RoadVitals

2012 Harley-Davidson Flhtk

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.
19
Latest May 31, 2022
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.
2
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 19 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Harley-Davidson Flhtk, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and suspension categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 20 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

  • Brakes1140.7%
  • Electrical414.8%
  • Suspension311.1%
  • Other / unspecified27.4%
  • Engine27.4%
  • Fuel system13.7%
  • Powertrain (other)13.7%
  • Steering13.7%

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 19
BrakesSuspension
Filed May 31, 2022
Crash reported

Rear brake failed, & no ABS. Push hard on pedal and NO BRAKES!!! Brake pedal very stiff and applies no brakes!! Almost got into wreck. It was close and I am calling it a wreck. Thank god I was going slow! This issue is highly dangerous!! Why doesn't the NHTSB give a [XXX]? (Rear brake has never worked well since new. Had it in the Harley shop when new, and they say nothing is wrong. Nothing wrong??? No brakes on a motorcycle is not a good thing!!!!!! ) Found that 2011 & earlier bikes have a recall on the ABS. My 2012 has the same system. Why is there not a recall? Also found that Harley will not fix the brake issue on the recalled bikes. WHY??? Also, air suspension system fails. This leads to a loss of control of the bike, somewhat. Also triple trees feel loose which effects handling. This may be related to the air suspension issues. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11466705
Incident
May 28, 2022
Brakes
Filed Feb 1, 2021

REAR BRAKE PADDLE HARD TO PRESS IN MOTION,AND ON HIGHWAY

NHTSA ID
11391035
Incident
Dec 15, 2020
Mileage
20,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 15, 2020

FRONT BRAKE LEVER IS VERY HARD TO PULL, FRONT BRAKES WON'T ENGAGE. THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY AND GETTING READY TO EXIT. I TRIED TO PUMP THE BRAKES AND IT GOT BETTER BUT ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. HE SAID IT'S BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON'S FAULTY DESIGN. THIS SEEMS TO STILL BE HAPPENING EVEN WITH BIKES NEWER THAN MINE. HOW MANY MORE LIVES HAVE TO BE LOST BECAUSE OF HARLEY DAVIDSON'S FAULTY EQUIPMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT MY MECHANIC USE TO DO ALL THE WARRANTY WORK FOR THE HARLEY DEALERSHIP IN AUGUSTA, GA HE IS A VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND REPUTABLE AND HONEST MECHANIC. *TR

NHTSA ID
11321235
Incident
Mar 7, 2020
Mileage
18,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 4, 2020

WHEN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE I COULD NOT DEPRESS THE FRONT BRAKE HANDLE, IT WAS COMPLETELY STUCK AND WOULD NOT MOVE.

NHTSA ID
11307034
Incident
Feb 4, 2020
Mileage
18,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 20, 2019

FRONT BRAKE LEAVER FROZE UP AS I WAS PREPARING TO STOP. LUCKY REAR BRAKES WORKED. THE BRAKE LEAVER IS FROZE IT WILL NOT OPERATE.

NHTSA ID
11202668
Incident
Apr 20, 2019
Mileage
60 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 17, 2018

WHILE RIDING MY BIKE, I OBSERVED TRAFFIC STOPPING/SLOWING AHEAD. I TRIED TO PULL MY FRONT BRAKE LEVER AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. NO GIVE WHATSOEVER. LUCKILY I WAS NOT IN AN EMERGENCY BRAKE SITUATION SO I DOWN SHIFTED MORE RAPIDLY, USED MY REAR BRAKE AND CAME TO A STOP. AT THE NEXT RAMP, I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND PULLED INTO A GAS STATION. WHEN I TRIED MY FRONT BRAKE LEVER AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WAS PULLING BACK, BUT NEEDED A LOT OF FORCE. IN ANOTHER MINUTE I TRIED AGAIN AND IT FELT NORMAL, AND ENGAGED THE BRAKE. I CONTINUED HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE NEXT COUPLE TIMES I RODE IT DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. THEN LAST WEEK IT FELT FINE AND WAS WORKING FINE. THE ALL OF THE SUDDEN I TRIED TO BRAKE W/THE FRONT AND IT JAMMED AGAIN. I TRIED A LITTLE MORE PRESSURE, AND IT BEGAN TO MOVE. AFTER ABOUT AN INCH OF TRAVEL, IT GAVE ALL THE WAY AND LOCKED THE BRAKE. I WAS GOING SLOW ENOUGH THAT THE WHEEL DIDN'T SKID, BUT I ENDED UP ON MY GAS TANK UP AGAINST MY FAIRING! I WAS NOT INJURED, AND THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO MY BIKE, BUT IF I HAD BEEN ON THE FREEWAY, MY WELL BEING WOULD HAVE BEEN AT A HUGE RISK. AFTER SEEING A MECHANIC, AND GOING ONLINE TO RESEARCH THIS, I FOUND OUT THAT THE ABS MODULE, IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS AS I HAVE HEARD THIS FROM QUITE A FEW PEOPLE OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE HEARD OF THIS, BUT I WANTED TO GET THIS OUT THERE, SO YOU HAVE A REPORT ON THIS, SO MAYBE YOU FOLKS CAN LOOK INTO THIS. BRAKE SYSTEMS AREN'T SUPPOSE TO KILL RIDERS, IN MY OPINION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NHTSA ID
11162130
Incident
Dec 14, 2018
Mileage
18,400 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 13, 2018

THE REAR DUNLOP TIRE ON MY 2012 HARLEY ELECTRA GLIDE STARTED TO LOSE AIR. UPON A CLOSER INSPECTION THE TIRE WAS SPLITTING IN NUMEROUS SPOTS. THE TIRE IS NOT DRY ROTTED . FOR SAFETY REASONS IT WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO INSTALLED THE TIRE. HE STATED HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. A NEW TIRE HAD TO BE INSTALLED . UOPN INSPECTION THE MECHANIC AND DEALER STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE MOTORCYCLE TO CAUSE THE ISSUE. DUNLOP STATED IT WAS DUE TO EITHER HEAVY LOAD(THIS IS A MOTORCYLCE NOT A TRUCK) OR RUNNING IT AT LOW PRESSURE. THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE SINCE EVERY TIME THE BIKE IS RIDDEN A FULL SAFETY CHECK IS DONE BEFORE RIDING! OUR LIVES DEPEND ON IT. THE DUNLOP REP (COMPLAINT LINE I CALLED) STATED THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE THE RECIEPTS FOR WHEN THIS TIRE WAS PUT ON AND ALSO FOR THE NEW ONE. THIS TIRE SHOULD HAVE HAD AT LEAST HALF IT'S LIFE LEFT BUT DUE TO IT'S FAILURE IT WORE UNEVENLY AND CRACKED. THIS HAPPENED AT THE MAXIMUM OF 100 MILES.

NHTSA ID
11151141
Incident
Oct 10, 2018
Mileage
21,100 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 2, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ULTRA LIMITED (NA). WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GATEWAY HARLEY-DAVIDSON (3600 LEMAY FERRY RD, SAINT LOUIS, MO 63125) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 3338038. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

NHTSA ID
11082510
Incident
Mar 1, 2018
Mileage
28,000 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 Flhtk by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024000—
2023200—
2022110—
2021210—
2020110—
2019410—
2018420—
2017820—
2016101032.4
2015102036.6
2014375046.9
2013140040.0
2012Viewing191043.0
2011202152.0
2010293148.5
2009001—

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.