Harley-Davidson FLHX brake failure problems

Filed Mar 23, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · FL · crash · 1 injury

Yes, a triangle on the bottom right side I was not aware of it. The dealership never told me that it needs to be serviced or looked at if that symbol popped up. I tried to get help but no one that Harley Davidson helped me on two separate occasions. The symbol appear approximately one month after purchase maybe two but I purchased a bike in November. The crash happened in January. It happened a few weeks before the crash. Complete brake failure the bike wobbles and threw me off of 30 ft

Filed Jul 13, 2020 · Brakes · 38,589 miles · NC · crash · 1 injury

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!!

Filed Jul 5, 2019 · Brakes · WV

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.

Filed Dec 3, 2018 · Brakes · 30,000 miles · FL · 1 injury

I was driving at 40 MPH on a 45 MPH 6 lane county road and a car cut in front of me. I downshifted one gear and grabbed the front brake lever and stepped on rear brake pedal. They were both as hard as a rock and I had no brakes. I jumped the curb and rolled into a grassy embankment and the bike fell on me. I had no brakes and rode home with a car behind me with flashers on, less than one mile home.

Filed Oct 30, 2018 · Brakes · 23,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 harley- davidson flhx. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the ABS system failed without warning. The contact stated that the rear brakes failed to operate. The contact stated that the front brakes was engaged to get the motorcycle to come to a complete stop. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for a diagnostic test or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,000.

Filed Jun 26, 2018 · Brakes, Wheels · 13,000 miles · MT · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2016 harley-davidson flhx. While riding at an unknown speed, there was either a tire blowout or a brake failure that caused the contact to crash into a rock wall. As a result, the contact went airborne and landed on the pavement. The contact sustained lacerations and injuries to the lungs, head, elbows, fingers, and neck that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The motorcycle was towed to yellowstone harley-davidson (540 alaska frontage rd, belgrade, mt 59714, (406) 388-7684) where it was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified and opened case number: [xxx]. The approximate failure mileage was 13,000. *tt information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed May 14, 2018 · Brakes · 30,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 harley-davidson flhx. While riding at 55 MPH, the contact attempted to depress the front brake lever; however, the brake failed to respond. The contact stated that the rear brake pedal was depressed while still attempting to slow the motorcycle down with the front brake. The front brake suddenly activated, which caused the contact to be thrown from the motorcycle. The contact sustained a fractured left big toe, a fractured left leg, and a fractured left knee cap, which required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The motorcycle was towed to seminole harley-davidson (620 hickman cir, sanford, fl 32771, (407) 328-1212), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

Filed May 9, 2018 · Brakes · 16,000 miles · WY · 1 injury

Harley davidson has done a volunteer recall on the ABS brake system only offering to replace brake fluid. Unfortunately due to type of brake fluid used the problem has caused the ABS hydraulic control unit (hcu) to fail and lock up resulting in loss of brakes front or back or both. This results in loss of stopping ability and safe operation. Harley davidson needs to address the real safety issue that is the end result of using poor quality brake fluid and repair replace ABS hydraulic control unit (hcu) with updated components. In my case I have complete lost the use of my front brakes, the brake handle is impossible to squeeze and results in significantly reduced stopping ability. My brake fluid has been replaced in accordance with the manufacturer but still has resulted in a catastrophic failure of the system. When it happened I was on the highway at highway speeds and was attempting to slow down for my exit when I realized my front brakes were inoperable.

Filed Feb 23, 2018 · Brakes · 21,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 harley-davidson street glide (flhx). While parking the motorcycle, the brakes failed. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (steel city harley-davidson, 1375 washington rd, washington, pa 15301) for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and would not assist. The failure mileage was 21,000. *tt carfax not able to display VIN record updated 9/26/18

Filed Jan 12, 2017 · Brakes · 49,000 miles · MD

I have a 2011 harley davidson street glide. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) failed last week and I almost collided with a car that had stopped in front of me. The front brake froze and was unusable. Harley requires you change the brake fluid every 2 years which I do, actually at about every $10k miles. I'm adamant about fluid changes. I change engine oil every 5k miles (amsoil) and replace engine, transmission, primary and brake fluid every $10k miles. This is a huge safety issue. The federal safety agency is currently investigating 2008 - 2011 models with ABS and has received 43 complaints and at least 3 crashes. This seems to be a bid problem reading harley forums. Harley claims that the moisture found in old, contaminated brake fluid can damage the actuator valves found in the anti-lock braking system. Nthsa states ABS failure which could lead to a safety recall in the us, possibly followed by worldwide recalls of up to 430,000 motorcycles. After the above incident I had a local motorcycle shop check it out, they flushed the brake system, took it out for a ride and the front brake failed again. I called harley, they stated it had to be confirmed by a harley dealer and provided me with a harley ABS case file number: 2951309. The local harley dealer picked it up today and confirmed the ABS module need to be replaced. They called harley corporate and was told: moisture in the brake fluid caused the problem and they wouldn't pay for it. I asked the local harley dealer how corporate could claim that and the answer was I had no service records with the harley dealer. I called corporate and stated I've been doing as stated above. Basically I was told I can't provide info to substantiate my claim. Complaint has been filed with the bbb as well: bbb complaint id 11933554