repaired · 2019 Q4
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Risk. These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
2009 Harley-Davidson FlhtcuProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 70 owner complaints about the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu, most often about the service brakes. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 18V-076 the manufacturer reports only 49% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 17, 2026. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu has problems
70 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
35Service brakes2 crash/fire/injury
11Electrical system
11Vehicle speed control
6Engine
6Engine and engine cooling
5Power train
4Wheels
3Service brakes, hydraulic
1Steering
33 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 35 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 0 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 0 |
| Power train | 5 | 0 |
| Wheels | 4 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 3 | 1 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 |
| 3 other systems | 3 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Brake lights: switch
Risk. 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…
no report yet
Tank assembly: mounting
Risk. 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.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Harley-Davidson.
Mileage at failure
When do service brakes problems start?
32kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 31 service brakes complaints. 97% were reported before 100,000 miles.
15under 30k miles30under 100k miles1100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2009 vs. every other Flhtcu year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Flhtcu median. How we score
'94'95'96'97'98'07'08'09'10'11'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu, and the recalls they led to.
- Sudden Brake Failure - MotorcycleLed to recall 18V-076
In owners' words
What Flhtcu owners report
Recent service brakes complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
While riding my 2009 ultra classic cvc Harley davidson motorcycle the front brake level became stiff and eventually did not compress, no front brakes, while attempting to stop. The rear brake still operated normally. In an emergency, this could cause serious injury or death with front brake failing…
ABS Module failure. Brake pedal solid when depressed with no brakes available. I will request the bad module from the dealer. No brakes is an extremely dangerous condition. The motorcycle is in a Harley Davidson getting the module replaced. This catastrophic failure happened with no warnings or…
When approaching an intersection I went to apply brakes and could not because lever was frozen this resulted in my bike to coast into the intersection I was fortunate the vehicle coming was able to stop.I was told my abs system had failed and would need replaced! The issue was blamed on fluid and…
Own a 2009 Flhtcu?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.