2012 Harley-Davidson Flhtcuse7 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. SEE THE ABOVE LIST FOR THE MODELS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY BE EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2012 FLHTCUSE7.
- Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 11V506000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-414-343-4056.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Summary: HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 TOURING, CVO TOURING AND TRIKE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 6, 2008, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. SEE THE ABOVE LIST FOR THE MODELS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY BE EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: HARLEY-DAVIDSON SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS 0145. CUSTOMERS OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 2012 Harley-Davidson Flhtcuse7 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (1), Transmission / drivetrain (1), Engine (1), Wheels / tires (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (3)
11/16/2018 · Brakes
THE ANTILOCK BRAKE MODUAL FAILED ON MY HARLEY ELECTRA GLIDE CVO. IT COMPLETELY MADE THE REAR BRAKES INOPERABLE. THE PEDAL IS AS SOLID AS A ROCK. THERE IS A RECALL UP TO THE 2011 YEAR MODELS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE WHEN IT FAILED WHILE DRIVING I HAD TO USE THE ENGINE/CLUTCH TO SAFELY STOP. HAVING BRAKES FAIL FROM…
05/07/2014 · Transmission / drivetrain
2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MOTORCYCLE HAS SPUTTERED THROUGH THE INTAKE AND COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A YIELD RAMP AND PREPARING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, THE MOTORCYCLE JUST STOPPED. IT DID RE-START AND HE WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE HIS TRIP HOME. HE RETURNED THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWIN…
04/07/2013 · Wheels / tires
THE "CHISEL" WHEELS THAT HD USES ON THEIR 2012 AND 2013 FLHTCUSE'S CAUSE AN UNSTABLE CONDITION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE FRONT END FEELS VERY LIGHT AND AT THE EDGE OF KEEPING CONTROL, ESPECIALLY IN WINDY CONDITIONS OR AROUND LARGE VEHICLES LIKE TRUCKS OR RV'S. I HAVE TRIED REBUILDING THE FRONT FORKS, TIRE REPLACEMENT, ADDING HD ACCESSORIES SUCH AS WIND DEFLEC…