MotorDeets

Harley-Davidson Electra Glide (FLHT) problems & recalls

NHTSA records for 1994–2022: 9 recall campaigns and 67 owner complaints. Pick a model year.

199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102019202020212022

By year

YearRecallsComplaints
199410
199513
199617
199717
199814
199918
200001
200116
200216
200312
200401
200501
200601
200704
200824
200938
201021
201903
202010
202110
202210

What owners complain about (all years)

Electrical System20
Engine And Engine Cooling11
Power Train7
Service Brakes6
Suspension5
Unknown Or Other4
Structure3
Wheels2

Recent recalls

Exterior Lighting #22V781000 · 2022 · 199,419 units

Problem: Harley-davidson motor company (harley-davidson) is recalling certain 2019-2022 trike and cvo trike and 2020-2022 touring and cvo touring motorcycles. please refer to addendum a for specific vehicle model details. due to a software error, the brake lights may illuminate without the rider applying the brakes. as such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Risk: Unintended illumination of the brake lights may confuse other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the software on touring and cvo touring motorcycles. on trike and cvo trike motorcycles, a new pressure switch will also be installed. all repairs will be performed free of charge. owner notification letters were mailed november 2, 2022. owners may contact harley-davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. harley-davidson's number for this recall is 0635.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic #18V076000 · 2018 · 174,636 units

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 (

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.

Exterior Lighting #11V506000 · 2011 · 250,757 units

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline #09V457000 · 2009 · 111,569 units

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline #08V357000 · 2008 · 47,579 units

Problem: Harley davidson is recalling 47,579 my 2008 flhp, flhpe, flhr, flhrc, flhrse4, flht, flhtc, flhtcu, flhtcuse3, flhtp, flhx, and fltr motorcycles. these motorcycles may experience a cracking of the fuel filter shell leading to loss of fuel pressure. this loss of fuel pressure can cause diminished performance and, in some cases, may cause an engine stall or a no-start condition.

Risk: This condition could lead to a crash which could cause injury or death to the rider.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel filter shell free of charge. the recall began on july 31, 2008. owners may contact harley davidson at 1-414-343-4056.

Exterior Lighting #04V218000 · 2004 · 31,070 units

Problem: On certain dyna, xl, and touring motorcycles, the tail light bulb can fall out of the socket.

Risk: The tail light and the brake light become inoperative, which could lead to a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the bulbs. owner notification began on june 3, 2004. owners should contact harley-davidson at 1-414-342-4680.

Exterior Lighting #02V002000 · 2002 · 28,949 units

Problem: On certain motorcycles, the clips that retain the wiring for the front fender tip light can become detached from the fender, causing the wires to fray and short.

Risk: This could cause the lighting system fuse to blow, leaving the vehicle without an operational front fender tip light, headlight, taillight, running lights, and passing lamps (if equipped).

Fix: Dealers will replace the fender tip light wiring harness retention clips, and inspect and replace, if necessary, any damaged wiring harnesses. owner notification began january 9, 2002. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact harley-davidson at 1-414-342-4680.

Engine And Engine Cooling #99V003000 · 1999 · 14,211 units

Problem: Vehicle description: motorcycles. the engine cam bolt can lose its clamp load and/or break.

Risk: This condition can cause the engine to quit running with or without prior warning. in some instances, the engine could run erratically before quitting.

Fix: Dealers will replace the engine cam bolts and washers.

Electrical System #98V158000 · 1998 · 55,013 units

Problem: Vehicle description: fl touring motorcycles. a loss of electrical power through the ignition switch can occur due to excessive current and other factors.

Risk: This condition can cause the engine to fail to start, operate erratically, or stall.

Fix: Dealers will replace the ignition switch/circuit breaker and install a relay kit.

Want the full repair deets? Get the service manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Electra Glide.

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Model name source: Harley-Davidson model codes (harley-davidson.com/us/en/content/expert-advice/harley-davidson-model-codes.html).