Model year record

2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtc recalls & problems

The 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtc has 2 safety recalls and 15 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes (5 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints15filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicJan 29, 2018

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall 18V076000174,636 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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 OwnerÂs Manual.
Risk: These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.

Components: Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Service brakes, hydraulic › Fluid

Fuel system, gasolineJul 30, 2008

Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap

Recall 08V35700047,579 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: HARLEY DAVIDSON IS RECALLING 47,579 MY 2008 FLHP, FLHPE, FLHR, FLHRC, FLHRSE4, FLHT, FLHTC, FLHTCU, FLHTCUSE3, FLHTP, FLHX, AND FLTR MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES MAY EXPERIENCE A CRACKING OF THE FUEL FILTER SHELL LEADING TO LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE. THIS LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE CAN CAUSE DIMINISHED PERFORMANCE AND, IN SOME CASES, MAY CAUSE AN ENGINE STALL OR A NO-START CONDITION.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER SHELL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Typical mileage*
Service brakes	5	14,000 mi
Electrical system	3	15,200 mi
Power train	3	36,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	2	—
Engine and engine cooling	1	—
Suspension	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline	1	—
Engine	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Power train
I WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO LIGHT AN ISSUE I HAVE RECENTLY HAD FOUND. I RIDE A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ELECTRAGLIDE. I ONLY HAVE 42000 MILES ON IT. LAST FALL I WAS COMING BACK FROM A MEMORIAL MISSION WITH THE AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS. I NOTICED A STRANGE RATTLE IN MY PRIMARY CASE AREA. I GOT HOME AND PARKED IT UNTIL I COULD OPEN IT UP TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE IS. A FEW WEEKS LATER I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO OPEN UP THE PRIMARY CASE. WHAT I FOUND WAS 2 LARGE PIECES OF METAL LOOSE IN THE PRIMARY CASE. THIS IS WHERE THE CLUTCH, DRIVE CHAIN, COMPENSATOR, AND STATOR ARE. IMMEDIATELY I WAS SCARED AND THANKFUL THAT ONE OF THOSE PIECES DIDN'T GET STUCK IN THE DRIVE CHAIN AND SPROCKET. IF IT HAD WHEN I WAS GOING…
Sep 25, 2017 · 42,000 miles
Service brakes
ON 10-19-2017 I WAS RIDING WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDS ON OUR WAY TO A FELLOW BIKERS FUNERAL. WE WERE DOING ABOUT 45 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, AS WE APPROACHED OUR TURN I ATTEMPTED TO START BRAKING WITH MY BACK BRAKE. WHEN I TRYED TO PUSH THE BACK BRAKE PEDAL DOWN NOTHING HAPPENED!!!!!!!!!!! THE PEDAL WAS FROZEN IN PLACE!!!!!!!!! I BROUGHT THE BIKE TO A FRIENDS AND HE AND I STARTED TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM. WHEN WE GOT TO THE ABS BRAKE MANIFOLD, WE FOUND THAT WHEN WE CRACKED THE INLET LINE THE BACK BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO DOWN AND PUSH FLUID OUT. WE TIGHTENED THE INLET LINE BACK AND BROKE LOOSE THE OUTLET LINE AND THE BACK BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE AGAIN. ON 11-1-2017 I SPOKE TO THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT…
Oct 19, 2017 · 3 miles
Service brakes
I TOOK MY BIKE OUT FOR A NICE RIDE AND NOTHING IN THE WAY OF A PROBLEM. THE NEXT DAY WENT TO RIDE THE BIKE AND MY FRONT BRAKE LEVER IS AS HARD AS A ROCK I WENT TO STOP AND HAD NO FRONT BRAKE. WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION . I CHECKED FOR TROUBLE CODES IN THE MEMORY AND IT SHOWED NONE. TRIED TO BLEED THE FRONT BRAKES CRACKED THE BLEEDER AND LEVER MOVED FINE AND FLUID CAME OUT AS NORMAL . TRIED TO USE BRAKE AND LEVER WAS HARD AGAIN. CALL THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THE ABS MODULE WAS BAD AND IT WOULD COST A 1000.00 . I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT IF THE SYSTEM FAILED IT WOULD JUST REVERT BACK TO BRAKES WITH OUT ABS.AM I WRONG ABOUT THE WAY THEY SHOULD WORK INFORMED BY SERVICE WRITER…
Oct 15, 2016 · 17,500 miles
Service brakes
I RECENTLY WAS RIDING WHEN THE FRONT BRAKE HANDLE ON THE BIKE STARTED TO VIBRATE. I WAS CLOSE TO HOME SO I WENT THERE. SINCE IT WAS TIME TO DO SOME MAINTENANCE ON THE BIKE I ORDERED PARTS AND OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS CHANGED FLUIDS AND DID OTHER ITEMS INCLUDING REPLACING THE FRONT RIGHT HANDGRIP. AFTER REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE I STARTED THE BIKE AND DID A TEST RIDE A FEW 100 METERS DOWN MY STREET AND WHEN I WENT TO USE THE BRAKES THE FRONT BRAKE HANDLE WAS FROZEN. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKE WAS FEELING VERY STIFF. I REMOVED THE FRONT BRAKE FLUID COVER AND INSPECTION THE MASTER CYLINDER, CLEANS THE COVER AND REPLACED WITH THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRING. I THOUGHT MAYBE THERE WAS AN…
Jul 30, 2016 · 8,790 miles
Engine
COMPENSATOR IN PRIMARY WENT OUT WITH ONLY 25,000 MILES. UPON RESEARCH, IT IS FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO HARLEY, YET THEY HAVEN'T SAID ANYTHING. THIS IS A MAJOR COST TO THE CONSUMER AND MOST IMPORTANTLY DANGEROUS!!! IF THIS GOES OUT WHILE YOU ARE RIDING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, IT LOCKS THE BACK WHEEL AND PRIMARY ENGINE! NO TELLING HOW MANY DEATHS HAPPENED WITH THIS AND IT'S GOES WITHOUT ANYTHING BEING SAID. THERE SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL BEFORE MORE DEATHS OCCUR. THANK GOD MY MECHANIC FOUND THIS WHILE FIXING ANOTHER UNRELATED PROBLEM. HARLEY SHOULD RECALL AND FIX ASAP WITHOUT COST TO US CONSUMERS! BRYAN, TX
Jul 11, 2016 · 25,000 miles
Service brakes
FRONT BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY. BRAKE LEVER BECAME ROCK HARD & WOULD NOT ACTIVATE THE FRONT BRAKES AT ALL. THIS OCCURRED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO USE VEHICLE AFTER IT HAD BENEFITTING A FEW DAYS. VERY SHOCKED WHEN I WENT TO USE THE FRONT BRAKES & THEY WOULD NOT WORK, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
Apr 1, 2016 · 14,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
MET FRIENDS AT QUAKER STEAK FOR A RIDE,STARTED BIKE,RAN FOR 10 SECONDS THEN DIED,FUEL FILTER HOUSING CRACKED,WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT DEALER STATED WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL,TO ME IT SHOULD BE,HAD TO BE TOWED AND THEN 52.00 IN PARTS WITH ME FIXIG MYSELF
Aug 14, 2015 · 68,348 miles
Service brakes
DRIVING MY HARLEY AT ABOUT 20-30 MPH PULLING UP TO RED LIGHT. GO TO HIT FRONT BRAKE. NOTHING. FRONT BRAKE IS COMPLETELY DISABLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IT APPEARS THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS FAULTY ABS MODULES AND THIS IS NOT THE FIRST NOR PROBABLY THE LAST OF THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ MY COMPLAINT. *TR
Apr 23, 2014 · 55,005 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Sudden Brake Failure - MotorcycleClosedLed to recall 18V076000
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation in July 2016 based on forty-three (43) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ).During the course of this investigation ODI received a total of 145 VOQs related to the alleged defect on the subject motorcycles.Owners allege they experience a sudden and complete loss of brakes on one or both wheels.To better understand the cause of the braking issue on the subject motorcycles, ODI requested NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) conduct inspections and testing of affected vehicle braking systems.Through its work, VRTC determined that deposits were forming on the valves in the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) of the Antilock Braking System (ABS). These deposits could prevent the proper function of the HCU and render the brakes ineffective.To understand why deposits were forming in the HCU, Harley Davidson completed an…
PE16009 · opened Jul 6, 2016 · closed Apr 23, 2018
MOTORCYCLE STALLINGClosedLed to recall 08V357000
THE SUBJECT FUEL FILTER HOUSING (P/N 62229-08) CRACKS, RESULTING IN SUDDEN ENGINE STALL DUE TO UNREGULATED FUEL PRESSURE.HARLEY-DAVIDSON HAS MODIFIED THE HOUSING WITH A NEW PART NUMBER 62229-08A.SHORTLY AFTER OPENING THIS PE, ODI RECEIVED HARLEY'S DEFECT NOTIFICATION INDICATING THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE BEING RECALLED TO INSTALL THE NEW FUEL FILTER HOUSING.WITH THAT RECALL, RECEIVED PRIOR TO RELEASE OF OUR INFORMATION REQUEST, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CONCLUDED.
PE08043 · opened Jul 17, 2008 · closed Aug 8, 2008