VehicleVerdict

2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtk problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 37 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.7 times the median Flhtk year — the 2010 model ranks #2 of 15 Flhtk 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 (16 of 37), far ahead of tires & wheels at 6.

37

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Flhtk years?

Flhtk NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted50 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 37 complaints2011: 26 complaints2012: 27 complaints2013: 17 complaints2014: 50 complaints2015: 13 complaints2016: 14 complaints2017: 10 complaints2018: 4 complaints2019: 4 complaints2020: 2 complaints2021: 2 complaints2022: 0 complaints2023: 3 complaints
Flhtk NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Flhtk years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtk problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1643%
Tires & Wheels616%
Transmission411%
Steering411%
Electrical System25%
Other13%
Speed Control13%
Suspension13%
Engine13%
Fuel System13%

Does the 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtk 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 BRAKE COMPLETELY INOPERABLE AFTER STARTING ENGINE. BACKING DOWN A DRIVEWAY IN REVERSE, HAD A FROZEN FRONT BRAKE LEVER. COULD NOT CONTROL THE MOTORCYCLE, AND FELL OVER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BIKE AND MYSELF.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 5, 2015 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING APPROX 45MPH I HEARD A LOUD METAL GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM MY FRONT WHEEL. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS COMING APART. I HAD THE BIKE TOWED TO MY DEALER WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED. I HAD THE DEALER REGISTER THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 19, 2012

“ENGINE COMPENSATOR WORE OUT, MADE LOTS OF NOISE. IF THE PART HAD COMPLETELY BROKE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE REAR WHEEL ON THE MOTORCYCLE TO LOCK UP. HARLEY DAVIDSON UPGRADED THE PART ON THE 2011 MODELS. UNDER WARRANTY THEY WILL REPLACE PART WITH UPGRADED PART BUT CHARGE AROUND A 100.00 TO DO IT.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 27, 2011

“MY FRONT WHEEL BEARING ON MY FLHTK CAME APART AND FRONT AXLE SEIZED. CAUSING FRONT END TO WOBBLE. ALMOST CAUSING ME AND MY PASSENGER TO CRASH. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID ONLY BECAUSE I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR. THIS FLHTK IS EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 2, 2013

“AFTER PURCHASING A 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON ELECTRA-GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC LIMITED IN OCT 2009, I EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING WHILE ON A RIDE FROM MY HOME TO RICHMOND VA: ?STEREO CONSTANTLY WENT ON AND OFF WITH INTERMITTENT INTERCOM AND VOLUME CONTROL PROBLEMS. ?BATTERY AND ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND OFF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 12, 2010

2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtk — common questions

Is the 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtk reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 37 complaints put the 2010 model at #2 of 15 Flhtk years. It is one of the Flhtk years to avoid.

What are the most common 2010 Flhtk problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (16 complaints), tires & wheels (6 complaints), steering (4 complaints).

Does the 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtk have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtk. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtk under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Harley-Davidson Flhtk years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Flhtk years to avoid are 2014, 2010. The cleanest record among Flhtk years belongs to 2022.

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.