VehicleVerdict

2011 Harley-Davidson FLHR problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 10 complaints on file for the 2011 Harley-Davidson FLHR — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 2 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

10

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other FLHR years?

FLHR NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted17 complaints1995: 6 complaints1997: 1 complaints1999: 9 complaints2001: 4 complaints2002: 2 complaints2003: 3 complaints2004: 1 complaints2005: 2 complaints2007: 5 complaints2008: 17 complaints2009: 15 complaints2010: 3 complaints2011: 10 complaints2012: 2 complaints2013: 2 complaints2014: 4 complaints2015: 2 complaints2017: 3 complaints2018: 4 complaints2019: 3 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 0 complaints
FLHR NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all FLHR years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Harley-Davidson FLHR problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes550%
Electrical System110%
Engine110%
Lighting110%
Other110%
Suspension110%

Does the 2011 Harley-Davidson FLHR have recalls?

2 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 Owner’s 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE TRYING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGH THE FRONT BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL AFTER GETTING STOPPED AND PARKING THE BIKE, THE BREAK LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS PULLING ON THE BREAK IT LOOSENED UP SO I RODE BIKE TO REPAIR SHOP. EVERY TIME THE FRONT BREAK WOULD ENGAGE (WHICH WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 26, 2015 · crash

“RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE OVERHEATING TO THE POINT OF BURNING MY PANTS AND LEGS. COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A $20K BIKE. HARLEY STATES THAT IS IS NORMAL. THERE IS NOTHING NORMAL FOR A RIDER TO BURN HIS/HER LEGS. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 24, 2014

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHR ROAD KING. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE AND WOBBLE. THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 26, 2014

“THE SADDLE BAG FELL OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND COLLIDED WITH THE MOTORCYCLE BEHIND IT CAUSING THE RIDER TO COME OFF AT 100 KM/HOUR. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE SADDLE BAG HAS COME OFF. THE PREVIOUS TIME, IT WAS THE OTHER SIDE SO THE OWNER OF THIS MOTORCYCLE WAS EXTRA CAREFUL TO BE SURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 15, 2018 · crash

“HEADLIGHTS AND PASSING LAMPS FLICKER ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AT NIGHT. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO WIRING FOR THE HEADLIGHT AND PASSING LAMPS. HAPPENS WHEN YOU TURN THE HANDLEBARS LEFT OR RIGHT. HAPPENS SITTING STILL AND WHILE MOTORCYCLE IS IN MOTION.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · June 30, 2016

2011 Harley-Davidson FLHR — common questions

Is the 2011 Harley-Davidson FLHR reliable?

The record is thin — 10 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2011 FLHR problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (5 complaints), suspension (1 complaints), electrical system (1 complaints).

Does the 2011 Harley-Davidson FLHR have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 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 2011 Harley-Davidson FLHR under NHTSA investigation?

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

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.