2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu complaints

I WAS ON THE FREEWAY DOING 60 MPH IN TRAFFIC AND MOTOR CUT OUT. IT WENT INTO 'LIMP MODE' ONLY ALLOWING ABOUT 1500 RPM. FROM THE MOTOR, W/ NO RESPONSE OR POWER FROM THE ENGINE IF I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND/OR THERE HAD BEEN A VEHICLE RIGHT BEHIND ME I WOULD PROBABLY HAVE EXPERIENCED A VERY BAD ACCIDENT DUE TO THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. APPARENTLY THROTTLE BY WIRE (TBW) CONNECTION @ THE FUEL INJECTION BODY WAS NOT SEALED @ THE FACTORY AND THE CONNECTORS CORRODE UNTIL NO VOLTAGE WILL GO FROM THE THROTTLE WIRES TO THE EFI. DEALER STATES IT'S COMMON PROBLEM W/ HD TBW AND THERE ARE ALOT OF POSTS ON THE INTERNET RE: OTHER RIDERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. HD MOCO. REFUSES TO RECALL IT. SEEMS SOMEONE (OR SEVERAL SOMEONE'S) WILL HAVE TO DIE FOR A RECALL TO HAPPEN. *TR

RIDING DOWN THE HIGHWAY,BIKE SHUT DOWN AND I HAD NO THROTTLE CONTROL.JUST ABOUT GOT HIT FROM BEHIND, THE BIKE WOULD IDLE AND THAT'S IT. SEAT ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY FOR 15 MINUTES, STARTED BIKE BACK UP AND WENT ANOTHER 100 YARDS AND IT DID IT AGAIN. THIS WENT ON FOR ABOUT 4 HOURS TILL I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET HOME. THIS IS A VERY BAD SITUATION AND VERY DANGEROUS. WHAT IS HARLEY DAVIDSON GOING TO DO ABOUT IT. I CANT GO AROUND THE BLOCK MUSH LESS CROSS COUNTRY. *TR

TRAVELING ON MAJOR HIGHWAY AND THE SPEED DROPS TO 15 MPH HARLEY DAVIDSON CALLS IT LIMP MODE , SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED NOT FUN ON THE HIGHWAY. HARLEY DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *TR

MY BIKE IS A 2009 ULTRA CLASSIC. I SENT THIS TO ATT: HARLEY DAVIDSON CUSTOMER SERVICE LEAD/MANAGER, AND REALLY GOT NOWHERE WITH THIS ISSUE. I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO CHECK ON WHY I HAVE BEEN SEEING GRINDINGS ON MY DRAIN PLUG FROM MY PRIMARY CHAIN CASE. HERE, I FOUND A PIECE OF METAL 7"X 1/2" WIDE STUCK BETWEEN MY PRIMARY CHAIN AND THE CLUTCH PACK GRINDING AWAY TO BREAK AND LODGE INTO THE GEARING WHICH COULD HAVE LOCKED UP THE REAR TIRE. THE METAL IS OFF THE COMPENSATOR BELL HOUSING ( A VERY POOR DESIGN) FROM THE SPRING DISC FLOPPING INSIDE IT WEARING A GROOVE THE FRACTURING OFF OF IT AND SENDING IT INSIDE THE PRIMARY CHAIN CASING. THE COULD HAVE BEEN THE DEATH OF MY WIFE AND I OR MY DAUGHTER AND I. I AM TOTALLY SHOCKED AT THIS AND IT IS REALLY TROUBLING ON THE FINDINGS. I ALSO WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS HARLEY DAVIDSON GOING TO DO WITH THIS INFO, AND WHAT WILL THEY DO FOR ME FOR THE DAMAGE, WEAR, AND CONTAMINATION, THIS HAS CAUSED THE INSIDE OF THE PRIMARY CHAIN CASING; AS IN CLUTCH PACK, BEARING AND SEALS, ETC. I WILL ALSO PUT THIS ON THE WEB/YOUTUBE, TO LET HARLEY OWNERS KNOW MY DISCOVERY WITH THE PICTURES, IF NOTHING BECOMES OF THIS. I HAVE NO PROBLEM MAKING POSTERS, SO THAT I CAN BRING THE BIKE TO RALLIES AND SHOWS TO SHOW THE QUALITY AND THE LACK OF MAKING A RECALL. A DEATH IS LESS ON THE EQUATION OF COST FOR WHAT I BELIEVE HAS HAPPENED HERE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF, WHEN IT UNEXPECTEDLY STARTED AND ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE IGNITION AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE PUSH TO START IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,486.

ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLS AND QUITS. NO POWER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION AND TURNING IT BACK ON, ENGINE IS OPERATIONAL AGAIN. *TT

I WAS TRAVELING UP A MOUNTAIN, WHEN THE BIKE SUDDENLY WENT TO IDLE SPEED. THE THROTTLE HAD NO EFFECT ON THE BIKE. THIS WAS ON A TWO LANE ROAD WITH NO PLACE TO PULL OFF.THE BIKE WAS STOPPED ON THE ROADWAY. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, I RESTARTED AND THEN THE THROTTLE AGAIN WAS WORKING. I CONTINUED FOR ABOUT A TENTH OF A MILE BEFORE THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I RESTARTED AND I PROCEEDED . THIS SITUATION REPEATED ONE MORE TIME GOING UPHILL WHERE A GENTLEMAN FOLLOWED ME WITH FLASHERS ON TO INSURE MY SAFETY. AFTER REACHING THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN, IT DID IT ONE ADDITIONAL TIME. AFTER THE FOURTH TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME ABOUT FIVE MILES AWAY. HAD I BEEN IN TRAFFIC THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE DANGEROUS. THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE BIKE FROM INFORMED THEY HAVE RECEIVED FEW COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE BUT I HAVE READ MANY IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS ON ONLINE FORUMS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. *TR

THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SUDDENLY ACTS ERRATIC SOMETIMES REVVING THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY AND SOMETIMES GOING INTO "LIMP MODE" CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER IN TRAFFIC AND CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY DECELERATED INTO AN IDLE MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND TURNED OFF. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED IN APPROXIMATELY TWO DAYS WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE THROTTLE MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,700.

REAR BRAKE LIGHT PRESSURE SWITCH FAILURE. THE SWITCH WHICH TRIGGERS THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT TO TOGGLE ON WHEN THE REAR BRAKE LEVER IS DEPRESSED IS A HYDRAULIC PRESSURE SWITCH. THIS SWITCH FAILED ALLOWING BRAKE FLUID TO PASS THROUGH THE SWITCH AND SPRAY OUT THE END WHERE THE TERMINALS ARE ATTACHED. THIS SPRAYING FLUID CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THE HEAT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE WHICH IS CLOSE BY. BIKE WAS SITTING AT A LIGHT WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. A RIDING BUDDY NOTICED A SMALL FIRE LOCATED JUST BELOW THE RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. I WAS STOPPED AT THE TIME WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. NOTICING THE FIRE WE SAFELY PULLED OVER TO A SIDE-STREET AND I EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A BOTTLE OF WATER I WAS CARRYING. I NOTICED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE SWITCH BY GENTLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE LEVER WITH MY HAND AND FLUID DRIPPED OUT. I ALSO NOTICED WHEN I WAS PULLING THE BIKE OVER TO A SAFER LOCATION THAT I HAD LOST THE REAR BRAKE COMPLETELY; THIS, DUE TO A BREACH IN THE OTHERWISE CLOSED BRAKE SYSTEM. THE FIRE BURNED THE WIRES WHICH ATTACH TO THIS PRESSURE SWITCH. I WAS ABLE TO MOTOR UP TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE, REMOVE THE SWITCH (1/8" NPT THREAD) AND PUT A PLUG IN SO I COULD RIDE WITH TWO BRAKES. THERE WAS NO HARLEY DEALER CLOSE BY TO MY LOCATION. *TR

WHILE PULLING OUT ONTO ROADWAY, THE THROTTLE QUIT WORKING AND THE MOTOR WENT INTO "LIMP HOME MODE". SINCE THAT TIME, IT'S HAPPEN SEVERAL (AT LEAST 6) TIMES. THE FIRST TIME, THE THROTTLE WAS REPLACED AND IT SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEN AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES, THE PROBLEM CAME BACK. IF I PULL OFF THE ROAD AND TURN THE MOTOR OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS AND RESTART, IT CLEARS THE PROBLEM. I CAN'T TRUST THE BIKE NOT TO QUIT AT THE WORST POSSIBLE TIME. THE LOCAL HD DEALER LOOKED AT THE BIKE THE FIRST TIME AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I REPLACED THE THROTTLE MYSELF.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVISON FLHTCUI (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS WITHOUT ENGAGING THE THROTTLE AND THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED TO THEIR MAXIMUM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE AND THE DEALER FELT THAT THERE WAS A SHORT WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. MULTIPLE OCCASIONS (NOT TO MAX EVERYTIME). UPDATED 09/21/2011 *LN *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH HE BEGAN TO HEAR A GROWLING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 17,800.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LOUD CRACKING NOISE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE STARTER CLUTCH WOULD CAUSE THE STARTER GEAR TO DISENGAGE AND THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPENSATOR ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACT AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SPEAK WITH THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

MULTIPLE INCIDENTS. WHILE MAINTAINING A CRUISE SPEED OF 65 MPH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE RPM DROPPED TO IDLE RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED. ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND TO THROTTLE CONTROL. WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SHOULDER OF ROAD. RETURNED MOTORCYCLE TO DEALER. DEALER CLAIMED THEY CLEARED FAILURE CODES BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE SYMPTOMS. THEY CALLED TECH SERVICES AND WERE TOLD OF A SERVICE BULLETIN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL CONNECTION CORROSION FOR THROTTLE CONTROL. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SUDDEN LOSS OF ABILITY TO MAINTAIN FLOW WITHIN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS EXHIBITING AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AND THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD CONTINUOUSLY TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR TO ALLOW THE COMPUTER TO READJUST ITSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT NEVER RESPONDED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,312.

HAD A FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE ON A 09 HARLEY ULTRA WITH 23000 MILES AT FULL INTERSTATE SPEED. BIKE STARTED VIBRATING BAD AND WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD. HAD TO WRECKER IT HOME 250 MILES. *TR

HI GENTLEMEN, I BOUGHT A FORD STALLION TRIKE. IT HAS NO RUNNING LIGHTS IN THE FRONT? I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY PASSED YOUR REGULATIONS. I CONTACTED THEM AND THEY ARE NOT CONCERNED? TRUCKS, CARS, TRAILERS ALL HAVE PARK LIGHTS IN THE FRONT! SO HOW DID THIS PASS YOUR INSPECTIONS??? *TR

PURCHASED NEW 2009 FLHTCU ELECTRA GLIDE CLASSIC, BIKE IS AT DEALER FOR 3RD TIME, FOR BUCKING A SURGING, ENGINE CUTS IN AND OUT, WHILE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND RPM DO NOT CHANGE, CAUSING BIKE TO JUST SURGE OUT OF CONTROL. DEALER OCEAN COUNTY HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS REPLACED EVERY SENSOR AND ECM AND BIKE GETS WORSE. IT IS UNRIDEABLE AND DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS! I REFUSE TO TAKE MY LIFE AND PUT IT IN THE HANDS OF HARLEY DAVIDSON WHO DOES NOT SEEM TO GIVE A DARN WHETHER I GET KILLED ON THIS THING. *TR

THIS VEHICLE IS A NEW HARLEY-DAVIDSON 2009 FLHTUCTG TRI-GLIDE TRIKE, THAT WENT IN FOR IT'S FIRST 500 (ACTUAL MILES 533) MILE SERVICE CHECK. AT DEPARTURE OF THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THE SERVICE WAS COMPLIED WITH, AND WITHIN 1 MILE, I HEARD A NOISE FROM UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE TRIKE, AT WHICH I COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT THE SOUND WAS AT THE TIME. I BACKED UP AND LOOKED FOR ANYTHING THAT MAY HAVE FALLEN OFF OF THE TRIKE WITH NO AVAIL, AS IT WAS DARK AT THE TIME OF LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP, AND CONTINUED HOME (ABOUT 30 MILES AWAY). THE NEXT DAY I RODE FOR ANOTHER 10-15 MILES, AND ON MY DASH CAME ON WARNING LIGHTS TO CHECK ENGINE, AND THE BATTERY LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. SO STRAIGHT HOME I GO. AFTER EXAMINING THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE TRIKE I NOTICED 1 FORWARD ENGINE MOUNT BOLT (APPROX 5 INCHES LONG) WAS MISSING, AND THE OTHER WAS BEING HELD IN PLACE BY THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR (V/R) WIRING. THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE DASH LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE, AS THE V/R PLUG WAS PULLED OUT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES SPEAKING TO ERIC HUFF'S (GENERAL MANAGER) ANSWERING SERVICE MACHINE, JAMES ? (SERVICE MANAGER) ANSWERING SERVICE MACHINE, THEN TO EDDIE A SERVICE WRITER. JAMES RETURNED MY CALL, SENT OUT A TOW TRAILER, AND TOOK THE TRIKE IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN. VIA CORRESPONDENCE WITH EDDIE, THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO KEEP MY TRIKE FOR ANOTHER DAY TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURE TO VERIFY NO SAFETY ISSUE EXIST. I INFORMED HIM THAT THESE BOLTS WERE INSTALLED UPSIDEDOWN, AND NO LOCK NUT OR WASHER WAS BEING USED.