Harley-Davidson Recall. Rear Brake Switch And Lamp On 09-12 Touring And Trike Models

Potential Number of Units Affected: 250,757. Summary: On certain models year 2009-2012 Touring, CVO Touring and trikes manufactured from June 6, 2008 through September 16, 2011, 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 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 install a rear brake light switch kit, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about October 31, 2011. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson at 414-343-4056.

10 Responses to “Harley-Davidson Recall. Rear Brake Switch And Lamp On 09-12 Touring And Trike Models”


  1. 1 roscoe Oct 23rd, 2011 at 7:39 pm

    The bike in the pic has cool wheels.

  2. 2 fuji Oct 24th, 2011 at 11:28 am

    roscoe .

    Both wheels are cool ? Maybe just the front. LOL

  3. 3 Cyclereckr Oct 24th, 2011 at 7:10 pm

    Yea the wheels are cool, until you have to change the tires, man what a pain , I have them on my 2009 Ultra.

  4. 4 dangI'mtired Oct 25th, 2011 at 9:15 am

    Or until you have to clean them, one spoke ata time, on each side,
    two wheels,, you have to clean, wipe, then polish each time to get clean
    they design sucks if you get close you can see where the black area
    has a recess where dirt and road grime accumulate, not simple to wipe out.

    If you want them to look good you’ll spend an hour on both.

    Glad I got rid of mine the rear is a big PIA to clean.

    Nice wheels but hard to put air in, change or clean…

  5. 5 Okiebob Oct 25th, 2011 at 10:16 am

    Heard Harley dealers don’t have the brake switches available yet. Also heard the new bikes they have in inventory and on the showroom floor get the switches first because they can’t be sold until they have been changed out.

  6. 6 motorcycle medic Oct 26th, 2011 at 9:41 am

    phd is becoming an auto manufacturer more and more ,day by day….loss of vision if you ask me!
    seems they dont mind building inferior product now.

  7. 7 Boss Hawg Oct 27th, 2011 at 9:09 am

    Better check your 2008 models boys….HD replaced mine last year at no charge because they knew then they had an issue and possible recall. Brake light stayed on.

    My Ultra was manufactured in May of ’08.

    Amazing how it takes a recall to take care of the masses when apparently HD knew all along.

    Boss Hawg

  8. 8 king Oct 29th, 2011 at 3:02 am

    My switch melted and failed 3 days prior to a 1400 mile trip in mid september. I left my house for work and when I stepped on the rear brake pedal I had no rear brakes at all and a big cloud of smoke from the brake fluid squirting out onto the exhaust header occured. I went to the Harley dealer and showed the crispy switch to the parts guy and the service manager, both of which are owners, and they assured me it wasnt a problem with the pipe overheating the switch and they had never heard of this problem before. BULL. I will be revisting them today to at least get my money back for the new switch I had to buy.

  9. 9 Don Dec 6th, 2011 at 8:26 pm

    King -your bike was under warranty and you paid for such a repair?

    My 2011 was 3 months old and the rear pads were going low. took it to the dealer and the new srvice manager siad I must be new to bikes and was riding the brakes.

    Told him I had been riging for 40 years. When he took it aprt, fond the pads were defective and hanging becasue of something done by the manufacturer. Said they don’t usually pay for brakes – but in this case, they will repair under warranty.

    I wenr to the owner shared my concerns -and got this matter respoved.

  10. 10 Lidio Mar 13th, 2012 at 7:36 am

    I own an HD Ultraclassic2008.I was cruising at 70mph with the cruise control,a car cut in front of me I hit my rear brake and the bike kept going,the front brake deactivated the cruise control.The problem is the rear stop switch!

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Cyril Huze