Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 2 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

2 total · 2 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Brakes recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 18V076000 · Jan 2018

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Exterior lighting recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 11V506000 · Oct 2011

THE EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY CAUSE THE SWITCH TO NOT ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP OR ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP WHEN NO BRAKE IS APPLIED AND/OR CAUSE A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, AFFECTING REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE. EITHER CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy
HARLEY-DAVIDSON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL A INSTALL A REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH KIT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

20 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
3

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1sudden stalling 1
A recent report: I HAD JUST PULLED OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREA AND MY MOTORCYCLE STARTED PRODUCING A CLANKING NOISE FROM THE PRIMARY CASE AND AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT…
Read full complaint

I HAD JUST PULLED OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREA AND MY MOTORCYCLE STARTED PRODUCING A CLANKING NOISE FROM THE PRIMARY CASE AND AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE PRIMARY COMPENSATOR WAS FAILING. AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED, MY CYCLE ALSO DROPPED VOLTAGE FROM 14.8 VOLTS DC DOWN TO 8 OR 9 VOLTS DC AND CAUSED THE CYCLE TO BOG, AND LOST MECHANICAL POWER ON A HILL WITH HIGH TRAFFIC FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS ON A HEAVILY TRAFFICKED MAIN U.S. HIGHWAY. HAD IT BEEN DAYLIGHT, THE ISSUE COULD HAVE COSTED MY LIFE HAD IT NOT BEEN FROM THE GLOW OF MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS GLOWING IN THE DARK NIGHT, BLINKING. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WHERE TO PULL OFF OF THE ROAD DUE TO AN 11 FOOT DROP OFF. THIS IS AND HAS BEEN A COMMONLY KNOWN ISSUE FOR SEVERAL YEAR HARLEY DAVIDSON MODELS AND ARE ALL STILL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED FOR THE COMPENSATOR FAILING DANGEROUSLY. AT TIMES, THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN CASES OF THEM DISMANTLING THEMSELVES AND CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY AND DEATH BEFORE NOW AND ALMOST CAUSED DEATH OF MY OWN DUE TO WHEN AND WHERE IT HAPPENED.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11316186 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
13

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 2 mention a crash.

loss of braking 13
A recent report: The contact owns a 2011 Harley-Davidson FLHTK Electra Glide Ultra. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V076000 (Services…
Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2011 Harley-Davidson FLHTK Electra Glide Ultra. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V076000 (Services Brakes, Hydraulic) was performed; however, while riding and coming to a complete stop, the front brake was engaged but failed to respond. The contact was able to stop the motorcycle by engaging the rear brake. The contact stated that the front brake was inoperable. The dealer was notified of the failure and charged a fee for the repair. The motorcycle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11553821 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
1

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 1
A recent report: 2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON ELECTRA-GLIDE ULTRA-LIMITED (103CU), BOUGHT NEW JUNE 2011. REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP THAT, THE FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY WITH HANDS REMOVED FROM HANDLEBARS AT AROUND 30 TO 35 MPH…
Read full complaint

2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON ELECTRA-GLIDE ULTRA-LIMITED (103CU), BOUGHT NEW JUNE 2011. REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP THAT, THE FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY WITH HANDS REMOVED FROM HANDLEBARS AT AROUND 30 TO 35 MPH. THE VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT END CAUSES THE HANDLEBARS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND WITHOUT IMMEDIATE HANDS BACK ON THE BARS THE VIBRATION INCREASES TO THE POINT OF POSSIBLE ?LOSS OF CONTROL? OF THE MOTORCYCLE; THIS ISSUE WILL CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO RIDER AND PASSENGER. DEALERSHIP CHECKED ALL SPECIFICATIONS FOR FRONT END AND REPORTED NO ISSUES OUT OF TOLERANCE, BUT DID SAY THAT THE FRONT TIRE WAS SLIGHTLY LOW IN AIR PRESSURE, OTHER THAN THE AIR PRESSURE DIFFERENCE THE DEALER REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO ISSUES FOUND. THE FRONT TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED OR REPORTED AS FAULTY AND THE VIBRATION CONTINUES TO THIS DATE, THE MOTORCYCLE ONLY HAS 3500 MILES SINCE NEW JUNE 2011. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUES THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET AND HAVE SEEN THAT MANY WITH THE SAME VIBRATION ISSUE HAVE REPLACED THEIR FRONT TIRES AND THE ISSUE SUBSIDED. HOW CAN US THE PUBLIC FORCE HARLEY DAVIDSON TO RELEASE A EMERGENCY SERVICE LETTER/RECALL NOTICE TO ALL 2011 TOURING MODEL HARLEY MOTORCYCLE OWNERS, FOR A REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT TIRE WITH A KNOWN GOOD TIRE TO SOLVE THE ISSUE. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10426422 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
3

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 2
A recent report: LEFT SADDLEBAG CAME OFF WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH ON 4 LANE ROAD. CAUSED MANY VEHICLES BEHIND ME TO QUICKLY AVOID HITTING IT. THE CONNECTING STUDS VIBRATED LOOSE CAUSING THIS TO FALL OFF. NOT TO MENTION…
Read full complaint

LEFT SADDLEBAG CAME OFF WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH ON 4 LANE ROAD. CAUSED MANY VEHICLES BEHIND ME TO QUICKLY AVOID HITTING IT. THE CONNECTING STUDS VIBRATED LOOSE CAUSING THIS TO FALL OFF. NOT TO MENTION AN ESTIMATE OF 600,00 DOLLARS TO REPAIR SADDLEBAG. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT FOR VEHICLES BEHIND.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11005602 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 20 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2011 and 2023, roughly 2 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2011 has 20 complaints on file, fewer than the 2010 (29) and more than the 2012 (19). Of the 7 model years of the Harley-Davidson Flhtk we cover, the 2014 has the most (37). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.