years listed. NOTE: Digital Technician II (DT II) supports additional Harley-Davidson motorcycle models and model years outside of those listed.

SERVICE BULLETIN M1391A (REV T): MIDTRONICS GRX-3110 AND DCA-8000 SOFTWARE. PURPORSE: Revision T. The purpose of this bulletin is to inform the dealer network that a software update to the GRX-3110 and DCA-8000 is now available. DYNAMIC DIAGNOSTIC CHARGER SYSTEM (PART NUMBER: DCA-8000). [Rev T] Updated: New Software Update, Previous Software Updates and DCA-8000. Added: 192-210335P. Software update 192-210335P for GRX-3110 and DCA-800 to add new battery part numbers.