2011 Harley-Davidson Vrscf 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. 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 (VRSCAW…
What could happen: These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
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 2011 VRSCF.
- Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V076000 (manufacturer code 0171).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-258-2464.
- 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: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 2011 Harley-Davidson Vrscf owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (3), Unknown Or Other (2), Body / structure (1), Hydraulic (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (5)
12/15/2020 · Brakes
THERE IS CURRENT RECALL ON THIS HD MOTORCYCLE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS M140: SAFETY RECALL 0171. THE RECALL REQUIRED HD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE FLUID WITH PLATINUM LABEL DOT4. ACCORDING TO THE SAFETY RECALL, THE OLD BRAKE FLUID "CAN CAUSE THE BRAKE SYSTEM DAMAGE AND ADVERSELY AFFECT BRAKING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY." THE BRAKE FLUID ON TH…
12/22/2018 · Unknown Or Other
THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE. TODAY, DEC 22, 2018 AT 1030 AM. WHILE RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE DOWN I-264 IN VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. THE SINGLE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE RIGHT DRIVERS FOOTPEG IN PLACE SHEARED, CAUSING THE FOOTPEG TO DROP, LEAVING ME WITHOUT A PLACE TO PUT MY FOOT AND CAUSED A HINDRANCE TO MY ABILITY TO USE THE REAR BREAK.
03/22/2018 · Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCF. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO RAHWAY HARLEY-DAVIDSON (12 WEST MILTON AVE, RAHWAY, NJ) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE TECHNICIAN REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE ABS WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO HAVE THE ABS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACT…
11/06/2011 · Body / structure
07/26/2011 - 2011 H-D VROD MUSCLE (VRSCF) I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AND GOT OFF AT MY EXIT. AS I WAS DOWNSHIFTING THE LEFT FOOT PEG ASSEMBLY CAME LOSE AND ROTATED DOWN. I WAS ONLY A HALF MILE AWAY FROM HOME USING RESIDENTIAL STREETS. AS I GOT ON MY STREET THE ENTIRE FOOT PEG ASSEMBLY CAME OUT OF THE FRAME AND FELL ONTO THE STREET. AT THIS POINT…
12/11/2010 · Brakes
I AM FROM AUSTRALIA BUT I OWN AN AMERICAN MADE HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCF MUSCLE MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ABS WHICH DOES NOT WORK. I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE FROM THE HARLY-DAVIDSON DEALER (FRASER MOTORCYCLES) IN PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA ON 5 NOVEMBER 2010. !0DAYS AFTER INITIAL PURCHASE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS…