2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtc: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Aug 10, 2022 · Brakes · TN · crash · 1 injury

Bought the HD new in 2008 and used all warranty plans for 1st 10 years of ownership. They performed all work per their guidelines. Never once did they flush the system as this recall mentions every 2 years? While riding down my driveway the rear brake failed to engage on a gravel road and I loss control using my front brake to stop before entering a 2 lane road with traffic at 45 MPH. Loss of control caused the bike to crash on the road. 2 months after the crash I get a recall notice on this issue. My ABS failure was directly related to this crash yet HD claims it is not? Really, the ABS freezes due to moisture in the fluid and its my fault that 10 years of preventive MX by my dealership failed to change the fluid? Can someone light the fire under HD and get this recall expanded to cover this part. Maybe use one of the 87,000 IRS agents the Biden Admin is hiring to work on this. I followed the rules and ALL MX required yet only now its an owner issue to replace the ABS module at a cost of $1,000.00. Hold HD accountable for selling an ABS system in 2008 that was not vetted properly on a first year run model.

Filed Apr 5, 2020 · Brakes · 63,588 miles · KY

After starting bike and leaving driveway, bike has been sitting for the winter, approached first stop sign no brakes on rear. Brake pedal hard no movement. Lights come on, no brake response..... Front brakes work.... Abs module problem according to hd forums.

Filed Oct 3, 2017 · Brakes · 1,100 miles · WI

The owner of 2009 harley davidson flhtc 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. The frozen rear brake peddle problem continued to occur after the bike was parked overnight. Before I would ride the bike I would need to put great pressure on the peddle and pump it several times to get it to function normally. Eventually I could not get the peddle to function normally and the bike is in for repairs. The front brake continued to function normally over the entire time period. The bike has ABS brakes and apparently a control module has failed that will cost $1,100 to replace. Copy

Filed Aug 29, 2017 · Brakes · 37,000 miles · WI

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. The frozen rear brake peddle problem continued to occur after the bike was parked overnight. Before I would ride the bike I would need to put great pressure on the peddle and pump it several times to get it to function normally. Eventually I could not get the peddle to function normally and the bike is in for repairs. The front brake continued to function normally over the entire time period. The bike has ABS brakes and apparently a control module has failed that will cost $1,100 to replace.

Filed Apr 15, 2017 · Brakes · 24,540 miles · FL

Hard brake pedal, could not apply rear brake when trying to stop at a intersection. Had to use front brake to stop. Harley dealer says it's the ABS module and that they are on back order, for there are many that have the same problem.

Filed Apr 14, 2017 · Brakes · 41,000 miles · GA

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. I called my local dealership and they said it sounded like an ABS hcu failure and that they would be glad to check it out for me. I went into the house and looked up harley ABS failure and found out there were several cases like mine. This is a very dangerous situation and needs to be dealt with.

Filed Aug 27, 2015 · Brakes · 32,000 miles · NJ

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.