Tl* the contact owns a 2011 harley-davidson electra glide classic (flhtc) motorcycle. While driving 40 MPH, the contact attempted to apply the brakes; however, the vehicle started smoking and the back tire locked up into a fishtail. The trailing driver stated that the brake lights did not illuminate. The contact was thrown off the motorcycle into the middle of the street. The motorcycle skid onto its side into the sidewalk. The contact was not injured. A police report was not filed. The contact was able to restart the motorcycle and continued driving a short distance to his destination. The vehicle was then towed to the contact's home on a trailer. The dealer and manufacturer had not been contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 10,000. *dt
The worst 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtc problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes2
- Engine1
- Suspension1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes2
- Engine1
- Suspension1
Recalls 2
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
See all 2 recalls for the 2011 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 2011 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 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtc owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Nhtsb safety issue id 18v076000 indicated a brake fluid replacement would be the resolution to the brake problem. I believe this is incorrect. Last year I had the box that controls the ABS fluid pressure replaced. This did not include changing the electrical control board. I have also had the front master cylinder replaced. Each time the fluid was replaced and the work was completed by a harley certified mechanic. Unfortunately I continue to have issues with the front brakes either not working and requiring pumping, ABS triggering and not doing anything, and 'squishy' front brake lever. Each of these come and go. After several trips to harley for repair the exact cause is still unknown. The brakes appear good when the power is off. As soon as I turn the power on there is a noticeable release of pressure in the front break lever. This leads me to think the brake problem is related to the electrical control of the ABS.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 harley davidson flhtc motorcycle. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH the wheel bearings failed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection where the wheel bearings were repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 18,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Factory failure. Incorect pour of aluminum mold for engine casting/ engine block, resulting in oil leak. Engine block sweating oil and spreading oil along bottom of frame from front to rear of motorcycle. Engine pourous.
Compare the 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtc
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Questions about the 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtc
Is the 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtc reliable?
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtc, close to a typical Flhtc model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtc?
Brakes, with 2 complaints. Next is engine (1).
How many recalls does the 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtc have?
2 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic and exterior lighting.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Harley-Davidson Flhtc brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 18V076000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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