VehicleVerdict

2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 88 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 17.6 times the median Flhtcu year — the 2009 model ranks #2 of 17 Flhtcu years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 43% of all reports (38 of 88), far ahead of engine at 12.

88

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Flhtcu years?

Flhtcu NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted94 complaints1994: 2 complaints1995: 5 complaints1996: 1 complaints1997: 3 complaints1998: 0 complaints2007: 58 complaints2008: 94 complaints2009: 88 complaints2010: 43 complaints2011: 6 complaints2013: 7 complaints2014: 10 complaints2015: 2 complaints2016: 8 complaints2017: 3 complaints2018: 1 complaints2019: 1 complaints
Flhtcu NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Flhtcu years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes3843%
Engine1214%
Speed Control1113%
Electrical System1113%
Transmission56%
Tires & Wheels45%
Other33%
Lighting11%
Steering11%
Suspension11%
Fuel System11%

Does the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu 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 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.

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.

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 11, 2018 · crash

“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,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 25, 2015

“HI GENTLEMEN, I BOUGHT A FORD STALLION TRIKE. IT HAS NO RUNNING LIGHTS IN THE FRONT? I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY PASSED YOUR REGULATIONS. I CONTACTED THEM AND THEY ARE NOT CONCERNED? TRUCKS, CARS, TRAILERS ALL HAVE PARK LIGHTS IN THE FRONT! SO HOW DID THIS PASS YOUR INSPECTIONS??? *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 27, 2009

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 9, 2017

“TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED DURING A MAINTENANCE REPAIR HE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BALL BEARING WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 17, 2014

2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu — common questions

Is the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 88 complaints put the 2009 model at #2 of 17 Flhtcu years. It is one of the Flhtcu years to avoid.

What are the most common 2009 Flhtcu problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (38 complaints), engine (12 complaints), electrical system (11 complaints).

Does the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Harley-Davidson Flhtcu years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Flhtcu years to avoid are 2008, 2009, 2007, 2010. The cleanest record among Flhtcu years belongs to 1998.

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.