18
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Deaths
!

High Severity Issue

This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.

This Problem Across All Years

All Service Brakes Complaints

Showing 18 of 18
Apr 27, 2023

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.

Apr 27, 2023

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.

Feb 20, 2018 70,000 mi

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.

Feb 20, 2018 70,000 mi

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.

Oct 24, 2017 90,000 mi

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.

Oct 24, 2017 90,000 mi

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.

Aug 26, 2017 38,505 mi

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.

Aug 26, 2017 38,505 mi

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.

Jul 11, 2016 Crash 9,000 mi

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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V506000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. UPDATED 08/30/16*LJ *TR

Jul 11, 2016 Crash 9,000 mi

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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V506000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. UPDATED 08/30/16*LJ *TR

May 5, 2016 24,000 mi

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

May 5, 2016 24,000 mi

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

Feb 13, 2016 21,230 mi

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.

Feb 13, 2016 21,230 mi

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.

Dec 7, 2015 18,670 mi

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.

Dec 7, 2015 18,670 mi

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.

Mar 17, 2013 8,805 mi

ABS BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, WILL NOT ACTIVATE. *TR

Mar 17, 2013 8,805 mi

ABS BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, WILL NOT ACTIVATE. *TR