2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtc Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 53%of 19 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 37,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtc, 53% of the 19 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While riding the motorcycle on city streets the front brake lever became very hard a loss of front brakes occurred. Thank god the rear still worked. They kept me from crashing into car ahead of me. Now the motorcycle has no front brakes at all. Motorcycle was maintained until 9/2017 by a prepaid maintenance program and esp warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #11065634, filed 2018-01, 55,000 miles“Front hand brake failed without warning when exiting the freeway on an off ramp and approaching red light. Stopped using rear brake. Lever was froze in position which would not allow brake to be applied. Had bike trailered to harley davidson shop and they reported a failure of the antilock brake system (which they stated on recipt). Unit was replaced at my cost. I kept and still have the failed unit.”
NHTSA complaint #10899382, filed 2016-08, 50,000 miles“My front brake lever froze not allowing application of the front brake. I went into my garage and did my normal pre ride check which includes testing the brake lever/pedal feel, everything was normal. I started the bike checked the lights and turned it off after I was through. I then went to back my motorcycle out of the garage which is on a slight decline and went to apply my front brake lever to stop the bike...it would not move. Thankfully the rear brake was still functional and I got the bike stopped before any damage could be caused. …”
NHTSA complaint #10978526, filed 2017-04, 41,000 miles“Abs elec controller (modulator) failed. Bike started up and indicator light showed ABS was working, pulled out of driveway and light went out...(all normal). Then I had to make an emergency stop and applied both brakes and the rear locked up instead of pulsing to a stop, I knew something was wrong and brought the bike in for service and I was informed that the ABS mod. Had failed and needed replacing. At no time did the indicator light ever come on and stay on to indicate that there was a problem with the ABS.”
NHTSA complaint #10759835, filed 2015-08, 32,000 miles“In may 2017 the rear brake failed to operate suddenly and without warning. The peddle was locked and could not be pushed down with any amount of force. Fortunately the front brake was still functional and I was able to slow my speed with out crashing. This first occurred going out my 1/4 mile gravel driveway with a 90 degree turn at the end of the driveway. After the incident I was able to get the rear brake peddle to slowly move downward with a great amount of force and with multiple pushes it began to function normally for the rest of my 60 mile ride. …”
NHTSA complaint #11020472, filed 2017-08, 37,000 milesRelated recalls
- 18V076000Jan 29, 2018Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling all 2008-2011 Touring, CVO Touring and VSRC motorcycles equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS)…Covers: Harley-Davidson Flhtc 2008–2011, Flhtcu 2008–2011, Flhr 2008–2011 +26 more
- 11V506000Oct 19, 2011Harley-davidson is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 touring, cvo touring and trike vehicles manufactured from june 6, 2008, through september 16, 2011…Covers: Harley-Davidson Flhtc 2009–2012, Flhr 2009–2012, Flhrc 2009–2012 +23 more
Brakes: other model years
Other parts of the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtc
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtc
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology