RoadVitals

2020 Harley-Davidson Flhtcutg

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.
4
Latest Aug 18, 2025
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.
2
Latest Oct 18, 2022
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.
2
2 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Harley-Davidson Flhtcutg, most frequently naming the brakes and other / unspecified categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 70 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

  • Brakes375.0%
  • Other / unspecified125.0%

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

2 campaigns 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

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

Oct 18, 2022
199,419 units potentially affected
The defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Trike and CVO Trike and 2020-2022 Touring and CVO Touring motorcycles. Please refer to Addendum A for specific vehicle model details. Due to a software error, the brake lights may illuminate without the rider applying the brakes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: Unintended illumination of the brake lights may confuse other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will update the software on Touring and CVO Touring motorcycles. On Trike and CVO Trike motorcycles, a new pressure switch will also be installed. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2022. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0635.
Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyManufacturer number 0635View on NHTSA.gov

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

Nov 22, 2019
12,624 units potentially affected
The defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2019-2020 FLHTCUTG, and FLRT Trike motorcycles. The Trike Traction Control System software may respond incorrectly to a faulty rear wheel speed signal by activating one of the rear brakes.
The risk: Unintended activation of one rear brake could lead to an unexpected change in vehicle direction which may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Harley-Davidson has notified owners, and dealers will update the traction control system software, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0175.
Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyManufacturer number 0175View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 18, 2025
Crash reported1 injury reported1 death reported

The contact is filing the complaint on behalf of the owner of a 2020 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra (FLHTCUTG). The contact stated that from the police report, the vehicle veered to the right at 65 MPH and drove into a shallow drainage ditch and into a culvert. The contact stated that the vehicle had gone airborne. The driver and a passenger were ejected from the motorcycle. The police arrived along with emergency services. The passenger and the driver were transported to a shock trauma unit. The contact stated that the driver and passenger had multiple traumatic injuries, and the passenger died two days later in the hospital. The contact reported that the incident occurred during the day and in good weather conditions. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot, and the police issued an incident report. The contact stated that the manufacturer had been contacted about the incident. The contact had researched online and related the incident to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V843000 (Traction Control System). The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11681320
Incident
Jun 6, 2021
Brakes
Filed Dec 3, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Harley-Davidson FLHTCUTG Tri Glide Ultra. The contact stated that while riding approximately 35 MPH and applying the front brake, the brakes felt "spongy" while squeezing the brake lever. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the motorcycle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The motorcycle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

NHTSA ID
11628481
Incident
Nov 4, 2024
Mileage
33,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 6, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Harley Davidson Tri Glide Ultra FLHTCUTG. The contact stated while riding approximately 10 MPH and pulling into his driveway, the front hand brake was very soft and was not as firm as usual. The contact stated that the front hand brake had a mushy feel when he squeezed. The contact was pulling into his garage when the hand brake completely failed. The contact was able to use the foot brake to stop the motorcycle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he had a front brake failure previously repaired. The contact had not taken the motorcycle to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The motorcycle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,400.

NHTSA ID
11510386
Incident
Mar 2, 2023
Mileage
17,400 mi
Brakes
Filed May 6, 2021
Crash reported1 injury reported

SEE ATTACHED LETTER

NHTSA ID
11415400
Incident
May 27, 2020
Mileage
1,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

M1508

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SERVICE BULLETIN M1508 (REV D): 2009-2025 TRIKE PLATFORM - REVERSE MOTOR. PURPOSE: Revision C. To inform dealers of a running change for the new reverse motor (Part No. 83388-09C) for Trike models. As of January 28, 2020 all Trike platform vehicles will be manufactured using the new reverse motor. The new reverse motor will be used to replace reverse motor assemblies (Part No. 83388-09, 83388-09A,83388-09B) that have failed diagnostics. Refer to Table 3. This motor contains several improvements for better motor durability. A new procedure has been added, Refer to PINION EXTENDS BUT REVERSE MOTOR STALLS OR SPINS SLOWLY. REV D: Updated: Guide. Add link to: PINION EXTENDS BUT REVERSE MOTOR STALLS OR SPINS SLOWLY

M1490

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE; POWER TRAIN; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL; WHEELS

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.8.3): 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). Version Version 26.8.3, Release Date: Week of July 24, 2026. NOTE: Software version (26.4.3) will need to be manually installed only if current software version of DT II is (26.0.2). After (26.4.3) is manually installed, automatic updates will bring DT II to the latest software version. Refer to bulletin M1713 for instructions. New Features - Harley-Davidson: 2023-2024 Touring: Updated Electronic Control Module (ECM) calibration offerings. LiveWire: S2DM/MH/AP: Calibration bundle 10.2.28: Telematic Control Unit (TCU) reflash updates. Change: Vehicle Setup: Body Control Module (BCM) – Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Replacement: Correct issue where tire size selections were not available. System Info – Auxiliary Load Controller (ALC): Added Bike configuration field. Data Items – Trike ECM: Improved display of Gear Position when in reverse. Amp – Added support for (Part No. 76001619).

M1490

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE; EXTERIOR LIGHTING; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.7.3): 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). Version 26.7.3. Release Date:• Week of June 11, 2026. NOTE Software version (26.4.3) will need to be manually installed only if current software version of DT II is (26.0.2). After (26.4.3) is manually installed, automatic updates will bring DT II to the latest software version. Refer to bulletin M1713 for instructions.

PAB1182

STRUCTURE:BODY

GENUINE MOTOR PARTS AND ACCESSORIES BULLETIN PAB1182: TRIKE SADDLEBAGS KIT INFORMATIONAL UPDATE. PURPOSE: Initial release. This bulletin informs dealers that the Trike Saddlebags kit (Part No. 84031-11) has an informational update: The drill template that is inside the kit, is only used for 2009-2025 Trike models. The electronic version of this instruction sheet which is located in Service Information Portal (SIP), will have the drill template as an attachment for 2026 and later Trike models (see service bulletin M1714). It will not be included inside the kit or directly attached to the instruction sheet.

M1490

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.6.2): 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). Version 26.6.2. Release Date: Week of April 22, 2026. NOTE: Software version (26.4.3) will need to be manually installed only if current software version of DT II is (26.0.2). After (26.4.3) is manually installed, automatic updates will bring DT II to the latest software version. Refer to bulletin M1713 for instructions. New Features: 2026 Police • Vehicle Setup: Civilianize; LiveWire • S2: Del Mar (S2DM), Mulholland (S2MH), Alpinista (S2AP) - Calibration bundle 10.2.20: Vehicle Supervisory Controller (VSC) and Onboard Charger (OBC) reflash updates. Changes: 2026 Trike • Update “Reverse Lockout Reason” resize column.

M1490

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.5.2): 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). Version 26.5.2 Release Date: Week of March 30, 2026. NOTE Software version (26.4.3) will need to be manually installed only if current software version of DT II is (26.0.2). After (26.4.3) is manually installed, automatic updates will bring DT II to the latest software version. Refer to bulletin M1713 for instructions. New Features. 2024: Pan America (RA1250), Pan America Special (RA1250S), CVO Pan America (RA1250SE) • Updated Body Control Module (BCM) reflash calibration. 2024-2026: CVO Road Glide ST (FLTRXSTSE) • Updated Electronic Control Module (ECM) reflash calibration. 2026: CVO Street Glide ST (FLHXSTSE) • Updated ECM reflash calibration. Changes. 2026 Trike • Update “Reverse Lockout Reason” to support new values, • “Vehicle setup: Gear Indicator Calibration” – improve operation. 2025-2026 Softail • Update reflash for Softail Speedometer (SPDO) – enable operation of auxiliary lamp telltale. LiveWire S2 • Provide reflash support for Vehicle Supervisory Controller (VSC) hardware (Part No. 41001756RE).

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 Flhtcutg by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025000
2024100
2023100
2022210
2021010
2020Viewing420
2019820
2018710
2017131044.3
2016200
2015610
2014520
2013700
2012710
2011911
2010921
2009521

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.