Harley-Davidson Flhtcu brake failure problems

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 Apr 28, 2025 · Driver assistance · SC

the recall remedy to flush the system does not address the concern that the ABS unit still has the potential for failure. Millions of ABS systems in cars do not have such issues that require a hydraulic flush every 2 years. Failure is the ABS control module; it should not be due to moisture in a sealed hydraulic system. Failure of the ABS control module can cause complete loss of braking function or a complete lockup of the brake with resultant severe injury. A one-time system flush does not address the primary fault - replacement of the ABS module. I had front brake system completely fail within 1 minute following a harley dealer brake flush. As the motorcycle was on a hill, the front brake was to hold the bike from rolling backwards. It did roll backwards before I could rebalance an use rear brake. The motorcycle fell over - no injury of damage.

Filed Nov 19, 2022 · Brakes · LA

ABS module failure resulting in front brake locking up. ABS module failed resulting in brake failure. While I was not involved in any incident the failed part showed no signs of beginning to fail. One day I I got onto the motorcycle and when I went to squeeze the front brake it was hard as a rock and it locked up my front wheel. This particular failure happened in my driveway so nobody was in danger but it also had no warning lights on or gave any signs of failure prior to this incident. If this were to happen while riding the motorcycle it could potentially be deadly for the rider and passenger depending on riding conditions. The part failure has been verified by a Harley Davidson dealership. Parts to correct this are currently back ordered over a month. I do not have the part in my possession as the bike is at a local dealership. I do plan on asking for the failed part once it is repaired. I did have brake work done on this bike in June of 2022, (pad replacement and system flush), and rode this bike on several occasions since the service but prior to failure. The bike had sat for about a month with no activity (covered) prior to this failure. The service was not preformed at a Harley Davidson dealership. There was a prior recall on this system for earlier model bikes for this same type of failure. But my specific year/model was not included. I have read several complaints from other owners in the same date range as mine having the same failure. This is a potentially deadly situation that needs to be corrected as Harley Davidson simply wants to replace the parts and make money off of their poorly engineered design. This type of failure does not occur in a passenger vehicle ABS system.

Filed Mar 11, 2020 · Brakes · 60,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 harley davidson electra glide ultra flhtcui. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency recall number: 18v076000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to greeley harley-davidson and wild west motorsports, inc. Located at (3010 29th st, greeley, co 80631 (970) 351-8150) to perform the recall repair. The brake system was flushed refilled with platinum dot 4 brake fluid. The contact stated that while riding the motorcycle, the brakes failed to operate as designed after the recall repair was performed. The motorcycle was taken back to the same dealer. The technician sought permission from the manufacturer to authorize an additional repair however, the manufacturer declined to authorize a second repair. The contact purchased a replacement part and repaired the motorcycle however, the failure persisted. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Sep 18, 2018 · Brakes · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 harley-davidson flhtcu. The contact stated that the front brakes failed to fully engage and function properly. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v076000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The contact scheduled an appointment with war horse harley-davidson (5331 n us hwy 441, ocala, fl 34475, 1-(352) 732-2488) and was provided with a remedy for the recall repair from the manufacturer; however, the failure recurred. The dealer refused to test drive the vehicle, indicating that it was not safe. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle remained parked at the contact's residence. The failure mileage was not available.

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 24, 2018 · Brakes · 88,000 miles · PA · crash

Front brakes failed unexpectedly while on highway. Brake lever is locked open and will not move. Later that day, the brakes locked open again while in parking lot causing me to wreck into curb and damage front fender.

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