2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTK

1 recalls — 27 complaints

11V506000 Oct 19, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Defect Description
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... Read more
Consequence
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.
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.
250,757 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY

Complaint Statistics

27 total complaints 3 crashes 3 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
SERVICE BRAKES11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
SUSPENSION3
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY2
ENGINE2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
STEERING1
POWER TRAIN1
TIRES1
SUSPENSION May 31, 2022
Incident date: May 28, 2022
Rear brake failed, & no ABS. Push hard on pedal and NO BRAKES!!! Brake pedal very stiff and applies no brakes!! Almost got into wreck. It was close and I am calling it a wreck. Thank god I was going slow! This issue is highly dangerous!! Why doesn't the NHTSB give a [XXX]? (Rear brake has n... Read more
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES May 31, 2022
Incident date: May 28, 2022
Rear brake failed, & no ABS. Push hard on pedal and NO BRAKES!!! Brake pedal very stiff and applies no brakes!! Almost got into wreck. It was close and I am calling it a wreck. Thank god I was going slow! This issue is highly dangerous!! Why doesn't the NHTSB give a [XXX]? (Rear brake has n... Read more
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES Feb 1, 2021
Incident date: Dec 15, 2020
REAR BRAKE PADDLE HARD TO PRESS IN MOTION,AND ON HIGHWAY
SERVICE BRAKES Apr 15, 2020
Incident date: Mar 7, 2020
FRONT BRAKE LEVER IS VERY HARD TO PULL, FRONT BRAKES WON'T ENGAGE. THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY AND GETTING READY TO EXIT. I TRIED TO PUMP THE BRAKES AND IT GOT BETTER BUT ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. HE SAID IT'S BEEN HAP... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES Feb 4, 2020
Incident date: Feb 4, 2020
WHEN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE I COULD NOT DEPRESS THE FRONT BRAKE HANDLE, IT WAS COMPLETELY STUCK AND WOULD NOT MOVE.
SERVICE BRAKES Apr 20, 2019
Incident date: Apr 20, 2019
FRONT BRAKE LEAVER FROZE UP AS I WAS PREPARING TO STOP. LUCKY REAR BRAKES WORKED. THE BRAKE LEAVER IS FROZE IT WILL NOT OPERATE.
SERVICE BRAKES Dec 17, 2018
Incident date: Dec 14, 2018
WHILE RIDING MY BIKE, I OBSERVED TRAFFIC STOPPING/SLOWING AHEAD. I TRIED TO PULL MY FRONT BRAKE LEVER AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. NO GIVE WHATSOEVER. LUCKILY I WAS NOT IN AN EMERGENCY BRAKE SITUATION SO I DOWN SHIFTED MORE RAPIDLY, USED MY REAR BRAKE AND CAME TO A STOP. AT THE NEXT RAMP, I GOT OF... Read more
TIRES Nov 13, 2018
Incident date: Oct 10, 2018
THE REAR DUNLOP TIRE ON MY 2012 HARLEY ELECTRA GLIDE STARTED TO LOSE AIR. UPON A CLOSER INSPECTION THE TIRE WAS SPLITTING IN NUMEROUS SPOTS. THE TIRE IS NOT DRY ROTTED . FOR SAFETY REASONS IT WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO INSTALLED THE TIRE. HE STATED HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. A NEW TIR... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES Apr 2, 2018
Incident date: Mar 1, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ULTRA LIMITED (NA). WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GATEWAY HARLEY-DAVIDSON (3600 LEMAY FERRY RD, SAINT LOUIS, MO 63125) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES Feb 7, 2018
Incident date: Nov 4, 2017
ABS REAR BRAKE PEDAL IS STUCK AND WILL NOT DEPRESS. I HAVE NO REAR BRAKE AT ALL. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET APPROX. 40MPH. COMING TO A STOP, I TRIED TO APPLY REAR BRAKES AND FOUND THE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS. I HAD NO REAR BRAKE.
SUSPENSION Jun 13, 2017
Incident date: May 24, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCED A SEVERE WOBBLE WHEN BEING OPERATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE WILKINS HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR SHOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED,... Read more
Crash 1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES Jan 4, 2017
Incident date: Jan 1, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS MODULE FAILED AND RESULTED IN A LACK OF FRONT BRAKE FUNCTIONALITY WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Mar 17, 2016
Incident date: Mar 13, 2016
PURCHASED 4/30/2013 WITH 4075 MILES. FORCED TO REPLACE BATTERY ($167.00) MAY 2015 DUE TO DEAD CELL PREVENTING MAINTAINING FULL CHARGE, EVEN ON MAINTAINER. EVEN AFTER REPLACING BATTERY, STILL WOULD NOT MAINTAIN A FULL CHARGE. WHILE RIDING AFTER BATTERY-CHARGER ACTION, ABS, BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE LI... Read more
POWER TRAIN Mar 13, 2016
Incident date: Mar 12, 2016
TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE FALLS OFF OF THE TRANSMISSION SPLINE BOLT. IT HAPPENED TO ME WITH LESS THAN 9000 MILES. APPARENTLY IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I GOT STUCK IN 6TH GEAR AND THERE WERE MANY TIMES ON THE WAY HOME I NEEDED TO NOT COME TO A STOP WITH TWO ON THE BIKE. THERE WAS A FEW TIMES IT WOULD ... Read more
SUSPENSION Mar 26, 2015
Incident date: Feb 6, 2012
WHEN SLOWING DOWN RAPIDLY, THE FRONT END WOBBLES FIERCELY, YOU HAVE TO BE HOLDING ON VERY TIGHTLY AND MAKE IT STOP FASTER FOR IT TO BE CORRECTED, I HAVE HAD THE BIKE IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND NO RESOLUTION. IT IS DANGEROUS. *TR
STEERING Mar 26, 2015
Incident date: Feb 6, 2012
WHEN SLOWING DOWN RAPIDLY, THE FRONT END WOBBLES FIERCELY, YOU HAVE TO BE HOLDING ON VERY TIGHTLY AND MAKE IT STOP FASTER FOR IT TO BE CORRECTED, I HAVE HAD THE BIKE IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND NO RESOLUTION. IT IS DANGEROUS. *TR
SERVICE BRAKES Mar 26, 2015
Incident date: Feb 6, 2012
WHEN SLOWING DOWN RAPIDLY, THE FRONT END WOBBLES FIERCELY, YOU HAVE TO BE HOLDING ON VERY TIGHTLY AND MAKE IT STOP FASTER FOR IT TO BE CORRECTED, I HAVE HAD THE BIKE IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND NO RESOLUTION. IT IS DANGEROUS. *TR
ENGINE Apr 17, 2014
Incident date: Feb 16, 2012
THIS IS CONCERNING MY 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC LIMITED. WITHOUT WARNING, MOST PREDOMINANTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE BIKE WILL GO INTO LIMP MODE. BY THAT I MEAN, THE THROTTLE-BY-WIRE WILL DISCONNECT THE ENGINE'S RPM'S AND DECREASE TO 1200 RPM RESULTING IN MAKING THE HANDLEBAR THROTTLE CONTR... Read more
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY Apr 17, 2014
Incident date: Feb 16, 2012
THIS IS CONCERNING MY 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC LIMITED. WITHOUT WARNING, MOST PREDOMINANTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE BIKE WILL GO INTO LIMP MODE. BY THAT I MEAN, THE THROTTLE-BY-WIRE WILL DISCONNECT THE ENGINE'S RPM'S AND DECREASE TO 1200 RPM RESULTING IN MAKING THE HANDLEBAR THROTTLE CONTR... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Apr 17, 2014
Incident date: Feb 16, 2012
THIS IS CONCERNING MY 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC LIMITED. WITHOUT WARNING, MOST PREDOMINANTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE BIKE WILL GO INTO LIMP MODE. BY THAT I MEAN, THE THROTTLE-BY-WIRE WILL DISCONNECT THE ENGINE'S RPM'S AND DECREASE TO 1200 RPM RESULTING IN MAKING THE HANDLEBAR THROTTLE CONTR... Read more
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Oct 28, 2012
Incident date: Jul 29, 2012
WHILE RIDING MY HARLEY MOTOR CYCLE ON VACATION ACROSS NEBRASKA ON HIGHWAY 76 I NOTICED EXTREME HEAT ON THE INSIDE OF MY RIGHT LEG AND LOSS OF POWER. THE INSIDE OF MY RIGHT WAS BURNED AND GOT INFECTED, TOTAL BILL FOR DOCTOR AND TIME OFF FROM WORK WAS APPROXIMATELY $1500.00-$2000.00. THE WORK DONE ON ... Read more
1 injured
ENGINE Oct 28, 2012
Incident date: Jul 29, 2012
WHILE RIDING MY HARLEY MOTOR CYCLE ON VACATION ACROSS NEBRASKA ON HIGHWAY 76 I NOTICED EXTREME HEAT ON THE INSIDE OF MY RIGHT LEG AND LOSS OF POWER. THE INSIDE OF MY RIGHT WAS BURNED AND GOT INFECTED, TOTAL BILL FOR DOCTOR AND TIME OFF FROM WORK WAS APPROXIMATELY $1500.00-$2000.00. THE WORK DONE ON ... Read more
1 injured
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY Jun 12, 2012
Incident date: May 25, 2012
2012 FLHTK ULTRA LIMITED PURCHASED 03/2012. ON MAY 25TH 2012 THE FRONT BRAKE FAILED. THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WAS HARD AND WOULD NOT MOVE TO ENGAGE THE FRONT BRAKES. I TOOK THE BIKE TO THE DEALER AND THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY I WAS TOLD THE ABS MODULATOR HAD A STUCK VALVE OR SOME UNKNOWN FAILURE AND HD W... Read more
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) Jun 12, 2012
Incident date: May 25, 2012
2012 FLHTK ULTRA LIMITED PURCHASED 03/2012. ON MAY 25TH 2012 THE FRONT BRAKE FAILED. THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WAS HARD AND WOULD NOT MOVE TO ENGAGE THE FRONT BRAKES. I TOOK THE BIKE TO THE DEALER AND THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY I WAS TOLD THE ABS MODULATOR HAD A STUCK VALVE OR SOME UNKNOWN FAILURE AND HD W... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES Jun 12, 2012
Incident date: May 25, 2012
2012 FLHTK ULTRA LIMITED PURCHASED 03/2012. ON MAY 25TH 2012 THE FRONT BRAKE FAILED. THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WAS HARD AND WOULD NOT MOVE TO ENGAGE THE FRONT BRAKES. I TOOK THE BIKE TO THE DEALER AND THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY I WAS TOLD THE ABS MODULATOR HAD A STUCK VALVE OR SOME UNKNOWN FAILURE AND HD W... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jun 5, 2012
Incident date: May 24, 2012
WHILE RIDING HOME FROM WORK THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS APPARENT FROM WATCHING THE VOLT METER THAT THE BIKE WAS RUNNING ON THE BATTERY. AFTER LEAVING AT THE LOCAL DEALER THEY FOUND THE VOLTAGE REGULAR WAS DEFECTIVE. HAD TO ORDER A NEW ONE WHICH WAS ON BACKORDER BECAUS... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM May 29, 2012
Incident date: May 25, 2012
REGULATOR FAILED IN HOT CLIMATE. *TR

HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTK — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTK across all model years (2010–2022).

24 Total Recalls
209 Total Complaints
0 Investigations
14 Reported Crashes
1 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTK — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2023 0 3 View
2022 1 0 View
2021 1 2 View
2020 1 2 View
2019 1 4 View
2018 2 4 View
2017 2 10 View
2016 1 14 View
2015 2 13 View
2014 5 50 View
2013 0 17 View
2012 (current) 1 27
2011 3 26 View
2010 4 37 View

Other HARLEY-DAVIDSON Models

Model Recalls Complaints
FLHX 34 235 View
FLHTCU 33 332 View
SE OHLINS INVERTED FORKS 33 0 View
FAIRING LOWERS 33 0 View
FLHTP 32 14 View
FLHP 29 32 View
FLHTC 29 130 View
FLHR 28 99 View