RoadVitals

2011 Harley-Davidson Fltruse

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.
5
Latest Mar 26, 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.
2
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.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Harley-Davidson Fltruse, most frequently naming the steering, brakes and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have 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

  • Steering233.3%
  • Brakes116.7%
  • Engine116.7%
  • Fuel system116.7%
  • Suspension116.7%

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

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

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

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 Mar 26, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLTRUSE (ROAD GLIDE). THE CONTACT STATED THE MOTORCYCLE'S REAR BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HCU WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO ROANOKE VALLEY HARLEY-DAVIDSON TO GET NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) REMEDIED HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE HCU WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED PRIOR TO THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN BEING PERFORMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY DEALER WOULD NOT SELL THEM THE PART FOR HCU REPLACEMENT DUE TO THE PART COINCIDES WITH THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000.

NHTSA ID
11081295
Incident
Oct 2, 2017
Mileage
18,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 26, 2016

AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE VEHICLE GOE'S INTO THE "DEATH WABBLE" IT ALSO DOES IT IN CURVES. YOUTUBE VIDEO: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=GMW6QPPXNEY

NHTSA ID
10918985
Incident
Oct 26, 2016
Mileage
30 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 7, 2013

I TWISTED THE ACCELERATOR GRIP AND SLIPPED THE CLUTCH TO PROCEED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WHEN A RED LIGHT TURNED GREEN. WHEN I GOT TO THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION, THE THROTTLE SUDDENLY FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE BIKE CAME TO A STOP. I THEN TRIED TO PUSH MY 900 LB. MOTORCYCLE TO THE CURB BEFORE THE LIGHT FOR OPPOSING TRAFFIC TURNED GREEN. I DIDN'T MAKE IT IN TIME AND WAS NEARLY HIT BY A VEHICLE. THE THROTTLE CONTROL ISSUES WITH HARLEY MODELS FROM 2008-2011 ARE WIDELY KNOWN AND ATTRIBUTED TO A CONDITION KNOWN AS "FRETTING" IN THE METAL CONNECTORS OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS THAT CONTROL THROTTLE OPERATION. HARLEY APPARENTLY CHANGED THE METAL MATERIAL USED IN THE CONNECTORS IN 2011, RESULTING IN BETTER ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. THE FOLLOWING ID NUMBERS ARE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REGARDING HARLEY'S "THROTTLE BY WIRE" SYSTEM: 10396505, 10423668, 10428104,10432529, 10432707, 10438369, 104434471, 10455951, 10482185, 10502754, 10510385, 10515560, 10520570, 10521224, 10521801, 10555386. THESE COMPLAINTS ARE FROM VARIOUS 2008-2011 HARLEY MODELS. INTERESTINGLY, THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS ON RECORD FROM 2012-2013 MODELS WHICH TENDS TO CONFIRM DESIGN CHANGES WERE MADE IN 2011. HARLEY ISSUED AN INTERNAL SERVICE BULLETIN #TT418 REGARDING THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER, IT HAS NOT ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OR VOLUNTARILY RECALLED 2008-11 MODELS TO INSTALL THE UPDATED CONNECTORS AT NO CHARGE. GIVEN THE SERIOUS NATURE OF THIS DEFECT AND THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED, I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THE NHTSA CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION OF THIS PROBLEM WHICH, HOPEFULLY, WILL RESULT IN A RECALL FOR AFFECTED 2008-2011 MODELS. TO FURTHER MAGNIFY THE IMPORTANT OF THIS ISSUE, IT HAS BEEN REPORTED IN THE MEDIA THAT A WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT HAS ALREADY BEEN FILED IN TEXAS AGAINST HARLEY BASED ON THE FAILURE OF THE "THROTTLE BY WIRE" SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10523595
Incident
Jul 6, 2013
Mileage
6,900 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 27, 2012
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON CBO ROAD GLIDE ULTRA MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 5 MPH WHEN THE HANDLE BARS BEGAN SHAKING ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER WERE BOTH THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE HOWEVER THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A NECK INJURY AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE STEERING HEAD BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE HANDLE BAR RISER BUSHING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,100.

NHTSA ID
10467960
Incident
Jun 2, 2011
Mileage
17,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 26, 2011

DURING ROUTINE OPERATION, NEW TOURING MODEL MOTORCYCLES HAVE REAR CYLINDER EXHAUST HEADER PIPE THAT GENERATES EXTREME AMOUNT OF HEAT WHICH IMPACTS OPERATOR'S RIGHT UPPER INNER THIGH REGION. CONDITION IS MORE THAN A DISCOMFORT. IT HAS BECOME A DISTRACTION TO THE OPERATOR AND THUS, A HAZARD TO THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE MOTORCYCLE. TO BE EPA COMPLIANT, AMONG OTHER THINGS---HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS HAD TO LEAN OUT THE FUEL/AIR MIXTURE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE THE MAJOR CAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE HEAT. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS DESIGNED/INSTALLED A PLASTIC HEAT DEFLECTOR WHICH PROVIDES LITTLE, IF ANY, RELIEF. MOST OWNERS HAVE PURCHASED AFTER-MARKET EXHAUST SYSTEMS AND FUEL INJECTION TUNERS TO PROVIDE A REMEDY TO THIS CONDITION. HOWEVER; DOING THIS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY AND IMPACT VARIOUS LAWS REGARDING EXHAUST AND NOISE. SO, TO SAFELY OPERATE & ENJOY THEIR MOTORCYCLE, THEY HAVE TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TO HAVE A MOTORCYCLE THAT IS NO LONGER EPA COMPLIANT AND SUBJECT TO FINES, IMPOUNDMENT, ETC. OR, THEY CAN JUST CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE MOTORCYCLE IN STOCK CONDITION, AND BE DISTRACTED BY WHAT WILL PROBABLY BECOME A FIRST OR SECOND DEGREE BURN TO THEIR UPPER LEG WITH THE RESULT POTENTIALLY BEING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL, COLLISION, ETC.

NHTSA ID
10415917
Incident
Jul 9, 2011

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 Fltruse by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2019010
2018010
2017010
2016210
2015210
2011Viewing520

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.