2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 3 complaints on file for the 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other FLHR years?

FLHR NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all FLHR years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Brakes	1	33%	▼ down
Fuel System	1	33%	▼ down
Transmission	1	33%	— flat

Does the 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V076000BrakesJanuary 29, 2018 · 174,636 units

Defect

Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling all 2008-2011 Touring, CVO Touring and VSRC motorcycles equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), including Road King (FLHR), Road King Police (EFI) (FLHP), Road King Police (EFI) (FLHPE), Electra Glide Standard Police (EFI) (FLHTP), Electra Glide Classic (EFI) (FLHTC), Electra Glide Ultra Classic (EFI) (FLHTCU) and Street Glide (EFI) (FLHX), 2008 VROD (VRSCAWA), CVO Road King 4 (FLHRSE4), Night Rod (VRSCDA), CVO Ultra Classic 3 (FLHTCUSE3), Night Rod Special (VRSCDXA), 2008-2010 Road King Classic (EFI) (FLHRC), 2008-2009 Road Glide (EFI) (FLTR) and Electra Glide Standard (EFI) (FLHT), 2009-2010 V-Rod (VRSCAW), 2009 CVO Ultra Classic (FLHTCUSE4) and CVO Road Glide 3 (FLTRSE3), 2009-2011 Night Rod Special (VRSCDX) and V-Rod Muscle (VRSCF), 2010 CVO Ultra Classic 5 (FLHTCUSE5) and CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), 2010-2011 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (FLHTK) and Road Glide Custom (FLTRX), 2011 Road Glide Ultra 103 (FLTRU103), Street Glide 103 (FLHX103), Road King Classic 103 (FLHRC103), CVO Ultra Classic 6 (FLHTCUSE6), CVO Road Glide Ultra (FLTRUSE), Road Glide Custom 103 (FLTRX103), and CVO Street Glide 2 (FLHXSE2) motorcycles. Deposits may form on components within the brake system if the DOT 4 brake fluid is not replaced for a prolonged period of time beyond the 2-year maintenance schedule specified in the OwnerÂs Manual.

Consequence

These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush the entire brake system with new Platinum Label DOT 4 brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0171.

11V506000LightingOctober 19, 2011 · 250,757 units

Defect

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.

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.

09V457000Fuel SystemDecember 1, 2009 · 111,569 units

Defect

HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 TOURING FAMILY MOTORCYCLES, INCLUDING CVO TOURING AND TRIKE PRODUCTS, MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 6, 2008 THROUGH NOVEMBER 19, 2009. THE FRONT FUEL TANK MOUNTS MAY DISTORT IN REACTION TO SEVERE FRAME DAMAGE FROM A FRONTAL COLLISION. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE A FUEL LEAK AT THE WELD OF THE FRONT BRACKET TO THE TUNNEL.

Consequence

A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE, WHICH COULD LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LEFT AND RIGHT BRACE, WHICH ARE INTENDED TO REDUCE FRONT MOUNT DISTORTION DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS. THIS REPAIR WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, HE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS MAKING AN ODD NOISE. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PRIMARY CARRIER BARRING WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 20, 2013

“WHILE PASSING A VEHICLE AT 55 MPH MY MOTORCYCLE THROTTLE BY WIRE SYSTEM WENT INTO THE LIMP MODE (THE THROTTLE IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING). I'M AM BESIDE THE VEHICLE I'M ATTEMPTING TO PASS AND HAD A DIFFICULT TIME TRYING TO GET BACK INTO THE DRIVING LANE. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO DO SO BEFORE ONCOMING…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 6, 2016

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHR. WHILE DEPRESSING THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL AT 40 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE FRONT BRAKE WAS ENGAGED, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PAVEMENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER, HEAD,…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 3, 2016 · crash

2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR — common questions

Is the 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR reliable?

The record is thin — 3 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2010 compare to other FLHR years?

What are the most common 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR problems?

Does the 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR — common questions

Is the 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR reliable?

Does the 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR have recalls?

Is the 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR under NHTSA investigation?

Related