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2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu brakes problems

10 complaints (32% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 21,250. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
10
of this car's complaints
32%
typical mileage
21,250
crashes
1
recalls
1

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Harley-Davidson Flhtcu brakes problems in other years

200720082009201020112013201420162017

Specific symptoms reported on the 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu brakes

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

ABS 7

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipReported January 29, 2018 · 174,636 vehicles affected
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 Owner’s 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

Related investigations

Sudden Brake Failure - MotorcycleOpened July 6, 2016, closed April 23, 2018

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

What 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 27, 2023 · Brakes · NY

I purchased a 2010 harley davidson ultra classic last june. I was riding home last week and went to use the rear break pedal and the brake was rock hard. I scheduled a service to diagnois the issue and found that the ABS module can cause the issue. I was notified today that the ABS module needs to be replaced and is not covered under the recall for the fluid change. This issue seems to be ongoing with numerous harleys from the year 2009-2014. This issue of a hard petal while riding home could have resulted in my death as they did function correct on the way to harley dealer and failed on my ride home. This part should be covered by harley as this could result in death.

Filed May 25, 2018 · Brakes · 21,250 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 harley-davidson flhtcu. While driving 20 MPH, the rear brake pedal failed to operate. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v076000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The motorcycle was taken to blue ridge harley-davidson (2002 13th ave dr. Se, hickory, nc 28602) where the recall was repaired along with some other unknown brake repairs. The contact stated that the brake repairs that he paid for should have been included in the recall. The manufacturer had not been notified. The failure mileage was 21,250. *ln

Filed Feb 20, 2018 · Brakes · 70,000 miles · TX

Rear brakes would not operate. I was riding and when I went to apply the rear brakes, it was as if I was as if the pedal was froze and no stop at all. The front did work but the rear was completely inoperable. Flushing the brake system did not work and I ended up replace the ABS brake module to correct the problem. In the owners manual it states if the ABS system fails you will still have adequate braking other than anti-lock. That is not correct....the ABS module can freeze and not let any brake fluid go to the rear brakes.

Filed Oct 24, 2017 · Brakes · 90,000 miles · NC

Abs module failure at speed. Hd states that with ABS failure, brakes are operable without ABS feature. Rear pedal has no resistance and front lever is locked. Brake operation is normal with switch off, but with bike running or switch in on position, symptoms return.

Filed Aug 26, 2017 · Brakes · 38,505 miles · PA

Front brake lever locked up, no front brakes. Investigated hydraulic system. Found that hydraulic control unit was not allowing fluid to flow, thereby causing front brakes not to apply. Investigated concern on harley forum that I am a member of, multiple complaints of this concern. I am requesting that harley davidson motor company be investigated and held accountable for this potentially dangerous situation.

Filed Jul 11, 2016 · Brakes · 9,000 miles · NE · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 harley-davidson flhtcu. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the brake pedal and the front brake lever were depressed but the vehicle failed to stop. As a result, the contact crashed into a pavement. The contact sustained back, ribs, left foot, neck and left lung injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the crash scene to the contact's residence but was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v506000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,000. Updated 08/30/16*lj

Filed May 5, 2016 · Brakes · 24,000 miles · AL

I was riding my motorcycle and exiting the freeway ramp discovered I had no rear brakes. Could not depress the brake pedal, like it was frozen. Took it to dealer and they said it was the ABS module. If ABS fails it should go to non ABS brakes (fail safe) instead of no brakes. Its only a matter of time before this problem causes loss of life

Filed Feb 13, 2016 · Brakes · 21,230 miles · IL

While riding bike and tried to stop on a city street. Rear brake pedal went rock hard and would not activate the rear brake caliper. Checked rear caliper to see if it was locked up and caliper was fine. Caliper pistons moved freely. Took bike to dealer and they found the ABS distribution block was bad and even though it was full of fluid it would not allowing fluid to travel to rear caliper. They replaced block. My concern is a total rear brake failure. I had no rear brakes and made it difficult and dangerous to stop an 800 lb motorcycle at any speed. I have found on several forums users describe this same problem with varying years and models of harley davidson bikes with ABS.

Filed Dec 7, 2015 · Brakes · 18,670 miles · VA

After riding the motorcycle normally for approximately 30 minutes, I stopped at my destination and shut down the bike normally. Approximately 20 minutes later, I got back on the bike to go back home. At this point, I found my right front brake lever was froze up and would not move at all. I had the bike towed to my harley dealer to correct the problem. The service manager at the dealership called me a few days later and told me the ABS hydraulic control unit was bad. He also told me when the bike was brought in, the rear brake was also froze up. I authorized the dealer to replace the hydraulic control unit to fix the bike. A couple of days later, the service manager called me and told me the ABS electronic control unit was also bad and needed to be replaced. After researching on the internet, I found that this is a common problem with certain harley davidson motorcycles. My major concern is that I could have been riding on the interstate when the brakes failed and I could have been hurt or killed. I think this is a design flaw in the ABS system. If the system failed, the bike should at the very least revert to normal braking instead of ABS. In my case, I had no brakes at all with no warning whatsoever.

Filed Mar 17, 2013 · Brakes · 8,805 miles · FL

Abs brake system malfunction, will not activate.

Questions about the 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu brakes

Does the 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu have brakes problems?

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the brakes of the 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu, 32% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu brakes problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 21,250 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu brakes?

Yes, 1 recall: 18V076000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Harley-Davidson Flhtcu have bad brakes?

The Harley-Davidson Flhtcu model years with the most brakes complaints are 2008 (36 complaints), 2009 (36 complaints) and 2010 (10 complaints).

Other 2010 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu problems

Transmission 8Acceleration 7Electrical 5Engine 5Suspension 3Fuel system 2Wheels 2Driver assistance 1

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