VehicleVerdict

2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtk problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 26 complaints on file for the 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtk — 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.

26

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Flhtk years?

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

See all Flhtk years to avoid →

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

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1350%
Electrical System28%
Engine28%
Transmission28%
Tires & Wheels28%
Steering14%
Body & Structure14%
Suspension14%
Fuel System14%
Lighting14%

Does the 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtk 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.

“I WAS ON A COUNTRY ROAD GOING INTO A CORNER. I HIT THE REAR BRAKE TO FIND I DID NOT HAVE ANY REAR BRAKES. AFTER THE ACCIDENT WHEN I GOT THE BIKE HOME AND HAD TIME TO INSPECT IT I FOUND THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAD BLOW OUT CAUSING THE BACK BRAKES TO FAIL. I CALLED HARLEY CUSTOMER SERVICE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 26, 2014 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA GLIDE LIMITED (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE MOTORCYCLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE COMPENSATOR SPROCKET ATTACHED TO THE CRANKSHAFT RATTLED AND VIBRATED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 1, 2011

“THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS STARTED MAKING METAL TO METAL NOISES OFF AND ON WHILE THE HANDLE BARS WOULD VIBRATE. IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON CHANGED TO A SMALLER WHEEL BEARING AND THEY COME FROM SOUTH KOREA AND DELHI, INDIA. THERE IS NO SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON THIS EVER AND THEY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 31, 2013

“I RECEIVED A LETTER ON NOV 9 MY DEALER ONLY GETS 8 OF 10 RECALL PARTS A WEEK IF THERE LUCKY. I CALL MAIN OFFICE OF HARLEY. THERE EXCUSE IS THEY CANT MAKE THEM FAST ENOUGH. IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH BRAKES ON MY BIKE YOU THINK THEY BE GETTING OUT MORE PARTS THEN WHAT THERE GIVING. THERE EXCUSES IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 3, 2011

“AT ALTITUDE - APPROXIMATELY 3700FT ABOVE SEA LEVEL - ONCE THE 2011 ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC LIMITED HEATS UP, THE MOTOR KNOCKS AND PINGS SO BAD IT SOUNDS LIKE THE MOTOR IS GOING TO FALL APART. IF I TAKE BIKE TO SEA LEVEL, THE DETONATION ISSUE CLEARS UP. THE MOTORCYCLE IS UN-RIDEABLE IN THIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 16, 2011

2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtk — common questions

Is the 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtk reliable?

The record is thin — 26 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2011 Flhtk problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (13 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints), transmission (2 complaints).

Does the 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtk have recalls?

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