2009 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Mar 17, 2026 · Brakes · FL

While riding my 2009 ultra classic cvc Harley davidson motorcycle the front brake level became stiff and eventually did not compress, no front brakes, while attempting to stop. The rear brake still operated normally. In an emergency, this could cause serious injury or death with front brake failing and possible rear brake failure at same time. a local repair shop inspected the brakes and attempted to bleed system and determined the ABS mudule failed. there were no warning lamp indications of ABS failure. When ABS module fails on HD motorcycles, brakes can also fail. This is a major safety issue with the braking system that shoud still operate to stop motorcycle when ABS module fails.

Filed Jun 5, 2025 · Brakes · ID

ABS Module failure. Brake pedal solid when depressed with no brakes available. I will request the bad module from the dealer. No brakes is an extremely dangerous condition. The motorcycle is in a Harley Davidson getting the module replaced. This catastrophic failure happened with no warnings or symptoms.

Filed Nov 21, 2021 · Brakes · VA

When approaching an intersection I went to apply brakes and could not because lever was frozen this resulted in my bike to coast into the intersection I was fortunate the vehicle coming was able to stop.I was told my abs system had failed and would need replaced! The issue was blamed on fluid and lack of flushing and replacement it.The fluid was replaced by dealer 5 months earlier so I’m not buying the fluid is the culprit.Bike has 12,000 miles on it.

Filed Dec 3, 2018 · Brakes · 43,176 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 harley-davidson flhtcu. While operating the vehicle, the front brakes malfunctioned and the front brake lever could not be pressed to stop the motorcycle. The motorcycle was taken to harley-davidson eastgate (699 cincinnati potavia pike, cincinnati, oh) where it was diagnosed that the valve in the ABS module malfunctioned and the module needed to be replaced. The failure was repaired. The contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v076000(service brakes) in july of 2018, but the parts for the repair were not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 43,176.

Filed May 4, 2018 · Brakes · 35,000 miles · SC

Abs hcu suddenly failed causing front brake lever to become so hard it is almost unsqueezable. Luckily this happened while stationary in my garage on initial ignition on cycle. I understand things fail but for ABS to fail in a way to loose all braking without warning is rediculous. How could the federal safety agency let harley davidson blame this on fluid or consumer? Are you implying that harley touring owners of 2008-11 are the only ones who didnt flush brake fluid? My fluid was always flushed. Its a defective module. Come on the federal safety agency wake up!

Filed Apr 23, 2018 · Brakes · 12,800 miles · GA

Rear brakes failed to operate. The rear brake pedal would not move when pressure is applied with foot. The harley recall only changes the brake fluid which is not the cause of the problem. The root cause of the malfunction is the ABS module is a defective design. Harley claims a lack of fluid change is the cause. This a cover up by harley to keep from having to replace all of the ABS modules on their dangerous motorcycles on the road. This is the only vehicle that I have ever heard of that must have the brake fluid changed every two years ( just a cover up by harley) this is a serious defect that is very dangerous and could cost lives on the road.

Filed Feb 19, 2018 · Brakes · 26,520 miles · TX

Abs system fails to "no brakes" . I have recently purchased my 2009 hd from a reputable dealer in houston. So I am not the original owner. Within less than 6 months of ownership and perhaps only 20 miles the ABS system has failed. I went to drive the motorcycle on a recent sunny day, and rolled out of my garage unable to stop. Both rear and front brakes are solid and immovable. Had this occurred further down the road it could have been catastrophic. Researching recalls, I see that this is a known issue but only requiring harley to flush the brake system. Repair is still on the owner. This is unacceptable. Harley engineering should have reached out to the auto industry who has used dot 4 brake fluid without such an issue for decades. Hygroscopic brake fluid is not the issue, its the material choice and potentially cathodic issues. For harley to blame owners for not flushing the fluid every two years is silly. I have only owned the bike 6 months. For them to resell without having repaired or replaced this is negligent as far as I am concerned. No doubt other used bike owners will experience this issue also and more accidents are in the making. A total recall should be done and the ABS valves replaced at hd's expense. Many on forums are now bypassing the ABS systems to avoid the exorbitant repair bill and need to go to harley. This is putting dangerous bikes on the road.

Filed Feb 10, 2018 · Brakes · 35,000 miles · MO

I experienced a catastrophic brake failure while pulling out of my driveway. The rear brake pedal froze and would not move. The motorcycle would not slow or stop. This happened around march of 2017. I took the motorcycle to gateway harley davidson for repairs. The suggested that because a lack of maintenance the ABS module failed. The replaced the ABS hcu, part 48343-09 and I paid for all repairs. My concern is an ABS module should not cause a catastrophic brake system failure. This does not happen in an automobile. The is a design defect. I have 2 newer harleys with ABS. I called harley manufacturing and was told these 2 newer motorcycles have the same design. Even with maintenance these 2 could have a catastrophic brake failure because of the ABS design defect. I have the defect ABS module that was replaced

Filed Feb 8, 2018 · Brakes · 36,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 harley-davidson flhtcu. Upon acceleration and attempting to apply the brake pedal, the rear brake pedal became stuck several times and failed to engage, causing catastrophic failure. The dealer (gateway harley-davidson, 3600 lemay ferry rd, st louis, mo 63125, (314) 845-9900) diagnosed that the ABS control module needed to be replaced. The part was replaced. The contact was informed that the maintenance schedule was not followed regarding replacing the fluid for the brakes and that the solution was a brake flush at no charge. The contact was uncertain if the dealer would provide a permanent solution. The motorcycle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v076000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact no longer owned the motorcycle and still had the part that was replaced. The failure mileage was not available. *tt

Filed Aug 26, 2017 · 5 miles · CA

Abs modules failing. There is an electronic and hydraulic portion of the module and both were diagnosed as being bad. Braking sucks when this happens as you are left with a very stiff brake lever and no other warning.

Filed Mar 8, 2017 · Brakes · 36,000 miles · MO

My motorcycle is experiencing the exact same issue described in your odi resume invetigation number pe 16-009. The rear brake pedal freezes when the ignition is ingaged. I took it the the harley davidson dealer for repair. They said it is the ABS module and is on back order for 10 days until 3/10/2017. I would like to have my motorcycle included in this investigation and any future recalls for this issue. I have been quoted approximately $760 for this fix.

Filed Feb 14, 2017 · Brakes · 31,900 miles · VA

Very serious failure of ABS front brake. When riding out of driveway the front brake lever seized making it impossible to squeeze yielding no front brakes. At this date the federal safety agency has 88 complaints filed for the hd ABS module failure, some resulting in crashes. Harley davidson says fluid has to be changed every 2 years to prevent moisture build up. I have never heard of such a thing among the millions of ABS vehicles in use. It is unbelievable to me that the federal safety agency has not demanded a recall or owner notifications to be mailed out. When I operate a vehicle I expect it to comply with all safety regulations and known problems be scrutinized by the federal safety agency. Where is the safety in the federal safety agency when nothing has been done with the known problems and complaints since 2008? Does it take a death to get a recall. If two gm cars experience a column lock while driving or in a jeep an operator error fails putting the car in park, there is a massive recall and demanded owner notifications. This is extremely serious and demands action!