2011 Harley-Davidson Vrscf

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.

THERE IS CURRENT RECALL ON THIS HD MOTORCYCLE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS M140: SAFETY RECALL 0171. THE RECALL REQUIRED HD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE FLUID WITH PLATINUM LABEL DOT4. ACCORDING TO THE SAFETY RECALL, THE OLD BRAKE FLUID "CAN CAUSE THE BRAKE SYSTEM DAMAGE AND ADVERSELY AFFECT BRAKING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY." THE BRAKE FLUID ON THIS MOTORCYCLE WAS REPLACED EVERY TWO YEARS BUT NOT THROUGH HD. IN SEPTEMBER 2020, THE BRAKE FLUID WAS REPLACED PER THE SAFETY RECALL AT HD. WHILE I WAS RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE, THE REAR BRAKES STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER. THERE WAS NO ELECTRONIC WARNING ON THE COMPUTER. THE FAULTY ABS CAUSED A BLOCKAGE AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE BRAKE FLUID TO PASS THROUGH THE ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE THE RIDE USING THE FRONT BRAKES ONLY UNTIL IT WAS SAFE TO GET BACK TO THE HOUSE. I TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO HUNTINGTON BEACH HD IN CALIFORNIA AND THEY REACHED OUT TO HD SUPPORT TO SEE IF THEY COULD HELP WITH THE ABS. HD CLAIMED THAT IT WAS DUE TO NEGLECT. AS I SEE IT, THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THE ABS UNIT IS A FAULTY UNIT WHICH COULD HAVE EASILY KILLED ITS DRIVER SINCE IT STOPPED WORKING IN ONE EVENT. IT IS NOT THE TYPICAL ELECTRONIC WARNING NOR WAS IT A FAILURE WHERE THE BRAKES WOULD SLOWLY REDUCE ITS FUNCTION OVER TIME. THIS ABS UNIT, WILL KILL THE BRAKES ALTOGETHER IN ONE EVENT. TO SAVE LIVES, I FEEL THAT HD SHOULD OFFER ANOTHER SAFETY RECALL NOT ONLY TO REPLACE THE BRAKE FLUID BUT ALSO ALL FAULTY ABS UNITS THAT ARE INSTALLED ON THESE MOTORCYCLES. THE REAR BRAKES WAS NON-FUNCTIONING AND DOES NOT DEPRESS.

NHTSA ID

11383577

Incident

Sep 11, 2020

Mileage

9,500 mi

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE. TODAY, DEC 22, 2018 AT 1030 AM. WHILE RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE DOWN I-264 IN VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. THE SINGLE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE RIGHT DRIVERS FOOTPEG IN PLACE SHEARED, CAUSING THE FOOTPEG TO DROP, LEAVING ME WITHOUT A PLACE TO PUT MY FOOT AND CAUSED A HINDRANCE TO MY ABILITY TO USE THE REAR BREAK.

NHTSA ID

11163088

Incident

Dec 22, 2018

Mileage

10 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCF. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO RAHWAY HARLEY-DAVIDSON (12 WEST MILTON AVE, RAHWAY, NJ) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE TECHNICIAN REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE ABS WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO HAVE THE ABS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO COVER THE COST OF THE ABS REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THAT THE ABS FLUSHING SHOULD BE PERFORMED BY THE CONSUMER EVERY TWO YEARS. DUE TO THE VERBIAGE IN THE MANUAL, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUAL DID NOT INDICATE THAT ABS FLUSHING MUST BE PERFORMED AT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.

NHTSA ID

11080914

Incident

Mar 20, 2018

Mileage

12,000 mi

07/26/2011 - 2011 H-D VROD MUSCLE (VRSCF) I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AND GOT OFF AT MY EXIT. AS I WAS DOWNSHIFTING THE LEFT FOOT PEG ASSEMBLY CAME LOSE AND ROTATED DOWN. I WAS ONLY A HALF MILE AWAY FROM HOME USING RESIDENTIAL STREETS. AS I GOT ON MY STREET THE ENTIRE FOOT PEG ASSEMBLY CAME OUT OF THE FRAME AND FELL ONTO THE STREET. AT THIS POINT I HAD NO PLACE TO SET MY FOOT AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CHANGE GEARS. IF I WERE STILL ON THE INTERSTATE THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DEVASTATING INCIDENT. I EXAMINED THE FOOT PEG ASSEMBLY AND THE BOLT THE KEEPS THE ASSEMBLY IN PLACE HAD SHEARED OFF. THE BIKE WAS FIXED AT DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY. 11/04/11 - I WAS BACKING MY VRSCF OUT OF MY STORAGE SHED IN NEUTRAL. AFTER BACKING UP WENT TO PUT THE BIKE IN HEAR AND THE LEFT FOOT PEG ASSEMBLY AGAIN CAME LOSE AS BEFORE BECAUSE OF A SHEARED BOLT. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET A NEW BOLT I NOTICED THE 2012 MODELS OF THE VRSC HAVE AN ENTIRELY NEW WAY OF ATTACHING THE FOOT PEG ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME. I CONTACTED H-D AND THE SHEARED BOLT IS BEING SENT TO THEM VIA USPS FOR THEM TO EXAMINE. OTHERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES: HTTP://WWW.1130CC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=34991 HTTP://WWW.1130CC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=124227 HTTP://WWW.1130CC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=145800. *TR

NHTSA ID

10434362

Incident

Jul 26, 2011

Mileage

2,009 mi

I AM FROM AUSTRALIA BUT I OWN AN AMERICAN MADE HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCF MUSCLE MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ABS WHICH DOES NOT WORK. I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE FROM THE HARLY-DAVIDSON DEALER (FRASER MOTORCYCLES) IN PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA ON 5 NOVEMBER 2010. !0DAYS AFTER INITIAL PURCHASE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS RUNNING/ I HAVE REFERRED THIS TO THE DEALER BUT SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ASCERTAIN WHY THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10369961

Incident

Nov 15, 2010

Mileage

400 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.