2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

the recall remedy to flush the system does not address the concern that the ABS unit still has the potential for failure. Millions of ABS systems in cars do not have such issues that require a hydraulic flush every 2 years. Failure is the ABS control module; it should not be due to moisture in a sealed hydraulic system. Failure of the ABS control module can cause complete loss of braking function or a complete lockup of the brake with resultant severe injury. A one-time system flush does not address the primary fault - replacement of the ABS module. I had front brake system completely fail within 1 minute following a harley dealer brake flush. As the motorcycle was on a hill, the front brake was to hold the bike from rolling backwards. It did roll backwards before I could rebalance an use rear brake. The motorcycle fell over - no injury of damage.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ULTRA-GLIDE FLHTCU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT BRAKES SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO ENGAGE THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. WITH THE HELP OF A FRIEND, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME. SIX BENDS HARLEY-DAVIDSON (9501 THUNDER RD, FORT MYERS, FLORIDA, (239) 275-4647) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,444.

BIKE PARKED IN GARAGE FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS BECAUSE OF COLD WEATHER. FIRED IT UP TO LET IT WARM UP FOR A FEW MIN'S. CLIMBED ON TO BACK IT OUT AND THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WOULD NOT BUDGE OR STOP THE BIKE WHEN I NEEDED TO STOP. FORTUNATELY BEFORE I LOST CONTROL, I WAS ABLE TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT WHILE USING REAR BRAKE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY HIT THE KILL SWITCH AND POP IT IN 1ST GEAR TO STOP IT. CHECKED CALIPERS. THEY WERE FINE. STARTED BREAKING LINES AND FOUND THAT ON THE INLET TO ABS UNIT THERE WAS FLUID AND BRAKE MOVEMENT. RETIGHTENED AND THEN BROKE THE ABS OUTPUT LINE AND NO FLUID ESCAPED AND NO MOVEMENT OF FRONT LEVER. AND I MEAN ZERO MOVEMENT. IT WILL NOT BUDGE. STARTED RESEARCHING AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE FOR MY BIKE AND EARLIER VERSIONS. REAR BRAKE OPERATION IS FINE AND NOT AFFECTED.

I OWN AND OPERATE A HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU ULTRA CLASSIC. WHILE RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY I TRIED TO USE MY FRONT BRAKES TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LEVER WAS HARD AS A ROCK AND WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT FUNCTION TO STOP THE BIKE, HAD TO RELY ON MY REAR BRAKES WHICH PUT ME IN AN SLIDE BECAUSE OF THE HARD BREAKING TO COMPENSATE FOR THE FRONT BRAKES MALFUNCTION. I MANAGED TO RETURN HOME USING MY REAR BRAKES ONLY. THE MALFUNCTION OF THE FRONT ABS BRAKES OCCURRED WITHOUT NOTICE AND IT IS A HAZARDOUS CONDITION. WHEN I CONTACTED THE LOCAL HD DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY SUCH MALFUNCTION ON MY 2011 FLHTCU. THEY ALSO ADVISED THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS. WHEN I SPOKE WITH OTHER HARLEY OWNERS, I LEARNED THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH HD BIKES BEGINNING IN 1999 WHEN ABS BRAKES WERE FIRST INTRODUCED BUT THE MANUFACTURER, HARLEY DAVIDSON, DOES NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BRAKE MALFUNCTION WHICH COSTS OVER $1,000.00 TO REPAIR. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. A FRONT BRAKE FAILURE CAN HAVE DIRE CONSEQUENCES AND CAN RESULT IN A CASUALTY BECAUSE FAILURE TO STOP ON A TWO WHEEL VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS AND CAN BE DEADLY.

NOTICED INCREASING WOBBLE IN TURNS, HANDLE BARS SHAKE AT OCCASION, TOOK TO DEALER, HE TEST RODE AND SAID IT WAS THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE SHOT, AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON 09-12 HARLEYS, HE SAID HARLEY HAS SINCE BEEN USING A DIFFERENT BEARING, AND THAT THE REPLACEMENT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE AN UPGRADED PRODUCT.