Motorcycle, gasoline, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Apr 17, 2012 to Feb 17, 2020.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11V-506 | Oct 19, 2011 | Rear brake light switch may be exposed to excessive heat from the exhaust system | Lighting | 250,757 | Repair or modification |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
15 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
2012 ROAD GLIDE ULTRA. ABS MODULE HAS GONE BAD AT 48000 MILES. THIS SEEMS TO BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AND THE BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION NOW. MOTORCYCLE IS NOT ROAD WORTH AND NOW PARKED.
NHTSA complaint 11309600TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST BRAKE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAVANNAH HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEALER (912-925-0005, LOCATED AT 1 FORT ARGYLE RD, SAVANNAH, GA 31419) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE MODEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. AND ISSUED A CASE NUMBER: 3936516. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 31,000.
NHTSA complaint 11299001TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT WAS STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,172.
NHTSA complaint 11267986KICKSTAND SPRING BROKE CAUSING BIKE TO JUMP NINTO 180 DEGREE CRASH
NHTSA complaint 11129373START VEHICLE AND NO CHARGING. LESS THAN 12V ON DASH GAUGE. 2ND TIME IN TWO WEEKS THIS HAS HAPPENED. CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHT COME ON. 3 MILES DOWN THE ROAD, AND VOLTAGE IS NOW 14V. CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHT SWITCH OFF. SUSPECT A FAULTY VOLTAGE REGULATOR. HAD THIS HAPPEN ON THE 05 FLHTCU I OWNED PREVIOUSLY. $200+ FOR NEW VOLTAGE REGULATOR. WILL TROUBLESHOOT CHARGING CIRCUIT PRIOR TO BUYING NEW REGULATOR.
NHTSA complaint 11000444TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA FLHTCU. WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE, THE VOLTAGE FLUCTUATED AND THE MOTORCYCLE BEGAN TO SPUTTER. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, WHICH HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint 10955320TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE REAR OF THE MOTORCYCLE STARTED TO WOBBLE. THE CONTACT DECREASED IN SPEED TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE FAILURE STOPPED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALER NO DIAGNOSIS WAS RENDERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
NHTSA complaint 10871781ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU) FAILURE. FRONT BRAKE LEVER AND REAR PEDAL LOCKED OUT. NO BRAKING ABAILITY. COMPONENT FAILURE MODE LEAVES VEHICLE WITH NO BRAKING ABILITY CAUSING ACCIDENT W/O FATALITY. HARLEY DAVIDSON MO CO NOTIFIED WITH NO RESPONSE. CONTACTED 800-258-2464.
NHTSA complaint 10865577TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE HORN OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HORN WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO OPERATE IN A WORKING MANOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
NHTSA complaint 10779329WHILE TAKING MY HARLEY DAVIDSON FOR A RIDE, ABOUT 30 MILES INTO THE RIDE, I NOTICED ABNORMAL SOUNDS COMING FROM MY FRONT WHEEL AREA. IT SOUNDED AS IF I HIT A ROCK, OR THAT MY TIRE WAS GOING FLAT. I SLOWED DOWN AND AS I PULLING INTO A GAS STATION, I COULD HEAR MORE NOISES AND FEEL VIBRATIONS. IT SOUNDED LIKE WORN BRAKE PADS. I PARKED THE BIKE AND GOT OFF TO INSPECT THE FRONT END. I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING SEAL HAD BEEN PUSHED OUTWARD, AND THE BEARING WERE EXPOSED, GREASE WAS ALL OVER THE WHEEL AS WELL. THE END RESULT, AFTER THE BIKE WAS TAKEN TO THE CLOSEST HARLEY DEALER, WAS THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING HAD FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WHEEL WITH NEW BEARINGS AND IS NOW OPERATING NORMAL. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A BAD SITUATION, IF IT HAD FAILED BEFORE I PULLED OVER. HARLEY DAVIDSON NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS SAFETY CONCERN WITH THEIR BIKES. *JB
NHTSA complaint 10538619I WAS TRAVELING IN THE COMMUTER LANE ON I-10 WEST IN PHOENIX ARIZONA. MY 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON ENGINES LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BIKE WENT INTO A SAFETY MODE. I WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH AND THE MOTORCYCLE ENGINE DIED AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 1500 RPM'S. I HAD THE BIKE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CODE. I WAS TOLD THE MOTORCYCLE WAS GOOD TO RIDE AND STARTED MY RIDE HOME AND THE BIKE FAILED YET AGAIN. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD. I HAD TO LIMP TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE BIKE ENGINE DIES WHILE IN MOTION. I WENT ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A PERVASIVE PROBLEM. HARLEY DAVIDSON IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT FIX. HARLEY CALLS IT A SAFE MODE OR LIMP MODE. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10502738DURING OPERATION, UPON INITIAL DELIVERY, I NOTED HEAT COMING UP THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE MOTORCYCLE. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER NOTED HEAT UNCOMFORTABLE. I CONTACTED THE DEALER WITH MY COMPLAINT, I WAS TOLD THE LOCATION OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSES HEAT TO RISE CAUSING DISCOMFORT TO THE RIDER AND PASSENGER. I WAS TOLD THIS IS COMMON. AND THE ONLY OPTION TO CORRECT IS TO INSTALL AFTERMARKET EXHAUST. THIS ELIMINATES THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE AFTERMARKET EXHAUST CAUSES A NEED TO HAVE AN AFTERMARKET COMPUTER WHICH CAN COMPENSATE FOR THE ALTERATIONS, WHICH WILL CAUSE THE MOTORCYCLE TO USE MORE FUEL. I AM EXPECTED TO CHANGE THE FACTORY EXHAUST, AT MY EXPENSE, MAKING THE VEHICLE NON COMPLIANT WITH THE FEDERAL STANDARD. THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE EXHAUST SET UP. THE HEAT MAKES IT UNBEARABLE AT TIMES, CAUSING DISTRACTION, AND HAVING TO PULL OVER AND "COOL OFF". I AM CONCERNED OF BURNS FROM THE EXCESSIVE HEAT ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. I UNDERSTAND MOST RIDERS FEEL IT IS ACCEPTABLE TO ALTER THE EXHAUST, I FEEL IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO CHANGE ANY VEHICLE WHICH WOULD CHANGE THE EMISSION FROM THE SET FEDERAL STANDARD. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10482827TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DECREASING SPEED TO ATTEMPT A LEFT TURN, THE THROTTLE CONTROL FAILED AND CAUSED THE MOTORCYCLE TO GO INTO OVERSPEED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE MOTORCYCLE AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,494.
NHTSA complaint 10460774WHILE BRAKING FOR A STOP LIGHT I NOTICED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE SLOWED VERY QUICKLY AND THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WAS VERY STIFF (VERY LITTLE MOVEMENT). WHEN LIGHT CHANGED IT TOOK AN EXCESS OF POWER TO GET MOVING. AFTER TURNING INTO A SIDE STREET I NOTICED THAT IT REQUIRED MORE THAN USUAL POWER TO CONTINUE MOVING. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE MOTORCYCLE MANUALLY AND ONLY AFTER APPLYING EXCESSIVE POWER AND RIDING THE CLUTCH WAS I ABLE TO GET THE MOTORCYCLE OFF THE STREET INTO A DRIVE. AT THIS TIME THE FRONT WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER LETTER THE MOTORCYCLE SIT FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES THE FRONT WHEEL WAS FREE TO MOVE AGAIN UNTIL I APPLIED THE FRONT BRAKE AGAIN ANF THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AGAIN. THE REAR BRAKE WAS NOT AFFECTED AT ANY TIME AND WORKED NORMAL. HAD MOTORCYCLE TRAILED TO THE LOCAL HARLEY DEALER. THEY STATED THEY HAD NOT SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND WOULD HAVE TO TROUBLESHOOT THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10460710REAR BRAKE PEDAL HARD AND ROTORS GET HOT SEEMS LIKE THE CALIPER IS NOT RELEASING ALL THE WAY I WENT TO THE HARLEY DEALER IN ERIE PA. TWICE THE FIRST TIME THE TECH TOOK DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT AN MILE AND SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM MY ROTORS HAS ALREADY TURNED BLUE FROM THE HEAT AND I TOOK IT BACK TODAY BECAUSE IT GETTING WORSE THE TECH SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG BUT HE SAID IF I WOULD HAD BOUGHT THE BIKE THERE HE WOULD HAVE PUT A CALIPER AND ROTOR ON IT BUT I DID NOT BUY IT THERE SO THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO I HOPE ALL HARLEY DEALER AINT LIKE THAT I HAVE A 2 YEAR FACTORY WARRANTY AND A 3 YEAR EXTENDED BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM TO MATTER. *JS
NHTSA complaint 10455576Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.