I was traveling 55 MPH in 5th gear when my motorcycle suddenly stopped accelerating, and the check-engine light came on. The vehicle automatically went into limp-mode and would not travel any faster than 25 MPH. I was near a service station, so I pulled over and stopped. I was able to return home traveling 25 MPH, as frustrated cars followed close behind me. My harley dealership confirmed the problem was caused by faulty wiring that triggered the limp-mode sensor.
The worst 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtc problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes2
- Engine2
- Transmission2
- Acceleration1
- Electrical1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes2
- Engine2
- Transmission2
- Acceleration1
- Electrical1
- Fuel system1
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 Flhtc
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 Flhtc 18
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 Flhtc owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I had been riding for under five minutes, city traffic, speed limit 25mph. As I slowed for a turning car my rear brake failed by the pedal locking. I controlled the stop and returned home. I've now been told the ABS control module has failed and the repair cost are to be around 900.00. I find it incredibly hard to believe that a module failure defaults to a total lack of brakes! One might be inclined to think youd lose ABS function, not total braking!
While backing out of garage front brake was hard and would not compress luckily there was no one coming down road. It resulted in me crashing my bike in the roadway.
While ride about 65 MPH on major hwy with lots of traffic. The bike just lost power, motor went into idle or limp home mode. Riding in left lane, with shoulder only about 2 foot wide, I could not pull over to left shoulder. With traffic passing me @65 to 70 MPH I was down to 15 MPH before I had enough clear traffic before I could change lanes to get to the right shoulder of the road. Traffic behind me particular a 18 wheeler behind me almost came to a stop to keep from running over me. I have found out from friends and hd forums that this is a common occurrence on this model bike, from 08 thru 12 if some one is in the wrong place going up or down a hill, going thru intersection or on major hwy when this occurs death or injury could occur. Harley davidson is aware of this issue and has issued a service bulletin tt418a on fixing the (tbw) throttle by wire, either throttle position sensor or the sensor wiring. No recall has been issued and needs tobe before someone is killed or injured .
Sprocket assembly has failed 2 times.dealer is fixing at own expense with new improved screaming eagle version that was developed to fix this problem. This now comes standard on 20121 and beyond models. Could cause fatalities if fails at highway speeds. Hd puts on new bikes but will not fix previous models.
My 2010 harley-davidson flhtc, after only 1025 miles, experienced a serious mechanical break down in the transmission. The main shaft broke. This is a major component to the operation of this vehicle. I have been riding motorcycles (mainly harleys) for the past 34 years and have never had something like this happen on a bike after thousands of miles, let alone on one that was only a month old. I was lucky that when it broke, I was stopped at my mail box. If this would have occurred on the highway at greater speeds, it would have been disastrous. After having it transported to the dealer, they informed me of the problem, of which I didn't realize was that serious at the time. Make no mistake, this is a serious mechanical defect and should be presented to all haley-davidson owners with this similar type of transmission. It has been 4 days since this incident and all I know is that the dealer said they would remove the transmission and send it back to the factory with no explanation of why it failed. They have promised to replace it with a new one, which is the same type. How do I know it doesn't have the same type of defect? I believe this needs investigation by someone that deals with vehicle mechanical failures that would cause serious injury or even death. I have even spoke with the factory customer service department and have not heard back from them, either.
Excessive engine and exhaust heat.
Compare the 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtc
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Questions about the 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtc
Is the 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtc reliable?
Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtc, 1.8 times a typical Flhtc model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtc?
Brakes, with 2 complaints. Next is engine (2).
How many recalls does the 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtc have?
3 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic, exterior lighting and fuel system, gasoline.
Was there a recall on the 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtc brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 18V076000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
VIN decoder
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