Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

2009 Harley-Davidson FXDB: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

17 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

5,900 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2009 model year. Data updated: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 17 complaints (17.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior317.6%
Electrical and battery issues15.9%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3
Tires
3
Engine And Engine Cooling
2
Electrical System
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
1
Fuel System, Gasoline
1
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Tires3
Engine And Engine Cooling2
Electrical System1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System1

Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3; Tires: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
16
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00016
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2008
1
2009
9
2010
2
2011
2
2013
2
2014
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20081
20099
20102
20112
20132
20141

2008: 1; 2009: 9; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 1

Pattern summary

Service Brakes, Hydraulic leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10250496 · 2008-12-02 (December 2, 2008)

MOTORCYCLE HAS SET CODES FROM THE DAY I PICKED IT UP FROM DEALER. SETS TWIST GRIP CODES P2127 & 2138. WOULD CLEAR CODES AND THEY WOULD RETURN EVERY FEW RIDES FOR THE FIRST 500 MILES AND THEN THE BIKE STARTED ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN IN ANY GEAR OR SPEED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT ABLE OR WILLING TO LOOK AT IT IN A TIMELY MANNER. CHECKED OUT ALL CONNECTIONS FOR THE THROTTLE SENSOR MY SELF. DIDN'T FIND ANY OBVIOUS PROBLEMS. APPLIED COMPUTER CONNECTION STABALENT TO THE ECM CONNECTOR AND PROBLEM WAS GONE FOR 1000 MILES. BIKE STARTED ACCELERATING BY …

Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10250496 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10274692 · 2009-06-23 (June 23, 2009)

DUNLOP D407 TIRE (FRONT) FOR THE HARLEY DAVIDSON 2009 FL TOURING MODELS INSTALLED ON MY2009 SCREAMING EGALE FLTRSE3 THE BOLD ANGLED LATERAL GROOVES EXHIBIT ABNORMAL WEAR AND UNEVEN TIRE TREAD CUPPING. VIBRATION DURING CORNERING AND LANE CHANGES, THE UNEVENLY WORN AREAS ARE NEARLY WORN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LATERAL GROVES ON THE LEADING EDGE AND THE OTHER SIDE IS CUPPED. THE CENTER OF THE TREAD APPEARS TO BE NORMAL. THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED AND REPORTED TO A HARLEY DAVIDSON CALIFORNIA DEALER TWICE ONCE AT 3000 MILES AND 4100 MILES OF WEAR. NOW A…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10274692 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10277387 · 2009-07-19 (July 19, 2009)

2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX (STREETGLIDE) RIDES EXCESSIVELY HARD. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE REAR AIR SHOCKS ARE NOT WORKING. AIR PRESSURE HAS BEEN ADJUSTED FROM MINIMUM TO MAXIMUM PRESSURES WITH LITTLE TO NO CHANGE IN RIDE QUALITY. THE IMPLICATION IS...AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS EVEN HITTING A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD THE BIKE TENDS TO GO AIRBORN. THE SUSPENSION IS SO UNYIELDING IT'S CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE RIDER AND PASSENGER. I TEST RODE A YAMAHA ALONG THE SAME ROUTE AS THE HARLEY . THE DIFFERENCE WAS REMARKABLE. THE YAHAMA ABSORBED THE BUMPS AND UN…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10277387 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10281390 · 2009-08-22 (August 22, 2009)

SEVERAL TIMES I CAME VERY VERY CLOSE TO REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE.THE REAR BRAKING POWER OF THE REAR BRAKES IS FAR BELOW ADEQUATE THE REAR BRAKES WON'T EVEN LOCK UP IF PEDDLE IS STOOD ON WITH ALL ONE'S WEIGHT. THE REAR ROTOR WAS REPLACED ON ONE SIDE OF THE HARLEY DAVIDSON TRIKE ONLY WITH THE SAME RESULTS, NO BRAKING POWER. APPARENTLY THE PROBLEM RELAYS IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM ITSELF. 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG TRI GLIDE TRIKE (NEW MODEL). *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10281390 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10282813 · 2009-09-03 (September 3, 2009)

I HAVE A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC ELECTRA GLIDE. THIS MODEL ALONG WITH THE "TOURING" LINE OF HD MOTORCYLES ARE NEWLY REDESIGNED AND USES THE NEW DUNLOP 407F MOTORCYCLE TIRES. THESE TIRES ARE THE ONLY TIRES THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS LINE OF MOTORCYCLES. MY TIRES ARE "CUPPING" AFTER 7,000 MILES. THE CUPPING IS CAUSING VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND NOISES WHILE CORNERING. I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON HARLEY DAVIDSON FORUMS AND I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE REPORTS OF…

Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10282813 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10284116 · 2009-09-16 (September 16, 2009)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON VRSCF. HE STATED THAT THE HEADER PIPE FROM THE MOTOR TO THE MUFFLER TURNS CHERRY RED DUE TO HEAT EXPOSURE OF 1600-1800 DEGREES. HIS LEGS ARE POSITIONED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE HEAT, WHICH MAY IGNITE HIS CLOTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE TECHNICIANS CONCLUDED THAT THE HIGH TEMPERATURES FROM THE COMPONENT IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,600. BL

Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10284116 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10289465 · 2009-10-23 (October 23, 2009)

2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON TRI-GLIDE. REAR BRAKES WON'T PROPERLY STOP BIKE. ALL STOPPING IS COUNTING ON FRONT BRAKES (ONE WHEEL). REAR BRAKE PADS WORE OUT AT 6000 MILES. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 6,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10289465 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10290397 · 2009-10-30 (October 30, 2009)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON SCREAMING EAGLE ROAD GLIDE FLTRSE3. HE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN AFTER EXITING A PARKING SPACE, BUT THE ENGINE MISFIRED. HE LOST VEHICLE CONTROL, AND THEN CRASHED ONTO THE ROADWAY. THERE WERE PERSONAL INJURIES INCLUDING FRACTURES TO THE LEFT ANKLE AND RIBS. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE HEAT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,800. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10290397 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

08V625000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage

Reported: 2008-11-26 (November 26, 2008)

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
08V659000 · Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand

Reported: 2008-12-15 (December 15, 2008)

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.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

17 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

94.1%Usable mileage16 / 17 records
100.0%Valid incident date17 / 17 records
100.0%Valid filing date17 / 17 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates17 / 17 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component20072008200920102012201320152016
Tires
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

250.0%
ODI 10421452 · 20,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON DYNA SERIES LOW RIDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR TIRE IS A DUNLOP K591 160/70V-17. THE CONTACT NOTICED IN EARLY JUNE 2011 A SPLIT IN THE CENTER RAIN GROVE. ON AUG. 19, 2011 FOUND ADDITIONAL CRACKS IN THE TIRE IN THESE CENTER RAIN GROVES. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MOTORCYCLE SHOP WHO STATED THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE SPLITTING WAS ABNORMAL. THIS MOTORCYCLE SHOP SUGGESTED IT BE TAKEN TO KENTS HARLEY DAVIDSON WHERE EFFORT TO CONTACT ?DUNLOP MOTORCYCLE TIRE CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMEN…

Look up ODI 10421452 at NHTSA ↗

317.6%
ODI 10274692 · 3,000 mi

DUNLOP D407 TIRE (FRONT) FOR THE HARLEY DAVIDSON 2009 FL TOURING MODELS INSTALLED ON MY2009 SCREAMING EGALE FLTRSE3 THE BOLD ANGLED LATERAL GROOVES EXHIBIT ABNORMAL WEAR AND UNEVEN TIRE TREAD CUPPING. VIBRATION DURING CORNERING AND LANE CHANGES, THE UNEVENLY WORN AREAS ARE NEARLY WORN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LATERAL GROVES ON THE LEADING EDGE AND THE OTHER SIDE IS CUPPED. THE CENTER OF THE TREAD APPEARS TO BE NORMAL. THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED AND REPORTED TO A HARLEY DAVIDSON CALIFORNIA DEALER TWICE ONCE AT 3000 MILES AND 4100 MILES OF WEAR. NOW A…

Look up ODI 10274692 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

317.6%
ODI 10281390 · 1,200 mi

SEVERAL TIMES I CAME VERY VERY CLOSE TO REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE.THE REAR BRAKING POWER OF THE REAR BRAKES IS FAR BELOW ADEQUATE THE REAR BRAKES WON'T EVEN LOCK UP IF PEDDLE IS STOOD ON WITH ALL ONE'S WEIGHT. THE REAR ROTOR WAS REPLACED ON ONE SIDE OF THE HARLEY DAVIDSON TRIKE ONLY WITH THE SAME RESULTS, NO BRAKING POWER. APPARENTLY THE PROBLEM RELAYS IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM ITSELF. 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG TRI GLIDE TRIKE (NEW MODEL). *TR

Look up ODI 10281390 at NHTSA ↗

1100.0%
ODI 10324738 · 500 mi

AT UNDER 500 MILES FOUND REAR BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING BRACKET GRINDING ON INSIDE FACE OF ROTOR. REPLACED ROTOR, CALIPER,BRACKET AT APROX. 1,100 MILES PROBLEM REACURED.. *TR

Look up ODI 10324738 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Suspension
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

125.0%
ODI 10333997 · 300 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET BOB FXDB MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT. THE FRONT TIRE FORK APPEARED TO BE TITLED A QUARTER INCH TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD TO LEAN THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING AN ASSESSMENT OF A POSSIBLE REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AND THE CONTACT DISAGREED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,300.…

Look up ODI 10333997 at NHTSA ↗

15.9%
ODI 10277387

2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX (STREETGLIDE) RIDES EXCESSIVELY HARD. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE REAR AIR SHOCKS ARE NOT WORKING. AIR PRESSURE HAS BEEN ADJUSTED FROM MINIMUM TO MAXIMUM PRESSURES WITH LITTLE TO NO CHANGE IN RIDE QUALITY. THE IMPLICATION IS...AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS EVEN HITTING A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD THE BIKE TENDS TO GO AIRBORN. THE SUSPENSION IS SO UNYIELDING IT'S CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE RIDER AND PASSENGER. I TEST RODE A YAMAHA ALONG THE SAME ROUTE AS THE HARLEY . THE DIFFERENCE WAS REMARKABLE. THE YAHAMA ABSORBED THE BUMPS AND UN…

Look up ODI 10277387 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 11319555 · 10,605 mi

THE BIKE WAS OPERATING NORMAL AFTER AWHILE IT STARTED TO SHAKE AT ABOUT 65 MPH. AFTER ABOUT 20 MIN IT SEEMED LIKE THE TIRE WAS LOOSE. NOW IT SHAKES SO BAD I CANT DRIVE IT. CORNERS ARE HARD TO KEEP CONTROL UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT WILL SHAKE WHEN YOU ACCELERATE AND IT WOBBLES WHEN YOU DECELERATE. I HAVE A FEELING IT COULD BE A MOTOR MOUNT. AT A LITTLE OVER 10 THOUSAND MILES YOU WOULD ASSUME THAT WOULDN'T HAPPEN. THE BIKE SEEMS TO HAVE LOST SOMETHING I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING MISSING AND NOTHING SEEMS LOOSE. I DROVE IT ABOUT 60 OR SO MORE…

Look up ODI 11319555 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

211.8%
ODI 10290397 · 2,800 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON SCREAMING EAGLE ROAD GLIDE FLTRSE3. HE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN AFTER EXITING A PARKING SPACE, BUT THE ENGINE MISFIRED. HE LOST VEHICLE CONTROL, AND THEN CRASHED ONTO THE ROADWAY. THERE WERE PERSONAL INJURIES INCLUDING FRACTURES TO THE LEFT ANKLE AND RIBS. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE HEAT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,800. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

Look up ODI 10290397 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train:Driveline
133.3%
ODI 10386382 · 5,876 mi

REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. MOTORCYCLE STALLED AND I COULD NOT GET IT TO MOVE FORWARD. THOUGHT BRAKE WAS STUCK, BUT AFTER VISUAL INSPECTION NOTICED ALL THE BOLTS (5) IN THE REAR SPROCKET HAD SHEARED OFF. IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT THE BOLTS BACKED OUT OF THE WHEEL HUB, BECAUSE PART OF THE BOLTS REMAINED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE THREADED PORTION OF THE HUB. AFTER REMOVING THE WHEEL AND INSPECTING THE DAMAGE IT APPEARS THAT THE STAINLESS BOLTS, ALUMINUM HUB AND LOOSE FITTING HOLES IN THE SPROCKET ALL PLAYED A ROLE …

Look up ODI 10386382 at NHTSA ↗

125.0%
ODI 10245051 · 5,000 mi

I PURCHASED A HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET BOB IN JULY. THE DAY I BOUGHT THIS MOTORCYCLE I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT ON TO THE SERVICE ROAD AND THE FRONT WHEEL STARTED WOBBLING REAL BAD. I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE FRONT END AND I WENT ON MY WAY WITH THE NEW BIKE. THIS WAS NEVER LOGGED INTO THE MANUFACTURES WARRANTY. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY MORE PROBLEMS OUT OF THE FRONT END. A MONTH LATER THE REAR TIRE WENT FLAT AS I WAS RIDING. I PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO AIR IT UP AND IT WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE VALVE STEM. THE DEALERS…

Look up ODI 10245051 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 10883874

DEAR SIRS, JULY 10, 2016 I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET A FIX FOR POOR BRAKING ON MY 2013 HARLEY DYNA WITH ABS SINCE ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER BUYING IT NEW FROM SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA HARLEY. IN THE BEGINNING I EVEN THOUGHT IT WAS ME, BUT AFTER LETTING A FRIEND TRY THE BIKE , HE CONFIRMED THE VERY POOR BRAKING. HOW COULD THIS HAVE PASSED GOVERNMENTS TEST FOR BRAKING DISTANCE. I LOVE THE ABS AND WOULD NOT OWN A BIKE WITHOUT IT,( LIKE A CAR) BUT HATE THAT IT SO POOR IN STOPPING DISTANCE. BECAUSE I HAD A PREVIOUS HARLEY WITH DUAL FRONT DISCS WHICH H…

Look up ODI 10883874 at NHTSA ↗

150.0%
ODI 10966630 · 8,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREETS COMING UP TO A STOP LIGHT. I GENTLY GRABBED THE FRONT BRAKE TO START MY STOP WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP. THE BOLT THAT CONNECTS THE BRAKE LINE TO THE MASTER CYLINDER CAME LOOSE AND BRAKE FLUID SPRAYED ALL OVER. AS OF THAT MOMENT, I HAD NO MORE USE OF MY FRONT BREAK AND BECAUSE THE FLUID SPRAYED ALL OVER IT GOT ON THE RIGHT FOOTPEG AND REAR BRAKE PEDAL. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE PEG AND UTILIZE THE REAR BREAK. WHEN I GOT HOME AND WAS ABLE TO INSPECT THE ISSUE CLOSER I FOUND THAT THE THREADS IN THE MASTER…

Look up ODI 10966630 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Structure:Body
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

15.9%
ODI 10554654 · 13,500 mi

I ACTUALLY HAVE A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SUPER GLIDE CUSTOM (FXDC) WITH A HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET BOB (FXDB) REAR FENDER ASSEMBLY. THE REAR FENDER WAS INSTALLED IN 2011 BY A HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEALERSHIP IN DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA. SINCE I HAD THE REAR FENDER INSTALLED, I HAVE PUT APPROXIMATELY 2000 MILES ON THE MOTORCYCLE. ON NOVEMBER 16, 2013, I WAS WASHING THE MOTORCYCLE AND NOTICES A SPLIT IN THE REAR FENDER AT THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY, STARTING AT THE REAR BOTTOM AND RUNNING UP THE BACK OF THE FENDER, TO THE RIGHT AND PARALLEL TO THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY. IN…

Look up ODI 10554654 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 11384055 · 13,000 mi

HARLEY DAVIDSON DYNA STREET BOB MODEL YEARS 2011 AND 2012 HAS A CHROME TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY THAT STICKS UP OFF OF REAR FENDER. THE BRACKET ON THE UNDERSIDE SUPPORTING THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS JUST ABOUT THE SAME WIDTH AS THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY ITSELF. WHEN IN MOTION AND WITH THE ASSOCIATED VIBRATION, THE REAR FENDER CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND RIGHT ALONG THE SUPPORTING BRACKET. FURTHER MOTION AND VIBRATION ACCENTUATES THE CRACKING. IF GONE UNNOTICED, COULD LEAD TO TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY FALLING INTO REAR WHEEL CAUSING S…

Look up ODI 11384055 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Vehicle Speed Control
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

15.9%
ODI 10342320 · 15,000 mi

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVISON ROAD GLIDE MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 55-65 MPH THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A LIMP HOME MODE. HE STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAN 200 RMPS. HE STATED THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. HE STATED THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. HE STATED THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE ON THE OTHER OCASSIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AT THE TIME ON THE COMPLAINT AND HE STATED THEY WERE REPLACING THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,0…

Look up ODI 10342320 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 11229282 · 2,000 mi

ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET OR A HIGHWAY, TURNING,

Look up ODI 11229282 at NHTSA ↗

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Service Brakes, HydraulicToo few reports for a range5,200 mi3 (sparse)
ODI 10281390 · 1,200 mi

SEVERAL TIMES I CAME VERY VERY CLOSE TO REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE.THE REAR BRAKING POWER OF THE REAR BRAKES IS FAR BELOW ADEQUATE THE REAR BRAKES WON'T EVEN LOCK UP IF PEDDLE IS STOOD ON WITH ALL ONE'S WEIGHT. THE REAR ROTOR WAS REPLACED ON ONE SIDE OF THE HARLEY DAVIDSON TRIKE ONLY WITH THE SAME RESULTS, NO BRAKING POWER. APPARENTLY THE PROBLEM RELAYS IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM ITSELF. 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG TRI GLIDE TRIKE (NEW MODEL). *TR

Look up ODI 10281390 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10289465 · 6,300 mi

2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON TRI-GLIDE. REAR BRAKES WON'T PROPERLY STOP BIKE. ALL STOPPING IS COUNTING ON FRONT BRAKES (ONE WHEEL). REAR BRAKE PADS WORE OUT AT 6000 MILES. *TR

Look up ODI 10289465 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10293507 · 5,200 mi

WHILE RIDING MY 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREETGLIDE MY ABS BRAKING SYSTEM APPEARED TO FAIL. I WAS AT A STOP WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR SO THAT I COULD SAFELY PULL OUT. WHEN I STARTED TO PULL OUT A CAR "FROM NOWHERE" APPEARED. I HAD TO BRAKE. WHEN I DID, THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND CAUSED THE MOTORCYCLE TO "FREEWHEEL" .IN OTHER WORDS MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I HAD TO STOP THE BIKE BY PUTTING MY FEET DOWN. THE PAVEMENT WAS DRY AND CLEAN AND I WAS GOING LESS THAN 5 MPH...NO REASON FOR THE ABS BRAKES TO ACTIVATE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO STOP I H…

Look up ODI 10293507 at NHTSA ↗

TiresToo few reports for a range5,000 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10274692 · 3,000 mi

DUNLOP D407 TIRE (FRONT) FOR THE HARLEY DAVIDSON 2009 FL TOURING MODELS INSTALLED ON MY2009 SCREAMING EGALE FLTRSE3 THE BOLD ANGLED LATERAL GROOVES EXHIBIT ABNORMAL WEAR AND UNEVEN TIRE TREAD CUPPING. VIBRATION DURING CORNERING AND LANE CHANGES, THE UNEVENLY WORN AREAS ARE NEARLY WORN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LATERAL GROVES ON THE LEADING EDGE AND THE OTHER SIDE IS CUPPED. THE CENTER OF THE TREAD APPEARS TO BE NORMAL. THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED AND REPORTED TO A HARLEY DAVIDSON CALIFORNIA DEALER TWICE ONCE AT 3000 MILES AND 4100 MILES OF WEAR. NOW A…

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ODI 10282813 · 7,000 mi

I HAVE A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC ELECTRA GLIDE. THIS MODEL ALONG WITH THE "TOURING" LINE OF HD MOTORCYLES ARE NEWLY REDESIGNED AND USES THE NEW DUNLOP 407F MOTORCYCLE TIRES. THESE TIRES ARE THE ONLY TIRES THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS LINE OF MOTORCYCLES. MY TIRES ARE "CUPPING" AFTER 7,000 MILES. THE CUPPING IS CAUSING VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND NOISES WHILE CORNERING. I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON HARLEY DAVIDSON FORUMS AND I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE REPORTS OF…

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Engine And Engine CoolingToo few reports for a range1,450 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10290397 · 2,800 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON SCREAMING EAGLE ROAD GLIDE FLTRSE3. HE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN AFTER EXITING A PARKING SPACE, BUT THE ENGINE MISFIRED. HE LOST VEHICLE CONTROL, AND THEN CRASHED ONTO THE ROADWAY. THERE WERE PERSONAL INJURIES INCLUDING FRACTURES TO THE LEFT ANKLE AND RIBS. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE HEAT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,800. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

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ODI 10295012 · 100 mi

EXCESSIVE ENGINE HEAT ON THE 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ULTRA TRI-GLIDE MOTOR CYCLE, MODEL FLHTCUTG! ENGINE OIL TEMPERATURES RUN AROUND 300 DEGREES AND INFRARED TEMPERATURE READINGS ON RIDER'S JEAN PANT LEG ARE 140 DEGREES! HARLEY SAYS THIS IS NORMAL! I HAVE BURN SCARE ON MY LEG THAT SAYS THIS SHOULD NOT BE NORMAL! *TR

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Electrical SystemToo few reports for a range6,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10398389 · 6,000 mi

DEAR SIRS: ON DECEMBER 5, 2010 WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO A DRIVEWAY MY HARLEY DAVIDSON TRI-GLIDE (VIN [XXX]) MODEL FLHTCUTG (THIS MODEL # WAS NOT ALLOWED IN A FOLLOWING FIELD) ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY AND TIPPED ON ITS SIDE THROWING ME OFF AND THEN INTO A FENCE. I WAS TRANSPORTED FROM THE SCENE BY AMBULANCE WITH MINOR INJURIES (BROKEN RIBS) AND THE BIKE WAS TOWED TO A STORAGE YARD. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED HARLEY DAVIDSON OF SACRAMENTO TO ARRANGE FOR THE BIKE TO BE TOWED THERE AND REPAIRED. I WAS TOLD BY THEM THAT THEY DID NOT PERFORM INSUR…

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Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust SystemToo few reports for a range5,800 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10350424 · 5,800 mi

FOR THE THIRD TIME I HAVE SUSTAINED A SECOND DEGREE BURN ON MY LOWER RIGHT LEG WHEN ABOARD MY 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE. THIS OCCURS WHEN I STOP THE BIKE TO PARK IT OR GET GAS AND MY LEG CONTACTS THE EXHAUST PIPE JUNCTURE JUST AFT OF THE RIDER FLOORBOARD. THE BURN IS SUSTAINED IMMEDIATELY ON ANY CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST PIPE WHICH IS PROTECTED BY A HEAT SHIELD PROVIDED BY HARLEY DAVIDSON. THE HEAT SHIELD IS INADEQUATE FOR THE TASK, AS THIS IS WHAT I AM ACTUALLY CONTACTING WHEN I AM BURNED. I QUESTIONED THE SELLING DEALER, AND THERE…

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Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail PipeToo few reports for a range12,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10284116 · 12,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON VRSCF. HE STATED THAT THE HEADER PIPE FROM THE MOTOR TO THE MUFFLER TURNS CHERRY RED DUE TO HEAT EXPOSURE OF 1600-1800 DEGREES. HIS LEGS ARE POSITIONED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE HEAT, WHICH MAY IGNITE HIS CLOTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE TECHNICIANS CONCLUDED THAT THE HIGH TEMPERATURES FROM THE COMPONENT IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,600. BL

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Fuel System, GasolineToo few reports for a range20 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10250496 · 20 mi

MOTORCYCLE HAS SET CODES FROM THE DAY I PICKED IT UP FROM DEALER. SETS TWIST GRIP CODES P2127 & 2138. WOULD CLEAR CODES AND THEY WOULD RETURN EVERY FEW RIDES FOR THE FIRST 500 MILES AND THEN THE BIKE STARTED ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN IN ANY GEAR OR SPEED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT ABLE OR WILLING TO LOOK AT IT IN A TIMELY MANNER. CHECKED OUT ALL CONNECTIONS FOR THE THROTTLE SENSOR MY SELF. DIDN'T FIND ANY OBVIOUS PROBLEMS. APPLIED COMPUTER CONNECTION STABALENT TO THE ECM CONNECTOR AND PROBLEM WAS GONE FOR 1000 MILES. BIKE STARTED ACCELERATING BY …

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Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge SystemToo few reports for a range1 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10416764 · 1 mi

THE BIKES FUEL GAUGE HAS NEVER WORKED SINCE THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE OF THIS BIKE. IT HAS NEVER BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE "FIXED" BECAUSE AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE FAULTY GAUGE. *KB

Look up ODI 10416764 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 22 reports

2015: 1 complaints · 2016: 2 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2015001
2016112
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2015200
2016200

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentService Brakes, HydraulicTiresEngine And Engine CoolingElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust SystemEngine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail PipeFuel System, GasolineFuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System
Service Brakes, Hydraulic—0000000
Tires0—000000
Engine And Engine Cooling00—00000
Electrical System000—0000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System0000—000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe00000—00
Fuel System, Gasoline000000—0
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System0000000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

1 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 5.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 5,200 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10293507 · 5,200 mi

WHILE RIDING MY 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREETGLIDE MY ABS BRAKING SYSTEM APPEARED TO FAIL. I WAS AT A STOP WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR SO THAT I COULD SAFELY PULL OUT. WHEN I STARTED TO PULL OUT A CAR "FROM NOWHERE" APPEARED. I HAD TO BRAKE. WHEN I DID, THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND CAUSED THE MOTORCYCLE TO "FREEWHEEL" .IN OTHER WORDS MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I HAD TO STOP THE BIKE BY PUTTING MY FEET DOWN. THE PAVEMENT WAS DRY AND CLEAN AND I WAS GOING LESS THAN 5 MPH...NO REASON FOR THE ABS BRAKES TO ACTIVATE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO STOP I H…

Look up ODI 10293507 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b