2009 Harley-Davidson FLHTCU recalls and problems

The 2009 Harley-Davidson FLHTCU has 3 safety recalls and 70 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Harley-Davidson dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
70
Crashes / fires
2 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2009 Harley-Davidson FLHTCU vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2009 Harley-Davidson FLHTCU recalls

Recall 18V-076: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Jan 29, 2018 · 174,636 vehicles affected · Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Problem: 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.

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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 11V-506: Exterior Lighting

Reported Oct 19, 2011 · 250,757 vehicles affected · HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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.

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 the brake light switch, affecting rear brake performance. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 09V-457: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Dec 1, 2009 · 111,569 vehicles affected · HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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.

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.

Fix: 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.

2009 Harley-Davidson FLHTCU problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Service Brakes35
Vehicle Speed Control11
Electrical System11
Engine and Engine Cooling6
Engine6
Power Train5
Wheels4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Unknown or Other3
Exterior Lighting1
Steering1
Suspension1

Most reported parts

  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 1
  • Electrical System › Starter Assembly — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 26,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2009 Harley-Davidson FLHTCU complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Service Brakes · reported Mar 17, 2026
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 and possible rear brake failure at same time. a local repair shop inspected the brakes and attempted to bleed system and determined the ABS mudule failed. there were no warning lamp indications of ABS failure. When ABS module fails on HD motorcycles, brakes can also fail. This is a major safety…
Service Brakes · reported Jun 5, 2025
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 symptoms.
Engine · reported Jun 29, 2022
The guard/spring housing locater on the rotor behind the drive sprocket developed a fatigue crack, it propagated approximately half way around the circumference before separating and then being pulled thru between the drive chain and sprocket . this caused the drive train to seize up locking up the engine and rear wheel and damaging the engine. being a motorcycle this can lead to a serious injury or death crash. fortunately for me it let go at low speed.
Service Brakes · reported Nov 21, 2021
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 lack of flushing and replacement it.The fluid was replaced by dealer 5 months earlier so I’m not buying the fluid is the culprit.Bike has 12,000 miles on it.
Service Brakes · at 43,176 miles · reported Dec 3, 2018
The contact owns a 2009 harley-davidson flhtcu. While operating the vehicle, the front brakes malfunctioned and the front brake lever could not be pressed to stop the motorcycle. The motorcycle was taken to harley-davidson eastgate (699 cincinnati potavia pike, cincinnati, oh) where it was diagnosed that the valve in the ABS module malfunctioned and the module needed to be replaced. The failure was repaired. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 18v076000(Service brakes) in july of 2018, but the parts for the repair were not available. The manufacturer was notified of…

Other Harley-Davidson FLHTCU years

Compare all Harley-Davidson FLHTCU years · All Harley-Davidson models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Harley-Davidson FLHTCU have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2009 Harley-Davidson FLHTCU: 18V-076 (service brakes, hydraulic), 11V-506 (exterior lighting), 09V-457 (fuel system, gasoline). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Harley-Davidson FLHTCU?

Owners report service brakes problems most often (35 reports), followed by vehicle speed control (11). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 26,000 miles.

Are Harley-Davidson recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Harley-Davidson dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.