Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 2001 Harley-Davidson FLHTCUI — 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.
8
NHTSA complaints
2
Recalls
0
Investigations
2
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 | 25% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 2 | 25% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 1 | 13% | — flat |
| Engine | 1 | 13% | ▼ down |
| Lighting | 1 | 13% | ▼ down |
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 13% | — flat |
2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
ON CERTAIN TOURING AND POLICE MODEL MOTORCYCLES, THE 40 AMP MAIN CIRCUIT BREAKER CAN "OPEN" FOR REASONS OTHER THAN WHICH IT WAS DESIGNED, CAUSING AN UNEXPECTED INTERRUPTION OF ALL ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE MOTORCYCLE.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE MOTORCYCLE TO STALL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CIRCUIT BREAKER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
Defect
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE CLIPS THAT RETAIN THE WIRING FOR THE FRONT FENDER TIP LIGHT CAN BECOME DETACHED FROM THE FENDER, CAUSING THE WIRES TO FRAY AND SHORT.
Consequence
THIS COULD CAUSE THE LIGHTING SYSTEM FUSE TO BLOW, LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT AN OPERATIONAL FRONT FENDER TIP LIGHT, HEADLIGHT, TAILLIGHT, RUNNING LIGHTS, AND PASSING LAMPS (IF EQUIPPED).
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FENDER TIP LIGHT WIRING HARNESS RETENTION CLIPS, AND INSPECT AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, ANY DAMAGED WIRING HARNESSES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 9, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-342-4680.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“MAIN CIRCUIT BREAKER ON MOTORCYCLE CUTS OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED, LEAVING BIKE WITH NO POWER. HAD TO DRIFT TO SIDE OF ROAD. WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND IT RESET ITSELF. BIKE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY AFTER THAT. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAPPENED. *LA”
“REAR WHEEL DRIVE BELT BROKE AND LOCKED UP REAR WHEEL--MOTORCYCLE SLID SIDEWAYS IN A STEEP TURN AND HIT THE GUARD RAIL. MOTORCYLE THEN BOUNCED BACK INTO THE ROAD AND WRECKED AND INJURED MOTORCYCLE AND RIDER FOLLOWING. OVER $150,000 IN PERSONAL INJURY EXPENSE. SINCE THE ACCIDENT I HAVE PERSONAL…”
“MOTORCYCLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. CONDITION FORCED DRIVER TO PULL THE MOTORCYCLE OFF THE ROAD. WAS UNABLE TO RESTART MOTORCYCLE UNTIL 30-60 -SECONDS LATER. DEALER INSPECTED MOTORCYCLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK”
“REAR BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO POOR DESIGN OF MASTER CYLINDER MOUNTED TOO CLOSE TO EXHAUST ALONG WITH DOT 5 BRAKE FLUID WHICH GENERATES AIR IN SYSTEM AT ALTITUDES. *NM”
“ON SEPTEMBER 23RD 2010 MY WIFE AND I WERE TRAVELING WEST ON INTERSTATE 40 IN TENNESSEE ON A 2001 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC.. AT MILE MARKER 356 THE REAR TIRE SUDDENLY DEFLATED CAUSING THE BIKE TO FISHTAIL VIOLENTLY. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. I ATTEMPTED TO EASE THE BIKE INTO THE…”
The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Harley-Davidson FLHTCUI. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.