RoadVitals

2009 Harley-Davidson Fxdl

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 May 11, 2015
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 Dec 15, 2008
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 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Harley-Davidson Fxdl, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and other / unspecified categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 14 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

  • Brakes120.0%
  • Engine120.0%
  • Other / unspecified120.0%
  • Powertrain (other)120.0%
  • Transmission120.0%

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
08V659000

STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND

Dec 15, 2008
3,285 units potentially affected
The defect: HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING 3,285 MY 2009 FXD, FXDF, FXDC, FXDL, AND FXDB MOTORCYCLES. THE JIFFY STAND SPRING ANCHOR MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A DEFECTIVE WELD THAT MAY ALLOW THE JIFFY STAND ASSEMBLY TO NOT RETRACT AS INTENDED.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE ORIGINAL JIFFY STAND SPRING ANCHOR AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW SPRING ANCHOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 22, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-342-4680.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 0137View on NHTSA.gov
08V625000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

Nov 26, 2008
349 units potentially affected
The defect: HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING 349 MY 2009 FXDB, FXDC, FXDF, AND FXDL MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES HAVE A FUEL TANK VENT TUBE ASSEMBLY, PART NO. 27389-04A, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH A DEFECTIVE ULTRASONIC WELD ON THE ANTI-SLOSH VALVE.
The risk: IF THE VALVE SEPARATES AND THE BIKE IS TIPPED OVER, IT MAY LEAK FUEL. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL VENT TUBE ASSEMBLY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 8, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 0136View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Powertrain (other)
Filed May 11, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE (NA).WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE SPEED DECREASED TO 15 MPH AND A LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE SPEEDOMETER. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,007.

NHTSA ID
10715706
Incident
May 9, 2015
Mileage
31,007 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 9, 2011

SERIOUS OVER HEATING OF ENGINE WHEN DRIVING. HOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE BURNS ON RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE. AT 5,000 MILE SERVICE ALL FUEL LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED AS THEY WERE MELTED FROM HEAT. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS ABOUT THIS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS "NORMAL". *TR

NHTSA ID
10405743
Incident
May 28, 2011
Mileage
1 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 6, 2011

LOUD CLANK AT STARTUP IN FRONT OF PRIMARY. COMPENSATOR PROBLEM. SPOKEN TO MULTIPLE TECHNICIANS WHO HAVE SAID THAT THE OEM HARLEY DAVIDSON COMPENSATORS ON THE 09 96 CUBIC INCH MOTORS HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES. IF THIS COMPENSATOR FAILS WHILE CRUISING IT COULD BE CATASTROPHIC AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THERE IS A FIX BY GOING WITH THE SCREAMING EAGLE COMPENSATOR WHICH IS A HEAVIER BUILD TO WITHSTAND TENSION AT STARTUP ETC. THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED INTO CAUSE APPARENTLY THERE ARE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10386621
Incident
Mar 6, 2011
Mileage
7,100 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 14, 2010

REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED AT 6,100 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10343133
Incident
Jul 11, 2010
Mileage
6,100 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 11, 2009

DURING ROUTINE OPERATION OF NEW MOTORCYCLE, NORMAL APPLICATION OF FRONT BRAKE RESULTS IN BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT JUNCTION OF FRONT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND FRONT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER COVER. BRAKE FLUID ERODES PAINTED SURFACES AT JUNCTION OF MASTER CYLINDER AND MASTER CYLINDER COVER, RESULTING IN FURTHER DEGRADATION OF SEAL. CONSEQUENCES INCLUDE: (A) POTENTIAL LOSS OF ABILITY TO TIMELY AND SAFELY STOP VEHICLE DUE TO INEFFECTIVE FRONT BRAKE; (B) POTENTIAL LOSS OF ABILITY TO TIMELY AND SAFELY STOP VEHICLE DUE TO BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING ON TO FRONT BRAKE DISC; (C) POTENTIAL LOSS OF ABILITY TO PROPERLY CONTROL VEHICLE DUE TO BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING ON TO FRONT OR REAR TIRES; (D) POTENTIAL LOSS OF ABILITY TO CONTROL VEHICLE DUE TO BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING ONTO ROAD SURFACES; AND (E) POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD DUE TO CONTACT BETWEEN LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND HOT MOTORCYCLE SURFACES (EXHAUST PIPES, CYLINDER HEADS, ETC.). BRAKE FLUID IS RETAINED BY RUBBER GASKET BETWEEN MASTER CYLINDER AND MASTER CYLINDER COVER. MASTER CYLINDER COVER IS SECURED BY TWO PHILLIPS-HEAD SCREWS THAT COMPRESS RUBBER GASKET. PROPER TORQUE SETTING IS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN ON SCREWS. AS SCREWS LOOSEN DUE TO VIBRATION DURING NORMAL OPERATION, THE FLUID LEAK OCCURS. HOWEVER, RETIGHTENING SCREWS COMPRESSES GASKET AND MAY INCREASE AMOUNT OF FLUID LEAK. LEAK IS RELATIVELY SMALL AT PRESENT. I INTEND TO HAVE MASTER CYLINDER, GASKET AND COVER REPLACED BY MANUFACTURER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10280058
Incident
Aug 8, 2009
Mileage
3,000 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).

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.

M1612

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SERVICE BULLETIN M1612 (REV A): MILWAUKEE-EIGHT AND TWIN CAM TRANSMISSION GEAR PACKS. Purpose: Revision. Update: Notes for Table 3 and 4. * Updated: Part Numbers. This bulletin informs dealers that all: Twin Cam gear packs on CVO, Dyna, Police, Softail, Touring & Trike models and Milwaukee-Eight gear packs on CVO, Police, Softail, Touring & Trike models ordered after December 04, 2023 will not come with the shift drum, forks, shafts and related hardware. Models Affected: 2006-2017 Twin Cams: Dyna models 2007-2016 Twin Cams: CVO, Police, Touring and Trike models 2007-2017 Twin Cams: Softail models 2017-2024 Milwaukee-Eight: CVO, Police, Touring and Trike models 2018-2024 Milwaukee-Eight: Softail models

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 Fxdl by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017000—
2016110—
2015010—
2014320—
2013000—
2012000—
2011000—
2010000—
2009Viewing520—
2008611—
2007110—
2006010—
2005000—
2004100—
2003710—
2002000—
2001310—
2000300—
1999320—

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.