RoadVitals

2012 Harley-Davidson Flhtcuse7

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.
3
Latest Nov 16, 2018
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Harley-Davidson Flhtcuse7, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and other / unspecified categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 19 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

  • Brakes125.0%
  • Engine125.0%
  • Other / unspecified125.0%
  • Powertrain (other)125.0%

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

Brakes
Filed Nov 16, 2018

THE ANTILOCK BRAKE MODUAL FAILED ON MY HARLEY ELECTRA GLIDE CVO. IT COMPLETELY MADE THE REAR BRAKES INOPERABLE. THE PEDAL IS AS SOLID AS A ROCK. THERE IS A RECALL UP TO THE 2011 YEAR MODELS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE WHEN IT FAILED WHILE DRIVING I HAD TO USE THE ENGINE/CLUTCH TO SAFELY STOP. HAVING BRAKES FAIL FROM AN OBVIOUSLY FAULTY PART IS A HUGE SAFELY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE DEATH. ALL MODELS WITH ABS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH A BETTER PART OR AT MINIMUM ONE THAT WHEN FAILS DOES NOT LOCK YOUR BRAKES OUT FROM WORKING.

NHTSA ID
11152093
Incident
Nov 1, 2018
Mileage
52,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 7, 2014

2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MOTORCYCLE HAS SPUTTERED THROUGH THE INTAKE AND COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A YIELD RAMP AND PREPARING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, THE MOTORCYCLE JUST STOPPED. IT DID RE-START AND HE WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE HIS TRIP HOME. HE RETURNED THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR THE SPUTTERING AND STALLING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO A PROBLEM. FROM MAY-JUNE 2013, THE MOTORCYCLE QUIT RUNNING FOR NO APPARENT REASON TWICE. ONCE WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION TO A FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMP AND THE SECOND TIME WHILE AT A STOP SIGN PREPARING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ONTO A DIVIDED HIGHWAY. BOTH TIMES, THE MOTORCYCLE RE-STARTED AND HE WAS BALE TO CONTINUE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN, BUT NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE LEFT FRONT FORK SEAL WAS REPLACED 2 TIMED DUE TO LEAKING AND THE THIRD TIME, THE ENTIRE FORK TUBE WAS REPLACED. IN FEB 2014, THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ON BECAUSE OF A TIGHT CRANK AND SLAPPING PISTON. ALSO, THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY LOUD COMPENSATOR NOISE COME FROM THE PRIMARY TRANSMISSION COVER.*JB

NHTSA ID
10585898
Incident
May 1, 2013
Other / unspecified
Filed Apr 7, 2013

THE "CHISEL" WHEELS THAT HD USES ON THEIR 2012 AND 2013 FLHTCUSE'S CAUSE AN UNSTABLE CONDITION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE FRONT END FEELS VERY LIGHT AND AT THE EDGE OF KEEPING CONTROL, ESPECIALLY IN WINDY CONDITIONS OR AROUND LARGE VEHICLES LIKE TRUCKS OR RV'S. I HAVE TRIED REBUILDING THE FRONT FORKS, TIRE REPLACEMENT, ADDING HD ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WIND DEFLECTORS, ETC, WITH MINIMAL IMPROVEMENT. AFTER PERFORMING SEVERAL TESTS, I DETERMINED THAT THE INSTABILITY IS CAUSED BY THE FRONT WHEEL. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS INSTABILITY ISSUE ON WWW.CVOHARLEY.COM AS WELL. WHEN I CONTACTED HARLEY DAVIDSON CUSTOMER SUPPORT, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE ISSUE. AFTER BUYING DIFFERENT WHEELS AND TIRES, THE BIKE IS STABLE AND FUN TO RIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10507387
Incident
Aug 1, 2012
Mileage
2 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.