2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU Recalls, Complaints & Safety

While riding my 2009 ultra classic cvc Harley davidson motorcycle the front brake level became stiff and eventually did not compress, no front brakes, while attempting to stop. The rear brake still operated normally. In an emergency, this could cause serious injury or death with front brake failing and possible rear brake failure at same time. a local repair shop inspected the brakes and attempted to bleed system and determined the ABS mudule failed. there were no warning lamp indications of ABS failure. When ABS module fails on HD motorcycles, brakes can also fail. This is a major safety issue with the braking system that shoud still operate to stop motorcycle when ABS module fails.

ABS Module failure. Brake pedal solid when depressed with no brakes available. I will request the bad module from the dealer. No brakes is an extremely dangerous condition. The motorcycle is in a Harley Davidson getting the module replaced. This catastrophic failure happened with no warnings or symptoms.

The guard/spring housing locater on the rotor behind the drive sprocket developed a fatigue crack, it propagated approximately half way around the circumference before separating and then being pulled thru between the drive chain and sprocket . this caused the drive train to seize up locking up the engine and rear wheel and damaging the engine. being a motorcycle this can lead to a serious injury or death crash. fortunately for me it let go at low speed.

When approaching an intersection I went to apply brakes and could not because lever was frozen this resulted in my bike to coast into the intersection I was fortunate the vehicle coming was able to stop.I was told my abs system had failed and would need replaced! The issue was blamed on fluid and lack of flushing and replacement it.The fluid was replaced by dealer 5 months earlier so I’m not buying the fluid is the culprit.Bike has 12,000 miles on it.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER COULD NOT BE PRESSED TO STOP THE MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO HARLEY-DAVIDSON EASTGATE (699 CINCINNATI POTAVIA PIKE, CINCINNATI, OH) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE IN THE ABS MODULE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000(SERVICE BRAKES) IN JULY OF 2018, BUT THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,176.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED TO FULLY ENGAGE AND FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH WAR HORSE HARLEY-DAVIDSON (5331 N US HWY 441, OCALA, FL 34475, 1-(352) 732-2488) AND WAS PROVIDED WITH A REMEDY FOR THE RECALL REPAIR FROM THE MANUFACTURER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE, INDICATING THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

ABS HCU SUDDENLY FAILED CAUSING FRONT BRAKE LEVER TO BECOME SO HARD IT IS ALMOST UNSQUEEZABLE. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED WHILE STATIONARY IN MY GARAGE ON INITIAL IGNITION ON CYCLE. I UNDERSTAND THINGS FAIL BUT FOR ABS TO FAIL IN A WAY TO LOOSE ALL BRAKING WITHOUT WARNING IS REDICULOUS. HOW COULD NHTSA LET HARLEY DAVIDSON BLAME THIS ON FLUID OR CONSUMER? ARE YOU IMPLYING THAT HARLEY TOURING OWNERS OF 2008-11 ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO DIDNT FLUSH BRAKE FLUID? MY FLUID WAS ALWAYS FLUSHED. ITS A DEFECTIVE MODULE. COME ON NHTSA WAKE UP!

REAR BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE. THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED WITH FOOT. THE HARLEY RECALL ONLY CHANGES THE BRAKE FLUID WHICH IS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION IS THE ABS MODULE IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. HARLEY CLAIMS A LACK OF FLUID CHANGE IS THE CAUSE. THIS A COVER UP BY HARLEY TO KEEP FROM HAVING TO REPLACE ALL OF THE ABS MODULES ON THEIR DANGEROUS MOTORCYCLES ON THE ROAD. THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE EVER HEARD OF THAT MUST HAVE THE BRAKE FLUID CHANGED EVERY TWO YEARS ( JUST A COVER UP BY HARLEY) THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD COST LIVES ON THE ROAD.

WHEN TRYING TO MOVE THE BRAKE LEVER FOR FRONT BRAKE THE LEVER WAS FROZEN AND UNABLE TO MOVE. *JS

FRONT BRAKES FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE ON HIGHWAY. BRAKE LEVER IS LOCKED OPEN AND WILL NOT MOVE. LATER THAT DAY, THE BRAKES LOCKED OPEN AGAIN WHILE IN PARKING LOT CAUSING ME TO WRECK INTO CURB AND DAMAGE FRONT FENDER.

Crash

ABS SYSTEM FAILS TO "NO BRAKES" . I HAVE RECENTLY PURCHASED MY 2009 HD FROM A REPUTABLE DEALER IN HOUSTON. SO I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. WITHIN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP AND PERHAPS ONLY 20 MILES THE ABS SYSTEM HAS FAILED. I WENT TO DRIVE THE MOTORCYCLE ON A RECENT SUNNY DAY, AND ROLLED OUT OF MY GARAGE UNABLE TO STOP. BOTH REAR AND FRONT BRAKES ARE SOLID AND IMMOVABLE. HAD THIS OCCURRED FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD IT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. RESEARCHING RECALLS, I SEE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT ONLY REQUIRING HARLEY TO FLUSH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. REPAIR IS STILL ON THE OWNER. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. HARLEY ENGINEERING SHOULD HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE AUTO INDUSTRY WHO HAS USED DOT 4 BRAKE FLUID WITHOUT SUCH AN ISSUE FOR DECADES. HYGROSCOPIC BRAKE FLUID IS NOT THE ISSUE, ITS THE MATERIAL CHOICE AND POTENTIALLY CATHODIC ISSUES. FOR HARLEY TO BLAME OWNERS FOR NOT FLUSHING THE FLUID EVERY TWO YEARS IS SILLY. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE BIKE 6 MONTHS. FOR THEM TO RESELL WITHOUT HAVING REPAIRED OR REPLACED THIS IS NEGLIGENT AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED. NO DOUBT OTHER USED BIKE OWNERS WILL EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE ALSO AND MORE ACCIDENTS ARE IN THE MAKING. A TOTAL RECALL SHOULD BE DONE AND THE ABS VALVES REPLACED AT HD'S EXPENSE. MANY ON FORUMS ARE NOW BYPASSING THE ABS SYSTEMS TO AVOID THE EXORBITANT REPAIR BILL AND NEED TO GO TO HARLEY. THIS IS PUTTING DANGEROUS BIKES ON THE ROAD.

I EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL FROZE AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD NOT SLOW OR STOP. THIS HAPPENED AROUND MARCH OF 2017. I TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO GATEWAY HARLEY DAVIDSON FOR REPAIRS. THE SUGGESTED THAT BECAUSE A LACK OF MAINTENANCE THE ABS MODULE FAILED. THE REPLACED THE ABS HCU, PART 48343-09 AND I PAID FOR ALL REPAIRS. MY CONCERN IS AN ABS MODULE SHOULD NOT CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN IN AN AUTOMOBILE. THE IS A DESIGN DEFECT. I HAVE 2 NEWER HARLEYS WITH ABS. I CALLED HARLEY MANUFACTURING AND WAS TOLD THESE 2 NEWER MOTORCYCLES HAVE THE SAME DESIGN. EVEN WITH MAINTENANCE THESE 2 COULD HAVE A CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE BECAUSE OF THE ABS DESIGN DEFECT. I HAVE THE DEFECT ABS MODULE THAT WAS REPLACED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. UPON ACCELERATION AND ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK SEVERAL TIMES AND FAILED TO ENGAGE, CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE DEALER (GATEWAY HARLEY-DAVIDSON, 3600 LEMAY FERRY RD, ST LOUIS, MO 63125, (314) 845-9900) DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE WAS NOT FOLLOWED REGARDING REPLACING THE FLUID FOR THE BRAKES AND THAT THE SOLUTION WAS A BRAKE FLUSH AT NO CHARGE. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE DEALER WOULD PROVIDE A PERMANENT SOLUTION. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT NO LONGER OWNED THE MOTORCYCLE AND STILL HAD THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR

FUEL PUMP FAILURE: FUEL PUMP FAILURE WHILE VEHICLE WAS IDLING. ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STOPS. IF THIS HAPPENS TO A VEHICLE WHILE ON THE ROAD ESPECIALLY IN HEAVY HIGHWAY TRAFFIC OR TURNING AT AN INTERSECTION IT CAN RESULTS IN SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

ABS MODULES FAILING. THERE IS AN ELECTRONIC AND HYDRAULIC PORTION OF THE MODULE AND BOTH WERE DIAGNOSED AS BEING BAD. BRAKING SUCKS WHEN THIS HAPPENS AS YOU ARE LEFT WITH A VERY STIFF BRAKE LEVER AND NO OTHER WARNING.

MY WIFE AND MYSELF WAS RIDING MY 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC IN THE SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST IN CALIFORNIA ON HWY 198 ON JULY 5 2016 WE LEFT THE GENERAL SHERMAN TREE AREA HEADING TOWARDS THREE RIVERS CA AS WE WERE STARTED TO RIDE DOWN THE MOUNTAIN ON THE DOWN HILL WINDING ROAD WE LOST THE REAR BRAKE ON THE BIKE, THE BRAKE FOOT PEDDLE WOULD GO ALL THE WAY DOWN UNTIL IT BOTTOMED OUT AND STOPPED IT FELT LIKE THERE WAS NO BRAKE PRESSURE, I HAD TO PUMP THE FOOT BRAKE CONTINUOUSLY A FEW TIMES TO GET BRAKE PRESSURE BACK AS SOON AS I STOP PUMPING THE FOOT BRAKE IT WOULD LOSES PRESSURE AGAIN UNTIL I PUMPED IT A FEW TIMES TO GET THE PRESSURE BACK THIS CONDITION CONTINUED FOR A NUMBER OF MILES WHILE WE WENT DOWN THE CANYON, THE FRONT BRAKE WORK NORMAL AND I WAS ABLE TO USE A COMBINATION OF DOWN SHIFTING THE FRONT BRAKE AND PUMPING THE BACK BRAKE AFTER WE GOT OFF THE MOUNTAIN THE REAR BRAKE WORK NORMAL AND HAS WORKED NORMAL SINCE.

THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE EFI/ECM IS FAULTY, CAUSING MULTIPLE CODES DEALING WITH LOW VOLTAGE TO THE THROTTLE BY WIRE, THESE LOW VOLTAGES CAUSES THE THROTTLE TO FAIL DURING RIDING AND LOSS OF SPEEDOMETER. I HAVE NEARLY BEEN IN MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS RELATED TO THE ISSUE WHICH HAS OCCURED WELL OVER 30 TIMES IN 8 YEARS. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1000 USD IN REPAIRS, YET THE DESIGN FLAW CONTINUES TO KEEP CAUSING THE SAME ISSUES YEAR AFTER YEAR.

MY MOTORCYCLE IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE DESCRIBED IN YOUR ODI RESUME INVETIGATION NUMBER PE 16-009. THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL FREEZES WHEN THE IGNITION IS INGAGED. I TOOK IT THE THE HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER FOR REPAIR. THEY SAID IT IS THE ABS MODULE AND IS ON BACK ORDER FOR 10 DAYS UNTIL 3/10/2017. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY MOTORCYCLE INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND ANY FUTURE RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED APPROXIMATELY $760 FOR THIS FIX.

VERY SERIOUS FAILURE OF ABS FRONT BRAKE. WHEN RIDING OUT OF DRIVEWAY THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER SEIZED MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SQUEEZE YIELDING NO FRONT BRAKES. AT THIS DATE NHTSA HAS 88 COMPLAINTS FILED FOR THE HD ABS MODULE FAILURE, SOME RESULTING IN CRASHES. HARLEY DAVIDSON SAYS FLUID HAS TO BE CHANGED EVERY 2 YEARS TO PREVENT MOISTURE BUILD UP. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING AMONG THE MILLIONS OF ABS VEHICLES IN USE. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE TO ME THAT THE NHTSA HAS NOT DEMANDED A RECALL OR OWNER NOTIFICATIONS TO BE MAILED OUT. WHEN I OPERATE A VEHICLE I EXPECT IT TO COMPLY WITH ALL SAFETY REGULATIONS AND KNOWN PROBLEMS BE SCRUTINIZED BY THE NHTSA. WHERE IS THE SAFETY IN NHTSA WHEN NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE WITH THE KNOWN PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS SINCE 2008? DOES IT TAKE A DEATH TO GET A RECALL. IF TWO GM CARS EXPERIENCE A COLUMN LOCK WHILE DRIVING OR IN A JEEP AN OPERATOR ERROR FAILS PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK, THERE IS A MASSIVE RECALL AND DEMANDED OWNER NOTIFICATIONS. THIS IS EXTREMELY SERIOUS AND DEMANDS ACTION!

"FRONT BRAKE LEVER FROZE WITH NO WARNING WHILE RIDING IT HOME ON THE HIGHWAY ' FORTUNATELY FOR ME, MY REAR BRAKES STILL WORKED FINE, OR I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO MAKE THIS COMPLAINT."

EXITING INTERSTATE FRONT BRAKE LEVER INOPERATIVE. TOTAL LOSS OF FRONT BRAKES AS I APPROACHED INTERSECTION. BACK BRAKES OPERATED NORMALLY. CONTINUED HOME CHECKED FOR LEAKS, NONE. FLUID FULL. MASTER CYLINDER WORKING, BUT NO FLUID @ CALIPERS. STILL CANNOT DEPRESS BRAKE LEVER. WAS INFORMED MAYBE ABS MODULE HOWEVER STILL SHOULDN'T CAUSE TOTAL FAILURE. THANK YOU

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE FLHTCU. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR ABS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WOULD NOT COMPRESS SO THE MOTORCYCLE ONLY HAD BACK BRAKES. IT CONTRIBUTED TO A COLLISION WITHOUT INJURIES. I'M TOLD IT IS BECAUSE THE ABS FAILED. I DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT HAD HAPPENED AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION SO THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS NOT MENTIONED IN THE POLICE REPORT. IT SHOULD HAVE FAILED "SAFE" WHICH MEANS THAT THE ABS SHOULD HAVE "SWITCHED OFF" SO THAT THE BRAKES WOULD STILL FUNCTION BUT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN. I STILL CANNOT COMPRESS THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER. ..UPDATED 02/10/17 *BF *TR

Crash

WHILE RIDING AND COMMING TO A STOP SIGN REAR BRAKE PEDDEL GOT VERY HARD TO PUSH DOWN RESULTING IN NO REAR BRAKES, STIL HAD FRONT BRAKES. TOOK TO HARLEY SHOP AND THEY DIAGNOISED THAT THE ABS MODULE HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THEY HAD TO REPLACE IT TOOK 2.5 WEEKS TO GET THE NEW MODULE IN AS HATRLEY DAVIDSON HAD NONE IN THEIR SYSTEM. WHAT BOTHERE ME THE MOST IS THAT WE WERE TOLD WHEN WE BOUGTH THE BIKES WITH ABS THAT IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO THE BABS UNIT WE WOULD HAVE REGULAR BRAKES WITCH WAS NOT TRUE AS I HAD NO REAR BRAKES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE HANDLES AND FRONT BRAKES FAILED TO WORK WHEN APPLIED. A REPAIR SHOP RECOMMENDED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE BE TAKEN TO A DEALER AND PERFORMED AN INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,796. UPDATED 12/21/16*LJ THE DEALER REPAIRED THE MOTORCYCLE AT NO CHARGE. UPDATED 12/27/16.*JB

COMPENSATOR PRIMARY CHAIN FAILURE SHUTTER WHEN DRIVING HARD STARTING FAILURE TO STARTER MOTOR PART IS JUNK WILL CAUSE REAR WHEEL TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING ENDING UP IN CRASH AND DEATH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU ELECTRA GLIDE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.

DRIVING DOWN A BUSY HWY WHEN II WENT TO APPLY BRAKES THE FRONT BRAKE HANDLE WOULD NOT WORK. WOULDN'T COMPRESS. .JUST MISSED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND SLOW THE BIKE DOWN BEFORE I CAME TO A DRAINAGE DITCH. THIS IS INSANITY. NO WARNING NO MECHANICAL TAKE OVER. I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HURT OR MAYBE KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS. THIS IS NOT NORMAK . WHERE IS CONSUMER PROTECTION? WHERE IS CUSTOMER AWARENESS OR CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION. MAYBE NEXT TIME I WON'T BE SO LUCKY. HAVING IT TOWED TO TREASUR COAST TOMOROW. DISAPPOINTED IN HARLEY

REAR BRAKES ON MY 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC, THEY FROZE AND I HAD NO BRAKES, PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. IT WAS LIKE PRESSING AGAINST A SOLID WALK WITH ME FOOT, IF IT WASN'T FOR MY FRONT BRAKE I MIGHT NOT BE ALIVE TODAY ! THIS IS VERY DEADY.

WHEN I RODE MY MOTORCYCLE TO WORK IN THE MORNING MY FRONT BRAKES WORKED FINE. WHILE RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE DOWN THE INTERSTATE HOME FROM WORK, I WENT TO APPLY MY FRONT BRAKES AND FOUND THE BRAKE LEVER ON THE HANDLE BAR WAS FROZEN. THE MOTOR CYCLE IS IN MY GARAGE AND I STILL CANNOT APPLY THE FRONT BRAKE.

I OWN AND OPERATE A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU ULTRA CLASSIC. WHILE RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY, EXITED ON THE OFF RAMP AND TRIED TO USE MY BRAKES TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT. BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LEVERS WERE HARD AS A ROCK (INOPERATIVE) AND WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT FUNCTION TO STOP THE BIKE. I IMMEDIATELY DOWN SHIFTED AND KILLED THE ENGINE AT A SLOW SPEED TO STOP THE BIKE. I CONTACTED A FRIEND TO BRING A TRAILER TO RETURN THE BIKE TO THE HOUSE. THE MALFUNCTION OF THE ABS BRAKES OCCURRED WITHOUT NOTICE AND IT IS A HAZARDOUS CONDITION. WHEN I CONTACTED THE LOCAL HD DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY SUCH MALFUNCTION ON MY 2009 FLHTCU (EVEN THOUGH THEY STATED THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED A FEW OF THEM). THEY ALSO ADVISED THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS. WHEN I SPOKE WITH OTHER HARLEY OWNERS, I LEARNED THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH HD BIKES BEGINNING IN 2008 WHEN ABS BRAKES WERE FIRST INTRODUCED BUT THE MANUFACTURER, HARLEY DAVIDSON, DOES NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BRAKE MALFUNCTION WHICH COSTS OVER $1,000.00 TO REPAIR. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. BRAKE FAILURE CAN HAVE DIRE CONSEQUENCES AND CAN RESULT IN A CASUALTY BECAUSE FAILURE TO STOP ON A TWO WHEEL VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS AND CAN BE DEADLY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PUT HIS FEET DOWN AND SLOWED TO A HALT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS BLOCK FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. WHILE PARKED, THE ANTI-BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE HANDLE WAS HELD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

I PULLED OUT OF MY GARAGE ON MY 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON HEADING TO THE STREET CORNER STOP SIGN AND APPLIED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE BACK TO APPLY THE FRONT BRAKE. SINCE I WAS ONLY MOVING AT 25 MPH THE REAR BRAKE BROUGHT THE BIKE TO A STOP SAFELY. I EXAMINED THE BRAKE EQUIPMENT BUT FOUND NO SIGNS OF DAMAGE TO THE SYSTEM. L CALLED MY HD DEALER WHO ADVISED ME THAT MY ABS BRAKE SYSTEM HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. INTERESTINGLY, THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM OVER THE PHONE WHICH WOULD INDICATE TO ME THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM. I ASKED THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE IF THIS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THE REPLY WAS TO THE AFFIRMATIVE (YES). I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND PAID $573.84 TO REPLACE THE ABS EQUIPMENT. I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT SINCE I HADN'T REPLACED THE BRAKE FLUID EVERY TWO (2) YEARS I CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE DRIVEN AND OWNED CARS, TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HEARD ABOUT CHANGING BRAKE FLUID EVERY 2 YEARS. ALL OF MY CURRENT CARS HAVE ABS BRAKES AND NONE OF THEM REQUIRE BRAKE FLUID CHANGES EVERY TWO YEARS. IF IT IS THAT CRITICAL TO THE SAFE OPERATION OF THIS MOTORCYCLE ONE WOULD THINK THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON WOULD GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO EMPHASIZE THAT AT DELIVERY OF THE MOTORCYCLE OR THROUGH CORRESPONDENCE EITHER BY EMAIL OR POSTAL SERVICE ABOUT THE SENSITIVELY OF THE ABS BRAKES. I AM THE TYPE OF OWNER WHO PRACTICES PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE ON HIS VEHICLES. DURING THE TWO YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD I BROUGHT THE MOTORCYCLE TO THEM FOR SERVICE AND WAS NOT OFFERED TO HAVE THE BRAKE FLUID CHANGED. I FEEL EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT THE BRAKE FAILURE HAPPENED AT 25 MPH ON A QUIET STREET AND NOT ON I-95 AT 70 MPH. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM AND CORRECT THE SITUATION SO THAT NO OTHER MOTORCYCLE RIDER IS FACED WITH A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION OVER THIS ABS PROBLEM.

FRONT BRAKE LEVEL BECOMES FROZEN. BELIEVE IT IS A ABS ISSUE THAT LOCKS THE BRAKE LEVEL RENDERING THEM USELESS.

FRONT BRAKE LEVER FROZE WITH NO WARNING WHILE RIDING IT HOME ON THE HIGHWAY AND TURNING ON TO AN EXIT.. BIKE HAD BEEN SERVICED AT MY LOCAL HARLEY DEALER SINCE I PURCHASED THE BIKE NEW IN 2009. THE NEXT DAY, I CALLED THE DEALER WITHOUT IDENTIFYING MYSELF, AND DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM - THE FIRST RESPONSE WAS THAT THE ABS MODULE MIGHT BE BAD. I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL OR SOMETHING, THE ONLY RESPONSE WAS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR.MY BIKE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 6 MONTHS, SO I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC FRIEND OF MINE. AFTER TEARING THE BRAKE SYSTEM APART, HE DETERMINED THAT THE ABS MODULE WAS INDEED BAD. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT NEVER CAME ON OTHER THAN THE STARTUP CYCLE. FORTUNATELY FOR ME, MY REAR BRAKES STILL WORKED FINE, OR I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO MAKE THIS COMPLAINT.

ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM: WITHOUT ANY ABS FAILURE INDICATION, FRONT BRAKES FAIL TO OPERATE. THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER ON THE MOTORCYCLE BECOMES LOCKED, UNMOVABLE, OR BECOMES INTERMITTENTLY DIFFICULT TO MOVE, WITH A SUDDEN HARD BRAKING ACTION. WHEN I SHOWED IT TO THE DEALER, I WAS SHOWN A CYCLE AWAITING REPAIR WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. THIS IS NOT ONLY A DANGEROUS CONDITION, ESPECIALLY IN AN EMERGENCY, BUT APPEARS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA (NA). WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY STIFF. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP THE MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

THE ORIGINAL COMPENSATOR SPROCKET WAS FOUND TO BE INADEQUATE BY HARLY IN 2011 AND A SE MODEL WAS REQUIRED TO REPLACE IT. AFTER THE USUAL 20 TO 30 THOUSAND MILES THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE/IS NOT COVERED IN A RECALL EVEN THOUGH A DEFECTIVE PART WAS ORIGINALLY USED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE STOPPED DUE TO THE FRONT BRAKES FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN THE TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE MODULE FAILED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

THE ABS CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONED, AND CAUSED MY FRONT BRAKE LEVER TO LOCK UP. I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS. THERE IS NO WARNING THAT IT IS GOING OUT. ONE MINUTE FINE, AND THEN FROZE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WHEELS BECAME VERY LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,999.

FRONT BRAKE HAND LEVER IS VERY STIFF AND WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. MY BRAKES ARE ABS. I WAS IN MOTION AND HAD TO PULL ON THE BRAKE LEVER VERY HARD AND THE FRONT BRAKE SUDDENLY REACTS CAUSING A VERY HARD BRAKING ON THE FRONT END. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THERE IS NO GRADUAL BRAKING AS YOU PULL THE LEVER, SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T EVEN PULL THE LEVER CAUSING YOU TO RELY SOLELY ON THE REAR BRAKE.. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON MOTORCYCLE FORUMS AND HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ABS EQUIPPED HARLEY-DAVIDSONS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS ON A MOTORCYCLE TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN TO A FRONT BRAKE. I WILL BE TAKING MY MOTORCYCLE (WITH 10,000 MILES AND GARAGE KEPT) TO MY LOCAL HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEALER FOR ANALYSIS AND REPAIR.

RIDING MY 09 HARLEY ULTRA, WHEN AT LOW SPEED I HAD TO STOP FOR A CAR STOPPED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WAS FROZEN AND COULD NOT APPLY THE BRAKE. I SWERVED OFF INTO THE GRASS TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR. THE REAR BRAKES STILL WORKED BUT AT SLOW SPEEDS I USE THE FRONT SO I CAN PUT MY FEET DOWN WHEN THE BIKE COMES TO A STOP. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. AT HIGHER SPEEDS THIS WOULD ABSOLUTELY BE FATAL!! HARLEY CLAIMS THAT IF THE ABS FAILS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION THAT IT WILL " FAIL SAFE" WITH NORMAL, NON ABS BRAKING. THIS IS NOT THE CASE!! WHEN THE ABS FAILS ELECTRONICALLY, IT FAILS CRITICAL. NO BRAKES. WHEN I CALLED THE HARLEY DEALERS IN MY AREA I GOT THE SAME STORY FROM BOTH OF THEM. ALMOST WORD FOR WORD LIKE IT WAS REHEARSED. "WE'VE NEVER HEARD OF THAT HAPPENING BEFORE. YOU'RE THE FIRST ONE WE'VE SEEN WITH THAT PROBLEM. WE DON'T SEE PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS." I BOUGHT IT TO THEM AND THEY FOUND THE ABS MODULE DEFECTIVE. I TOLD THEM THAT IT WAS SUPPOSE TO "FAIL SAFE" AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT WASN'T TRUE. HE SAID "THIS IS THE 3RD OR 4TH ONE WE'VE HAD AND THE ALL FAIL THE SAME WAY. CAN'T SQUEEZE THE LEVER AND NO BRAKES!" HE CLAIMED THAT BECAUSE THEY SEE SUCH A LOW NUMBER OF BIKES WITH THIS ISSUE THAT IT'S NOT A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I DISSAGREE! MOST PEOPLE THAT EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM ARE DEAD!! I WAS RIDING SLOW IN A NON PANIC SITUATION. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAYS MY BIKE IS SAFE TO RIDE TO RIDE, BUT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IF THE PROBLEM RETURNS I WOULD AGAIN, BE LEFT WITHOUT BRAKES. I BOUGHT A NEW HARLEY BECAUSE I WANTED THE ADDED SAFETY OF ABS BRAKES. BUT NOW IT SEEMS THAT HARLEY ABS MAY HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF GETTING ME KILLED THAN THEY DO OF SAVING MY LIFE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION IMMEDIATELY!! MANY LIVES COULD BE LOST BY YOUR DELAY ON THIS MATTER. IF YOU FIND OUT I DIED IN A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT PLEASE CHECK OUT MY BRAKE SYSTEM!