RoadVitals

2012 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu103

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
15
Latest Feb 17, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Oct 19, 2011
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 15 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu103, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 21 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes640.0%
  • Electrical320.0%
  • Engine213.3%
  • Driver assistance16.7%
  • Body & structure16.7%
  • Other / unspecified16.7%
  • Suspension16.7%

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

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
11V506000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Oct 19, 2011
250,757 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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 MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 0145View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 15
Brakes
Filed Feb 17, 2020

2012 ROAD GLIDE ULTRA. ABS MODULE HAS GONE BAD AT 48000 MILES. THIS SEEMS TO BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AND THE BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION NOW. MOTORCYCLE IS NOT ROAD WORTH AND NOW PARKED.

NHTSA ID
11309600
Incident
Feb 15, 2020
Mileage
48,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 13, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST BRAKE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAVANNAH HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEALER (912-925-0005, LOCATED AT 1 FORT ARGYLE RD, SAVANNAH, GA 31419) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE MODEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. AND ISSUED A CASE NUMBER: 3936516. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 31,000.

NHTSA ID
11299001
Incident
Jan 7, 2020
Mileage
31,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 11, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT WAS STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,172.

NHTSA ID
11267986
Incident
Sep 23, 2019
Mileage
14,172 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 13, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported

KICKSTAND SPRING BROKE CAUSING BIKE TO JUMP NINTO 180 DEGREE CRASH

NHTSA ID
11129373
Incident
Sep 12, 2018
Mileage
37,600 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 21, 2017

START VEHICLE AND NO CHARGING. LESS THAN 12V ON DASH GAUGE. 2ND TIME IN TWO WEEKS THIS HAS HAPPENED. CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHT COME ON. 3 MILES DOWN THE ROAD, AND VOLTAGE IS NOW 14V. CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHT SWITCH OFF. SUSPECT A FAULTY VOLTAGE REGULATOR. HAD THIS HAPPEN ON THE 05 FLHTCU I OWNED PREVIOUSLY. $200+ FOR NEW VOLTAGE REGULATOR. WILL TROUBLESHOOT CHARGING CIRCUIT PRIOR TO BUYING NEW REGULATOR.

NHTSA ID
11000444
Incident
Jun 21, 2017
Mileage
22,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 17, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA FLHTCU. WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE, THE VOLTAGE FLUCTUATED AND THE MOTORCYCLE BEGAN TO SPUTTER. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, WHICH HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10955320
Incident
Sep 1, 2016
Suspension
Filed Jun 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE REAR OF THE MOTORCYCLE STARTED TO WOBBLE. THE CONTACT DECREASED IN SPEED TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE FAILURE STOPPED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALER NO DIAGNOSIS WAS RENDERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

NHTSA ID
10871781
Incident
Sep 14, 2015
Mileage
12,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 18, 2016
Crash reported

ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU) FAILURE. FRONT BRAKE LEVER AND REAR PEDAL LOCKED OUT. NO BRAKING ABAILITY. COMPONENT FAILURE MODE LEAVES VEHICLE WITH NO BRAKING ABILITY CAUSING ACCIDENT W/O FATALITY. HARLEY DAVIDSON MO CO NOTIFIED WITH NO RESPONSE. CONTACTED 800-258-2464.

NHTSA ID
10865577
Incident
May 18, 2016
Mileage
98,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

M1490

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

M1391A

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

PAB1171

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

M1490

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

M1490

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

M1391A

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Harley-Davidson Flhtcu103 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014000—
2013000—
2012Viewing151044.0
2011001—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.