VehicleVerdict

2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu — 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.

6

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Flhtcu years?

Flhtcu NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 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, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Flhtcu years to avoid →

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

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes350%
Driver Assistance117%
Engine117%
Tires & Wheels117%

Does the 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu 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.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ULTRA-GLIDE FLHTCU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT BRAKES SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO ENGAGE THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. WITH THE HELP OF A FRIEND, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME. SIX BENDS HARLEY-DAVIDSON (9501 THUNDER RD, FORT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 25, 2018

“NOTICED INCREASING WOBBLE IN TURNS, HANDLE BARS SHAKE AT OCCASION, TOOK TO DEALER, HE TEST RODE AND SAID IT WAS THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE SHOT, AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON 09-12 HARLEYS, HE SAID HARLEY HAS SINCE BEEN USING A DIFFERENT BEARING, AND THAT THE REPLACEMENT WHEEL BEARINGS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 1, 2015

“HARLEY DAVIDSON TRI GLIDE 2011 MOTORCYCLE EXCESSIVE HEAT BLOWING FROM RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE WHILE RIDING OVER 55 MPH FOR 25 MINUTES AT A TIME OVER 2 HOUR PERIOD CAUSED 2ND DEGREE BURNS, BLISTERS, SCABBING AND SCARRING TO BACK OF RIGHT LEG. 356 TOTAL MILES ON MOTORCYCLE PURCHASED NEW. HD INSPECTION…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 2, 2011

“the recall remedy to flush the system does not address the concern that the ABS unit still has the potential for failure. Millions of ABS systems in cars do not have such issues that require a hydraulic flush every 2 years. Failure is the ABS control module; it should not be due to moisture in a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · April 26, 2025

2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu — common questions

Is the 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu reliable?

The record is thin — 6 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 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 2011 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.