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Engine coolingPart report

2009 Harley-Davidson Soft Tail Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
2about this part
Share
9%of 23 total for the year
Median mileage
13,250miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2009 Harley-Davidson Soft Tail, 9% of the 23 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,250 miles.

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.

“Motorcycle died in intersection. When I went to restart it, it took several tries and each time I tried I got a grinding noise. Finally started but light had already turned and I was in intersection past red. This has become more frequent. Only happens when motor is warmed up. Starter? Compensator? I have read on line the bikes of that time period have this problem. Could have been hit by a car.”

NHTSA complaint #10576540, filed 2014-04, 13,250 miles

“I have a 2009 harleydavidson ultra that runs so hot it is sometimes unbearable to sit on at long traffic lights. I know that if I had shorts on my right leg would get burned,it is that hot. I know that this heat has to affect the longevity of the motor and after paying $20,000 for a motorcycle I don't believe that I should have to spend another $2,000 to try to correct the problem while voiding the factory warranty. I also know that it is an air cooled motor since I have two others a1986, and a 1996 both run much cooler than this 2009. …”

NHTSA complaint #10339571, filed 2010-06

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200929%

Other parts of the 2009 Harley-Davidson Soft Tail

Electrical system
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 Harley-Davidson Soft Tail

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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