2009 Harley-Davidson Soft Tail Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 13%of 23 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 1,700miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 Harley-Davidson Soft Tail, 13% of the 23 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,700 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.
“Purchased a 2009 harley davidson ( new ) in june of 2010. At 1700 miles the bolts that hold the rear sprocket to the wheel have backed out causing what could have been a catastrophic failure ie: rear wheel locking up at a highway speed and causing a crash. Harley davidson mechanics stated to me this is not the first one they have seen. I cannot believe that hd has not instituted a recall, they have to be aware of problem through feedbacks from shops. …”
NHTSA complaint #10356833, filed 2010-09, 1,700 miles“Clutch lever seemed far to reach, took in for inspection and/or possible adjustment. Came back with clutch lever sticking or ratcheting, no longer smooth to operate. This made it very hard to operate in the friction zone needed for slow operation and turning around. Clutch would pop and jump forward almost causing to fall over many times. Took in for repair.....lubed and ground out the inside of wear area on lever and unit that the clutch cable comes into. Was told that it would wear down in time and become smooth, that this is typical of this model of motorcycle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10451956, filed 2012-03, 15,600 miles“Harley davidson 2009 flhtcu (placed here as vehicle section only lists 5 models and not this one) audible loud knock coming from the primary chain case on each engine startup. Knock appears to originate from the compensator sprocket assembly which cushions the drive side crankshaft sprocket and the primary drive assembly when striking each other at engine startup. Many compensator sprocket assemblies have been found in failure mode and have been replaced with a more robust unit (factory installed on 2010 and later models) under warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #10362345, filed 2010-10, 1,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2009 Harley-Davidson Soft Tail
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEngine cooling
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 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