RoadVitals

2009 Harley-Davidson Flhrc Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Jul 21, 2021
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
8
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhrc, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Brakes635.3%
  • Electrical317.6%
  • Powertrain (other)211.8%
  • Engine211.8%
  • Suspension15.9%
  • Driver assistance15.9%
  • Fuel system15.9%
  • Steering15.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2009 Harley-Davidson Road King Classic FLHRC Motorcycle. The contact stated while riding 75 mph, the front lever became resistant and had to press forcefully to slow the motorcycle. The contact stated he continued riding to his destination. The contact took the motorcycle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the ABS Hydraulic Unit replaced. Additionally, the vehicle was subjected to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V076000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The motorcycle was not repaired however, the repair was pending. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.

NHTSA ID 11425758 · filed Jul 21, 2021

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP I WENT TO APPLY BRAKES, APPLIED REAR BRAKE AND ATTEMPTED TO APPLY FRONT BRAKE AND THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WAS FROZEN SOLID AND THE FRONT BRAKES DID NOT ACTUATE. I WAS ABLE TO STOP COMPLETELY WITH REAR BRAKE ONLY

NHTSA ID 10906894 · filed Sep 15, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC. WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE ABS FAILED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO HIS FOOT, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR FAILED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. UPDATED 09/20/16*LJ

NHTSA ID 10893536 · filed Aug 5, 2016

AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, MY MOTORCYCLE DID NOT RESPOND TO THROTTLE INPUT. THE ENGINE RAN, BUT WENT INTO "LIMP MODE", WHICH IS A LOW RPM ONLY MODE. I COULD NOT MAINTAIN THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT. I PULLED OVER, SHUT THE BIKE ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND THE ISSUE CEASED. THIS SITUATION OCCURRED ONE OTHER TIME LATER THAT SAME DAY BUT REQUIRED AT LEAST 5 ATTEMPTS AT TURNING THE POWER ON AND OFF BEFORE I COULD REGAIN THE FULL RANGE OF THROTTLE RESPONSE REQUIRED TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD. I TOOK THE BIKE INTO THE LOCAL HD DEALER. THEY RECOVERED AT LEAST TWO ERROR CODES FROM THE BIKE. THEY ASKED IF I HAD THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR OR THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. THEY SAID THE "LIMP THROTTLE" ISSUE IS COMMON WITH "DRIVE BY WIRE" (NO MECHANICAL THROTTLE CABLE) HARLEYS. THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX THE ISSUE. I CONVEYED MY CONCERN THAT THIS CONDITION IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IF IT OCCURS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED DOWN THE INTERSTATE OR IN A LANE OF TRAFFIC WHERE I COULDN'T EASILY PULL OVER AFTER LOSING THROTTLE RESPONSE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE, BUT AGREES THAT ERROR CODES WERE DISPLAYED WHEN I BROUGHT THE BIKE IN FOR SERVICE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. I AM HESITANT TO RIDE MY MOTORCYCLE IN TRAFFIC FOR FEAR THAT I WILL BE REAR ENDED IF THE BIKE ENTERS LIMP MODE AT SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING. IT APPEARS THIS ISSUE IS SOMEWHAT PREVALENT ON LATE MODEL DRIVE BY WIRE HARLEYS. REFERENCE MESSAGE BOARD LINK: HTTP://WWW.HARLEY-DAVIDSONFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/TOURING-GENERAL-DISCUSSIONS/10308-09-TOURING-BIKE-POSSIBLE-WIRING-HARNESS-ISSUE-3.HTML IT IS TROUBLESOME THAT THE DEALER WASN'T SURPRISED THAT THIS ISSUE AROSE. *JS

NHTSA ID 10455386 · filed Apr 16, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

STARTING ISSUE THAT LEAD TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE COMPENSATOR REPLACEMENT. ON GOING ISSUE WITH MANY HD CYCLES (2006-2012) THAT OWNERS ARE LEFT TO RESOLVE WITH THEIR OWN MONEYS NOT AT THEIR OWN FAULT. HAVE A LITTLE OVER 10K MILES WHICH IS AN UNACCEPTABLE ISSUE. I WAS CAUGHT AWAY FROM HOME WHEN NON STARTING ISSUE OCCURRED. CURRENTLY AWAITING PARTS AND LABOR AT GOWANDA HARLEY DAVIDSON!

NHTSA ID 11003065 · filed Jul 5, 2017

I WAS HAVING ISSUE WITH BATTERYS GOING BAD AND IT TURNS OUT TO BE THE COMPENSATOR IN WHICH IF I DIDN'T GET FIXED IT COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO CRASH MY BIKE. IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH IN THESES YEARS FROM 08 TO 2011.

NHTSA ID 10899813 · filed Aug 31, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE EXITING A TOWN I ACCELERATED TO HIGHWAY SPEED THEN MY ENGINE STALLED OUT AND WENT INTO LIMP-HOME MODE NOT ALLOWING ANY MORE THAN AN IDLE, VERY DANGEROUS. LUCKILY I WAS NOT PASSING ANYONE OR RIDING IN A GROUP WHEN THE ENGINE LOST ALL ACCELERATION, WORSE WOULD HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION. CERTAIN DISASTER!!

NHTSA ID 10981722 · filed May 1, 2017

I WAS HAVING ISSUE WITH BATTERYS GOING BAD AND IT TURNS OUT TO BE THE COMPENSATOR IN WHICH IF I DIDN'T GET FIXED IT COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO CRASH MY BIKE. IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH IN THESES YEARS FROM 08 TO 2011.

NHTSA ID 10899813 · filed Aug 31, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN DECELERATING, AND BIKE IS BETWEEN 35-45 MPH, A HARSH FRONT END WOBBLE OCCURS. CAN BE LIMITED BY TIGHTLY GRIPPING THE BARS. DEALER INDICATED IT WAS THE TIRES, THOUGH THEY WERE NEW. HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES TWICE SINCE AND STILL NO FIX. DEALER'S SOLUTION NOW IS TO SUSTAIN A HARD GRIP ON THE BARS AT ALL TIMES, WHICH IS UNSAFE AND NOT A PRACTICAL SOLUTION. IN THE INCIDENT ON 6/16/11, IT CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL AND A SLOW-SPEED TUMBLE FROM THE BIKE, IN WHICH MY ELBOW WAS INJURED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10494660 · filed Jan 25, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE ENGAGED INTO IDLE MODE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL, BUT DID BECOME UNRESPONSIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000. *TR UPDATED 8/5/13 *CN

NHTSA ID 10510385 · filed May 2, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE EXITING A TOWN I ACCELERATED TO HIGHWAY SPEED THEN MY ENGINE STALLED OUT AND WENT INTO LIMP-HOME MODE NOT ALLOWING ANY MORE THAN AN IDLE, VERY DANGEROUS. LUCKILY I WAS NOT PASSING ANYONE OR RIDING IN A GROUP WHEN THE ENGINE LOST ALL ACCELERATION, WORSE WOULD HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION. CERTAIN DISASTER!!

NHTSA ID 10981722 · filed May 1, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN DECELERATING, AND BIKE IS BETWEEN 35-45 MPH, A HARSH FRONT END WOBBLE OCCURS. CAN BE LIMITED BY TIGHTLY GRIPPING THE BARS. DEALER INDICATED IT WAS THE TIRES, THOUGH THEY WERE NEW. HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES TWICE SINCE AND STILL NO FIX. DEALER'S SOLUTION NOW IS TO SUSTAIN A HARD GRIP ON THE BARS AT ALL TIMES, WHICH IS UNSAFE AND NOT A PRACTICAL SOLUTION. IN THE INCIDENT ON 6/16/11, IT CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL AND A SLOW-SPEED TUMBLE FROM THE BIKE, IN WHICH MY ELBOW WAS INJURED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10494660 · filed Jan 25, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .