The anti-lock braking system has been defective. A little over a year ago I took the motorcycle to Biggs Harley in San Marcos, CA to address the cause of the ABS light coming on intermittently. They said they fixed it. Shortly after leaving the dealer the ABS light came on again intermittently. It is now back at the dealer for the same problem they said they had fixed last year. Now they're telling me that the ABS module needs to be replaced. There have been numerous complaints about the ABS system on these motorcycles. The only recall has been to take the bike in for a brake fluid flush years ago. Obviously the ABS module on these motorcycles is a common problem and it is a safety issue as a defective ABS module will cause the brakes to not operate properly. This repair is going to cost me $800. The first "repair" which did not fix the problem cost me $421.
Harley-Davidson FLHX abs comes on
28 of the 185 owner complaints about the Harley-Davidson FLHX describe aBS light or ABS activating, most of them for the 2010 model year.
- owner complaints
- 28
- worst model year
- 2010
- typical mileage
- 30,650
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
Front Brakes do not work. I can not operate brake lever will not pull in, brakes have been service to manufacture recommendations, Rear brakes work, the front brake has failed in ABS unit and failed not working.
I hit my brakes and I felt the abs system kick in and after I let off the brakes the next time I attempted to use the rear brake the pedal was extremely hard to push and I had no braking power on the rear of the motorcycle.
I took my bike in to Myrtle Beach Harley Davidson for the repair as described in the recall. My bike had no issues with brakes or ABS light. The service department hooked it up to their computer and the ABS light was triggered. The service caused the ABS Module to fail. They refuse to repair the damage they caused. They want me to sign a statement that I know I am leaving their shop without antilock brakes.
My front brake lever froze and can not be pulled in on my 2012 Harley Davidson motorcycle. Dealership is saying brake pistons are froze up and ABS module will need to be replaced. I’ve owned the bike 6 years and have never been told the brake fluid needed to flushed every 2 years. There was a recall on this issue but only for years 2008-2011 and my bike is 2012, but was built on 2011. I never received recall notice.
The contact owns a 2009 Harley-Davidson Street Glide (FLHX). The contact stated while driving out of his driveway at 10 MPH, the front hand-brake pedal was depressed, however felt hard. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. There was no crash. The contact stated he researched the failure online and found a failure related to the ABS module. The contact stated that he contacted the dealer and was awaiting appointment. The contact stated that the dealer informed him that a year ago the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V076000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) was serviced on the motorcycle. The contact believed that the failure was related to the recall. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
ABS Module failed causing loss of all brakes on motorcycle. Brakes were working. Brought cycle to Harley Dealer for brake fluid flush as part of recall. Upon mechanic using Digitech to perform service it caused ABS module to fail. Because of failure motorcycle was left with zero brakes. Had to pay out of pocket for new ABS module. Due to design of module when it fails it causes brakes not to function leaving rider and other motorists at risk. I had to pay $641.61 out of pocket to remedy this failure that Harley Davidson was aware of.
2012 harley street glide ABS control module is failing. Causing the front brake lever to become rock hard and unusable. Same exact module that was recalled on 2008-2010 was also used in 2011-2013. Extreme safety hazard as you can not stop if someone pulls out in front of you.
Front brakes complete failure resulting in an accident. Abs failed & instead of reverting to non ABS it locked out the brake system resulting in no brakes. This is a design flaw on 2008 & up harley's with ABS. I believe that an investigation & recall are in order please. I was slightly injured, this can lead to fatalities!!
The ABS control module failed causing loss of brakes. A search of the internet revealed that this is a common problem with harley davidson ABS brake systems. There was no indicator light or warning that the problem existed just sudden brake failure. Luckily I was just moving the motorcycle around the yard when the problem occurred and was able to safely roll to a stop. Had this happened at highway speeds or in traffic the results could have been catastrophic. This vehicle has less than 8,000 miles on it and is garage kept in a climate controlled building. Any help or advise would be appreciated and I hope this can help or possibly save the lives of other riders.
Related recalls
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
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2014 ABS-equipped Touring and CVO Touring motorcycles, models FLHTK, FLHTKSE, FLHTKSHRINE, FLHTCU, FLHTCUTC, FLHTP, FLHX, FLHXS, FLHXSHRINE, FLHR, FLHRC, FLHP, and FLHRSE, manufactured July 1, 2013, through May 7, 2014. The affected motorcycles may have been assembled with the front brake line positioned so that it can be pinched between the fuel tank and frame causing the front brake fluid pressure to increase.
- Risk
- A pinched brake line will increase the front brake fluid pressure, possibly resulting in a front wheel lock-up, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the motorcycles for brake line damage and replace the damaged lines as necessary. Dealers will also install one or two cable straps to properly prevent the line from being pinched in the future, free of charge. The recall began on June 25, 2014. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1‑800‑258‑2464.
Recall number 14V319000 · Recall details
Questions about the Harley-Davidson FLHX abs
Why does the abs come on in the Harley-Davidson FLHX?
Owners who report it most often also describe brake failure, engine failure and soft or spongy brake pedal.
Which Harley-Davidson FLHX years have aBS light or ABS activating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2010 (11 complaints), 2009 (5 complaints) and 2008 (4 complaints).
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