RoadVitals

2009 Harley-Davidson Fltrse3

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.
6
Latest Jan 7, 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.
4
Latest Jan 29, 2018
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 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Harley-Davidson Fltrse3, most frequently naming the brakes and driver assistance categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 12 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

  • Brakes583.3%
  • Driver assistance116.7%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
18V076000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

Jan 29, 2018
174,636 units potentially affected
The defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling all 2008-2011 Touring, CVO Touring and VSRC motorcycles equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), including Road King (FLHR), Road King Police (EFI) (FLHP), Road King Police (EFI) (FLHPE), Electra Glide Standard Police (EFI) (FLHTP), Electra Glide Classic (EFI) (FLHTC), Electra Glide Ultra Classic (EFI) (FLHTCU) and Street Glide (EFI) (FLHX), 2008 VROD (VRSCAWA), CVO Road King 4 (FLHRSE4), Night Rod (VRSCDA), CVO Ultra Classic 3 (FLHTCUSE3), Night Rod Special (VRSCDXA), 2008-2010 Road King Classic (EFI) (FLHRC), 2008-2009 Road Glide (EFI) (FLTR) and Electra Glide Standard (EFI) (FLHT), 2009-2010 V-Rod (VRSCAW), 2009 CVO Ultra Classic (FLHTCUSE4) and CVO Road Glide 3 (FLTRSE3), 2009-2011 Night Rod Special (VRSCDX) and V-Rod Muscle (VRSCF), 2010 CVO Ultra Classic 5 (FLHTCUSE5) and CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), 2010-2011 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (FLHTK) and Road Glide Custom (FLTRX), 2011 Road Glide Ultra 103 (FLTRU103), Street Glide 103 (FLHX103), Road King Classic 103 (FLHRC103), CVO Ultra Classic 6 (FLHTCUSE6), CVO Road Glide Ultra (FLTRUSE), Road Glide Custom 103 (FLTRX103), and CVO Street Glide 2 (FLHXSE2) motorcycles. Deposits may form on components within the brake system if the DOT 4 brake fluid is not replaced for a prolonged period of time beyond the 2-year maintenance schedule specified in the Owner’s Manual.
The risk: These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush the entire brake system with new Platinum Label DOT 4 brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0171.
Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyManufacturer number 0171View 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
09V457000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

Dec 1, 2009
111,569 units potentially affected
The defect: HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 TOURING FAMILY MOTORCYCLES, INCLUDING CVO TOURING AND TRIKE PRODUCTS, MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 6, 2008 THROUGH NOVEMBER 19, 2009. THE FRONT FUEL TANK MOUNTS MAY DISTORT IN REACTION TO SEVERE FRAME DAMAGE FROM A FRONTAL COLLISION. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE A FUEL LEAK AT THE WELD OF THE FRONT BRACKET TO THE TUNNEL.
The risk: A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE, WHICH COULD LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LEFT AND RIGHT BRACE, WHICH ARE INTENDED TO REDUCE FRONT MOUNT DISTORTION DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS. THIS REPAIR WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Jan 7, 2018

FRONT BRAKE LEVER IS FROZEN, LEVER WILL NOT PULL BACK. DOES NOT ENGAGE FRONT BRAKE CALIBERS. BACK BRAKES WORK FINE. LUCKILY NOTICED PROBLEM AT LOW SPEED! IF I WAS MOVING FASTER, COULD'VE REAR ENDED TRUCK ON HIGHWAY (I-4) IN FLORIDA WHERE SPEEDS REACH 80-90 FLOW OF TRAFFIC. BIKES IN MY GARAGE STILL UNFIXED.

NHTSA ID
11061032
Incident
Sep 20, 2017
Mileage
7,800 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 4, 2016

STARTED OUT DRIVEWAY AND TRIED TO STOP AT STREET BUT REAR BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT WORK. WAS ABLE TO STOP WITH FRONT BRAKE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD ABS MODULE WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THERE WAS NO ABS LIGHT INDICATING MALFUNCTION AND COULD HAVE BEEN A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT IF STREET WERE BUSIER. FROM VIEWING COMPLAINTS THERE ARE MORE THAN A FEW INCIDENTS OF THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10924221
Incident
Oct 14, 2016
Mileage
50,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 29, 2016

HYDRAULIC BRAKE MODULATOR (HD USES TERM HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT, OR HCU) WITHIN THE ABS SYSTEM IS FAILING ON MANY BIKES CAUSING BRAKE SYSTEM TO SUDDENLY FAIL, RESULT IN NO BRAKES. THIS HAS OCCURRED AFTER THE BIKE HAS BEEN SITTING, OR WHILE UNDERWAY, NO WARNING OF ANY KIND IS DISPLAYED PRIOR TO THE TOTAL LOST OF EITHER THE FRONT OR REAR BRAKES.

NHTSA ID
10862218
Incident
Apr 23, 2016
Mileage
72,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 14, 2016

I OWN A 2009 HD ROADGLIDE CVO WITH 34,000 MILES. I RECENTLY ROLLED THE BIKE OUT OF THE GARAGE AND HEADED DWON THE DRIVEWAY AND DISCOVERED THAT MY REAR BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY HARD AND I HAD NO REAR BRAKE. I TOOK THE BIKE TO MY DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS THE ABS MODULE WAS BAD. I HAD NOT ABS LIGHT FLASHING OR NOT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. NOTHING TO INDICATE THAT THE ABS WAS NOT WORKING. THIS FAILURE CAUSED ME TO NOT HAVE ANY REAR BRAKE. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE NOT ONLY DO YOU NOT HAVE REAR BRAKES YOU HAVE NO INDICATION THAT THE ABS IS NOT WORKING UNTIL YOU TRY TO APPLY THE BRAKE. MY DEALER SAYS THE ABS MODULE ARE ON BACK ORDER. THIS MAY INDICATE A DEMAND FOR THE PART DUE TO HIGH FAILURE RATES. I CONTACTED HARLEY DAVIDSON AND THEY TELL ME THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY ISSUES WITH ABS. INTERNET RESEARCH SAYS DIFFERENT. SEVERAL CASES MENTIONED ON HARLEY TECH TALK AND OTHER FORUMS. I AM REQUESTING THAT NHSTA INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AS A POSSIBLE SAFETY RECALL. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT HAD I NOT REALIZED THAT I HAD NO REAR BRAKE BEFORE LEAVING THE SAFETY OF MY DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ID
10855402
Incident
Mar 31, 2016
Mileage
34,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 2, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE FLTRSE3 MOTORCYCLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE THROTTLE MALFUNCTIONED AND DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PLUG AND HARNESS ON THE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ID
10779392
Incident
Sep 24, 2015
Mileage
20,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 22, 2014

PARKED THE MOTORCYCLE IN THE EVENING. NEXT MORNING WHEN GETTING READY TO GO, DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS. LUCKILY, THE SPEED AT THE TIME WAS ZERO MPH. NO BRAKE FAILURE INDICATOR LIGHT WAS PRESENT. DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO THE ABS SYSTEM. THE ABS SYSTEM HAS FAILED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE MOTORCYCLE HAS NO REAR BRAKE. ONLY THE DEALERSHIP CAN WORK ON HARLEY ABS SYSTEMS. THIS FAILURE COULD BE CATASTROPHIC. ABS SYSTEMS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DESIGNED TO "FAIL SAFE". THIS ONE HAS FAILED RENDERING THE MOTORCYCLE WITH NO REAR BRAKE. SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I'VE DISCOVERED SEVERAL INSTANCES OF EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE, SOME WITH REAR BRAKE FAILURE AND SOME WITH FRONT BRAKE FAILURE. IN EACH CASE I FOUND, THE PEDAL (OR LEVER) WOULD NOT ACTUATE THE BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10593383
Incident
Apr 30, 2014
Mileage
32,524 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

M1684

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SERVICE BULLETIN M1684: MARKET SPECIFIC BATTERY INTRODUCTION. PURPOSE: Initial Release. This bulletin informs dealers of the availability of new batteries for new Original Equipment (OE) vehicle production and in the Parts and Accessories (P&A) catalog. Availability of the new Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries will vary by market and will be transitioning over the next few months. NOTE: The ring terminal screws are not compatible between Leoch and East Penn batteries. The new batteries will include new ring terminal screws, which must be used. The ring terminal screws from the old battery need to be discarded.

M1650

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

SERVICE BULLETIN M1650: MILWAUKEE EIGHT AND TWIN CAM CAMSHAFT DRIVE GEAR RETENTION KIT CHANGES. PURPOSE: This bulletin informs dealers that changes have been made to the Camshaft Drive Gear Retention Kit and service proceduresfor the Milwaukee-Eight and Twin Cam applications. In an effort to increase the clamp load of the camshaft drive sprocket bolted joint and prevent the drive bolt from loosening in high lift camshaft applications, the following changes have been made: a. The camshaft drive bolt final torque has been increased to 40 ft-lbs (54 N·m) for all Milwaukee-Eight and certain Twin Cams models. See Vehicles Affected. This increase in torque will make the bolt a one time use application. Never re-use a camshaft drive bolt for service after tightening to the increased specification. See service manual for updated procedure. b. A new camshaft drive gear retention kit (Part No. 91800088) has been created. This new kit is compatible with all Milwaukee-Eight and Twin Cam engines using Parts and Accessories (P&A) camshaft and Original Equipment (OE) camshaft applications. See Instruction sheet for specific fitment on Twin Cam OE camshaft applications. The new kit utilizes friction washers to prevent unwanted rotation of components in the drive sprocket bolted joint under stress. The use of liquid threadlocker on the threads of the bolt and pre-lube to the head of the bolt flange and outside of the washer help the bolt reach full stretch when tightening. NOTE: Engines produced at all Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC) plants will not come with the new kits installed. They will continue to be produced with (Part No. 25566-06).

M1555

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SERVICE BULLETIN M1555 (REV E): BATTERY WARRANTY GUIDELINES. PURPOSE: Revision E. Added: Added procedures for the DCA-8000 E Battery Tester.* Updated: All sections. This bulletin informs the dealership network that Harley-Davidson has provided guidelines for battery warranty.

M1490

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 24.8.8): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: 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 24.8.8. Release Date: Week of August 5, 2024. New Features for Harley-Davidson vehicles: Advanced Module Replace for 2021 and later Revolution Max; 2023 and later CVO Touring; and 2024 Street Glide (FLHX), Road Glide (FLTRX). New Features for LiveWire vehicles: Updated calibrations for 2024 S2DM EV1/ EV6; 2024 S2MH EV1; and 2024 S2DM, S2MH. Changes: Added Hand Control Module (HCM) (Part No. 71500522A and 71500536A) for reflash support.

PAB1158

ENGINE; POWER TRAIN

GENUINE MOTOR PARTS AND MOTOR ACCESSORIES BULLETIN PAB1158: OIL FILTER PACKAGING AND CASE QUANTITY UPDATE. PURPOSE: To inform dealerships that Harley-Davidson has made updates to oil filters including new part numbers, packaging design, and bulk case quantity changes.

M1490

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 24.6.4): 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 24.6.4. Release Date: Week of May 1, 2024. New Features for LiveWire S2DM and S2MH, 2024 Revolution® Max, and 2024 Touring.

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.