While passing a vehicle at 55 MPH my motorcycle throttle by wire system went into the limp mode (the throttle is no longer functioning). I'm am beside the vehicle I'm attempting to pass and had a difficult time trying to get back into the driving lane. Luckily, I was able to do so before oncoming traffic. I understand this is a common occurrence since 2008 with the throttle by wire system. It is a manufacturers design defect and why harley has not recalled it is beyond me. Is the federal safety agency and harley waiting for people to get killed before initiating a recall?.....and who knows how many undetermined accidents have been caused by this issue? It is such a common occurrence that harley issued a dealer bulletin (tt148a) to address the problem. It was explained to me by harley service that the problem is an electrical connections between the throttle and the throttle body due to two different metals causing corrosion. Harley isn't willing to correct the problem without cost to the customer. It's time for the federal safety agency to step in; sooner rather than later!
The worst 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes1
- Fuel system1
- Transmission1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes1
- Fuel system1
- Transmission1
Recalls 3
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- 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 (FLHTCUSE4) and CVO Road Glide 3 (FLTRSE3), 2009-2011 Night Rod Special (VRSCDX) and V-Rod Muscle (VRSCF), 2010 CVO Ultra Classic 5 (FLHTCUSE5) and CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), 2010-2011 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (FLHTK) and Road Glide Custom (FLTRX), 2011 Road Glide Ultra 103 (FLTRU103), Street Glide 103 (FLHX103), Road King Classic 103 (FLHRC103), CVO Ultra Classic 6 (FLHTCUSE6), CVO Road Glide Ultra (FLTRUSE), Road Glide Custom 103 (FLTRX103), and CVO Street Glide 2 (FLHXSE2) motorcycles. Deposits may form on components within the brake system if the DOT 4 brake fluid is not replaced for a prolonged period of time beyond the 2-year maintenance schedule specified in the Owners Manual.
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 18V076000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 11V506000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 09V457000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR
Defect investigations
Sudden Brake Failure - Motorcycle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation in July 2016 based on forty-three (43) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ).During the course of this investigation ODI received a total of 145 VOQs related to the alleged defect on the subject motorcycles.Owners allege they experience a sudden and complete loss of brakes on one or both wheels.To better understand the cause of the braking issue on the subject motorcycles, ODI requested the federal safety agency's Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) conduct inspections and testing of affected vehicle braking systems.Through its work, VRTC determined that deposits were forming on the valves in the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) of the Antilock Braking System (ABS). These deposits could prevent the proper function of the HCU and render the brakes ineffective.To understand why deposits were forming in the HCU, Harley Davidson completed an analysis of the Dow 460 brake fluid used as original equipment on the subject motorcycles and determined that it had stability issues if left in the brake system for an extended period of time.Harley Davidson found that if a brake fluid flush was not conducted as outlined in the owner?s manual for the motorcycles, and was left in the system for a period of time beyond their recommendation; deposits could form in the HCU.Through further testing, Harley Davidson identified an alternate, commercially available, brake fluid that did not have the same stability issues as the original fluid and could stop the proliferation of any current brake system deposits.ODI sent Information Request (IR) letters to Harley Davidson and Dow Chemical (the supplier of the brake fluid on the subject motorcycles) to collect information about the subject bikes and the alleged defect.Harley Davidson responded in full on Sept 30, 2016 and Dow responded with a confidential submission on October 25, 2017.ODI analyzed the information contained in both IR responses and concluded that motorcycles manufactured during Model Years (MY) 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 were failing at a rate greater than their peers.Based on this analysis and the brake fluid study conducted by Harley Davidson, a group of motorcycles was identified that were potentially affected by the instability of the original brake fluid.2008 marked the introduction of ABS on Harley Davidson motorcycles and a change in the Dow 460 brake fluid used in the 2012 MY vehicles provided the bases for the scope of the affected population.With recall action 18V‑076 taken by Harley Davidson this investigation is closed as further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: using the complaint identification numbers attached to this resume.
PE16009
Technical service bulletins for the 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR 22
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Battery warranty guidelines
- Digital technician II - updates and release notes
- Midtronics GRX-3110 and DCA-8000 software
- Genuine motor parts and accessories bulletin PAB1171 (rev b): software update for screamin eagle pro...
- Digital technician II - updates and release notes
- Midtronics GRX-3110 and DCA-8000 software
- Digital technician II - updates and release notes
- Market specific battery introduction
- Milwaukee eight and twin cam camshaft drive gear retention kit changes
- Digital technician II - updates and release notes
What 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 harley-davidson flhr. While depressing the rear brake pedal at 40 MPH in inclement weather, the vehicle failed to respond without warning. When the front brake was engaged, the contact crashed into the pavement. The contact sustained injuries to the left shoulder, head, and groin. The contact also sustained road rash that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 harley davidson road king. The contact stated that while having routine maintenance performed, he was notified that the motorcycle was making an odd noise. The technician diagnosed that the primary carrier barring was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 28,000. Updated 02/27/14
Compare the 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR
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Questions about the 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR
Is the 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR reliable?
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR, close to a typical FLHR model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR?
Brakes, with 1 complaint. Next is fuel system (1).
How many recalls does the 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR have?
3 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic, exterior lighting and fuel system, gasoline.
Was there a recall on the 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHR brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 18V076000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
VIN decoder
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