VehicleVerdict

2009 Harley-Davidson FLHX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 41 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.8 times the median FLHX year — the 2009 model ranks #2 of 19 FLHX years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 11 reports (27% of the total).

41

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other FLHX years?

FLHX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted42 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 26 complaints2008: 42 complaints2009: 41 complaints2010: 33 complaints2011: 20 complaints2012: 16 complaints2013: 6 complaints2014: 8 complaints2015: 4 complaints2016: 6 complaints2017: 5 complaints2018: 11 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 0 complaints2024: 13 complaints2025: 5 complaints2026: 0 complaints
FLHX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all FLHX years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Harley-Davidson FLHX problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1127%
Brakes717%
Speed Control615%
Fuel System615%
Engine37%
Tires & Wheels37%
Transmission37%
Steering25%

Does the 2009 Harley-Davidson FLHX 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.

“WHEN DRIVING THE BIKE GOES IN TO WHAT THEY CALL LIMO MODE , I HAVE NO THROTTLE AND WON'T GO , IT HAPPENED MANY TIMES PASSING ON HI WAY SPEEDS , LOCAL HD DEALER DON'T SEEM TO HAVE A FIX , I FEEL THIS IS A DANGER AND AFTER DOING SOME LOOKING I SEE THOUSANDS OF CASES LIKE MINE , IT SHOULD BE A RECALL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 17, 2016

“WHILE RIDING REAR BRAKE BECAME STIFF AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE. AFTER APPLYING EXTREME PRESSURE REAR ABS BEGAN TO CHATTER AND INTERMITTENTLY ENGAGE. FRONT BRAKE WORKED AS EXPECTED AND ALLOWED VEHICLE TO BE SLOWED. THIS WAS AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND NOT A PANIC STOP. IF THIS WAS ON A BUSY CITY STREET IT WOULD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 16, 2016

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT CAME TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, THE REAR WHEEL SPED OFF AND THE CONTACT WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FLIPPED OFF THE MOTORCYCLE AND ONTO THE CONCRETE. THE MOTOR MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO A FAILED "FLY BY WIRE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 7, 2019 · crash

“WHEN DRIVING THE BIKE GOES IN TO WHAT THEY CALL LIMO MODE , I HAVE NO THROTTLE AND WON'T GO , IT HAPPENED MANY TIMES PASSING ON HI WAY SPEEDS , LOCAL HD DEALER DON'T SEEM TO HAVE A FIX , I FEEL THIS IS A DANGER AND AFTER DOING SOME LOOKING I SEE THOUSANDS OF CASES LIKE MINE , IT SHOULD BE A RECALL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 17, 2016

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND APPLYING THE THROTTLE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ECM CONNECTOR PINS NEEDED TO BE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 22, 2012

2009 Harley-Davidson FLHX — common questions

Is the 2009 Harley-Davidson FLHX reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 41 complaints put the 2009 model at #2 of 19 FLHX years. It is one of the FLHX years to avoid.

What are the most common 2009 FLHX problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (11 complaints), brakes (7 complaints), fuel system (6 complaints).

Does the 2009 Harley-Davidson FLHX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Harley-Davidson FLHX. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2009 Harley-Davidson FLHX under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Harley-Davidson FLHX years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the FLHX years to avoid are 2008, 2009, 2010. The cleanest record among FLHX years belongs to 2026.

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.