2010 Harley-Davidson Flhx

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation in July 2016 based on forty-three (43) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ).During the course of this investigation ODI received a total of 145 VOQs related to the alleged defect on the subject motorcycles.Owners allege they experience a sudden and complete loss of brakes on one or both wheels.To better understand the cause of the braking issue on the subject motorcycles, ODI requested NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) conduct inspections and testing of affected vehicle braking systems.Through its work, VRTC determined that deposits were forming on the valves in the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) of the Antilock Braking System (ABS). These deposits could prevent the proper function of the HCU and render the brakes ineffective.To understand why deposits were forming in the HCU, Harley Davidson completed an analysis of the Dow 460 brake fluid used as original equipment on the subject motorcycles and determined that it had stability issues if left in the brake system for an extended period of time.Harley Davidson found that if a brake fluid flush was not conducted as outlined in the owner?s manual for the motorcycles, and was left in the system for a period of time beyond their recommendation; deposits could form in the HCU.Through further testing, Harley Davidson identified an alternate, commercially available, brake fluid that did not have the same stability issues as the original fluid and could stop the proliferation of any current brake system deposits.ODI sent Information Request (IR) letters to Harley Davidson and Dow Chemical (the supplier of the brake fluid on the subject motorcycles) to collect information about the subject bikes and the alleged defect.Harley Davidson responded in full on Sept 30, 2016 and Dow responded with a confidential submission on October 25, 2017.ODI analyzed the information contained in both IR responses and concluded that motorcycles manufactured during Model Years (MY) 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 were failing at a rate greater than their peers.Based on this analysis and the brake fluid study conducted by Harley Davidson, a group of motorcycles was identified that were potentially affected by the instability of the original brake fluid.2008 marked the introduction of ABS on Harley Davidson motorcycles and a change in the Dow 460 brake fluid used in the 2012 MY vehicles provided the bases for the scope of the affected population.With recall action 18V-076 taken by Harley Davidson this investigation is closed as further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: https://www.nhtsa.gov/ using the complaint identification numbers attached to this resume.

Front Brakes do not work. I can not operate brake lever will not pull in, brakes have been service to manufacture recommendations, Rear brakes work, the front brake has failed in ABS unit and failed not working.

NHTSA ID

11612138

Incident

Aug 1, 2024

THE THROTTLE BY WIRE CONNECTOR HOOKS IN BEHIND THE BREATHER. DUE TO THE HARD TURN OF THE CONNECTOR GOING INTO THE PLUG IT BENDS THE WIRES RESULTING IN THEM BREAKING OVER TIME. THIS CAUSES THE MOTORCYCLE TO LOSE THROTTLE AND GO INTO LIMP MODE CAUSING ME TO VERY CLOSELY COME TO GETTING RUN OVER ON THE HIGHWAY. IT HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY, TURNING. AND ON CITY STREETS.

NHTSA ID

11382745

Incident

Dec 5, 2020

Mileage

22,002 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE (FLHX). THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE BRAKE FLUID WAS PURGED, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BUMPUS HARLEY-DAVIDSON OF JACKSON (326 CARRIAGE HOUSE DRIVE, JACKSON, TN 38305, (731) 248-0091) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID NEEDED TO BE CHANGED EVERY TWO YEARS. IF NOT, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

NHTSA ID

11219330

Incident

Jun 4, 2018

Mileage

18,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY- DAVIDSON FLHX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WAS ENGAGED TO GET THE MOTORCYCLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

NHTSA ID

11144015

Incident

Oct 29, 2018

Mileage

23,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL ACTUATOR/INDUCTION MODULE FRACTURED INTERNALLY ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPONENT WAS NOT STRUCTURALLY SOUND. IN ADDITION, WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE PART FAILED AGAIN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER REPLACED THE PART TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND SUGGESTED THAT THE DEALER REPLACE THE PART. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ID

11122932

Incident

Apr 1, 2011

Mileage

30,000 mi

HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE BRAKE FLUID ON SELECT TOURING MODELS OF WHICH I OWN. UNFORTUNATELY THEIR INFERIOR BRAKE FLUIDE CAUSED MY FRONT BRAKES TO LOCK UP AND BECOME UNUSABLE, THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED DUE TO THE BRAKE FLUID. IN AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE ISSUE, I ORDERED A NEW HYDRAULIC MODULE. HARLEY DAVIDSON REFUSES TO SHIP THE PART WHICH HAS BASICALLY CAUSED MY BIKE TO BECOME A BIG BRICK IN MY GARAGE BECAUSE ITS UNRIDEABLE. I HAVE PAID FOR THE PART THAT WAS DESTROYED BY INFERIOR PARTS AND FLUIDS BUT AM UNABLE TO RECEIVE THE PURCHASED ITEMS.

NHTSA ID

11102156

Incident

Jun 15, 2018

Mileage

24,000 mi

HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS DONE A VOLUNTEER RECALL ON THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ONLY OFFERING TO REPLACE BRAKE FLUID. UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO TYPE OF BRAKE FLUID USED THE PROBLEM HAS CAUSED THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU) TO FAIL AND LOCK UP RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKES FRONT OR BACK OR BOTH. THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF STOPPING ABILITY AND SAFE OPERATION. HARLEY DAVIDSON NEEDS TO ADDRESS THE REAL SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS THE END RESULT OF USING POOR QUALITY BRAKE FLUID AND REPAIR REPLACE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU) WITH UPDATED COMPONENTS. IN MY CASE I HAVE COMPLETE LOST THE USE OF MY FRONT BRAKES, THE BRAKE HANDLE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SQUEEZE AND RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED STOPPING ABILITY. MY BRAKE FLUID HAS BEEN REPLACED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER BUT STILL HAS RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM. WHEN IT HAPPENED I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN FOR MY EXIT WHEN I REALIZED MY FRONT BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE.

NHTSA ID

11092791

Incident

May 24, 2017

Mileage

16,000 mi

I WAS OUT RIDING STOPPED TO GET GAS TURNED THE BIKE OFF FILLED UP STARTED THE BIKE BACK UP WENT TO PULL OUT ONTO THE STREET AND HAD NO REAR BRAKES THE PEDAL WAS LOCKED IN THE UP POSITION AND HARD A ROCK I COULD NOT DEPRESS IT.I RODE BACK HOME WITH ONLY THE FRONT BRAKES WORKING I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL THAT THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT GOES BAD AND EITHER THE FRONT, REAR OR BOTH BRAKES WILL NOT WORK. THANK GOD I WAS NOT THAT FAR FROM HOME AND DID NOT HAVE TO MAKE AND SUDDEN STOPS.I DID BUY THE BIKE USED FROM RAY PRICE HARLEY DAVIDSON 1 YEAR AGO.

NHTSA ID

11011622

Incident

Jul 15, 2017

Mileage

67,606 mi

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.