VehicleVerdict

2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu brakes problems

The 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu has 38 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 43% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

38

Brakes complaints

43%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Flhtcu brakes complaints by model year38 complaints2007: 3 complaints2008: 36 complaints2009: 38 complaints2010: 10 complaints2011: 3 complaints2013: 3 complaints2014: 2 complaints2016: 1 complaints2017: 1 complaints
Flhtcu brakes complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu have?

NHTSA has 38 complaints about the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu brakes — 43% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu brakes?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 18V076000.

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.